Best Much Ado About Comics Podcasts (2024)

1
Mini: Aemilia Bassano Lanyer, the Proto-Feminist Poet of Shakespeare's Time 20:31

7d ago20:31

20:31

In today's episode, we are exploring the life of Shakespeare’s contemporary, Aemilia Bassano Lanyer (whose name is also spelled as Emilia Lanier), who was one of the first women in England to publish her writing and is the author of the first published book of poetry by an English woman. First, we will explore Aemilia's early life before discussing…

1
Much Ado About Nothing: Shakespeare's Bastards and Illegitimacy in Shakespeare's Time 53:23

21d ago53:23

53:23

In today's episode, we are exploring the historical and theatrical context for bastard characters in Shakespeare's plays and other plays of the early modern period. We'll explore the cultural norms that existed for illegitimate children during the Elizabethan and Jacobean and the legal, financial, and social prejudices they and their parents experi…

1
Mini: Shakespeare's Borrowed Feathers with Darren Freebury-Jones 48:13

1M ago48:13

48:13

In today's episode, we are joined by Shakespeare scholar, Darren Freebury-Jones, to discuss his soon-to-be-released book, Shakespeare's Borrowed Feathers, which explores how Shakespeare was influenced by his fellow contemporary dramatists like John Lyly, Ben Johnson, and Christopher Marlowe, and how he also influenced their work. We'll discuss Darr…

1
Much Ado About Nothing: Shakespeare and The Book of the Courtier 55:26

2M ago55:26

55:26

In today's episode, we are exploring how Shakespeare was influenced by The Book of the Courtier by Baldassare Castiglione as he was writing Much Ado About Nothing. We'll discuss how close reading of both Shakespeare's play and Castiglione's Renaissance etiquette book uncovers layers of intertextuality and references to The Courtier in Shakespeare's…

1
Mini: Shakespeare's Language Framework: Malapropisms 20:11

2M ago20:11

20:11

Today’s episode is another part of our series on Shakespeare’s Language Framework, or how Shakespeare’s use of language can inform our understanding of his works. In today’s episode, we are going to explore a device Shakespeare uses throughout his plays (but very notably in the comedies and histories): malapropisms. We will start by defining the te…

1
Much Ado About Nothing: Shakespeare and the Comic Constable, or, Dogberry: Fact vs Fiction 45:21

3M ago45:21

45:21

In today's episode, we are investigating Shakespeare's comic constable in Much Ado About Nothing, Dogberry, and why this character is portrayed as a clown. We'll look at a survey of historical records from Shakespeare's time to determine if early modern constables were truly as ineffective as Dogberry appears to be and if there is a contextual reas…

1
Mini: Theatres of Value with Dr. Danielle Rosvally 37:18

3M ago37:18

37:18

In today's episode, we are joined by friend-of-the-pod, Dr. Danielle Rosvally to discuss her new book, Theatres of Value: Buying and Selling Shakespeare in Nineteenth-Century New York City, and how Shakespeare had value for New Yorkers in the 1800s, and how Shakespeare came to be so prominent in American culture. About Danielle Rosvally: Danielle R…

1
Much Ado About Nothing: Gender Roles and Norms in Shakespeare's Time 53:29

4M ago53:29

53:29

In our first deep dive episode into the world of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, we are examining early modern gender norms and how they influence the world of Messina and Leonato's household in Shakespeare's play. Join us as we discuss the spectrum of womanhood represented by Hero and Beatrice and examine the early modern anxieties that fuel…

1
Much Ado About Nothing: Stuff to Chew On 26:02

4M ago26:02

26:02

To kick off our series on Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, we are (as always) starting with an overview of basic facts about the play and an introduction to the major themes and motifs of the play. Shakespeare Anyone? is created and produced by Kourtney Smith and Elyse Sharp. Music is "Neverending Minute" by Sounds Like Sander. Follow us on In…

1
Much Ado About Nothing: Synopsis 1:27:09

4M ago1:27:09

1:27:09

It's time for our next play, and we are so excited to dive into the world of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. As always, we will start off with a detailed plot summary, breaking down the action of the play scene by scene. Let's dive in! Shakespeare Anyone? is created and produced by Kourtney Smith and Elyse Sharp. Music is "Neverending Minute"…

