Phillip Webster
@pdwebster.bsky.social
Director of Theatre at Thomas More University. Artistic Director of Southbank Shakespeare. PhD Student at the Institute of Historical Research, researching 19th c. forms of reenactment and reconstruction and Cincinnati's Pike's Opera House.
Pinned
Phillip Webster
@pdwebster.bsky.social
· Nov 29
Hello BlueSky! Hoping to connect with #skystorians here.
I’m writing a dissertation examining toy theaters, parlor theatricals and scrapbooks as forms of reconstruction and how they can be used to reanimate lost performance spaces like the mostly forgotten Pike’s Opera House in Cincinnati.
I’m writing a dissertation examining toy theaters, parlor theatricals and scrapbooks as forms of reconstruction and how they can be used to reanimate lost performance spaces like the mostly forgotten Pike’s Opera House in Cincinnati.
Reposted by Phillip Webster
An amazing night @ihr.bsky.social making toy theatres as part of @beinghumanfest.bsky.social 2025! Led by @pdwebster.bsky.social, we explored toy theatres as heritage reconstruction - and staged the shows of our dreams! So much joyful creativity in the room & lots of first-time visitors to the IHR.
November 14, 2025 at 8:53 AM
An amazing night @ihr.bsky.social making toy theatres as part of @beinghumanfest.bsky.social 2025! Led by @pdwebster.bsky.social, we explored toy theatres as heritage reconstruction - and staged the shows of our dreams! So much joyful creativity in the room & lots of first-time visitors to the IHR.
Do the bathroom cleaning robots in Heathrow look like Daleks or am I hallucinating?
November 12, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Do the bathroom cleaning robots in Heathrow look like Daleks or am I hallucinating?
Reposted by Phillip Webster
Your best ever night at the #theatre? Join us @ihr.bsky.social on Thurs 13 Nov to recreate it - or stage the show of your dreams - & discover the use of #toy theatre in #heritage #research! From my fab PhD student @pdwebster.bsky.social. @beinghumanfest.bsky.social
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
A Night at the TOY Theatre!
www.history.ac.uk
October 3, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Your best ever night at the #theatre? Join us @ihr.bsky.social on Thurs 13 Nov to recreate it - or stage the show of your dreams - & discover the use of #toy theatre in #heritage #research! From my fab PhD student @pdwebster.bsky.social. @beinghumanfest.bsky.social
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
Reposted by Phillip Webster
I may have mentioned it before... but my new #history book is available for pre-order now. You can look inside & read the Intro + first chapters on the Penguin website. Pre-orders are a big boost for a new book, so please forgive another plug - and thank you 🙏.
www.penguin.co.uk/books/461263...
www.penguin.co.uk/books/461263...
August 16, 2025 at 5:19 PM
I may have mentioned it before... but my new #history book is available for pre-order now. You can look inside & read the Intro + first chapters on the Penguin website. Pre-orders are a big boost for a new book, so please forgive another plug - and thank you 🙏.
www.penguin.co.uk/books/461263...
www.penguin.co.uk/books/461263...
Reposted by Phillip Webster
"Something ineffable happens when you write down a thought: You think something you did not know you could or would think and it leads you to another thought… the process of writing itself leads to previously unthought thoughts [and] crystallizes half-formulated or unformulated thoughts"
- Lynn Hunt
- Lynn Hunt
June 28, 2025 at 8:36 AM
"Something ineffable happens when you write down a thought: You think something you did not know you could or would think and it leads you to another thought… the process of writing itself leads to previously unthought thoughts [and] crystallizes half-formulated or unformulated thoughts"
- Lynn Hunt
- Lynn Hunt
Reposted by Phillip Webster
TOMORROW, Weds 28 May, online - it's going to be great! My PhD student @pdwebster.bsky.social is one of the speakers - using 19th-century modes of reconstruction (toy theatres!) to recreate the lost Pike's Opera House, Cincinnati. Imaginative methods & thought-provoking questions... Sign up free 👇
Our next event will be an online panel of post-graduate researchers sharing their research into place-based histories from 18th & 19th C America. Online. 5.30-7pm. 28.05.25. Everyone is welcome. www.history.ac.uk/events/place...
Place-based histories from eighteenth- and nineteenth-century USA
www.history.ac.uk
May 27, 2025 at 5:17 PM
TOMORROW, Weds 28 May, online - it's going to be great! My PhD student @pdwebster.bsky.social is one of the speakers - using 19th-century modes of reconstruction (toy theatres!) to recreate the lost Pike's Opera House, Cincinnati. Imaginative methods & thought-provoking questions... Sign up free 👇
Reposted by Phillip Webster
Featuring the research of my PhD student @pdwebster.bsky.social! Phillip is working on the lost Pike's Opera House, Cincinnati, exploring #reconstruction through non-digital 19th-century practices (toy theatres, extra-illustrated books, parlour theatricals etc). A brilliant project. All welcome.
