Thomas Killigrew and the Seventeenth-Century English Stage

Philip Major teaches English at Birkbeck College, University of London. He is also editor of the collection Literatures of Exile in the English Revolution and its Aftermath, 1640-1690, and author of Writings of Exile in the English Revolution and Restoration.

• Introduction ‘A Man of Much Plot’, Philip Major; Chapter 1 From Court to Cockpit: The Prisoners and Claricilla in Repertory, Collins Eleanor; Chapter 2 Tradition and Innovation in The Parson’s Wedding, Victoria Bancroft; Chapter 3 Thomas Killigrew, Theatre Manager, David Roberts; Chapter 4 Henry Killigrew and Dramatic Patronage at the Stuart Courts, Karen Britland; Chapter 5 Thomas Killigrew’s Thomaso as Two-Part Comedy, Marcus Nevitt; Chapter 6 Recycling the Exile: Thomaso, The Rover and the Critics, J.P. Vander Motten; Chapter 7 ‘A Gentleman of Great Esteem with the King’: The Restoration Roles and Reputations of Thomas Killigrew, Geoffrey Smith; Chapter 8 ‘This Lemon in mine eye’: Writing the Exile in Thomas Killigrew’s The Pilgrim, Philip Major;

'A timely and long-overdue reassessment of Killigrew as dramatist and theatre practitioner, this study takes full advantage of recent scholarship on the period, literary, social, historical, and theatrical. The essays situate Killigrew in the context of Charles II's court both in exile and after its return to power. What impresses is how the psychological and emotional consequences of existing in exile are sensitively examined in relation to their impact on Killigrew’s creativity.' Richard Allen Cave, General Editor of Richard Brome Online 'Major and his fellow authors revitalise the discussion on Killigrew, closing ... the door on Killigrew's (negative) legacy and opening the door for more exciting research into the more important topic of his influences on Restoration theatre.' Parergon '[An] impressive volume with ... fascinatingly thick descriptions of many worlds.' Review of English Studies 'In reading this fascinating and diverse collection one is forced to reconsider received opinion of Killigrew's work and character.' SHARP News 'This fine collection of essays on Thomas Killigrew is long overdue. ... highly recommended for anyone interested in the theatrical culture of the 1630s and the first two decades of the Restoration.' Renaissance Quarterly