<![CDATA[The Pageant Wagon Podcast]]>The Pageant Wagon Podcast is dedicated to the history of medieval and early modern theatre. Each episode features in-depth conversations with leading historians, literary scholars, and performance specialists who share insights from their latest research and publications. From Latin plays and mystery cycles to courtly entertainments and secular performance traditions, the podcast explores how theatre functioned across medieval and early modern Europe.

Thumbnail image courtesy of Heather Mitchell-Buck.

]]>www.themrds.orgRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Thu, 28 May 2026 18:38:21 GMTMon, 30 Mar 2026 16:01:27 GMT60The Medieval and Renaissance Drama Society | Historical Stages Media<p>The Pageant Wagon Podcast is dedicated to the history of medieval and early modern theatre. Each episode features in-depth conversations with leading historians, literary scholars, and performance specialists who share insights from their latest research and publications. From Latin plays and mystery cycles to courtly entertainments and secular performance traditions, the podcast explores how theatre functioned across medieval and early modern Europe.</p><p></p><p>Thumbnail image courtesy of Heather Mitchell-Buck.</p>episodicThe Medieval and Renaissance Drama Society | Historical Stages Mediakyleathomas17@gmail.comno<![CDATA[Making Shakespeare Material w/ Dr. Elizabeth Tavares & Dr. Angeline Morris]]>We usually encounter the plays of William Shakespeare in their First Folio form. But, what scripts did Shakespeare's actors use originally? And how did they rehearse their shows? We explore the historical and material conditions of performing Shakespeare in his own day--and how to bring that experience to university students today.

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]]>41f2e48c-598d-4ef5-b730-0a2d80d50bd0Mon, 04 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT<p>We usually encounter the plays of William Shakespeare in their First Folio form. But, what scripts did Shakespeare's actors use originally? And how did they rehearse their shows? We explore the historical and material conditions of performing Shakespeare in his own day--and how to bring that experience to university students today.</p><p></p><p>Episode Links:</p><ul><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://alabamashax.ua.edu/" target="_blank">The Alabama Shakespeare Project</a></li><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://henslowe-alleyn.org.uk/catalogue/mss-1/article-138/08-recto/" target="_blank">The Henslowe-Alleyn Digitisation Project</a></li><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://alabamashax.ua.edu/resource/bibliography/" target="_blank">A working bibliography performance-based research into early theatre</a></li></ul>no00:53:0414Making Shakespeare Material w/ Dr. Elizabeth Tavares & Dr. Angeline Morrisfull<![CDATA[Introducing the Pageant Wagon Podcast]]>The Pageant Wagon Podcast explores medieval and early modern theatre and drama through conversations with the experts, scholars, teachers, and practitioners who study those eras of theatre history. Join host, Dr. Kyle A. Thomas, as he digs deep into what the plays of the past are telling audiences today.

]]>a4ec7e2e-04d8-49a1-957f-532624bb90bfThu, 02 Apr 2026 15:27:24 GMT<p>The Pageant Wagon Podcast explores medieval and early modern theatre and drama through conversations with the experts, scholars, teachers, and practitioners who study those eras of theatre history. Join host, Dr. Kyle A. Thomas, as he digs deep into what the plays of the past are telling audiences today.</p>no00:02:401Introducing the Pageant Wagon Podcasttrailer<![CDATA[To Teach or Not to Teach Shakespeare with Dr. Jasmine Lellock]]>Should high school students perform Shakespeare? What are the best ways to introduce students to the works of the Bard and guide them through their staging? We examine the place of Shakespeare at the secondary level in American education and how *magic* can unlock a world of possibilities.

]]>2ed7d383-a487-4019-8dff-4856aae84903Mon, 18 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT<p>Should high school students perform Shakespeare? What are the best ways to introduce students to the works of the Bard and guide them through their staging? We examine the place of Shakespeare at the secondary level in American education and how *magic* can unlock a world of possibilities.</p>no00:44:4016To Teach or Not to Teach Shakespeare with Dr. Jasmine Lellockfull<![CDATA[POV: You're Watching a Medieval Play with Dr. Pamela King]]>What was it like to actually witness a play in late medieval England or Scotland? What were the conditions like when going to see performances? This episode explores the connection between performer and audience in the Middle Ages and how thin such a distinction truly was.