28.05.25 Justin Muchnick & Phillip Webster will share their #PhD research into place-based histories of the USA in the 18th & 19th C - this will be an online only event www.history.ac.uk/events/place...
Place-based histories from eighteenth- and nineteenth-century USA
www.history.ac.uk
March 26, 2025 at 9:57 AM
Featuring the research of my PhD student @pdwebster.bsky.social! Phillip is working on the lost Pike's Opera House, Cincinnati, exploring #reconstruction through non-digital 19th-century practices (toy theatres, extra-illustrated books, parlour theatricals etc). A brilliant project. All welcome.
Reposted by Phillip Webster
We are increasingly concerned about the crisis in UK Higher Education. Read our joint statement with @royalhistsoc.bsky.social , History UK and the @histassoc.bsky.social https://buff.ly/4hSg16N #history #skystorians
More than ever, history and historians need a collaborative and co-ordinated approach
26th February 2025
buff.ly
February 26, 2025 at 10:29 AM
We are increasingly concerned about the crisis in UK Higher Education. Read our joint statement with @royalhistsoc.bsky.social , History UK and the @histassoc.bsky.social https://buff.ly/4hSg16N #history #skystorians
Reposted by Phillip Webster
Congrats to my @ihr.bsky.social PhD student @pdwebster.bsky.social on passing his MPhil to PhD progression today, for his project on the lost Pike's Opera House, Cincinnati, using 19th-century modes of creative reconstruction. Many thanks to examiners @helennicholson1.bsky.social & Cynthia Johnston.
February 13, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Congrats to my @ihr.bsky.social PhD student @pdwebster.bsky.social on passing his MPhil to PhD progression today, for his project on the lost Pike's Opera House, Cincinnati, using 19th-century modes of creative reconstruction. Many thanks to examiners @helennicholson1.bsky.social & Cynthia Johnston.
I've never noticed any Pony Express adverts in the Cincy papers, so I was excited to find this today in the Daily Commercial, Apr 1, 1861. Although, it only existed for 1.5 yrs it survived in the collective imagination in dime novels and Wild West stories of all kinds in the 19th/20th centuries.
January 19, 2025 at 4:44 PM
I've never noticed any Pony Express adverts in the Cincy papers, so I was excited to find this today in the Daily Commercial, Apr 1, 1861. Although, it only existed for 1.5 yrs it survived in the collective imagination in dime novels and Wild West stories of all kinds in the 19th/20th centuries.
Please enjoy John Leech's delightfully odd depiction of Faustulus discovering Romulus and Remus from Gilbert Abbott à Beckett's "The Comic History of Rome." Leech, also created the illustrations for "A Christmas Carol". Stumbled upon when looking through the Lincoln family's book collection.
January 18, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Please enjoy John Leech's delightfully odd depiction of Faustulus discovering Romulus and Remus from Gilbert Abbott à Beckett's "The Comic History of Rome." Leech, also created the illustrations for "A Christmas Carol". Stumbled upon when looking through the Lincoln family's book collection.
Reposted by Phillip Webster
Who are we? Part of @ihr.bsky.social, we support research into #place & #history across the UK, with an emphasis on collaboration and engagement. We're home to @vchlondon.bsky.social & @layersoflondon.bsky.social. We run events & training. Follow us for news & info! www.history.ac.uk/research/cen...
Centre for the History of People, Place and Community
The Centre for the History of People, Place and Community fosters engaged, innovative research into placed histories across all regions and periods.
www.history.ac.uk
January 14, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Who are we? Part of @ihr.bsky.social, we support research into #place & #history across the UK, with an emphasis on collaboration and engagement. We're home to @vchlondon.bsky.social & @layersoflondon.bsky.social. We run events & training. Follow us for news & info! www.history.ac.uk/research/cen...
Looks like we might be snowed in again here. I know how I'm going to stay entertained...time to get crazy with some fireside games and giant puppets!
#parlorgames
#snowedin
#winterwonderland
#parlorgames
#snowedin
#winterwonderland
January 10, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Looks like we might be snowed in again here. I know how I'm going to stay entertained...time to get crazy with some fireside games and giant puppets!
#parlorgames
#snowedin
#winterwonderland
#parlorgames
#snowedin
#winterwonderland
Breaking out the toy theaters for New Years as is tradition.
