Theatres have been places of human interaction for centuries and in England, most towns of any size have one. From the glories of 18th century, theatres to the modernist architecture of the 20th century the theatre building has both reflected and influenced the performances held inside them. This course will explore the theatres of England, with some historic reflections, some tall tales and a few ghost stories along the way... We will start with the first purpose built theatres and move forward to the present day.
Course aim
Some of our most historic buildings are our theatres - both in the West End and in the regions. This course will take you through the developments in theatre architecture and what influences that has on the performances that happen within them.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- This course is for beginners and improvers
- If you enjoyed the introductory course on stage stories and superstitions this course is for you.
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- have a overview of theatre architecture from the 15th century onwards
- understand the importance of the development of theatre architecture to the development of performance
- have some good stories to share next time you go to the theatre
- Understand how theatre fit into the overall urban landscape
What else do I need to know?
All materials will be provided
View full course information sheet
'This Wooden O': A History of English Theatre Buildings with Alison Warren