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]]>77bdbfff-4421-4380-870f-1ac6a1abaebfMon, 11 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT<p>What was it like to actually witness a play in late medieval England or Scotland? What were the conditions like when going to see performances? This episode explores the connection between performer and audience in the Middle Ages and how thin such a distinction truly was.</p><p></p><p>Episode Links:</p><ul><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/york-mystery-cycle-and-the-worship-of-the-city/6DDA489C63D511B116F996FEC82F966C" target="_blank"><i>The York Mystery Cycle and the Worship of the City </i>by Pamela King</a></li></ul>no00:54:1115POV: You're Watching a Medieval Play with Dr. Pamela Kingfull<![CDATA[The Return of the Theatre with Dr. Deborah Payne]]>The Restoration Period in English history saw the return of the Stuart Monarchy to Britain and the return of drama to British stages. But how did England restart its theatre industry after over a decade of banishment? And what can we learn today about the fits and starts of Restoration Theatre?

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]]>07420ec9-18d2-4ac6-9aad-a05a821478ebTue, 28 Apr 2026 14:38:17 GMT<p>The Restoration Period in English history saw the return of the Stuart Monarchy to Britain and the return of drama to British stages. But how did England restart its theatre industry after over a decade of banishment? And what can we learn today about the fits and starts of Restoration Theatre?</p><p></p><p>Episode Links:</p><ul><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/business-of-english-restoration-theatre-16601700/66B6EF646960C7C07FF05797621FBA5F" target="_blank"><i>The Business of English Restoration Theatre, 1660 - 1700 </i>by Deborah Payne</a></li></ul>no00:56:4913The Return of the Theatre with Dr. Deborah Paynefull<![CDATA[Performing Medieval Plays Today with Dr. Matt Sergi]]>How should actors, directors, designers, and theatre artists approach performing a medieval play? Can the techniques and aesthetics of Broadway work for plays that are centuries old? Dr. Matt Sergi talks to the pod about his research and work on staging the York Mystery Plays at the University of Toronto in 2025.

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]]>5cc380fa-ab83-4758-bb12-8724a91ce47eMon, 13 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT<p>How should actors, directors, designers, and theatre artists approach performing a medieval play? Can the techniques and aesthetics of Broadway work for plays that are centuries old? Dr. Matt Sergi talks to the pod about his research and work on staging the York Mystery Plays at the University of Toronto in 2025.</p><p></p><p>Episode Links:</p><ul><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://premodernity.net" target="_blank">premodernity.net</a></li><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://pls.artsci.utoronto.ca/" target="_blank">PLS Toronto</a></li><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.yorkplays.ca/" target="_blank">York Plays Toronto 2025</a></li><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/P/bo50700230.html" target="_blank"><i>Practical Cues and Social Spectacle in the Chester Plays</i> by Matthew Sergi</a></li></ul>yes00:53:2311Performing Medieval Plays Today with Dr. Matt Sergifull<![CDATA[The Case of the Madonna with Dr. E. Maggie Solberg]]>The Blessed Virgin is a common character across medieval drama. But, was she always a symbol of devotion or did her appearance in theatrical performances challenge her sacred status?

Episode Links:

]]>87a02ab7-58d1-4900-bdf6-0a218d02cf86Mon, 20 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT<p>The Blessed Virgin is a common character across medieval drama. But, was she always a symbol of devotion or did her appearance in theatrical performances challenge her sacred status?</p><p></p><p>Episode Links:</p><ul><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501730337/virgin-whore/" target="_blank"><i>Virgin Whore</i> by E. Maggie Solberg</a></li></ul>no00:36:0912The Case of the Madonna with Dr. E. Maggie Solbergfull