1
Bonus: Interview with Ricky Dukes, Artistic Director of Lazarus Theatre Company 1:05:45

5M ago1:05:45

1:05:45

In today's episode, we are joined by Ricky Dukes, Artistic Director of the Lazarus Theatre Company, to discuss the work of the Lazarus Theatre Company, why classical plays, including Shakespeare, are still relevant for audiences today, and the upcoming (and timely) Lazarus Theatre Company production of Julius Caesar. About Ricky Dukes Ricky is a wo…

1
Romeo and Juliet: Wrap Up 58:18

5M ago58:18

58:18

It's hard to believe it is finally here, but we are wrapping up our Romeo and Juliet series this week by watching and discussing two productions. First, we will discuss Baz Luhrmann's 1996 film William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes in the title roles. Then, we will move into the National Theatre at Home p…

1
Mini: Shakespeare for Autistic Individuals: The Flute Theatre with Kelly Hunter, MBE 49:13

6M ago49:13

49:13

In today's episode, we are joined in discussion with Kelly Hunter, MBE, to discuss her work producting Shakespeare for autistic audiences. We will discuss Kelly's professional journey that led her from working with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre, and on the West End to founding The Flute Theatre and developing the Hunter Heartb…

1
Romeo and Juliet: Feuds, Vendettas, and Duels 42:17

6M ago42:17

42:17

In today's episode, we are exploring the historical context for the family feud and violence between the Capulets and Montagues in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. We'll briefly revisit the history of medieval bloodfeuds that we examined in our episodes on Macbeth, then we will dive into the pratices of vendettas and dueling in the Italian r…

1
Mini: Ben Jonson, Shakespeare's Colleague and Competitor 26:20

7M ago26:20

26:20

In today's episode, we are exploring the life and works of one of Shakespeare's contemporaries: Ben Jonson. Often called "Shakespeare's rival," Ben Jonson was an early modern actor turned playwright who came from humble beginnings to achieve success on the London stages. We'll dive into the parallels between Shakespeare and Jonson's lives, and we'l…

1
Romeo & Juliet: Teenagerdom in Shakespeare's Time 49:01

7M ago49:01

49:01

In today's episode, we will be discussing what is was like to be a teenager in Shakespeare's time, and how we can see early modern teenagerdom represented in Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet. We will build on our previous explorations of the early modern understanding of age and youth from our episodes on girlhood and manhood, then dive into the lived …

1
Mini: Staging Violence in Shakespeare with Dr. Danielle Rosvally and Sydney Schwindt 36:44

8M ago36:44

36:44

In today's episode, we are joined by Dr. Danielle Rosvally and Sydney Schwindt to discuss how fight choreographers approach staging moments of violence in theatre, specifically in Shakespeare's plays. We will discuss how they collaborate with directors and actors to safely depict violence on stage, the state of the fight direction community, and ho…

1
Romeo and Juliet: Courtship and Marriage in Shakespeare's Time 43:32

8M ago43:32

43:32

In today's episode, we will be diving into the culture of courtship and marriage in early modern England. We will take a look at how the cultural norms and concerns surrounding marriage were shifting and changing in Shakespeare's time and how we can see this represented in Romeo and Juliet. We will also discuss how, at least in some parts of Englan…

1
Mini: Shakespeare and Petrarch 19:39

9M ago19:39

19:39

In today's episode, we will be continuing our series on Shakespeare's Language Framework and our Shakespeare's Sources by taking a closer look at Petrarch. First, we will dive into the biography of Francesco Petrarca, more commonly known as Petrarch in English, the 14th century poet who had a huge influence on European humanism, the Renaissance, an…

1
Romeo and Juliet: Patriarchy, Masculinity, and Honor 51:10

9M ago51:10

51:10

In today's episode, we're diving deep into the world of early modern masculinity, patriarchy, and honor as we dissect Shakespeare's iconic play, Romeo and Juliet. Our discussion begins with the examination of the expectations placed upon men during the early modern period and how those pressures are reflected in Shakespeare's play – the embodiment …

