The History of European Theatre Podcast
A chronological history of the development and practice of theatre, tracing the emergence from ancient Greece through to the present day.
The History of European Theatre looks at the places where theatre was made and the people who made it happen. More than just dates and lists of plays we’ll share the social, political and historical context that fostered the creation of dramatic art.
Latest Episodes
From Medieval to the Renaissance
Episode 64In the first part of season four we bridge the gap between the Medieval and Renaissance periods with a mention of the key artistic movements and historical events that can be used to mark [...]
Season Four Trailer: European Renaissance Theatre
Season 4 Trailer: European Renaissance Theatrewww.thehistoryofeuropeantheatre.comTwitter: @thoetpPatreon: www.patreon.com/thoetp
Medieval Places Of Seeing
Episode 63In a coda to season 3 somewhere in England an acting troupe travels through a cold December at the tale end of the Medieval period, in search of an audience. A fictional account using [...]
Full Episode Listing
An Introduction to the Diary of Philip Henslowe
In this bonus episode we get an introduction the the diary of Philip Henslowe, theatre owner and businessman during the end of the Tudor period and beginning of the Stuart period. Elements from the diary […]
Salome, Oscar Wilde and Lazarus Theatre
A bonus episode featuring Salome by Oscar Wilde. In summer 2021 I was fortunate to see the Lazarus Theatre production at the Southwark Playhouse in London. In this episode I give a brief […]
Medieval Conclusions
Episode 62
With the Reformation came the final end of the great Religious plays of the medieval period. The episode sumarises the great trends of medieval theatre and charts the final end as Europe descended […]
For the Money: The Medieval Commercial Theatre
Episode 61
Once the medieval theatre had moved out of the confines of the church and away from religious obligation a form of commercial theatre began, but how was money spent and income generated and was […]
Just For Fun: Medieval Secular Theatre
Episode 60
Religious theatre dominated the Medieval period, but there are some examples of works written just for fun and entertainment.
How celebrations like The Feast of Fools, The Boy Bishop and The Feast of Asses developed […]
Everyman: Dutch Morality
Episode 59
Everyman is the most well known of all the Morality plays and probably an English adaptation of a Dutch original.
Different types of Morality Plays
The Morality play in Europe and how they differed from the […]