ENGLISH DRAMA AND THE CHALLENGE OF CENSORSHIP

Latest Jobs

For latest job updates visit https://recruitmentportalngr.com/

The idea of censorship in theatre indicates that the drama has a close and deep relationship with society. It defeats the notion of “art for art sake”, for it demonstrates clearly and in practical terms that even the authorities are aware of the impact of drama as an undeniable means of socialization. This article explains the seemingly difficult terrain of censorship in English drama.

Censorship in English Drama

In spite of the passion with which the English people embraced the theatre during the Elizabethan period, many, especially the city council and clergy-those often referred to as the Puritans, viewed the theatre as an immoral institution that needs to be proscribed. Vargas (1960: 101) opines:

But many saw in plays nothing but wickedness and folly. They denounce the playhouses as pretexts for riots, nuisances, meeting places for thieves, vagabonds, and malcontents and other unsavoury characters.

This group which sees the theatre as an abode of rogues and prostitutes shows great discontent against the drama. It finds the government link with the theatre totally unacceptable and holds such relationship with contempt. In fact, the manner in which members of this group pursue the theatre to destroy it compels some people to regard them as “kill-joys”. It is on record that the Puritans started issuing negative treatise against the theatre since the medieval times. The opportunity to destroy the theatre was opened to the Puritans during the Commonwealth era when they dominated the Parliament. According to Vargas:

The Puritan triumph was a signal for the deathblow to be struck. In 1642 Parliament passed an ordinance abolishing all playhouses. The closing of the theatres was an end of the epoch, the greatest in the history of the English drama.

To further ensure that performances were wiped out completely, it was declared that all actors should be captured and treated as criminals. Although playwrights and actors were chased away, and theatre’s property sold, the fascination of the drama never allowed it to be totally exterminated. Performances were given surreptitiously according to Brockett and Hildy who further note:

The actors continued to perform nevertheless, using the Red Bull, which had escaped demolition, or, when that appeared too dangerous, private houses, tennis courts, or inns. Often officials were bribed to ignore violations. In these years, the usual type of entertainment seems to have been the “droll”, a short ply condensed from a longer work.

However, when circumstances connived to bring the exiled Prince of England home to rule as King Charles II in 1660, he restored the theatre but made it, essentially, an affair for the aristocrats, gallants, and the courtiers. Yet, as Vargas remarks, “the Puritans outlook on the theatre was still one of unchanged opposition”. They even get more infuriated with the decadent displays of the Restoration comedy. In 1698, a clergy, Jeremy Collier published a diatribe against the theatre entitled, “A Short View of the Profaneness and Immorality of the English Stage”. In this essay, he accuses the stage of misbehaving in matters of morality, religion, and of using action, music, and thought in a bad sense. He also attacked the stage for its intolerable use of language. On the immoral talk on stage, Collier says, “Such licentious discourse tends to no point but to stain the imagination, to awaken folly, and to weaken the defenses of virtue”.

Collier blames the stage for its wanton blurring of the distinction between virtue and vice; for making the major characters lewd, debauched, and atheistical. He argues that in so doing, “vice is thus preferred, thus ornamented and caressed”. He frowns terribly against the stage’s negation of poetic justice. In this regard, he intones with reference to the major characters of the Restoration drama:

They keep their honor untarnished and carry off the advantage of their character. They are set up for the standard of behaviour and the masters of ceremony and sense. And at last, that the example may work the better they generally make them rich and happy and reward them with their own desires.

It is necessary to point out that Collier is not averse to drama, altogether. His diatribe is squarely against the drama of his time, the Restoration comedy which he considered “offensive to standards of public decency” (Brockett and Hildy, p.426). In the same article, he praised Euripides for his drama of good sense and modesty, illustrating his notion of what a dramatic character should be with Phaedra. According to him:

Euripides who was no negligent observer of human nature, is always careful of this Decorum. Thus Phaedra when possessed with an infamous passion takes all imaginable pain to conceal it. She is as regular and reserved in her language as the most virtuous matron. “Tis true, the force of shame and desire, the scandal of satisfying, and the difficulty of parting with her inclinations disorder her to distraction. However, her frenzy is not lewd; she keeps her modesty even after she has lost her wits (pp.394 – 395).

