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.
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If you would like to contact me you can do so via the podcast Twitter account @thoetp, or via the Facebook page or group, or by email [email protected]
Latest Episodes
Commedia Dell’arte: A Selection of Scenarios
Episode 82:The characters of Commedia Dell’arte may have been used in every play over and over again until they became completely familiar, but the plays themselves were more varied that you might imagine.The first preserved [...]
Commedia Dell’arte: Characters and Masks
Episode 81:The development of common character types through the travelling troupes.The hierarchy of character, the troupe, and how that reflected society in general.The five main characters:PantaloneIl DottoreIl CapitanoPulchinelloHarlequinMinor characters:BrighellaPedrolinoColumbine and other female characters The young loversSupport [...]
Mountebanks, Charlatans, and the Origins of Commedia Dell’arte
Episode 80:The influence of Italian literary theatre can be seen in later works, but if there is one form that infiltrated the general consciousness of theatrical comedy on the continent it is the Commedia Dell’arte.A [...]
Full Episode Listing
A Master At Work: The Plays of Lope de Vega
Episode 76:
A discussion of a sample of the plays by Lope de Vega
The 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 […]
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.
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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 recording. […]