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Artwork for The History Of European Theatre

The History Of European Theatre

Philip Rowe
Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
Ben Jonson
Hamlet
Theatre
Titus Andronicus
Elizabethan Theatre
Theatre History
Anne Hathaway
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Love's Labour's Lost
Richard III
The Comedy Of Errors
Henry VI
Julius Caesar
Ophelia
Stratford-Upon-Avon
Elizabethan Society
Twelfth Night
Much Ado About Nothing

A podcast tracing the development of theatre from ancient Greece to the present day through the places and people who made theatre happen. More than just dates and lists of plays we'll learn about the social. political and historical context that fostered the creation of dramatic art.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - chartable.com/privacy

Hoste... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes264Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsPerforming ArtsHistory

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Artwork for The History Of European Theatre

Latest Episodes

Episode 224: 

While I was looking into some details while I was preparing for the episodes on King Lear  I came across an article that was part of a blog called ‘Hamlet’s Bible’, which is written by Paul Fried and was very pleased to find a series o... more

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Episode 223: 

Last time, in the first part of my look at ‘Macbeth’, I took you through the plot of the play and discussed the themes of ambition and guilt in it, with a focus on the character of Macbeth himself.  I also looked at some of the languag... more

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Episode 222:

We can’t say for sure that ‘Macbeth’ was Shakespeare's next offering after 'Anthony and Cleopatra' as precise dating of these early 17th century plays is next to impossible, but whatever the case, it certainly has a very different feel ... more

YouTube

Episode 221:

Last time I took you into the world of the court masque with the help of Kristen Macdermott who, I think you will agree, painted a very detailed picture of that very particular theatrical form and the way the Stuart court embraced it.  ... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Kristen McDermott
Professor of English at Central Michigan University; co-author of Masques of Difference and William Shakespeare His Life and Times
Central Michigan University
Episode: The Origins and Development of Masques: A Conversation with Kristen McDermott part 1
Steve Sohmer
Author of Reading Shakespeare's Mind
Author, Reading Shakespeare's Mind
Episode: Reading Shakespeare’s Mind: A Conversation with Steve Sohmer
Rob Eastaway
Author and populariser of mathematics in everyday life
Author of Much Ado About Numbers
Episode: Much Ado About Numbers: A Conversation With Rob Eastaway
Darren Freebury-Jones
Author and associate editor of The Collected Works of Thomas Kyd
The Collected Works of Thomas Kyd (editorial team)
Episode: Collecting Thomas Kyd: A Conversation with Darren Freebury-Jones
Susan Ammussen
Distinguished Professor of History; author of What's In A Name? How Historians Know Shakespeare Was Shakespeare
University of California, Merced
Episode: What’s in a Name? A Conversation with Susan Amussen
Roberta Barker
Professor of Theatre Teaching in the Foundation Year and Early Modern Studies; theatre and opera director
King's College London; Dalhousie University
Episode: Consent and Other Big Questions in ‘Measure for Measure’: A Conversation with Roberta Barker
Rachel Aanstad
Author of an encyclopedia and grammatological handbook to accompany Twelfth Night
Episode: Twelfth Night: ‘Foolery, sir, does walk about the orb like the sun: it shines everywhere’
Colin David Reese
Actor and playwright with a lifetime of Shakespeare study
Shakespeare Unbound
Episode: Speaking Hamlet: A Conversation with Colin David Reese
Dr. Iman Sheeha
Senior lecturer in Shakespeare and Early Modern Literature at Brunel University of London
Brunel University London
Episode: Neighbourly Relationships in Early Modern Drama: A Conversation in Dr Iman Sheeha

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 130 ratings
  • It's so great to have a proper analysis of the European theatre, without leaning into contemporary politics. Proper in-depth coverage that doesn't patronise. The presenter does a smashing job. I cannot fault it!

    Podcast Addict
    5
    memofromturner
    6 months ago
  • A Gem of a Podcast

    You don’t have to be a hardcore theater buff to enjoy this podcast. The episodes are well structured; the research is meticulous and in depth. The delivery is relaxing and low keyed.

