Nicholas Ridout

Professor Nicholas Ridout holds the position of Professor of Theatre at Queen Mary University of London's School of English and Drama. He specializes in theatre history, Marxist thought, experimental performance, and the intersections of theatre with visual art and literature. His research explores colonialism, supernatural narratives, and opera's relationship with industrial capitalism. Ridout earned a BA from Cambridge University and a PhD from the University of London. He has held significant roles including Editor of Theatre Survey (2016-18), Principal Investigator for the AHRC-funded 'Performance, Possession & Automation' project (2022-25), and fellowships at Freie Universität Berlin and the Huntington Library. His teaching spans undergraduate and postgraduate programs, focusing on radical politics in theatre, emotion studies, and theoretical frameworks. Ridout has supervised over 20 PhD students and contributed to collaborative projects like 'Managing the Radical' and experimental performances such as 'quite the best news in some considerable time.'

Education:

• BA in English (Cambridge University)
• PhD in Theatre (University of London/Birkbeck)

Research Interests:

• Historical materialist analysis of theatre
• Colonialism and performance
• Supernatural narratives in theatre
• Opera's economic and cultural contexts
• Experimental theatre practices

Professional Highlights:

• Co-editor, Performance Works book series (Northwestern University Press)
• Visiting Professor at Brown University (2010-11, 2013)
• Curator of events like 'The Things They Do' symposium at the Barbican

Grants & Awards:

• Arts and Humanities Research Council Grant (2022-25)
• Fellowships at Freie Universität Berlin and Huntington Library