Notwithstanding this, Collier’s brash unmediated criticism did portray the theatre in a bad light, igniting and fueling severe hatred against the stage in many quarters, in spite of attempts by lovers of the theatre to vindicate it in critical essays. Although the 18th century did push away the obscenities and the looseness of the Restoration comedy by ushering in the drama of sense and popular taste, the outlook of the “kill – joys” never changed. John Gay’s The Beggars Opera and Henry Fielding’s plays which satirised Wapole’s administration were seen as extremely offending plays and this drove the authority to take a drastic action against the theatre by passing the Licensing Act of 1737. This Act reduced the number of the theatres in London to two, namely Drury Lane and Covent Garden. The small theatres were severely crippled. The Act equally banned Polly, Gay’s sequel to The Beggars Opera. In explaining the negative impact of this Act on the theatre as a whole, Vargas laments:

The Licensing Act introduced stage censorship in England for the first time. All plays had now to be approved by the Lord Chamberlain before the performance. Wheels had been set in motion which would in time go far to weaken the life – blood of the theatre. Fielding was the first to turn away from the theatre. The clammy hands of the stage censorship still work their pernicious way in the world of the theatre, driving brave spirits into other fields of writing, emasculating and weakening the work of those who remain (p.141).

However, the theatre is a restless and undying superman, a darling of the people. The idea of democracy and public opinion prevailed on the government in 1843 to pass The Theatre Regulation Act which enlarged participation. But the act merely abolished the privileges enjoyed by the two patent houses by legalising the activities of the smaller theatres and by permitting the building of more playhouses. Vargas submits that the Act “did nothing to disturb the incubus of censorship but clarify the ridiculous position of the theatre” (p.163).

Download all job past questions & answers here to get ahead of others in getting that your dream job – Download here now!

38 Comments

  1. Undeniably imagine that that you stated. Your favorite reason seemed to be on the internet the simplest factor to have in mind
    of. I say to you, I definitely get irked whilst folks think about worries that they just don’t understand about.
    You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also outlined out the entire thing without having side-effects , other people can take a signal.
    Will likely be again to get more. Thanks

    Reply

  4. Woah! I’m really enjoying the template/theme of this
    site. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s very hard to get that “perfect balance” between superb usability and
    appearance. I must say you’ve done a superb job with this.
    Also, the blog loads extremely fast for me on Safari.

    Superb Blog!

    Reply

  10. I know this if off topic but I’m looking into
    starting my own weblog and was wondering what all is needed to get setup?
    I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny?
    I’m not very internet smart so I’m not 100% positive.
    Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. Appreciate it

    Reply

  14. I think this is among the most significant information for me.
    And i’m glad reading your article. But wanna remark on some general things,
    The website style is great, the articles is really excellent :
    D. Good job, cheers

    Reply

  15. I’m more than happy to find this site. I need to to thank you for your time for this fantastic read!!
    I definitely enjoyed every little bit of it and I have you saved to fav to look at
    new information on your blog.

    Reply

  21. I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your blog.
    It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come
    here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create
    your theme? Fantastic work!

    Reply

  24. We are firmly on the home-straight to Christmas day and if you’re still stressing over which present you should get a loved one or your partner, there is no need to look any further. If they are a fan of high-octane thrills and the best cars available, the driving experiences on offer at an experienced specialist will give them one of the most memorable Christmases they have ever had!

    The great thing about driving experience days, apart from the obvious delight of sitting behind the wheel and pressing down on the foot pedals of a dream car, is that this isn’t a present that will make just one person extremely happy. The family and friend orientated approach to all of the packages on offer allow loved ones and in this case, you – the present buyer, to attend and look on as your gift is brought to life with an ear to ear grin that is etched across their face as they take their favourite car around the track.

