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Staging History, 1780 to 1840

In this series, Michael Burden, David Kennerley and Susan Valladares from the University of Oxford discuss the fashion for staging historical dramas in British and American theatres in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. The series accompanies the Bodleian Library’s exhibition on this theme and the podcasts include descriptions and discussions of many of the items on display.

# Episode Title Description People Date
4 Theatre in the ‘Long Regency’ era This episode gives a brief introduction to the history of this period, beginning with the American War of Independence and culminating in the early years of the reign of Queen Victoria. Michael Burden, David Kennerley, Susan Valladares 14 Dec 2016
3 Experiencing the late Georgian theatre This episode explores what it was like to experience theatre in this era, including how theatres were laid out and designed, what it was like to be in the audience, and how plays were written, advertised and staged. Michael Burden, David Kennerley, Susan Valladares 14 Dec 2016
2 History on stage In this episode, the contributors discuss why history so frequently featured on stage in this period, and the significance of the historical events that these dramas staged for contemporary audiences. Michael Burden, David Kennerley, Susan Valladares 14 Dec 2016
1 Staging History: favourite objects and concluding thoughts The series concludes with each of the contributors discussing an object that particularly stands out for them from the exhibition items and what it reveals about staging history in this period. Michael Burden, David Kennerley, Susan Valladares 14 Dec 2016