1
Romeo and Juliet: Stuff to Chew On 28:55

10M ago28:55

28:55

To kick off our series on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, we are (as always) starting with an overview of basic facts about the play and an introduction to the major themes and motifs of the play. Shakespeare Anyone? is created and produced by Kourtney Smith and Elyse Sharp. Music is "Neverending Minute" by Sounds Like Sander. Follow us on Instagra…

1
Romeo and Juliet: Synopsis 1:28:13

10M ago1:28:13

1:28:13

It's time for a new play, which means a new synopsis! We are diving into Romeo and Juliet today, and we will be breaking down this play scene by scene. Shakespeare Anyone? is created and produced by Kourtney Smith and Elyse Sharp. Special thanks to Nat Yonce for guest-editing this episode. Episode written by Elyse Sharp and Kourtney Smith. Music is…

1
Bonus: Shakespeare and Social Media 51:38

11M ago51:38

51:38

In today's special bonus episode, we are joined by a panel of Shakespeare social media content creators in our first-ever panel episode to discuss the intersection between Shakespeare and social media. We discuss each guests’ work; the different social media platforms; how and why we create Shakespeare content; the benefits of educating through mem…

1
Bonus: Revisiting A Midsummer Night's Dream and Titus Andronicus 20:55

11M ago20:55

20:55

As we wrap up 2023, we are taking a look back at the plays we covered this year by re-reading them and discussing how our readings of the plays has changed after doing our research for our episodes. Shakespeare Anyone? is created and produced by Kourtney Smith and Elyse Sharp. Music is "Neverending Minute" by Sounds Like Sander. Follow us on Instag…

1
Mini: "Decolonize the Mind" through Shakespeare 21:58

12M ago21:58

21:58

Each year, in recognition of the National Day of Mourning/Thanksgiving holiday in the United States, we examine how British colonialism is irrevocably intertwined with Shakespeare. This year, we are taking a look at how Shakespeare's works have been used to critique the legacy of colonialism. We will look at how adaptations of Shakespeare's work fr…

1
Titus Andronicus: Wrap Up 49:56

12M ago49:56

49:56

We are finishing up our series on Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus by discussing two prominent adaptations and how they match up to what we've studied in our episodes. First, we will take a look at Julie Taymor's 1999 epic surrealist film adaptation, Titus, starring Antony Hopkins and Jessica Lange. Then, we compare it to the 2017 Royal Shakespeare C…

1
Mini: Anne Hathaway, Shakespeare's Wife 35:18

1y ago35:18

35:18

This year, 2023, is the 400th anniversary of the death of Shakespeare's wife, Anne Hathaway. Have you ever stopped to ask how much you actually know about Anne? In today's episode, we will travel back through time to explore how Anne has been depicted in Shakespeare biographies and works of imaginative fiction since her death. We explore how her in…

1
Titus Andronicus: Cannibalism and the Dangers of Hospitality in Early Modern England with Carson Brakke 51:09

1y ago51:09

51:09

In today's episode we are joined by Carson Brakke to discuss how early modern concepts and anxieties about hospitality and cannibalism influenced early modern literature and drama, most explicitly in Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus. Carson breaks down the early modern concept of hospitality and shares the cultural debates and dilemmas that centered …

1
Mini: Shakespeare's Sources: Ovid's Metamorphoses 24:12

1y ago24:12

24:12

Join us on a literary journey through the transformative tales of Ovid's Metamorphoses and their profound impact on the works of William Shakespeare. Ovid's Metamorphoses, a collection of mythological stories of change and transformation, serves as a rich source of inspiration for many of Shakespeare's most iconic plays and characters. Before divin…

1
Titus Andronicus: Aaron and Race in Shakespeare with Dr. Mia Escott 50:38

1y ago50:38

50:38

In today's episode, we are joined by the brilliant Dr. Mia Escott to embark on a journey through the complex intersections of race, Shakespeare, and the early modern era. Dr. Escott provides crucial context to help us understand how people of the early modern era were socially categorized based on nationality, religion, and social status. It's a cr…

