Beyond Shakespeare

249: A History Play by John Day (Fragment)

03 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A fragment of a history play by John Day gets the full works this week. It's a few lines from a play from the summer of 1601. For more information, li...

248: Exploring: John Bon and Master Parson by Luke Shepherd (Dialogue)

27 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Exploring: John Bon and Master Parson by Luke Shepherd (Dialogue) Welcome to the first of a semi-regular new series of works looking at Dialogues and ...

247: The Jests of George Peele - Episode 2

20 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Jests of George Peele - Episode 2: The Jest of George and the Barber. Performed by Sarah Blake A full audiobook reading, performed by Sarah Blake...

246: The Tragedy of Mariam by Elizabeth Cary (Full Cast Audio Adaptation)

13 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A Full Cast Audio Adaptation of The Tragedy of Mariam by Elizabeth Cary. See below for content warnings... MARIAM, the Queen - Gillian Horgan ALEXAN...

243: Exploring: Coventry Pageant of the Weavers

06 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A read through and discussion of the second of two surviving Coventry mystery plays, the text surviving from 1534. With Gregory Musson as Simeon, Jesu...

245: Round Up of the Year 2022

31 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's time for a ramble through 2022, as well as a few previews things for 2023. So much has been done, so much yet to come. Thank you for your support...

243: Exploring: Coventry Pageant of the Shearmen and Taylors

23 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Merry Christmas everyone! First of a two part Christmas release, a look at the surviving Coventry Mystery plays. This play covers the Nativity through...

242: This Is... 1583: A Year in Theatre

16 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This Is... 1583 is a pilot for an occasional series looking at theatre history on year at a time, with a focus on plays premiering or in rep at the ti...

244: The Jests of George Peele - Episode 1

09 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Jests of George Peele - Episode 1: The Merry Conceited Jests of George Peele, with four of his Companions at Brainford. Performed by Sarah Blake ...

241: Lucidus and Dubius (Full Cast Audio Adaptation)

02 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A full cast audio adaptation of Lucidus and Dubius, a play without an ending from around 1450. Listen as two debaters get going on the important issue...

240: Chess Pieces: Exploring A Game at Chess, part 7

25 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Chess Pieces: Exploring A Game at Chess by Thomas Middleton We focus on the closing scenes of the play, specifically the White Knight and Duke's attem...

239: !Spoilers! Lucidus and Dubius (Fragments)

18 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

!Spoilers! Fragments! Which kind of episode is this? Well, it's a bit of both. This is your introduction to the slightly damaged play Lucidus and Dubi...

238: Discussing: The Jests of George Peele with Sarah Blake

11 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A special discussing episode with performer and producer of the upcoming series of readings of The Merry Conceited Jests of George Peele. Sarah Blake ...

237: England's Joy: Con or Cock Up?

04 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A First Look read through and discussion of the England's Joy affair. On Saturday 6th November 1602 a show appeared at the Swan Theatre - privately pr...

236: Exploring: 1622 Lord Mayor's Show by Thomas Middleton

28 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We had hoped to be running a live event to look at the 400th anniversary of the 1622 Lord Mayor's Show, but sadly it came to nought. Or at least, this...

235: Lord Mayor's Show 1591 by George Peele - Full Cast Audio Adaptation

21 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The last of our full(ish) cast series on the 16th century Lord Mayor's Show, another George Peele number, Descensus Astraea, borne before William Web....

234: Lord Mayor's Show 1590 by Thomas Nelson - Full Cast Audio Adaptation

14 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The civic pageantry fest continues with our mini reconstruction of the 1590 Lord Mayor's Show by Thomas Nelson, who wrote the device of this pageant f...

233: Lord Mayor's Show 1585 by George Peele - Full Cast Audio Adaptation

07 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A full cast audio adaptation of the 1585 Lord Mayor's Show - the Device of the Pageant borne before Wolstan Dixie. Based on the pageant text and the e...

232: Exploring: The Funeral of Queen Mary I

30 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

An exploration of The Funeral of Queen Mary the First - This is a surprise episode, coming about thanks to Helen Good who transcribed this text for us...

231: Fantasy Production Meeting Ep 5: Thomas Cromwell

23 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A fantasy production meeting for a play we really want to stage - this week Thomas Cromwell. A series of podcasts looking at plays we'd like to see, ...

230: The Temptation - Chester Mystery Cycle (Full Cast Audio Adaptation)

16 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to the Butchers play from The Chester Mystery Cycle - The Temptation and the Woman Taken in Adultery, which is play twelve in the sequence.  ...

