))
Two mind-bending, and time-bending, adventures written and performed by Paul Francis Matthews: TIMEWAR SPQR: The might of ancient Rome is pitted against the dark forces of Adolf Hitler's Third Reich. This is a stand alone 2hrs 20mins "movie for the ears". The Heretic's Forfeit: A tale of jealousy, murder and revenge spanning four centuries, featuring William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe. Each episode of this serial lasts approximately 25-30mins.
…
continue reading
Prior to awe-inspiring and breathtakingly breathtaking cold Table Reads of magnificent scripts and fantastic screenplays, we usually discuss in some depth some aspect of the performing arts or arts in general or the arts industries or related life lessons, sort of a presentational brainstorming session with rounded edges and big chunks of chewy chocolate. (Memo to self: never write descriptions when hungry for chocolate.) We’re unabashedly seldom at a loss for pithy words or pithy rhetoric, ...
…
continue reading
The Catholics Read team chat about a selected book from the wide world of literature - from the classic to the popular to the downright obscure.
…
continue reading
In this, the final episode, William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe, before the eyes of the whole wide world, fight a winner takes all duel to the death on the stage of the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.By Paul Francis Matthews
…
continue reading
The discovery of a previously unknown play by the original Christopher Marlowe is announced at a press conference held in the Marlowe Corps HQ in London. Toby Bright, over at the other side of the world, comes to realize that it’s time to face the music...By Paul Francis Matthews
…
continue reading
Episode Nine: Shakespeare is declared insane and committed to a mental hospital. However, a brilliant plan to abduct Shakespeare from the hospital is carried out, and soon he is brought face to face with the present day descendant of his sixteenth century rival.By Paul Francis Matthews
…
continue reading
Olivia and Shakespeare pay an ill-advised visit to the Marlowe Corporation's HQ and barely escape with their lives. They seek refuge at the Tower of London, but things soon go from bad to much, much worse.By Paul Francis Matthews
…
continue reading
Episode Seven: Events spiral out of control, causing Olivia and Shakespeare to go on the run. In an effort to track down Olivia, Marlowe drops in on Professor Cosgrove. Meanwhile, back in Shakespeare’s hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon, Olivia comes to a decision, unaware that it will put both their lives in danger.…
…
continue reading
VE Day, the 8th of May 1945, saw the defeat of Adolf Hitler's Nazi Germany. Or did it? TIMEWAR SPQR is an epic tale of adventure, heroism and romance in which the might of ancient Rome is pitted against the dark forces of Hitler's Third Reich. Rome wasn't built in a day, but it could be destroyed in one. Using just a Snowball microphone and some ol…
…
continue reading
Episode Six: Shakespeare, accompanied by Olivia and Toby, visits the Marlowe archive at the British Museum. Here, the full extent of the original Christopher Marlowe’s villainy is laid bare. Olivia and Toby have difficulty believing Shakespeare’s story, but William devises a way to prove he is telling the truth. There are, however, unintended conse…
…
continue reading
Episode Five: Doctor Olivia Belmont rescues Shakespeare from the stage of the Globe Theatre and takes him back to her flat. That evening, after seeing Christopher Marlowe’s descendant and namesake appear as a guest on the Graham Norton show, William Shakespeare regains his memory.By Paul Francis Matthews
…
continue reading
William Shakespeare wakes up in the 21st century, suffering complete memory loss, and through a series of bizarre coincidences finds himself on the stage of the modern day Globe Theatre, in Southwark.By Paul Francis Matthews
…
continue reading
Marlowe makes an astonishing discovery at Shakespeare's lodgings, which prompts him to visit the old fortune teller at her house. While there, Marlowe hatches a diabolical plan.By Paul Francis Matthews
…
continue reading
After the premiere of William Shakespeare’s first play, The Comedy of Errors, Christopher Marlowe invites Shakespeare out for a drink at his club, Arcadia. Here they encounter an old fortune teller who predicts wildly contrasting futures for the two young playwrights.By Paul Francis Matthews
…
continue reading
In 1593 the most famous playwright of his age, Christopher Marlowe, was stabbed to death in a pub in Deptford, which coincided almost exactly with the emergence of William Shakespeare, who then went on to take Marlowe’s place. In The Heretic’s Forfeit these things don’t happen. Marlowe, forewarned by a prophecy, cheats death, then poisons Shakespea…
