The Aphra Behn Page
http://www.lit-arts.net/Behn/
For an actor better understand a play, I think it is important that they know the life of the playwright. This website covers Behn’s life, feelings towards different events going on during the time period and even talks about women in the restoration period. As an actor, I believe that if you know what was going on in the author’s life, then it helps you grasp a better understanding of where the playwright is coming from.
Dusting Off 17th Century Rape Laws
http://www.salon.com/life/broadsheet/2007/04/06/rape
This article talks about how a man in court quoted the common law of rape during the seventeenth century. The Rover deals with the topic of rape, but during that time period it wasn’t considered rape. Like it says in the article under English common law: "Rape is an accusation easily to be made, hard to be proved, and harder yet to be defended by the party accused." Or that is how Sir Mathew Hale put it during the seventeenth century.
Spousal Rape Laws: 20 Years Later
http://www.ncvc.org/ncvc/main.aspx?dbName=DocumentViewer&DocumentID=32701
This article talks about spousal rape in the seventeenth century compared to how the public views it today in the twenty-first century. Spousal rape was basically considered legal until the 1970s when feminist started to the change and now currently in all 50 states and District of Columbia spousal rape is considered a crime.
Brain History
http://www.brainyhistory.com/years/1677.html
This website shows what events were going on during the year of 1677. This is just one year, but it’s easy to fine the other years of the 1600s. I think its very important to know what’s going on during the decade so the actor knows what’s going on politically, environmentally, and health wise.
The Costumer’s Manifesto
http://www.costumes.org/history/100pages/timelinepages/1600to1630a.htm
This website shows mainly the male costumes or clothing during this time period, but does have some female clothing. Though the actor will mostly likely not have rehearsal clothes until after a few weeks into the rehearsal process, it’s good to have an understanding of their restrictions in movements. Like a female will be in a corset which means she wouldn’t not hunch over but sit up straight as best as possible.
http://www.costumes.org/history/100pages/17THSHOE.HTM
This is from the Costumer’s Manifesto as well, but instead of costumes it shows shoes from the seventeenth century. If the play will be put on during the time period the actors will not only have to think about what they will be wearing but the shoe wear as well. The shoes today are much different from the ones worn during the time period.
Health in 17th Century
http://www.nmm.ac.uk/places/queens-house/fact-files/health-in-the-17th-century
Besides knowing about what clothes you could be wearing or the political laws during the time period it’s also helpful to know about the health problems during the time period of the play. This website shows the reader what diseases were around during the seventeenth century, how doctors cured these diseases as well as what other drugs where used or were thought to be helpful.
Oroonoko
http://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/b/behn/aphra/b42o/
Oroonoko is one of Aphra Behn’s first pieces of work. It is not a play, but a short story. Though this is not the story that the actor will be performing it’s important to be familiar with the playwrights other works. I think it’s important because it helps you get a fuller understanding of their writing.
The Tech
http://tech.mit.edu/V121/N13/Rover-Vlad_13.13a.html
Though the actor is not directing, it’s still important to read theatre reviews on other productions of the show. When I read reviews it helps me make acting choices on what could or couldn’t work. Though, in the end the director makes the final call on if he wants to change the actor’s actions. With your own picture in your head a little help from the reviewers it gives the actor a place to start.
Restoration Comedy
http://classiclit.about.com/cs/articles/a/aa_restoration.htm
This article explains the difference between comedy and restoration comedy. It also goes through the playwrights and plays of during the restoration comedy period. Though The Rover by Aphra Ben does deal with the controversial topic of rape it is still considered a very popular restoration comedy. By knowing these differences this can help the actor find the comedy in the play where it is needed.
