
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 t... more
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 204 | Founded | 8 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | FictionBooksArtsDrama | |||

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.
Hosted on Acast. See acas... more
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.
Hosted on Acast. See acas... more
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.... more
In which Tim, Heidi, and Sarah-Jane answer your questions.
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…the are VERY long winded and they have fallen into the trap of thinking the they’re the smartest people in the room and that they are the authority and that ONLY they have the proper interpretation of Shakespeare.
You folks are manna from Shakespeare Heaven. Thank you so very much.
I am so thankful to have found this podcast. What a delight! My Shakespeare cup runneth over!
I have been enjoying your Hamlet series. As a literature teacher who knows every line of the full play, there are moments when I find your interpretations challenging me to think of beloved scenes in new ways. At others, I find myself talking back to where my ear pods shut off. Your discussion of Fortinbras in act 4 was one such place. Fortinbras is Hamlet’s foil, which Hamlet makes clear in the battlefield scene. Our protagonist envies Fortinbras. He is resolute, strong of mind and conviction—a... more
This was an awesome discussion of MacBeth. I thought I knew the play well but I gained so much from listening to these episodes. Thank you!!
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #220 |
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
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A meticulous Shakespeare-focused show that allocates six episodes per play (one per act) plus a Q&A, offering close readings, historical context, and staging ideas. Across episodes, listeners engage with themes like mercy, justice, love, fate, and moral philosophy, with hosts balancing textual analysis, performance insights, and classroom pedagogy. Notable strengths include accessible explanations of complex scenes, strong emphasis on hermeneutics and teaching applications, and a reputation for thoughtful banter that pairs scholarly rigor with practical interpretation. It's probably especially appealing to teachers, actors, and literature lovers who want deep dives that connect the text to modern reading and performance.
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These podcasts share a similar audience with The Play's the Thing:
1. Close Reads Podcast
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3. The Literary Life Podcast
4. Classical Stuff You Should Know
5. Scholé Sisters: Camaraderie for Classical Homeschooling Mamas
The Play's the Thing launched 8 years ago and published 204 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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Recent guests on The Play's the Thing include:
1. Judith Sparky Roberts
2. James Shapiro
3. Mary Pat Rogers
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