The program chooses from a range of well-known plays, from ancient to modern.
The first University of the Third Age was established in Toulouse, France, in 1972, to improve the quality of life for older people by giving them access - at moderate fees - to non-credit courses in the humanities and natural sciences at the established degree granting universities. The term "third age" denotes the age of retirement, following the first age of childhood and schooling and the second age of vocational employment. The idea spread rapidly in France and then to other countries of continental Europe. An International Association of Universities of the Third Age was established in 1975.