Kendra Drake, Deanna Mazdra, Trent Reese, & Adam Henry
 1714 Queen Anne died, succeeded by George I
 1721 Robert Walpole is made king’s chief minister
 1727 George I died, succeeded by his son George II
 1742 Walpole resigned from office
 1756 The Seven Years War between England and France began
 1760 George II died, succeeded by George III
 Government was divided into two parties
 Whigs
 Tories
 A dramatic genre of the 18th Century
 Aimed at producing tears rather than laughter
 Gained popularity
 Dominated stages
 Supporters of the genre
 James Lynch
 Critics
 Benjamin Victor
 Oliver Goldsmith
 Two elements influenced theater
 Drama turned full attention to the daily problems of its
middle-class audiences.
 Provided the underpinnings of the full-fledged
melodrama
 The London merchant by George Lillo
 The Recruiting Officer by George Farquhar
 Sir Richard Steele
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Born March 12, 1672
Irish writer and Politician
Educated at the Charterhouse School
Served in the British army
First play The Christian Hero circa 1701
The became a dramatist and achieved some success
Was appointed a position in the house of Prince George of Denmark
Wrote over 400 letters to his second wife Mary.
Founded 2 magazines- The Talter and The Spectator
Became a member of Parliament in 1713
Knighted by George I of Great Britain
Given responsibility over to the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London.
Retired in 1719
Died September 1, 1729
 How did it come about on the stage?
 What made it so important in today’s society?
 Richard Brinsley Sheridan
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Born October 30, 1751
Irish playwright and politician
Son of an actor/manager
Educated at Harrow School for Law
Quite school and eloped at 21 and began a career in
entertainment
First play The Rivals January 17, 1775
Directed his masterpiece School for Scandal in 1777
In 1778 he became owner of the Drury Lane Theatre
Entered politics in 1780
A whig politician and great public speaker
left politics in 1812
Died in poverty July 7, 1816
 The School for Scandal by Sir Brinsley Sheridan
 The Rivals by Sir Brinsley Sheridan