Spotlight on Heritage – Bringing History to Life with Historical Interpreter Joe Robey

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

What happens when history steps out of the textbook and stands in front of you, armour gleaming, ready to talk? In this latest episode of Spotlight on Heritage on Soar Sound, John Coster and Rob Watson, sit down with Joe Robey—historical interpreter, living history specialist, and a familiar face to many who visit the Richard III Visitor Centre in Leicester.

Joe doesn’t just talk about history—he wears it.

In a wide-ranging and insightful conversation, Joe reflects on how he combines performance, research, and costume to bring the past into the present. Whether donning the distinctive armour of a samurai, the ominous mask of a plague doctor, or the lesser-known garb of a late Roman soldier, Joe’s approach is grounded in accuracy, empathy, and a passion for storytelling.

We explore the meanings behind terms like “living history” and “historical interpretation”, and discuss how these forms of engagement challenge conventional ideas about what history is and how it can be communicated. Joe’s characters open the door to curiosity, allowing people to ask new questions—not just about the past, but about how history is constructed, remembered, and sometimes misremembered.

From the heat of summer events to the discomfort of period footwear, Joe shares the physical and emotional realities of stepping into another time. He also talks candidly about his early stage fright, the confidence he gained while working at the National Space Centre, and his creative transition into heritage education through passion rather than plan.

We also touch on how modern portrayals of history—through series like Shogun or reenactments of the Roman Empire—shape public perceptions, sometimes reinforcing clichés, but also sparking vital questions about who gets to tell the story of the past.

And as the conversation veers into the idea of interpreting recent history—such as COVID-19 or Chernobyl—as living heritage, we’re reminded that the line between past and present is never fixed. History lives through us, and people like Joe are helping us learn how to see it, feel it, and question it.

So whether you’re a history buff, an educator, or simply someone intrigued by the costumes and characters that populate our shared heritage, this episode offers a rich and thoughtful look at what it means to interpret history in the 21st century.