…
continue reading
A discussion of 2020 Oscar favorites recorded a few days before the Academy Awards presentation. Featuring Lorenzo Vigil, Chase Bailey, Kate Jurdi, Todd Hunter, and Dennis C. Johnson. We really missed you for this one, Adrienne Montezinos!By Dennis Collins Johnson
…
continue reading
Pope Paul VI’s Humanae Vitae was one of the most controversial papal documents of the 20th Century, reiterating the Catholic Church’s teaching on procreation and artificial contraception. Luke and Victoria discuss Humanae Vitae on the occasion of its 50th anniversary, and how the document – along with the acceptance and rejection of it – has affect…
…
continue reading
Kiara and Luke discuss Mary Beard’s SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome, exploring the crisis of identity in both the ancient Roman and modern Western worlds. Download this episode (right click and save) Subscribe and give a nice rating to the Catholics Read podcast on iTunes. Like, follow and share us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Donate or join …
…
continue reading
Victoria and Luke continue to look at Evelyn Waugh’s Brideshead Revisited, discussing the grace woven through the book, the power of Julia’s choice, and Cordelia’s child-like faith. Download this episode (right click and save) Subscribe and give a nice rating to the Catholics Read podcast on iTunes. Like, follow and share us on Facebook, Twitter an…
…
continue reading
Luke & Victoria explore Evelyn Waugh’s Brideshead Revisited, discussing the book’s strange hope amidst a series of disasters and its demonstration of “gritty grace”. Download this episode (right click and save) Subscribe and give a nice rating to the Catholics Read podcast on iTunes. Like, follow and share us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Dona…
…
continue reading
St Thérèse of Lisieux’s Story of a Soul, published after her death, is one of the most popular spiritual books in the modern world. While the young French Carmelite could have remained obscure, St Thérèse is now recognised as a Catholic spiritual giant and Doctor of the Church. Luke & Kiara discuss St Thérèse of Lisieux’s Story of a Soul, the beaut…
…
continue reading
Kiara & Luke explore Shusaku Endo’s Silence: the Jesuit spirituality of the novel, how humility creates an unexpected hero, and how it can shine a light on our own need for redemption. Download this episode (right click and save) The post Catholics Read Silence appeared first on Cradio.By Cradio
…
continue reading
Luke & Kiara discuss Elizabeth Anscombe’s Mr. Truman’s Degree, including the role of political realism in the conclusion of World War II and the analogy of pacifism and celibacy. The team also explore how sloppy reasoning – no matter how noble – can lead to dire consequences. Download this episode (right click and save) The post Catholics Read Mr. …
…
continue reading
Kiara, Victoria & Luke discuss Terry Pratchett’s Equal Rites, as well as gender roles and sexual difference in fantasy literature and Western history. Download this episode (right click and save) The post Catholics Read Equal Rites appeared first on Cradio.By Cradio
…
continue reading
Natalia Sanmartín Fenollera’s The Awakening of Miss Primm is the contemporary Spanish author’s first novel, exploring the immersion of a modern woman into a world very foreign to our own – yet very familiar to our yearnings. Victoria, Luke and Kiara discuss Natalia Sanmartín Fenollera’s The Awakening of Miss Primm, the beauty of San Ireneo, and the…
…
continue reading
Benedict XVI’s Last Testament marks the Pope Emeritus’ final published text, rounding out his prolific writing career with a series of reflections on his life. Luke and Victoria explore Benedict XVI’s Last Testament, discussing his ability to maintain charity under immense criticism, and the sense of integrity of freedom in himself which comes thro…
…
continue reading
Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility is the famous writer’s first published novel, and continues to remain popular over 200 years after its inital publication. Victoria and Luke explore Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, looking at the battle between sense and sensibility, how the book reflects us back to ourselves, and what St Thérèse of Lisieux …
…
continue reading
Minister and evangelist David Wilkerson’s The Cross and the Switchblade details the miraculous journey of the young Wilkerson as he sought to evangelise the youth gangs of 1950s New York. Luke and Victoria discuss The Cross and the Switchblade, David Wilkerson’s refreshing radicality, and how it can help Catholics to trust in the power of God. Down…
