jan 1, 1799 - "Pizarro" by Richard Sheridan

Description:

- only play of any real significance which made oblique reference to current events in France
- popular piece made use of a technique pioneered by Sir William Davenant (in his opera The Siege of Rhodes) during the Cromwellian era
- like Davenant, Sheridan evaded the eagle-eyed censor by setting his play in an exotic location: in this case, Peru
- play shows the native Peruvians (the English) threatened by a ruthless Spanish conquistador (Napoleon)

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