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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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes269Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryArtsPerforming Arts

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Artwork for The History Of European Theatre

Latest Episodes

Episode 229:

It has been long recognised that Shakespeare included a lot of sex references in his plays, many of which are now quite obscure to the modern viewer.  Recently a book called ‘Shakespeare on Sex’ caught my eye and I had an entertaining t... more

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Episode 228:

About the same time that Shakespeare was retelling the story of Pericles Ben Jonson was writing ‘Epicene, or the Silent Woman’, a play set very firmly in his home turf of London.  It had been three years since Jonson had written for the... more

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Episode 227

One of the questions that immediately arises when we consider the indoor theatres is how they were lit, although there are also many other questions about how performing indoors was informed by the experience of the touring companies and... more

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Episode 226: 

Last time I took you through Macbeth, still one of Shakespeare’s most performed plays, but now we come to one that is rarely seen and vies with ‘King John’, ‘Two Noble Kinsman’ and ‘Timon of Athens’ as the least performed Shakespeare p... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Marc Berley
Professor of English at Rutgers and Barnard, Columbia; author of Shakespeare on Sex
Rutgers University, Barnard College, Columbia University
Episode: Shakespeare on Sex: A Conversation with Marc Berley
Nic Brownlee
PhD researcher focusing on candlelight in Shakespeare's Blackfriars Playhouse
Shakespeare Institute, University of Birmingham
Episode: Lighting the Indoor Theatre: A Conversation with Nic Brownlee
Paul Fried
Retired college lecturer who studies Shakespeare and the Bible; author of Hamlet's Bible blog
Independent scholar / Hamlet's Bible blog
Episode: Shakespeare and Biblical Allusion: A Conversation with Paul Fried - Part 2
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

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 132 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
    7 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 Statesa year ago
  • Sublime

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bill 1106
    Canada2 years 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.

A strong resource for practitioners and students seeking rigorous analysis of European theatre history.
Engaging deep dives that connect historical context to modern understanding of performance.
Well researched and beautifully delivered—a must for theatre history buffs.
High-quality scholarship presented accessibly, with thoughtful guests and clear explanations.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#81
Norway/History
Apple Podcasts
#205
Finland/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Lighting the Indoor Theatre: A Conversation with Nic Brownlee
Q: Can we just clarify what we mean by candle?
We clarified that candles were likely wax or tallow, with wax being more expensive and brighter; the discussion covered the practical limitations of candles, wicks, and maintenance.
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.

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?

A historically focused series that traces European theatre from ancient roots to modern practice through context, place, and people. Episodes center on scholarly analysis of plays, performance spaces, and court culture, often featuring guest experts such as Shakespeare scholars, dramaturgs, and theatre historians. Expect detailed discussions of staging, textual history, and social currents, with a clear emphasis on how venues, patrons, and politics shaped theatrical form. Notable strengths include rigorous research, nuanced interpretations, and accessible explanations that illuminate how historical theatres and performances inform contemporary understanding of drama and production design.

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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. The History of England
2. In Our Time
3. The History of Literature
4. Folger Shakespeare Library: Shakespeare Unlimited
5. In Our Time: History

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

The History Of European Theatre launched 6 years ago and published 269 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. Marc Berley
2. Nic Brownlee
3. Paul Fried
4. Kristen McDermott
5. Steve Sohmer
6. Rob Eastaway
7. Darren Freebury-Jones
8. Susan Ammussen

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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