English, French and Italian Theater

     During the late 16th and throughout the 17th century, English theater developed significant differences that helped distinguish it from French and Italian theater. English theater was more free from the grasp of tyrannic monarchy, since it became a product of the Reformation. William Shakespeare's literary works of art also contributed to theater with its obvious examples being Romeo and Juliet and Midsummer Nights Dream. During the 17th century century, Italian drama was more of a company controlled by the majestic authority of the country, but it also had the aspect of tragedies and comedies. Another difference between French/ Italian and English theater is that the theater of England during this time period was sought after not only in the form of a play, but also in its literary textual form. On the contrary, French and Italian theatrical writings have virtually no popular history while the performances of those writings are extremely famous amongst theater fanatics. Additionally, French theater did not prohibit women from any roles on stage while English theater did, but the separation of Church and theater in England really differed from the way things were ran religiously in France and Italy.

A scene from the Romeo and Juliet movie from the 20th century, perhaps the most famous play ever written

http://www.don-juan.net/english/italie/li17mod03set.htm