145 episodes

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 - https://chartable.com/privacy

The History Of European Theatre Philip Rowe

    • History
    • 5.0 • 11 Ratings

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 - https://chartable.com/privacy

    The Renaissance from Europe to England

    The Renaissance from Europe to England

    Episode 88:
    An introduction to season 5 of the podcast.
    The theatrical links between England and Continental Europe in the 16th Century.  Some differences and similarities.
    Why English theatre stands apart from that of continental Europe.
    Sir Philip Sidney’s ‘Defence of Poetry’, his dislike of the stage and ideas on the power of poetic language.
    The development of English as a language to be used poetically.
    The slow rise of England out of the Medieval period.
    Theatre and king Henry 8th.
    The rise of secular plays during the reformation period through the reign of Elizabeth 1st.
    English scepticism about Continental culture.
    The Playhouses, plays, playwrights and acting troupes.

    Support the podcast at:
    www.thehistoryofeuropeantheatre.com
    www.ko-fi.com/thoetp
    www.patreon.com/thoetp


    This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

    Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

    • 31 min
    Building Theatre: The Earliest Playhouses in London

    Building Theatre: The Earliest Playhouses in London

    Episode 89:
    As England emerged from the Medieval period theatre became established in London in purpose built theatres and in buildings adapted for the purpose. In this episode we look at those earliest theatres and their builders:
    The Red Lion, a probably short lived theatre built by John Brayne
    Four Inns that operated as theatres The Bel Savage, The Bull, The Bell, and the Cross Keys
    The Theatre at Newington Butts
    The Theatre - probably the first truly purpose built theatre since Roman times. The Story of how James Burbage and John Brayne acquired land, built The Theatre and kept it running is a story told through legal documents and The Theatre became the subject of various legal disputes.
    Support the podcast at:
    www.thehistoryofeuropeantheatre.com
    www.ko-fi.com/thoetp
    www.patreon.com/thoetp


    This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

    Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

    • 32 min
    Creating a Profession: The Development of the Stage-Player

    Creating a Profession: The Development of the Stage-Player

    Episode 90: 
    The development of the profession of acting, of ‘stage-playing’ through the Tudor period.
    How the professional stage player developed out of the medieval entertainer.
    How travelling players became household players and then settled in the London playhouses.
    The beginnings of an acting profession.
    The Earl of Leicester’s Men.
    The English Sumptuary laws.
    The boy troupes.
    The objections to players and playhouses.
    The reputation of players.
    Some examples of contemporary views of players.
    The stars of the day – Burbage and Allen.  
    Support the podcast at:
    www.thehistoryofeuropeantheatre.com
    www.ko-fi.com/thoetp
    www.patreon.com/thoetp


    This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

    Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

    • 35 min
    The State Vs the Theatre part 1: Henry, Edward, & Mary

    The State Vs the Theatre part 1: Henry, Edward, & Mary

    Episode 91:
    By the 1530s the State was concerned with the regulation & censorship of plays. Here are the key moments of legislation under Henry, Edward & Mary.
    The background of what made legislation necessary.
    The end of the Corpus Christi Cycle Play.
    The beginnings of actions against players
    The Act For The Advancement of True Religion
    Pammachius performed at Cambridge and the aftermath.
    Early controls in London
    The death of Henry 8th and changes under Edward
    Repeated attempts to ban theatre.
    The death of Edward and changes under Mary.
    More bans are issued and the severity of punishments increases
    The death of Mary

    Support the podcast at:
    www.thehistoryofeuropeantheatre.com
    www.ko-fi.com/thoetp
    www.patreon.com/thoetp


    This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

    Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

    • 34 min
    The State Vs the Theatre part 2: Elizabeth

    The State Vs the Theatre part 2: Elizabeth

    Episode 92:
    Elizabeth’s reign is seen as the golden age of theatre where many great playwrights, and one genius in particular, flourished.  But did that happen because of the freedoms they were granted, or because of the constraints they worked under?  
    The situation in theatre as Elizabeth ascended to the throne.
    The revision of the Act of Uniformity.
    The renewal of the ban on Interludes and censorship play printing.
    Rules introduced to combat the spread of plague.
    Attempts to ban plays on moral grounds.
    The arguments against stage plays performed on Sunday.
     Touring companies in the north and continued performances of Corpus Christi plays.
    Tightening control after the rebellion in the north and the execution of Mary.
    The Earl of Leicester’s Men are granted a royal patent.
    The reaction of the City of London to the royal patent.
    The Revels Office and it’s effective third master, Edmund Tilney.
    Censorship in the control of the Revels Office extended to all plays, play-makers and playhouses.
    The limiting of official playhouses and troupes in London.
    Support the podcast at:
    www.thehistoryofeuropeantheatre.com
    www.ko-fi.com/thoetp
    www.patreon.com/thoetp


    This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

    Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

    • 35 min
    Comedy, History & Morality: Three Early Tudor Plays

    Comedy, History & Morality: Three Early Tudor Plays

    Episode 93:
    The earliest extant plays from the Tudor period include comedies and a historical morality, which give an insight into how theatre developed.
    A summary of the elements that came together to make Tudor theatre a very special development.
    Students and Masters become playwrights looking to Seneca
    Nicolas Udal, schoolmaster and writer of the earliest surviving comedy
    A summary of Ralph Roister Doister
    The problem of the authorship of Gammer Gurton's Needle
    A summary of Gammer Gurton's Needle
    John Bale and the manuscript of King Johan
    A summary of the plot of King Johan
    How King Johan works as a morality play, a history play and a tragedy.
    Support the podcast at:
    www.thehistoryofeuropeantheatre.com
    www.ko-fi.com/thoetp
    www.patreon.com/thoetp


    This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

    Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

    • 32 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
11 Ratings

11 Ratings

PozKr2 ,

A must-listen for theatre history fans

This is one of those marvellous podcasts that finds its niche and then enthuses about it extensively. Philip knows his stuff, and helpfully comes across as a keen student rather than an expert, so we get to follow him on his journey to know more, and we learn more on that journey too. An authoritative must-listen for anyone who wants to know more about the history of theatre.

Shedcaster ,

Fascinating, detailed, even atmospheric!

I've listened to a few episodes now, and they are excellent; the author builds an idea of the environment which gives a sense of the atmosphere, quotes liberally from the plays, and is obviously in love with his subject. I know little about Greek theatre, and am loving learning more. Though seriously, those Greeks need some therapy...anyway, this podcast is excellent, I heartily recommend it

zsofis_design ,

Informative!

As a theatre design student listening to this podcast has helped me massively, it’s like listening to lectures (meant in the best way) while I work on designs.
Puts me in the right creative mindset, I can produce and learn at the same time!
Thanks a lot!

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