…
continue reading
Julius Caesar’s The Conquest of Gaul provides an account of the expansion of Rome and a prequel to Caesar’s rise to power. Kiara, Victoria and Luke discuss Julius Caesar’s The Conquest of Gaul, Caesar’s matter-of-fact writing style and the hints of this style seen in later great authors. Download this episode (right click and save) Read Julius Caes…
…
continue reading
Behind many Catholic families, parishes and communities are devout mothers imploring their Heavenly Mother to intercede for their needs through the Rosary. In his poem, The Trimmin’s on the Rosary, John O’Brien (Msgr. Patrick Joseph Hartigan) humorously and endearingly describes the regular practice of the Rosary in early Irish-Australian families.…
…
continue reading
What could an early 20th-century journalist have to say about the current social and political tensions in the 21st-century Western world? In this episode, Luke, Kiara and Victoria explore G.K. Chesterton’s Heretics. The team particularly look at G.K. Chesterton’s commentary on the need to love our neighbour as a person, not an abstraction – whethe…
…
continue reading
The Works of Mercy were promoted by Pope Francis extensively in last year’s Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. A great introduction to these works can be found in Work of Mercy by Catholic author and blogger Mark P. Shea. In this episode, Luke, Kiara and Victoria discuss Mark Shea’s Work of Mercy. The team look at how the Works of Mercy highlight the …
…
continue reading
Robert Browning is one of the great English poets, with My Last Duchess providing a short introduction to his work. In this episode, Luke and Victoria react to Robert Browning’s My Last Duchess, discussing Browning’s technique for creating considerable tension in the poem. https://cradio.org.au/assets/catholicsread/CatholicsRead_MyLastDuchess.mp3 R…
…
continue reading
Literary giant Mark Twain wrote a number of classics, but there is one that he considers his best: Joan of Arc. In this episode, Luke, Kiara and Victoria discuss Mark Twain’s Joan of Arc, the story of the great French saint, and why it is one of Kiara’s favourite books. https://cradio.org.au/assets/catholicsread/CatholicsRead_JoanOfArc.mp3 RIGHT-CL…
…
continue reading
Something Other than God is a memoir written by Catholic writer and speaker Jeniffer Fulwiler, focusing on her conversion from atheism to Catholicism. In this episode, Luke, Kiara and Victoria explore the notion of humility in approaching hard Church teachings, prayer for celebrities, and Kiara’s own conversion from atheism. https://cradio.org.au/a…
…
continue reading
Challenge to the Privy Council is a testament by the Jesuit priest and martyr St Edmund Campion, composed on his mission in Elizabethan England. The work, written while in hiding from laws making the Catholic priesthood illegal, details his purpose for coming to England and his challenge to debate with various scholars about the truth of the Cathol…
…
continue reading
Letter from Birmingham Jail is a letter by Martin Luther King Jr. In this letter, King justifies his non-violent action to his fellow Christian clergy who are apprehensive about his methods. In this episode, Luke, Kiara & Victoria discuss Letter From Birmingham Jail, exploring the influence of Martin Luther King Jr’s Christian faith on his work, an…
…
continue reading
Pleasure vs Happiness is a short essay by Roger Scruton. In this essay, Scruton looks at the distinction between pleasure and happiness, and how a society addicted to pleasure leads to celebrity culture and bad art. In this episode, Luke, Kiara & Victoria explore Roger Scruton’s Pleasure vs Happiness. In particular, the team discuss Scruton’s disti…
…
continue reading
The Lady of Shalott is a Victorian poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson which harkens back to much earlier poetry – the Arthurian legends of the Middle Ages. In this episode, Luke, Kiara & Victoria look at The Lady of Shalott, discussing the difference between artist and artisan, the poem’s focus on medieval technique, and what the team got out of the tex…
…
continue reading
A Study in Scarlet is the first of the highly influential Sherlock Holmes stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. In this episode, Luke & Kiara discuss A Study in Scarlet, exploring the character of Sherlock Holmes, the treatment of the LDS church in the story, and the text’s influence up to today. Content advisory: This episode discusses murder and vio…
…
continue reading
Macbeth is William Shakespeare’s shortest tragedy, famously depicting the rise and fall of a king who pursues power to its wayward end. In this episode, Luke & Victoria explore Macbeth, discussing free will and predestination, the consequences of sin in the order of nature, and true masculinity & femininity. Content advisory: This episode discusses…
