An informal introduction to the development of European theatre from its earliest origins in ancient Greece to the key practitioners who provided the solid foundations for modern 20th and 21st century theatre.

Each course consists of sixteen two hour sessions that include an illustrated talk followed by a group discussion on that day's topic and play text.

The course is presented by Laurence Sach, a performing arts lecturer, and freelance writer and director. Laurence has been artistic director of Durham Theatre Company, manager of Middlesbrough Theatre and The Playhouse, Harlow, and Head of Arts for Harlow Council. For seven years he was a lecturer on the Middlesbrough College/Teesside University foundation degree in performing arts. 

New courses at:

The Station, Richmond, N Yorks.

Mondays 10am-midday from Oct 16th to Dec 4th 2017 and from Jan 8th to Feb 26th 2018

The Witham, Barnard Castle, Co Durham

Wednesdays 10am-midday from Oct 18th to Dec 6th 2017 and from Jan 10th to Feb 28th 2018

Booking for the Witham: www.thewitham.org.uk or tel: 01833 631107

Booking for The Station and for any queries, e-mail laurencepsach@gmail.com or tel 0790 999 1633

The 16 Wednesday sessions:

2017

1. Introductions and Myth, Ritual & Religion
2. Greek Theatre – the origins (The Oresteia by Aeschylus)
3. Greek Tragedy – the playwrights (Electra by Sophocles and The Trojan Women by Euripides)
4. Roman Tragedy - (Thyestes by Seneca)
5. Greek & Roman Comedy (Lysistrata by Aristophanes)
6. Medieval Mystery Plays - (The Creation, Noah, Abraham & Isaac, The Crucifixion)
7. Medieval Morality plays and Tudor Interludes (Mankind)
8. Elizabethan Theatre and Shakespeare (Dr Faustus by Christopher Marlowe)

2018
9. Jacobean & Caroline (‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore by John Ford)
10. Restoration Theatre (The Country Wife by William Wycherley)
11. 18th Century Theatre (The Beggars’ Opera by John Gay
12. 19th Century & Melodrama (The Bells by Leopald Lewis)
13. Henrik Ibsen (Hedda Gabler)
14. Chechov & Stanislavski (The Cherry Orchard)
15. Brecht & Political Theatre (The Caucasian Chalk Circle)
16. Samuel Beckett & Theatre of the Absurd (Waiting for Godot)