Author Charles Nicholl takes us back to the Elizabethan era, discussing true crime plays performed on English stages in 1599. The podcast explores the competition between Shakespeare's company and the Admiral's Men, the sociological aspects of murder in theatrical narratives, and the gruesome world of staging body dismemberment scenes in theater. It also delves into the blurred lines between reality and fiction in true crime dramas, and the early fascination with true crime in Elizabethan times.
True crime plays in Elizabethan era mirrored contemporary society's dark underbelly through dramatizations of real murder cases.
Early crime dramas set the foundation for documentary-style narratives reflecting ordinary people's lives and struggles.
Deep dives
Theatrical Competition in Elizabethan London
In 1599, the Rose Theatre and the Globe Theatre competed fiercely for audiences in Elizabethan London. Shakespeare's company faced pressure as they contended with rival theaters and strove for success in a ratings war similar to contemporary streaming platforms. Theatrical productions in this period, including true crime dramas, captivated audiences with raw and often sensational portrayals of real-life murder cases.
Pioneering True Crime Dramas
True crime plays emerged in the late 16th century, offering audiences a glimpse into the dark underbelly of society through dramatizations of actual murder incidents. These productions, featuring themes of betrayal, revenge, and moralizing, were a revolutionary form of entertainment that mirrored the anxieties and intrigues of the Elizabethan era.
Legacy of Elizabethan Crime Writing
The Elizabethan era's fascination with true crime on stage marked a significant shift in storytelling, bringing real events and contemporary tragedies to the forefront. While early crime dramas were sensationalist and patriarchal in nature, they laid the foundation for documentary-style narratives that reflect ordinary people's lives and struggles. These plays served as a mirror for audiences, offering a mix of entertainment and introspection into human nature's darker facets.
For the last decade, True Crime has become ubiquitous on television and podcasts. Yet despite its current popularity, it’s not a new phenomenon. In this programme, author Charles Nicholl take us back to a time before podcasts, TV, pulp magazines, even Penny Dreadfuls – all the way to the English stage 400 years ago when, for the first time, playhouses were putting contemporary news onstage.
Presenter: Charles Nicholl
Actors: Rhiannon Neads, John Lightbody, Michael Bertenshaw, Josh Bryant-Jones, Ian Dunnett Junior
Sound design: Peter Ringrose
Producer: Sasha Yevtushenko
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode