The Restoration brought a 360° turnaround to many aspects of life, virtually overnight. One of the best-remembered was in theatre. Playhouses had been shut under Puritan rule but Charles II quickly lifted the theatre ban and, what’s more, let women perform. #Restoration360Week 1/

Introducing actresses led to female stage prominence. Whereas men used to play female parts, women often now got male parts - breeches roles put them in male attire that showed their legs, causing a stir in audiences. Whether it liberated women or made them sex objects is debated

Sorry the image is much later than the Restoration. This is Charlotte Goodall playing Adeline in Battle of Hexham in the great #Georgian #theatre age.