Final answer:
Restoration comedies in England began with the restoration of Charles II to the throne in 1660, marking the end of the Puritan ban on theatre and the reopening of theatrical performances with a more liberal and opulent style.
Step-by-step explanation:
The period of Restoration comedies in English theatrical history began with Charles II's return to the throne in 1660 after the Puritan regime. The reopening of public stage performances marked the start of a new theatrical era characterized by more liberal and extravagant productions compared to the austere Puritan rule.
The Restoration period commenced after the English Civil War, following the decapitation of Charles I and England's time as a republic under Oliver Cromwell's leadership. With Charles II’s ascent to the throne, theatres were reopened, and this shift significantly impacted the arts, bringing about a revival of comedy and a new style of theatre influenced by what Charles II had observed in France. Restoration Theatre introduced significant changes, including the use of Italianate staging, the proscenium stage, elaborate scenery, and, notably, the first professional English actresses like Elizabeth Barry and Anne Bracegirdle.