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
A Master At Work: The Plays of Lope de Vega
Episode 76:A discussion of a sample of the plays by Lope de VegaThe Gardener's Dog: A Comedy The meaning of the title, a plot summary, the major themes.Punishment Without Vengeance: A Tragedy. A plot summary, [...]
The Second Anniversary Episode
A special bonus episode to celebrate the second anniversary of the podcast. We step out of the timeline of the renaissance theatre as I tell the story of the venue that was the home to [...]
Lope de Vega: The World’s Most Prolific Playwright
Episode 75:The Life of Lope de Vega, greatest dramatist of the Spanish Renaissance Theatre. He had a very full life which was not just confined to writing plays, but his output was prolific on a [...]
Full Episode Listing
Shakespeare: Wordsmith of the English Language
A special bonus episode to celebrate the Birthday of William Shakespeare which looks at the way he used and created the English Language.
Support the podcast at:
www.thehistoryofeuropeantheatre.com
www.ko-fi.com/thoetp
www.patreon.com/thoetp
The Spanish Playhouse, its manager, his actors, and their audience
Episode 74:
The development of Spanish theatre buildings, including the original, the Corral de la Olivera in Valencia.
Alberto Ganassa and the influence of his Comedia Dell Arte troupe.
The first theatre in Madrid the Corral […]
Spanish Renaissance Theatre part 2: Before the Comedia
Episode 73
Continuing the story of the development of theatre through the early Spanish renaissance via the life and works of the playwrights. With apologies for the slightly raspy ‘post-covid’ throat at the time of […]
Spanish Renaissance Theatre part 1: The Beginning of a National Drama.
Episode 72
The Situation in Spain prior to the Renaissance period with a summary of developments in the Roman and Medieval periods in Spain.
The merging of religious and secular theatre at the end of the medieval […]
French Renaissance Theatre part 2: Aristotle Rules, OK?
Episode 71
The continuation of the story of Renaissance theatre in France.
The rise of the two theatres in Paris as travelling players were at last allowed to perform in the city.
Antoine de Montchrestien and his version of […]
French Renaissance Theatre part 1:The Italian Influence
Episode 70
Catherine De Medici, her arrival in Paris for marriage to Henry, second son of Francis 1st. Her cultural influence and role as wife of the King, and mother to three successive French rulers.
The Hotel De […]