Shakespeare Alive
Theatre professionals, artists, vloggers and other guests from around the world join resident Shakespeare Birthplace Trust experts Paul and Anjna to discuss Shakespeare's place in the 21st century. We hear about their relationships with Shakespeare in the modern world and take a fresh look at Shakespeare in today's society.
Episodes
25 episodes
24. Freddie Fox on Performing Hamlet
Award-winning actor, Freddie Fox, speaks to Anjna about performing Hamlet, a last-minute Romeo, his love of poetry, and his dream of one day playing romantic hero, Benedick. Please note that Freddie uses an expletive (sh**) on one occasion.
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Episode 24
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33:40
23. Adrian Lester on his Shakesperian Roles
The award-winning actor, Adrian Lester, speaks to Paul about his Shakespearian roles – Rosalind, Henry V, Hamlet, and Othello – working with the late, great director Peter Brook, his portrayal of the pioneering nineteenth-century actor Ira Aldr...
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Episode 23
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31:27
22. Evie Gurney on her Process and Costume Design
Award-winning costume designer, Evie Gurney, speaks to Anjna about her costumes for the National Theatre’s Antony and Cleopatra and the 2022 production of Much Ado About Nothing, as well as her process and aspirations for costume design in t...
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Episode 22
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33:49
21. Lisa Wolpe on Shakespeare and Gender
Paul speaks to the internationally acclaimed actor, director, and visionary, Lisa Wolpe, who continues to be at the forefront of the movement for gender parity and diversity in the arts with a special focus on Shakespeare and Gender.
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Episode 21
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27:10
20. Not Another Shakespeare Podcast on their mission to humanise early modern drama
Hosts of the popular podcast Not Another Shakespeare Podcast, James and Nora, speak to Anjna about their mission to humanise early modern drama, making it fun (and sometimes silly) for their audiences. They also have an incredible film recommen...
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Episode 20
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33:42
19. Antoni Cimolino on the Stratford Festival
The Stratford Festival, Ontario began in 1953. A newly-enhanced Tom Patterson Theatre has just opened, named after the festival’s founding-visionary. Paul speaks to the current artistic director, Antoni Cimolino, to find out more their vibra...
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Episode 19
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31:22
18. Sukanta Chaudhuri On 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' - in India.
Professor Sukanta Chaudhuri talks to Paul Edmondson about Shakespeare in India and about editing A Midsummer Night's Dream .
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30:48
17. Bill Barclay on Shakespeare and Music
Former Director of Music at Shakespeare's Globe, Bill Barclay, tells Anjna all about the place of music in Shakespeare, and passing the proverbial torch to the next generation of theatre-makers.
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34:45
16. Michelle Terry on Shakespeare's Globe
Artistic Director of Shakespeare's Globe, Michelle Terry, shares her journeys and wisdom with Paul.
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29:44
15. The Shakespeare Link with Phil Bowen and Sue Best
Phil Bowen and Sue Best, the couple behind The Shakepseare Link, tell Anjna all about setting up their remarkable charity, building their stunning replica of Shakespeare's Globe out of willow, and their exciting adventures in the digital world....
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32:57
14. Michael Witmore on the Folger Shakespeare Library
Director of the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington D.C., Michael Witmore, talks to Paul about the history of the library and some of his favourite items in its collection, as well as the Folger's iconic location.
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33:26
13. Shakespeare and East Asia with Alexa Alice Joubin
Alexa, Professor of English at George Washington University, talks to Anjna about her fascinating research and new book, Shakespeare and East Asia (OUP, 2021). Covering everything from Romeo and Juliet in Singlish, to Ja...
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33:06
Introducing Series 3 of Shakespeare Alive
A glimpse of what is to come on series three of Shakespeare Alive, including the voices of Michelle Terry, Bill Barclay and Alexa Alice Joubin. Subscribe and remember to rate our show on Apple Podcasts, or your usual podcast platform.&...
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1:11
12. Journeying with Shakespeare with Dr Islam Issa
Writer and broadcaster, Islam Issa of Birmingham City University, talks to Paul about his own Egyptian identity and Shakespeare, and how this relates to his teaching, career, and life.
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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32:01
11. Global Shakespeares with Professor Jyotsna Singh
Professor Jyotsna Singh from Michigan State University talks to Anjna about growing up in India, Shakespeare and Indian cinema, and decolonising Shakespeare in global interpretations and scholarship.
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Episode 11
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32:14
9. The Guildford Shakespeare Company with Matt Pinches
Matt Pinches from the award-winning Guildford Shakespeare Company talks to Anjna about its 15 year journey, and what the future may hold for the charitable organisation.
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Episode 9
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30:06
8. Flute Theatre with Kelly Hunter
Paul speaks with actress and founder of Flute Theatre , Kelly Hunter MBE, about using Shakespeare to engage with young people living with autism.
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Episode 8
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35:42
7. The Show Must Go Online with Rob Myles
Rob Myles, Artistic Director of The Show Must Go Online, talks to Anjna about directing 36 plays online in the year of Covid.
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Episode 7
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33:51
6. Reviewing Shakespeare, with Nathan and Simon Dowling
Nathan and Simon Dowling are the faces and masterminds of the YouTube channel, The Break A Leggers. In the final episode of this series Anjna talks to them about their experiences of reviewing theatre and their expectations of watching Shakespe...
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Episode 6
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38:14
5. Directing Shakespeare, with Gregory Doran
Paul talks to Gregory Doran, the artistic director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, about what made him a Shakespearian and what that means to him personally, and to the company. They also discuss cross-gendered casting, and how theatrical per...
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Episode 5
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31:05
4. Resurrecting Shakespeare, with Victoria Gartner
This week’s guest is the founder of theatre company Will & Co, Victoria Baumgartner. We’ll be talking about her play Will and hearing all about her groundbreaking project to bring Shakespeare to your own doorstep during the Covid 1...
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Episode 4
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28:53
3. Becoming Othello, with Debra Ann Byrd
Paul chats to Debra Ann Byrd, the entrepreneurial artistic director of the Harlem Shakespeare Festival, about why she founded her company, what it does, and about her important and inspiring memoir; Becoming Othello, A Black Girl’s Journey<...
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Episode 3
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30:47
2. Illustrating Shakespeare, with Mya Gosling
Anjna’s joined by stick figure artist and Shakespeare super-fan Mya Gosling, creator of the web comic Good Tickle Brain. Join us as we discuss how Mya breaks down barriers to Shakespeare, making his works feel accessible and, most impo...
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Episode 2
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31:52