Reopening of Theaters in Restoration Literature
The Puritans (like Oliver Cromwell) who fought to abolish monarchy in England didn't like the theaters. They saw them as cesspits that bred all kinds of immoral behavior. Like popcorn, maybe? So they shut them down in 1642. For eighteen long years there were no theater companies or public performances of plays in the land of Shakespeare. Pretty crazy.
When Charles II was restored as king of England in 1660, one of the first things he did was reopen the theaters. All of those playwrights and actors and writers who, for years, had been stifled finally got the green light to do their thing, without having to fear being punished for it. This led to a huge blossoming of theatrical production during this period, and the theaters became full again with audiences.
Chew on This
John Dryden's Marriage à la Mode was a very popular comedy performed after the reopening of the theaters.
Aphra Behn's The Rover was another hit play performed after the theaters reopened under Charles II.