    The podcast addresses the history of theater in Europe from multiple intersecting perspectives: the plays and playwrights, the playing spaces, the audiences’ experiences, and the milieus from which the productions arose.

    The podcast goes well beyond the texts of the dramas includes a wonderful array of theater... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hilary N R
    United States10 months ago
  • Sublime

    These Are Brilliant - Treasures for mind, heart & soul!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bill 1106
    Canadaa year ago
  • Well told and explained

    We’re gifted here with an excellent story teller possessing profound insight who never beats a subject to death. Entertaining, enlightening and a pleasure to listen to!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Slanebrain
    United States2 years ago
  • Great resource

    This podcast is great! As a theatre practitioner it’s great learning more about European theatre. Highly recommended.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jrh67
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Very well researched and presented for theatre history fans.
Engaging, calm delivery with deep dives into historical context.
Insightful and meticulously researched; appeals to both theatre historians and practitioners.
Great resource for practitioners; informative and well explained.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#246
Finland/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Collecting Thomas Kyd: A Conversation with Darren Freebury-Jones
Q: So how did you fill those two volumes?
The starting point was expanding the canon beyond the traditionally accepted plays, using evidence from historical scholarship to assign additional plays to Kyd and to reassess his place in early modern drama.
The Origins and Development of Masques: A Conversation with Kristen McDermott part 1
Q: How did this art form become the vehicle for royal propaganda and yet allow space for other voices within the court?
While initially a propaganda tool for the monarchy, the masque absorbed elements from secular and theatrical traditions, including elaborate stagecraft and allegorical storytelling, which created room for dissident voices within the court to express ideas through performance, especially as women and poets associated with the courts contributed and challenged established norms.
The Origins and Development of Masques: A Conversation with Kristen McDermott part 1
Q: So perhaps you can give us a thumbnail sketch of what a Jacobean Masque is and where it comes from?
A Jacobean masque is an occasional, multi-arts spectacle—acting, singing, dancing, and processional movement—designed to praise a monarch, drawing on medieval pageantry, religious festival aesthetics, and classical myth, while evolving into a more theatrical, visually ambitious form under royal patronage.
What’s in a Name? A Conversation with Susan Amussen
Q: Why did Shakespeare become a gentleman, and how does that relate to his legacy?
His wealth and social status came more from land and property than from writing alone, which reframes how we view his success and his place in history.
What’s in a Name? A Conversation with Susan Amussen
Q: How do you distinguish direct from indirect evidence when building the Shakespeare case?
Direct evidence like wills and title pages is supplemented by indirect records such as parish registers and the publication practices of the companies; together they create a coherent, corroborated portrait.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The History Of European Theatre

What is The History Of European Theatre about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show takes an in-depth look at European theatre history, blending literary analysis with the social, political, and cultural forces that shaped performances across eras. Episodes explore Shakespeare, Ben Jonson, Tudor drama, and early modern theatre, often linking plays to historical contexts, performance practices, and contemporary reception. The host(s) bring a clear passion for theatre history, with episodes that mix textual analysis, performance history, and practical insights for performers and directors. Noteworthy is the sustained focus on contextualizing classic works within their production and audience environments, plus a willingness to connect historical texts to modern staging and interpretation.

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Which podcasts are similar to The History Of European Theatre?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The History Of European Theatre:

1. Anglo-Saxon England
2. The History of England
3. The History of Literature
4. The History of Byzantium
5. WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk

How many episodes of The History Of European Theatre are there?

The History Of European Theatre launched 6 years ago and published 264 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The History Of European Theatre?

Recent guests on The History Of European Theatre include:

1. Kristen McDermott
2. Steve Sohmer
3. Rob Eastaway
4. Darren Freebury-Jones
5. Susan Ammussen
6. Roberta Barker
7. Rachel Aanstad
8. Colin David Reese

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