1
Mini: Shakespearean Vengeance: Exploring Revenge Tragedies in Early Modern England 19:57

1y ago19:57

19:57

In today's episode, we're peeling back the layers of a genre that not only fascinated audiences of the Early Modern period but also left an enduring mark on the works of the Shakespeare himself: Revenge Tragedies. Join us as we journey through time to an era of dramatic tension, dark desires, and vengeful spirits. Revenge tragedies, a genre that fl…

1
Introducing...Play On! Podcasts: Love's Labour's Lost -- All Kinds of Women 26:28

1y ago26:28

26:28

Introducing Play On! Podcasts: Love's Labour's Lost! Play On Podcasts are epic audio adventures that reimagine Shakespeare’s timeless tales, featuring original music composition and the voices of award-winning actors. Each episode explores plays from Macbeth to A Midsummer Night’s Dream, in a way that you can actually understand it and created spec…

1
Titus Andronicus: Femininity and Girlhood in Shakespeare’s Time 59:53

1y ago59:53

59:53

In today's episode, we will be discussing the portrayal of women in Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus and how it reflects the evolving concept of girlhood in Early Modern England as well as popular conceptions of one specific woman involved in early modern European politics: Catherine de Medici. Step into the past and uncover how linguistic developmen…

1
Mini: Romeo & Juliet Reimagined: THE HUNDRED LOVES OF JULIET by Evelyn Skye 27:27

1+ y ago27:27

27:27

In today's episode, we are joined by New York Times bestselling author Evelyn Skye to discuss her debut adult novel THE HUNDRED LOVES OF JULIET and her process for adapting one of Shakespeare's most famous stories into her own. THE HUNDRED LOVES OF JULIET is available now, wherever you get your books! Join us on our Patreon later this month as we d…

1
Titus Andronicus: Trauma in Shakespeare and Early Modern Theatre 50:31

1+ y ago50:31

50:31

In today's episode, we are starting off our discussions on Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus by discussing trauma and trauma theory and how trauma and trauma theory appear throughout the play. We will discuss the cultural effect of Lavinia's trauma and the ethics involved in reproducing that trauma onstage in both Shakespeare's time and today. Finally…

1
Titus Andronicus: Stuff to Chew On 27:12

1+ y ago27:12

27:12

When we decided to name the episodes where we cover major themes, the main sources, and key background information for Shakespeare’s plays, we definitely weren’t thinking of the implications it would have for this play in particular. But now we are here, and discussing stuff to chew on for Titus Andronicus! Content warning: Titus Andronicus contain…

1
Titus Andronicus: Synopsis 1:26:55

1+ y ago1:26:55

1:26:55

It's time for a new play, which means a new synopsis! We are diving into Titus Andronicus today, and we will be breaking down this play scene by scene. Content Warning: Titus Andronicus contains depictions and descriptions of acts of mutilation, graphic discussions of sexual assault and rape, overt racism, non-consensual cannibalism, and torture. P…

1
Bonus: Yassified Shakespeare with Dr. Trevor Boffone and Dr. Danielle Rosvally 1:00:54

1+ y ago1:00:54

1:00:54

In today's episode, we are joined by Dr. Trevor Boffone and Dr. Danielle Rosvally to chat about Yassified Shakespeare, their recent Shakespeare Bulletin article, "'Everyone in illyria is bi you absolute cowards': Shakespeare TikTok, Twelfth Night , and the Search for a Queer Utopia," and the intersection between Shakespeare, social media, and queer…

1
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Wrap Up, or Elyse's Lament 1:07:53

1+ y ago1:07:53

1:07:53

It's our final episode of our series on A Midsummer Night's Dream! As always, we watch multiple productions of the play and share our thoughts. Join us as we discuss 1999's film version directed by Michael Hoffman which features a star-studded cast and incredible scenery alongside the National Theatre's 2019 production starring Gwendoline Christie …

