The Play's the Thing is the ultimate podcast resource for lovers of Shakespeare. Dedicating six episodes to each play (one per act, plus a Q&A episode), this podcast explores the themes, scenes, characters, and lines that make Shakespeare so memorable. In the end, we will cover every play The Bard wrote, thus permitting an ongoing contemplation and celebration of the most important writer of all time. Join us. The Play’s the Thing is presented by The CiRCE Podcast Network. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Is this sequel closer to the Godfather II or Gremlins II? Plus a new member joins the team! And remembrances of the queen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Shakespeare after an apocalypse! In this very special episode, Tim discusses Station 11 -- both Emily St. John Mande's book and the HBO adaptation, with special guest Josiah Martens. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Join Tim and the gang (that is the official band name) as they answer your questions about Henry IV, Part I! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Join Tim, Heidi, and Brandon as they dig into the conclusion of this wonderful play! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
It's time to discuss another crucial act four! In this episode we discuss the ways Shakespeare inverts expectations of Hal and Hotspur and how this act a bit different from most of Shakespeare plays, and yet is exactly what this play needs See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In which we dig into the insurrectionist theme in this play, especially Harry's place in the middle of the violence. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In which we return our gaze back to the tavern, to the Hal and Falstaff and their various hijinks and the way Falstaff steals the show. Plus, Tim offers some background and some context. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Henry IV, part I is one of Shakespeare's most underrated plays, one full of speech-making and fascinating characters, and historical complexity such that is ought to be more widely read. We'll explain why over the next six episodes. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In which we answer your questions about Shakespeare's complicated comedy! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Here we are, once again, at the end of a Shakespeare play. Its time to discuss the fall out, the ending, the lasting implications of the story -- and the play's significance in the Bard's canon. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Act IV, is always the crucial act in a Shakespeare play, and its not different in The Taming of the Shrew, so join Tim and co. as they dig into this important part of one of Shakespeare's most controversial plays. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
It's time to dive in to act three of The Taming of the Shrew! Join the crew as they continue to discuss what makes this play complicated, controversial, and delightful all at once. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Join Tim, Matt, and Nora as they dig into act 2 of Shakespeare's controversial play. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
The Taming of the Shrew is a bit of a controversial play and here in this conversation about act one, Tim and his very special guests delve into the questions that that controversy comes from. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Join Tim, Heidi, and Andrew as they answer your questions about Hamlet! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Join Tim, Heidi, and Andrew as they discuss the concluding act to Shakespeare's masterpiece, an act in which we get the famous graveyard scene and the stage littered with bodies. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Join Tim, Heidi, and Andrew as they dig into the crucial fourth act of Hamlet. They discuss Laertes coming the fore, Ophelia's tragic demise, Claudius devious behavior, and much more. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Join Tim, Heidi, and Andrew as they dive into the crucial, famous third act of Hamlet. In this episode they discuss the "to be or not to be" speech, Claudius' prayer, and Polonius death. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Join Tim, Heidi, and Andrew as they dive into the drama of Hamlet, Act II! They discuss the way everyone is watching everyone else in this act, Pelonius as parent, the appearance of Rosencrans and Guildenstern, and much more. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
It's finally time to discuss the grandaddy of all of Shakespeare's plays! That's right, it's time for Hamlet and Tim, Heidi, and special guest Andrew Kern are ready to dig deep. In this episode they discuss why this play matters so much, the initial structure of the play, the themes and problems Act I introduces, and much more. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
On this special episode, Tim's brother, sister, and mom join him to remember their first encounter with Shakespeare. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In this episode, Tim McIntosh and special guest Madelaine Wheeler discuss one of Shakespeare's weirdest plays. What sort of play is Cymbeline? A comedy, drama, fantasy — a mashup of all three? Also: Shakespeare speaks into the perennial debate on nature vs. nurture. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In this episode Tim, Heidi, and Sarah Jane are answering your questions about Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Join Tim, Heidi, and Sarah-Jane as they discuss love and death, the differences between Romeo and Juliet as they encounter death, personal and public interpretations of the play, and whether or not the families within the story actually learned anything. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Act IV of Romeo and Juliet examines the fallout from Tybalt and Mercutio's violent deaths. Join Tim, Heidi, and Sarah-Jane as they discuss Shakespeare's love of strong women, the connections between love and death, and whether or not Romeo is indeed "fortune's fool." See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Join Tim, Heidi, and Sarah-Jane as they discuss Mercutio and Tybalt's death and Romeo's fleeing in exile. Plus, they take up the question, what is "the form of a man?"The Play's the Thing is produced by Goldberry Studios for the CiRCE Podcast Network. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Join Tim, Heidi, and Sarah-Jane as they discuss Mercutio, Friar Lawrence, fate and fortune, the famous balcony scene, and what actually is in a name, anyway . . . See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Join Tim, Heidi, and Sarah-Jane as they dive into one of Shakespeare's greatest and most misunderstood plays. Listen as they rhapsodize over Shakespeare's linguistic genius, speculate about why this story continues to be so influential and enduring, and discuss whether the star-crossed lovers were truly in love. The Play's the Thing is produced by Goldberry Studios for the CiRCE Podcast Network. