Customer Reviews

Venice Preserved (Regents Restoration Drama)

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The period of English theater that coincided with the restoration of the crown is best known for comedy. This is with good reason. The comedies of Wycherly, Congreve, Etherege, Davenant, etc. still retain their satirical bite and energy, whereas the drama of the period, especially the attempts at tragedy, appear now dated and lugubrious.
Otway, like Dryden, is something of an exception. Though not adhering to the Aristotean rules of tragedy that Dryden practiced, Otway shows in Venice Preserved a great deal of dramatic skill and competence. The plot elements may seem a bit contrived, particularly in comparison to the Greek model, but the dialogue doesn't sink into the sort of heroic, declamatory mode that characterizes so many plays of the period and that sound so laughable to a modern audience. The play was well received in its time, as was his other famous work, The Orphan. Unfortunately for Otway, playwights were not often well compensated in that era, and he like Savage, lived a life of penury.

Venice Preserved is still well regarded enough that it is still taught in many college courses that cover Restoratiion theater. Though modern productions are extremely rare, is is a work that retains power and its pathos.