The
Restoration spectacular, or elaborately staged
machine play, hit the
London public stage in the late 17th-century
Restoration period, enthralling audiences with action, music, dance, moveable
scenery,
baroque illusionistic painting, gorgeous costumes, and
special effects such as
trapdoor tricks, "flying" actors, and
fireworks. These shows have always had a bad reputation as a vulgar and commercial threat to the witty, "legitimate"
Restoration drama; however, they drew Londoners in unprecedented numbers and left them dazzled and delighted.