Legitimate Drama

#LegitimateDrama dates back to the defunct English Licensing Act of 1737 that restricted performances of serious “spoken drama” to 2 licensed patent theatres. To control what was said about the British government a Legitimate #Theatre could be easily censored, whilst illegitimate theatres would show only lighter formats: #MusicHall #Pantomime #Burlesque or #Melodrama #WestEnd

5.36 PM, 24 October 2022

Distinctions between #LegitimateDrama & "illegitimate" #Theatre ended in 1968. Triggered by the #EdwardBond play #Saved performed at the #RoyalCourtTheatre who lent their licensed stage to another company so they could perform the #Play as Bond had written. The evasion was challenged & declared a violation, the repeal led to the abolition of theatre censorship in the UK.

4.28 PM, 24 October 2022