The Play Podcast
Douglas SchatzWelcome to The Play Podcast where we explore the greatest new and classic plays. In each episode we choose a single play to talk about in depth with our expert guest. We discuss the play's origins, its plot, themes, characters, structure and impact. For us the play is the thing. Visit www.theplaypodcast.com for more information, including extra Footnotes on each episode and a complete list and pro... more
| Publishes | Monthly | Episodes | 118 | Founded | 7 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | Performing ArtsArtsDramaFiction | |||
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Latest Episodes
Episode 115: The Dance of Death by August Strindberg
Host: Douglas Schatz Guest: Sir Richard Eyre
Welcome to The Play Podcast where we explore the greatest new and classic plays. Each episode we choose a single play to talk about in depth with ou... more
Episode 114: Love's Labour's Lost by William Shakespeare
Host: Douglas Schatz Guest: Tom Littler Welcome to The Play Podcast where we explore the greatest new and classic plays. Each episode we choose a single play to talk about in depth with our e... more
Episode 113A: Arcadia Footnotes
Host: Douglas Schatz Welcome to The Play Podcast where we explore the greatest new and classic plays. Each episode we choose a single play to talk about in depth with our expert guest. We'll discuss the play's origin... more
Episode 113: Arcadia by Tom Stoppard
Host: Douglas Schatz Guest: Carrie Cracknell
Welcome to The Play Podcast where we explore the greatest new and classic plays. Each episode we choose a single play to talk about in depth with our expert guest. ... more
Key Facts
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Reviews
- 4 People of Color + 7 Women = 5 Years of An Under-Researched Podcast
Art and talking about art requires growth and expansion of scope to tell multiple stories. Theater IS actually for everyone. This podcast has yet to seem to realize that. Informative, yes. Informative mainly about plays by white men. If looking for information beyond the 4 black playwrights (only one of them female) or the 7 women playwrights included in the 5+ years of this podcasts’ production, I would consult a library or our friends at Google and Wikipedia to see if they even exist.
Apple Podcasts1J J Jr
United States9 months ago - Endgame
The Play Podcast approaches Beckett’s Endgame not as an academic exercise but as a living, breathing meditation on existence. The host’s tone is intimate yet disciplined — deeply respectful of the text without ever lapsing into reverence. What makes this episode remarkable is its clarity of thought and emotional restraint.
The discussion captures what makes Beckett singular: his compassion within austerity, his humor within despair. Rather than reducing Endgame to abstraction, the speakers pati... more
Apple Podcasts5AnnaK2723United Statesa year ago - A joy
I love listening to this; a chance to listen to current interpretations of wonderful plays and understand the changing relevance of classic plays. Love it!!
Apple Podcasts5sunny dispositions
United Kingdoma year ago - Where are the women?
Interesting discussions but only 6 (?) of the 100s of plays are by women. (Also please could you improve the sound quality for the guests.)
Apple Podcasts2Delphobus.United Kingdom2 years ago - Excellent quality podcasts
All these podcasts are carefully researched and very clearly presented. Douglas Schatz also puts a lot of personal thought into each play and you feel you have a much better grasp of each one after hearing them. His guests are the best qualified to discuss each play, being either the author, director or an academic. Warmly recommended.
Apple Podcasts5annefntUnited Kingdom3 years ago
Listeners Say
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #164 | United States/Arts/Performing Arts |
Apple Podcasts | #15 | United Kingdom/Arts/Performing Arts |
Apple Podcasts | #118 |  Canada/Arts/Performing Arts |
Apple Podcasts | #145 | United Kingdom/Arts |
Apple Podcasts | #53 |  Australia/Arts/Performing Arts |
Apple Podcasts | #220 |  Germany/Arts/Performing Arts |
Talking Points
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Audience Metrics
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Play Podcast
What is The Play Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?
A thoughtful deep-dive into contemporary and classic plays, with expert guests providing literary, historical, and production context. Episodes explore origins, themes, structure, and performance choices, often linking a play to broader cultural moments and theatre history. Notable strengths include rigorous analysis, strong guest expertise, and a respectful, human-centric approach to complex works. The show tends to blend scholarly insight with practical production angles, making it engaging for both students and theatre professionals who want to understand why a play matters today.
Where can I find podcast stats for The Play Podcast?
Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Play Podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Play Podcast and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.
How many listeners does The Play Podcast get?
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What are the audience demographics for The Play Podcast?
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How many subscribers and views does The Play Podcast have?
To see how many followers or subscribers The Play Podcast has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.
Which podcasts are similar to The Play Podcast?
These podcasts share a similar audience with The Play Podcast:
1. Folger Shakespeare Library: Shakespeare Unlimited
2. Front Row
3. This Cultural Life
4. In Our Time
5. Backlisted
How many episodes of The Play Podcast are there?
The Play Podcast launched 7 years ago and published 118 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
How do I contact The Play Podcast?
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Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Play Podcast?
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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Play Podcast?
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What guests have appeared on The Play Podcast?
Recent guests on The Play Podcast include:
1. Richard Eyre
2. Tom Littler
3. Cary Cracknell
4. Carrie Cracknell
5. Stephen Sharkey
6. Tom Kuhn
7. Howard Sherman
8. Hester Lees-Jeffries
To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.