english renaissance drama grew and developed until 1642, when it suddenly stopped. in the early years of the english civil war, the puritans who were fighting king charles gained control of london and the region around it. the puritans were against play-acting; they thought it was sinful and immoral. on september 2, 1642, the puritans forced the london theatres to close, and to stay closed for most of the time until 1660. then the english restoration brought a new king, charles ii, who let the theatres re-open. in the 18-year gap between 1642 and 1660, english society had changed a good deal, and a new style of drama rose up in the restoration era; it is usually called restoration drama or restoration theatre.