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The Play's the Thing

CiRCE Podcast Network
As You Like It
Measure For Measure
Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
Macbeth
Isabella
Antony and Cleopatra
Claudio
Romantic Love
Ambition
Angelo
Mark Antony
Cleopatra
Comedy
Lord Angelo
Duke
Mariana
Gender Roles
Fate
Supernatural

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes187Founded7 years ago
Categories
BooksArtsDramaFiction

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Play's the Thing

Latest Episodes

Join Tim, Heidi, and Andrew as they answer your questions about Hamlet!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Tim, Heidi, and Andrew as they discuss the concluding act to Shakespeare's masterpiece, an act in which we get the famous graveyard scene and the stage littered with bodies.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Tim, Heidi, and Andrew as they dig into the crucial fourth act of Hamlet. They discuss Laertes coming the fore, Ophelia's tragic demise, Claudius devious behavior, and much more.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Tim, Heidi, and Andrew as they dive into the crucial, famous third act of Hamlet. In this episode they discuss the "to be or not to be" speech, Claudius' prayer, and Polonius death.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host

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Recent Guests

Mary Pat Rogers
Has a master's degree from the University of Dallas and teaches rhetoric, Latin, and British literature, especially Shakespeare.
University of Dallas
Episode: Measure for Measure: Act V

Hosts

Tim McIntosh
Host of the show, involved in deep discussions about Shakespeare's works and their implications.
Heidi White
Co-host and commentator focusing on the nuances of the plays, providing insight and analysis.
Andrew Kern
Co-host with expertise on Shakespeare, enhancing the discussion with critical perspectives.
David Kern
Host and co-host in various episodes, contributing in-depth analysis and facilitating dialogue.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 364 ratings
  • To be Hamlet

    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

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    KTP1915
    United States4 months ago
  • MacBeth

    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!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    elbybo
    United States6 months ago
  • Love it!

    This podcast is absolutely the best analysis of Shakespeare’s plays that you will find anywhere. The hosts are incredibly knowledgeable. I have been teaching high school English for many years, and I always listen to “The Play’s the Thing” before teaching a Shakespearean play. It’s so refreshing to find a classical approach to literature nowadays. Thank you!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kelms80
    United States9 months ago
  • Very Shakespearian!

    This podcast is so fun to listen to when I’m studying a Shakespeare play-and when I’m reading one for fun! If you like the podcast Close Reads, then you will love this podcast too! It’s the Shakespeare version. :) :)

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LiteraryLover📚
    United Statesa year ago
  • The plays the thing

    As a teenager who’s always struggled with not reading, but actually understanding and fully appreciating Shakespeare this podcast has been so helpful. I love how I leave every episode with questions and ideas.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    i love kidscirner terrine
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Feedback indicates a strong appeal to educators and literature teachers, who find the content invaluable for instructional purposes.
Some listeners have suggested improvements in pacing and delivery, hoping for tighter presentation in future episodes.
The hosts are noted for their deep knowledge and engaging discussions, making complex themes accessible and enjoyable for all.
Listeners greatly appreciate the insightful analysis of Shakespeare's works, often finding new meanings in familiar texts.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#237
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#199
Sweden/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#208
New Zealand/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Hamlet: Q&A (rerun)
Q: How would Hamlet's dad react to the end of the play?
Hamlet's father might be indifferent to the aftermath, glad that his murderer is dead, but not caring about the wider human suffering caused by the revenge.
Hamlet: Q&A (rerun)
Q: How does the ghost react to the end of the play?
The ghost may feel heartbroken over the loss but might also feel a sense of having had revenge fulfilled, albeit at a great cost.
Hamlet: Q&A (rerun)
Q: Is the ghost trustworthy or ultimately diabolical?
The ghost's trustworthiness is ambiguous, making the play's interpretation richer and more complex.
Hamlet: Q&A (rerun)
Q: Is Hamlet a play predominantly about justice, human and divine?
Yes, Hamlet addresses justice but it is not merely or predominantly about that; it encompasses many themes.
Hamlet: Q&A (rerun)
Q: Did Hamlet love Ophelia?
Yes, Hamlet loves Ophelia, but their relationship is complicated, and he had to make difficult choices that cost everything for her.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Play's the Thing

What is The Play's the Thing about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Content is dedicated to the works of Shakespeare, providing in-depth analysis and commentary on each of his plays. The format typically features six episodes per play, examining key themes, character motivations, and significant scenes across various acts, paired with a Q&A episode that addresses listener inquiries. Noteworthy topics include the intricate relationships between characters, existential themes, and the moral implications of their actions. The insights provided appeal not only to dedicated Shakespeare enthusiasts but also to educators, students, and casual listeners interested in a deeper understanding of classic literature.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Play's the Thing?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Play's the Thing. 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's the Thing and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Play's the Thing get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Play's the Thing?

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How many subscribers and views does The Play's the Thing have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Play's the Thing 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's the Thing?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Play's the Thing:

1. Close Reads Podcast
2. The Literary Life Podcast
3. Read-Aloud Revival ®
4. The Daily Poem
5. Simply Charlotte Mason Homeschooling

How many episodes of The Play's the Thing are there?

The Play's the Thing launched 7 years ago and published 187 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's the Thing?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Play's the Thing?

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What guests have appeared on The Play's the Thing?

Recent guests on The Play's the Thing include:

1. Mary Pat Rogers

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.

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