1
Mini: Commerce and Trade in Shakespeare's Time 23:17

1+ y ago23:17

23:17

In today's episode, we explore the fascinating history of trade and commerce in Britain, starting from prehistoric times and ending in Shakespeare's era. This episode topic was chosen by our by our Patreon patrons at the Gentry, Noble, and Royal Patron levels. Special thanks to Collective Action Comics Podcast, Claire Sharp, Elizabeth Sharman and K…

1
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Shakespeare & Climate Change with Sydney Schwindt 1:18:26

1+ y ago1:18:26

1:18:26

In today's episode, we take a closer look at how climate change affected early modern England--especially during the Little Ice Age, a period of global cooling that occurred from the 16th to the 19th century. We explore how this environmental phenomenon influenced the works of Shakespeare and his contemporaries, and what it can teach us about our c…

1
Mini: Shakespeare's Changeling Children 19:38

1+ y ago19:38

19:38

In today's episode, we'll be diving into the fascinating topic of changeling children in Shakespeare. Changeling children were believed to be babies that were swapped by fairies with their own offspring, leaving behind an imposter. This myth was prevalent in Shakespeare's time and appears in many of his plays. We'll explore the historical and cultu…

1
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Shakespeare's Political Satire in a Pastoral Comedy 57:53

1+ y ago57:53

57:53

In this episode, we explore Shakespeare's use of political satire within the pastoral comedy genre, focusing on A Midsummer Night's Dream. The pastoral genre, which originated in ancient Greek literature, involves stories set in a rustic, rural world that idealizes the simplicity and harmony of nature. During the Renaissance through Elizabethan and…

1
Mini: Writing Poetry Inspired by Shakespeare, an Interview with Elizabeth Sylvia 39:35

1+ y ago39:35

39:35

In today's episode, we are joined by award-winning poet Elizabeth Sylvia to discuss her latest collection of poetry, None But Witches: Poems on Shakespeare's Women, the inspiration she took from Shakespeare's works, and the process behind this collection. Elizabeth Sylvia is the winner of the 5th annual Three Mile Harbor Poetry Prize. She lives in …

1
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Classic Myth in Shakespeare 53:59

1+ y ago53:59

53:59

At the heart of William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream is a fantastical world of fairies, magic, and mythical creatures, and in this episode, we explore the different influences that helped to shape this world. First up, we look at the rich tradition of English fairy folklore, which was still very much a part of the popular imagination dur…

1
Mini: Plague, Quarantine, & Shakespeare 22:50

1+ y ago22:50

22:50

In today's episode, we will be exploring how the bubonic plague impacted society and culture in early modern England. We'll discuss governmental and individual responses as well has the effect quarantines had on the early modern theatre and the development of Shakespeare's plays. And we'll learn that, when compared to the global response to the COV…

1
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Sex and Sexuality...or, Shakespeare's Horny Play 52:40

2y ago52:40

52:40

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of topics that may not be suitable for all audiences. Please listen with care. In this episode, we explore the depictions of sex and sexuality in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. While this play (and many of Shakespeare's comedies) end with a hetero-normative marriage or three, we'll explor…

1
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Stuff to Chew On 25:33

2y ago25:33

25:33

It's time to talk about donkeys! Just kidding...a little. In this episode, we are going to unpack the major themes and tropes in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. We'll also discuss the challenges presented by some problematic plot points and what theatremakers are left to reckon with when they produce A Midsummer Night's Dream. Shakespeare …

1
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Synopsis 1:00:26

2y ago1:00:26

1:00:26

Hello 2023! It is time for us to embark on our next play: A Midsummer Night's Dream! As always, we begin our series with a synopsis of the play in case it has been a while since you've read the play or if it is completely new to you. So, let's dive into a summary of a play about fairies, lovers, and a donkey! Shakespeare Anyone? is created and prod…

1
Bonus: Revisiting King Lear and Hamlet 22:51

2y ago22:51

22:51

As we wrap up 2022, we are taking a look back at the plays we covered this year by re-reading them and discussing how our readings of the plays has changed after doing our research for our episodes. Shakespeare Anyone? is created and produced by Korey Leigh Smith and Elyse Sharp. Music is "Neverending Minute" by Sounds Like Sander. Follow us on Ins…

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