…
continue reading
George Bernard Shaw’s most famous play is perhaps his Pygmalion, considered a social criticism of the British class system and an inspiration for entertainment throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. In this episode, Luke, Kiara & Victoria discuss George Bernard Shaw and the controversial ending to Pygmalion. Content advisory: This episode briefly …
…
continue reading
Ovid’s Metamorphoses is a classic epic poem of the Ancient period, inspiring artists, writers and thinkers down the ages. The team look at the fables of two of his influential characters: Echo and Narcissus. Luke and Victoria look at Ovid’s fables of Echo and Narcissus, discussing Metamorphoses‘ mytho-historical format and C.S. Lewis’ theory that t…
…
continue reading
In his address to the joint sitting of the United States Congress, Pope Francis made reference to the work of Servant of God Dorothy Day. One of her works was From Union Square to Rome, a reflection on her conversion from communism and radicalism to Catholicism. The team reflect on From Union Square to Rome, discussing the simplicity of Dorothy Day…
…
continue reading
Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World has become one of the most influential works of the dystopian genre. The work establishes a social and philosophical critique which is perhaps as relevant to the twenty-first century as it was to the twentieth. Luke, Kiara and Victoria explore Brave New World to discuss the removal of humanity in pursuit of a misguid…
…
continue reading
Robert Louis Stevenson’s Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde has maintained prominence in contemporary culture, with its main characters – “Jekyll and Hyde” – becoming a familiar turn of phrase. In this 50th episode, Luke, Kiara and Victoria discuss Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, how it relates to contemporary society and identity, an…
…
continue reading
Eugine Onegin is a classic work which cemented 19th-century author Alexander Pushkin as a Russian poetic master. Luke and Victoria reflect on Eugine Onegin with reference to its complex poetry, “the Russian Soul”, and Luke and Victoria’s differing reactions to the work. https://cradio.org.au/assets/catholicsread/CatholicsRead_EugineOnegin.mp3 RIGHT…
…
continue reading
O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi is a wonderful tale of mutual sacrifice for love in marriage. Luke, Kiara and Victoria discuss The Gift of the Magi by reflecting upon the mutual gift of self in marriage, and how narration can invite the reader into the lives of characters in literature. https://cradio.org.au/assets/catholicsread/CatholicsRead_GiftO…
…
continue reading
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol was and remains a popular tale; inspiring many adaptations, introducing terms in the English language, and never going out of print. Luke, Kiara and Victoria discuss A Christmas Carol by looking at the Victorian relationship between superstition and positivism, and the notion that Charles Dickens popularised a sec…
…
continue reading
The Catholics Read team continue their exploration of C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters. In this second episode, Luke, Kiara and Victoria look at the banal austerity of evil, as well as the temptations to isolation and spiritual pride. https://cradio.org.au/assets/catholicsread/CatholicsRead_ScrewtapeLetters_Part2.mp3 RIGHT-CLICK TO DOWNLOAD (31:59…
…
continue reading
C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters is one of Lewis’ great uses of satire – providing laughter, discomfort and some very profound messages. In this first episode, Luke, Kiara and Victoria discuss C.S. Lewis’ self-criticism within The Screwtape Letters, and why he never wrote a sequel. https://cradio.org.au/assets/catholicsread/CatholicsRead_Screwtape…
…
continue reading
The Importance of Being Earnest is Oscar Wilde’s most famous play, farcically pointing fun at his era’s trivial attitude toward serious matters in a comical style which has endured to the 21st century. Luke Kiara and Victoria discuss the satisfying schadenfreude of The Importance of Being Earnest, as well as the problem of truthfulness & lying. htt…
…
continue reading
Revelation represents another classic short story by Flannery O’Connor – one of her last before her death – and features O’Connor’s typical hallmarks: deeply flawed characters, dark humour, and a beautifully composed reflection on the grace of God. Luke and Victoria discuss the disconnect between thought and word, being “born on third base” and whe…
…
continue reading
