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
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 [...]
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 version of [...]
Full Episode Listing
Hell Harrowed, the World Flooded
Episode 56
The history of the Harrowing of Hell and the way it was portrayed in the cycle plays, including some thoughts on how it would have been staged and how the play comes alive when […]
While Shepherds Watched
Episode 55
The Second Shepherds play is considered the best of the medieval cycle plays. In this episode I take a look at not only the second shepherds play, but the first play as well, which […]
The Home of the Cycle Plays: York, Chester, Coventry and Wakefield
Episode 54
In this episode we look at the way the cycle plays developed in the four major centres from where we have complete versions of the cycle: York, Chester, Coventry and Wakefield.
The development of the […]
Medieval Stage Effects
Episode 53
Stage sets, costuming and special effects became quite sophisticated in the cycle plays during the sixteenth century. This episode looks at the examples of stage sets that we have from Valenciennes. You can see […]
Medieval Performance and Rehearsal
Episode 52
This episode looks at how the Corpus Christi plays were organised and staffed with actors, tradesmen and other organisers and supporters.
How rehearsals were organised and what was expected of actors, including details of the […]
Ian McKellen’s Hamlet: A Return to Theatre
A short bonus episode celebrating Hamlet in a production by Sean Mathias, staring Sir Ian McKellen, which marked my return to live theatre after more than a year.