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In this episode, noted author James Shapiro joins the show to discuss his new book, Shakespeare in a Divide America. Dr. Shapiro and Tim discuss Donald Trump, Abraham Lincoln, and John Wilkes Booth in a conversation about how Shakespeare's plays have showcased America's common grounds and battle grounds alike. Shapiro's book has been nominated for the National Book Award and was a NYT top ten book of 2020. The Play's the Thing is produced by Goldberry Studios for the CiRCE Podcast Network. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Join Heidi and Tim as they answer your questions about Richard II! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Join Tim and Heidi as they discuss medieval courts intrigue, Richard's marriage, his psychological identity, and what makes a king a king. They also engage in a bit of a Team Richard vs Team Bolingbroke smackdown. The Play's the Thing is produced by Goldberry Studios for the CiRCE Podcast Network. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Join Heidi and Tim for a discussion about King Richard's psychology, the vice that caused his downfall, and the impact on a nation of a peaceful (or not-so-peaceful) transfer of power. The Play's the Thing is produced by Goldberry Studios for the CiRCE Podcast Network. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Join Heidi and Tim as they discuss turning points found in Act III, the mirror of kings, and Richard's moving poetry. The Play's the Thing is produced by Goldberry Studios for the CiRCE Podcast Network. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In which John of Gaunt delivers one of Shakespeare's most famous speeches. Join Heidi White and Tim McIntosh for another insightful deep dive into one of Shakespeare's greatest plays. The Play's the Thing is produced by Goldberry Studios for the CiRCE Podcast Network. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
We're back and ready to dig deep into another of Shakespeare's compelling histories: Richard II -- the first part of Shakespeare's Henriad. In this episode Heidi and Tim discuss Act I and set up all the themes and characters of the ongoing saga. The Play's the Thing on the CiRCE Podcast Network is produced by Goldberry Studios. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In which Tim, Heidi, and Sarah-Jane answer your questions. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Was Shakespeare anti-semitic? In this bonus episode, Tim chats about this question with special guest Judith "Sparky" Roberts. Sparky comes from a Jewish background and was a theatre teacher at the University of Oregon and Lane Community College. Her graduate study, at Brandeis University, was under the great American Shakespearean actor, Morris Carnovksy. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Join Tim, and Heidi, and Sarah-Jane as they wrap up their conversation of Shakespeare's classic play. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Act IV is usually the key act in any Shakespeare play, and The Merchant of Venice isn't any different. Join Tim, Heidi, and Sarah-Jane as they explore why. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Join Tim, Heidi, and Sarah-Jane as they dive Into the always-important third act of The Merchant of Venice. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Join Tim, Heidi, and Sarah-Jane as they discuss Shakespeare's exploration of the folly of people who are put to the test, Bossanio's role (and his name), Shylock's complex role in the play, and much more. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Join Tim, Heidi, and Sarah-Jane as they dive into Shakespeare's great play, The Merchant of Venice. In this episode, they discuss the character of Portia, Shylock's unnerving nature, a little of bit of context, and much more. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Join Tim and Sarah-Jane as they answer your questions about Shakespeare's most underrated play. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Tim and Sarah-Jane are back as they discuss the final scenes of this great Shakespearean tragedy. Topics of conversation include the desperate measures we see from the Roman government, questions of citizenship and leadership that the play raises, the motivating influences within Coriolanus as the play comes to a head, and much, much more. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In this episode Tim and Sarah-Jane discuss Act IV of Coriolanus, focusing in particular on some ancient Roman history (especially the Roman Republic), the complexity of the plot in this act, and much more. Get ready to dig deep! Oh, and please do rate and review if you like the show. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In this episode Tim and Sarah-Jane dive deeper into Shakespeare's underrated tragedy by comparing some of the great performances of the play, exploring Coriolanus' use of language, Volumnia's use of rhetoric, and much more. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Join Tim McIntosh and Sarah-Jane Bentley for a spirited discussion about one of Shakespeare's underrated (but most interesting) plays, Coriolanus. In this episode they chat about Act II, focusing on Coriolanus' mother, Volumnia; what the play has to say about leadership; some of the key symbols we find in the play; and much more! Please note: this episode was originally recorded back in April 2020. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Join Tim McIntosh and Sarah-Jane Bentley for a spirited discussion about one of Shakespeare's underrated (but most interesting) plays, Coriolanus. In this episode they chat about Act I, introducing the play, the characters, the themes, and much more. They also discuss how Coriolanus is almost an anti-type to a play like As You Like It. Please note: this episode was originally recorded back in April 2020. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In this bonus episode, Tim chats with four first-time student-actors about their experience performing scenes from As You Like It and other Shakespeare plays.If you like this episode be sure to rate and review wherever you listen to podcasts. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Welcome back to this series on Shakespeare's classic comedy, As You Like It! In this series Tim and Heidi discuss love and disorder in Shakespearean comedy, the natural world versus the civilized world, Rosalind's delightfulness, and how Shakespeare can help us deal with the self-quarantine blues.Remember to rate and review if you like this episode! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Welcome back to this series on Shakespeare's classic comedy, As You Like It! In this series Tim and Heidi discuss love and disorder in Shakespearean comedy, the natural world versus the civilized world, Rosalind's delightfulness, and how Shakespeare can help us deal with the self-quarantine blues.Remember to rate and review if you like this episode! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.