229: The Proclamation for King James (1603)

10 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A Proclamation Declaring the Undoubted Right of our Sovereign Lord King James to the Crown of the Realms of England, France and Ireland, from March 16...

228: Chess Pieces: Exploring A Game at Chess, part 6

09 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Chess Pieces: Exploring A Game at Chess by Thomas Middleton A planning session for our future productions of A Game at Chess by Middleton. We focus on...

227: BIG Vote Result + Discussing: Arden of Faversham

02 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's a mini double bill, with Robert wittering on about the new patreon voted play/workshop series - followed by another 'lost' discussing episode. It...

226: !Spoilers! The Temptation - Chester Mystery Cycle

26 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This is our spoilerly introduction to the Chester Temptation play - with the Woman Taken in Adultery. It is play 12 of the Chester cycle, which we've ...

225: Triumph 1621: Interview with the Youth Company

19 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This is a bonus episode of interviews with the youth company of last year's Lord Mayor's Show reconstruction of The Sun in Aries by Thomas Middleton. ...

224: !Spoilers! The Sun in Aries by Thomas Middleton (1621 Lord Mayor's Show)

12 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to this very special !Spoilers! episode, covering The Sun in Aries by Thomas Middleton - it goes through the text in the usual stop/start way,...

223: Temperance and Other Virtues (Fragments Remix)

05 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A remixed combination of the two fragmentary play texts, Temperance and Humility and The Four Cardinal Virtues - using the material we recorded for th...

222: Discussing: Look About You with Lois Potter

29 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Discussing: Look About You with Lois Potter, Ned B. Allen Professor Emerita of the University of Delaware. Yes, it's time for a nice chat with YouTube...

221: The Four Cardinal Virtues - Full Cast Audio (Fragment)

22 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's another exciting fragments episode - The Four Cardinal Virtues was written sometime between 1537-47. This is a ridiculously long episode for the ...

220: Discussing: Robin Hood

15 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Discussing: Robin Hood, Outlaws in Drama with special guest Dr. Liz Oakley-Brown. First of four lost discussing episodes that we should have released ...

219: The BIG Vote 2022

01 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's that time again - tell us what plays you want to hear us produce!  Also on this episode - up and coming episodes of the podcast! Anyone can vote...

218: Exploring: Wily Beguiled, part 2

27 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A read through and discussion of Wily Beguiled by the Unknown (there are theories, but they don't help) printed in 1606 and could have been produced f...

217: Exploring: Wily Beguiled, part 1

24 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A read through and discussion of Wily Beguiled by the Unknown (there are theories, but they don't help) printed in 1606 and could have been produced f...

216: Fantasy Production Meeting Ep 4: Richard the Third

17 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A series of podcasts looking at plays we'd like to see, where we and guests pitch a Fantasy Production. With much merriment and chat, we explore diffe...

215: Chess Pieces: Exploring A Game at Chess, part 5

10 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Chess Pieces: Exploring A Game at Chess by Thomas Middleton A planning session for our future productions of A Game at Chess by Middleton. We focus on...

214: The Brome Abraham and Isaac Play (Full Cast Audio Adaptation)

03 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Brome Abraham and Isaac Play (Full Cast Audio Adaptation) Abraham receives an order from God to sacrifice his favourite son Isaac. Will he go thro...

213: Exploring: The Play of Wit and Science by John Redford

27 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A read through and discussion of The Play of Wit and Science, as seen on our YouTube exploring sessions in another of our occasional cross over episod...

212: !Spoilers! Brome Abraham and Isaac

20 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's the first of two episodes on the Brome Abraham and Isaac play, witnessed from somewhere in the late 15th century. This is a !Spoilers! session, w...

211: Exploring: Godly Queen Hester

13 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A read through and discussion of Godly Queen Hester, as seen on our YouTube exploring sessions in another of our occasional cross over episodes. Perfo...

210: Dame Sirith (Full Cast Audio Adaptation)

06 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A Full Cast Audio Adaptation of Dame Sirith, written somewhere in the 13th century. There is a !Spoilers! episode that works through the play text in ...

209: !SPOILERS! Dame Sirith

29 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's the first of two episodes on Dame Sirith from somewhere in the 13th century. This is a !Spoilers! session, working through the rough cut of the p...

208: Discussing: Mariam with Jasmine Silk of Cutpurse Theatre

19 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A special surprise discussing episode, hot off the press - here is a discussion with Jasmine Silk of the upcoming production of Mariam from Cutpurse T...

