Final answer:
Under Oliver Cromwell's Puritan-led government, English theatres were closed due to moral opposition, marking a severe downturn in the cultural life of the nation. The buildings themselves faced neglect and risk of fire. The Restoration of the monarchy in 1660 under Charles II brought a revival of theatre with new innovations and the introduction of actresses.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Impact of Oliver Cromwell on English Theatres
Under the reign of Oliver Cromwell and the Puritans, the English theatre suffered greatly. The societal changes following the execution of King Charles I and the establishment of the Commonwealth led to the closure of theatres in 1642 by the Long Parliament. During the Interregnum, a period of republican rule between monarchs, England was a republic with a Lord Protector at the helm, Oliver Cromwell, who enforced Puritanical views, including the banning of theatre due to its perceived immorality and frivolousness.
Theatres, typically constructed from flammable materials like wood and straw, often faced the threat of being consumed by fire during this era. Not only was there a moral opposition to theatre, but the buildings themselves were neglected and became outdated. This era of English history was marked by stringent religious and social policies and was not conducive to the arts, which were seen as contrary to Puritan values.
Restoration of the monarchy in 1660 with the ascent of Charles II marked a turn of fortunes for the theatrical environment. Charles II supported the revival of theatre, with new conventions and innovations such as Italianate staging and the proscenium stage, as well as the introduction of actresses to the English stage, thus marking the beginning of the Restoration Theatre era.