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.
Thanks to excessive spam messages, which are an administrative pain, I am switching off comments on the website.
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
Pantomime: A conversation with Aaron Odom – part 1
A seasonal episode with guest Aaron Odom director Trident Theatre Company and Euripides Eumenides Podcast where the main subject of the day is the phenomenon of the British Christmas Pantomime, but in a wide-ranging chat [...]
The Oberammergau Passion Play
A bonus episode on the origins, development and recent history of The Oberammergau Passion Play.Support the podcast at:www.thehistoryofeuropeantheatre.comwww.ko-fi.com/thoetpwww.patreon.com/thoetp
Pericles & Aspasia: A Conversation With Yvonne Korshak
A conversation with author Yvonne Korshak about her novel 'Pericles and Aspasia'The novel unfolds against the background of the arts and history of the Golden Age seen through the eyes of two individuals who lent [...]
Full Episode Listing
European Renaissance Conclusions
Episode 86:
A summary to conclude the season on European Renaissance Theatre focussing on four aspects of the theatre that I have covered in the last twenty-two episodes:
The Italian Rebirth
The Parisian Theatre
Theatre in Spain
The Commedia […]
Bernini and Others: Sculpture, Architecture and Plays
Episode 85:
We return to Italy, to the birthplace of the Renaissance, for one last visit in this theatrical age.
The Bernini family and their history as sculptors and architects.
The early life and career […]
Behind the Dikes: Renaissance Theatre in The Netherlands
Episode 84:
Given the destruction of the thirty years war moving backwards and forwards across the Germanic and Flemish states of Europe between 1618 and 1648 it is a wonder that any art could flourish at […]
Commedia Dell’arte: Players and Troupes
Episode 83:
The Commedia Dell’arte tropes that operated in Italy and France were like many actors before them – travelling players operating if not exactly outside of society, then in their own niche within […]
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:
Pantalone
Il Dottore
Il Capitano
Pulchinello
Harlequin
Minor characters:
Brighella
Pedrolino
Columbine and other female characters
The young lovers
Support […]