January 2, 2025 at 3:21 AM
Breaking out the toy theaters for New Years as is tradition.
If anyone's looking for an 'artistic' hair cut in Cincinnati I've got a great recommendation for you.
Daily Dramatic Review, Feb.4, 1861
#cincinnatihistory
Daily Dramatic Review, Feb.4, 1861
#cincinnatihistory
December 21, 2024 at 11:14 PM
If anyone's looking for an 'artistic' hair cut in Cincinnati I've got a great recommendation for you.
Daily Dramatic Review, Feb.4, 1861
#cincinnatihistory
Daily Dramatic Review, Feb.4, 1861
#cincinnatihistory
OTD in 1859 renowned tragedian and master elocutionist James Murdoch was appearing at Pike's Opera House in The Stranger, in a company managed by Charles Barras who would go on to fame a few years later as the creator of The Black Crook on Broadway. (1/2)
December 17, 2024 at 8:04 PM
OTD in 1859 renowned tragedian and master elocutionist James Murdoch was appearing at Pike's Opera House in The Stranger, in a company managed by Charles Barras who would go on to fame a few years later as the creator of The Black Crook on Broadway. (1/2)
OTD in 1860 was a great night to visit Pike’s with Emma Waller portraying Ophelia a few years before she’d portray the melancholy Dane herself and the future acclaimed tragedian and war hero William Sheridan as the Ghost. (1/2)
December 5, 2024 at 4:28 PM
OTD in 1860 was a great night to visit Pike’s with Emma Waller portraying Ophelia a few years before she’d portray the melancholy Dane herself and the future acclaimed tragedian and war hero William Sheridan as the Ghost. (1/2)
Reposted by Phillip Webster
The full IHR #London #SummerSchool 2025 programme is now live! Join us in July 2025 as we explore London’s history through its #REBELS. 10% discount still available until 13/12/24! https://buff.ly/4fUSvVX
December 3, 2024 at 12:11 PM
The full IHR #London #SummerSchool 2025 programme is now live! Join us in July 2025 as we explore London’s history through its #REBELS. 10% discount still available until 13/12/24! https://buff.ly/4fUSvVX
OTD in 1861 you had two great choices for a night at the theatre in Cincinnati. You could see J.A.J. Neafie in “Metamora” or head over to Wood’s Theater to check out an up and comer with a very famous last name, John Wilkes Booth in “The Marble Heart.”
#cincinnatihistory #theatrehistory
#cincinnatihistory #theatrehistory
December 3, 2024 at 11:14 PM
OTD in 1861 you had two great choices for a night at the theatre in Cincinnati. You could see J.A.J. Neafie in “Metamora” or head over to Wood’s Theater to check out an up and comer with a very famous last name, John Wilkes Booth in “The Marble Heart.”
#cincinnatihistory #theatrehistory
#cincinnatihistory #theatrehistory
If anyone needs me I'll be training with Capt Sherer this weekend.
#skystorian #militaryhistory #cincinnatihistory
(From the Cincinnati Daily Commercial c.1861)
#skystorian #militaryhistory #cincinnatihistory
(From the Cincinnati Daily Commercial c.1861)
November 30, 2024 at 7:59 PM
If anyone needs me I'll be training with Capt Sherer this weekend.
#skystorian #militaryhistory #cincinnatihistory
(From the Cincinnati Daily Commercial c.1861)
#skystorian #militaryhistory #cincinnatihistory
(From the Cincinnati Daily Commercial c.1861)
Hello BlueSky! Hoping to connect with #skystorians here.
I’m writing a dissertation examining toy theaters, parlor theatricals and scrapbooks as forms of reconstruction and how they can be used to reanimate lost performance spaces like the mostly forgotten Pike’s Opera House in Cincinnati.
I’m writing a dissertation examining toy theaters, parlor theatricals and scrapbooks as forms of reconstruction and how they can be used to reanimate lost performance spaces like the mostly forgotten Pike’s Opera House in Cincinnati.
November 29, 2024 at 9:16 PM
Hello BlueSky! Hoping to connect with #skystorians here.
I’m writing a dissertation examining toy theaters, parlor theatricals and scrapbooks as forms of reconstruction and how they can be used to reanimate lost performance spaces like the mostly forgotten Pike’s Opera House in Cincinnati.
I’m writing a dissertation examining toy theaters, parlor theatricals and scrapbooks as forms of reconstruction and how they can be used to reanimate lost performance spaces like the mostly forgotten Pike’s Opera House in Cincinnati.