This episode considers Viola and Sebastian in Twelfth Night. In particular, it looks at how costuming problems for the cross-dressing of Viola need to be solved in a way that does not conflict with the atmosphere of Orsino's court.

Episode 10 Twins

May 22nd, 2021 16m 54s

This episode looks at twins in the plays of Shakespeare and how to overcome the problems posed by them. The focus in this episode is on The Comedy of Errors, with its two pairs of twins leading to multiple comic confusions onstage.

Episode 9 Shakespeare on TV

Apr 29th, 2021 20m 59s

This episode looks at the problems of putting a Shakespeare stage production on TV, and how the TV experience differs very significantly from a live theatre performance. In particular, it considers the recent broadcast of The Winter's Tale on B

Episode 8 The Third Murderer

Apr 8th, 2021 16m 43s

This podcast looks at the unexplained appearance of a Third Murderer in Macbeth, in the scene where Banquo is killed. Why does an extra murderer turn up? Which of your actors should play him and why?

Episode 7 Juliet's Balcony

Mar 24th, 2021 15m 8s

Balcony? What balcony? Why is it that we all think Juliet has one, when Shakespeare never mentions a balcony? Time for a rethink?

Episode 6 Why Is Isabella Silent?

Mar 10th, 2021 24m 9s

This episode looks at the end of Measure for Measure, when the Duke proposes marriage to Isabella and she does not reply. Why does she say nothing at all and how should we stage this unusual moment?

Episode 5 Kill Claudio

Feb 24th, 2021 21m 56s

This episode looks at the crucial moment in "Much Ado About Nothing" when Beatrice, having just declared her love to Benedick (and he to her), puts his love to the test by asking him to kill Claudio, who has just rejected Hero at the altar.

Episode 4 White Cliffs of Dover

Feb 10th, 2021 19m 23s

This episode looks at how to stage the Dover cliff scene in "King Lear", where Edgar (disguised as Poor Tom) pretends to bring his blinded father, Gloucester, to the cliff edge. How should we approach this scene so that it has the right dramati

Episode 3 Antic Disposition

Jan 27th, 2021 19m

This episode looks at the "antic disposition" which Hamlet tells his friends he will now "put on", having learned from the Ghost of his father that he was murdered. What is an "antic disposition" and how have modern actors responded to this cha

Episode 2 Fairies with Attitude

Jan 27th, 2021 18m 12s

This episode looks at the Fairies in " A Midsummer Night's Dream" - Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Moth and Mustardseed. It considers how best to present these characters today.

Episode 1 Exit Pursued by a Bear

Jan 27th, 2021 18m 37s

This episode discusses the most famous stage direction in all of Shakespeare's plays - "Exit pursued by a bear", from "The Winter's Tale". How can you stage this moment effectively?

Rate