    The specialist has driving experiences to suit even the most discerning driver and any present buying budget; with packages focusing on the ultimate supercars such as the Lamborghini Gallardo and Aston Martin DB9 that have had your loved one drooling ever since seeing them on Top Gear, to experiences that cater to the desires of the rally enthusiast, with perfect presents such as the Subaru Impreza v Mitsubishi Evo experience.

    You will also find that most of these packages have been discounted this Christmas to make things even easier for those doing the present buying. In addition to the breathtaking thrills to be had out on the track, there is astounding value for money on offer for the festive season as experiences such as the ‘Supercar Triple Thrill’ have been marked down from 239 to 159. Whatever package you choose, one thing is certain; the receiver has a lot to live up to in return!

    If, after looking through all of the great driving experiences offered, you are a little overwhelmed with choice or just can’t decide whether they would rather take an Audi R8 or Ferrari 360 to the track this Christmas, you can simply buy one of the great gift vouchers that are priced between 50 and 250 – suitable for any budget and presenting a world of opportunity to whoever will be opening it up come December 25th. For a present that will make Christmas 2011 a thrill-fuelled memory, book an experience with this specialist today.

    Written on behalf of U Drive Cars, the providers of many great driving experiences that will make any auto-enthusiast’s Christmas.

    Reply

  27. I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right
    here. The sketch is attractive, your authored subject matter stylish.
    nonetheless, you command get bought an nervousness over that you wish be
    delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again since exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this increase.

    Reply

  35. You really make it appear so easy along with your presentation however I
    to find this matter to be actually something which I think I would by no means understand.
    It sort of feels too complicated and very vast for me. I am taking a
    look ahead for your subsequent publish, I’ll attempt to get the dangle of it!

    Reply

  36. I don’t know if it’s just me or if perhaps everybody else experiencing
    issues with your website. It seems like some of the
    text on your content are running off the screen. Can somebody else please comment and let me
    know if this is happening to them too? This could
    be a problem with my internet browser because I’ve had this happen before.
    Kudos

    Reply

  38. *LAVITA RICCA INVESTMENT PROGRAM*
    ♦️♦️♦️♦️♦️♦️
    ♦️♦️♦️♦️♦️♦️
    *NO MORE EXCUSES*

    1. I don’t have money
    2. I can’t talk to people
    3. I don’t do stuff like this
    4. I’m too Busy

    Your excuses may be legit but they won’t improve your Life.

    • *LAVITA RICCA INVESTMENT PROGRAM is Fully Registered with CAC. WHICH IS COOPERATE AFFAIR COMMISSION( For those Who Think LAVITA RICCA INVESTMENT is Not Registered)*

    *LAVITA RICCA INVESTMENT PROGRAM is a platform network that deal with investing of money just within 45mins you will get back your money double*

    CONTACT:- +2349036369810

    *LAVITA RICCA INVESTMENT PROGRAM PACKAGE’S*

    *N20,000====N40,000*

    *N30, 000====N60,000*
    *N50,000====N100,000*

    *N100,000====N200,000*

    *N200,000 ====N400,000*

    *N400,000====N800,000*

    *==============*

    *I know you are skeptical about this because of the negative experience a lot of issues as regards scamming in the global world. I assure you 101% that you won’t lose your money this is because I know the risk of this profit oriented business and I know how to avoid them using my trading skills and signals to make only wins and no losses.*

    *Are u a worker?*

    ♊ *Are u a student looking for your school fees? Are u a woman looking for money to pay your children school fees?*

    ♊ *Are u jobless and u need where u can make source of income?*

    ♊ *LAVITA RICCA INVESTMENT PROGRAM is here for you! With a little amount u can earn and make more more source of income without any problems*

    ♊ *LAVITA RICCA INVESTMENT PROGRAM is a platform network that deal with investing of money just within 45mins you will get back your money double*
    *Thank you for your time you can click on the link below to get started, please only serious minded People are expected to message the administrator.*…

    CONTACT NAME Mrs. ELIZABETH TINA
    CONTACT:- 09036369810.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*