207: Exploring: Christ's Resurrection

17 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A read through and discussion of Christ's Resurrection, as seen on our YouTube exploring sessions in another of our occasional cross over episodes. T...

206: Exploring: Christ's Burial

15 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A read through and discussion of Christ's Burial, as seen on our YouTube exploring sessions in another of our occasional cross over episodes. The pla...

205: Chess Pieces: Exploring A Game at Chess, part 4

08 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Chess Pieces: Exploring A Game at Chess by Thomas Middleton A planning session for our future productions of A Game at Chess by Middleton. We open wit...

204: Fantasy Production Meeting Ep 3: King Leir

01 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A series of podcasts looking at plays we'd like to see, where we and guests pitch a Fantasy Production. With much merriment and chat, we explore diffe...

203: Exploring: The Conversion of St Paul

25 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A read through and discussion of The Conversion of St Paul, as seen on our YouTube exploring sessions in another of our occasional cross over episodes...

202: Temperance and Humility - Full Cast Audio (Fragment)

18 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Fragments: Temperance and Humility by the Unknown - from the press of Wynkyn de Worde around the 1520's/30's. It might be linked to another fragmentar...

201: Exploring: Bosworth Field by Sir John Beaumont

11 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A read through and discussion of Bosworth Field, a narrative poem by Sir John Beaumont published posthumously in 1629, telling the events of the battl...

200: Exploring: Calisto and Melebea

04 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A read through and discussion of Calisto and Melebea, from the press of John Rastell Another in our occasional series of cross overs with our YouTu...

199: Chess Pieces: Exploring A Game at Chess, part 3

25 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Chess Pieces: Exploring A Game at Chess by Thomas Middleton A planning session for our future productions of A Game at Chess by Middleton. We open Act...

198: Exploring: The Four Elements by John Rastell

18 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Another in our occasional series of cross overs with our YouTube channel, this is a Second Look read through and discussion of The Four Elements by Jo...

197: Fantasy Production Meeting Ep 2: George-a-Greene

12 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A series of podcasts looking at plays we'd like to see, where we and guests pitch a Fantasy Production. With much merriment and chat, we explore diffe...

196: Exploring: The Tragedy of Iphigeneia translated by Lady Lumley

04 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A simultaneous release with our YouTube channel, this is a Second Look read through and discussion of The Tragedy of Iphigeneia by Jane, Lady Lumley, ...

195: The Prodigal Son (Fragment)

29 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Fragments: The Prodigal Son by the Unknown - from the press of William Rastell, possibly around 1530. It's a return to full cast audio production this...

194: Chess Pieces: Exploring A Game at Chess, part 2

15 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Chess Pieces: Exploring A Game at Chess by Thomas Middleton, part 2. Welcome to a series of podcasts looking at A Game at Chess by Thomas Middleton, s...

193: Happy New Year Message 2022

01 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Happy New Year! This is a simultaneous release on YouTube and the podcast - there are some bits that are more videoy (sorry podcast people, it wasn't ...

192: Exploring: Narcissus - A Twelfth Night Merriment

24 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A First Look read through and discussion of Narcissus: A Twelfth Night Merriment, performed on Thursday 6th January 1602 (or new style 1603). This is ...

191: Triumph 1621: Live Recording of The Sun in Aries Recon

20 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Triumph 1621: Reconstructing: The Sun in Aries by Thomas Middleton. This is mostly an uncut recording of the 12pm show, our first of the day, from var...

190: Gentleness and Nobility by John Heywood (LIVE Archive Recording)

12 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A reading of an edited version of Gentleness and Nobility by John Heywood and John Rastell, performed before a live audience in 2018. A Knight over...

189: Chess Pieces: Exploring A Game at Chess, part 1

28 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Chess Pieces: Exploring A Game at Chess by Thomas Middleton, part 1. Welcome to a series of podcasts looking at A Game at Chess by Thomas Middleton, s...

188: Discussing: Robert Greene (and Alphonsus)

21 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today we discuss the playwright Robert Greene, the breadth of his output (with some focus on his play Alphonsus), with Dr Darren Freebury-Jones. How m...

187: Reconstructing Middleton's 1621 Lord Mayor's Show

15 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A special discussing episode with Professor Tracey Hill, covering our upcoming reconstruction of Thomas Middleton's 1621 Lord Mayor's Show - The Sun i...

186: Exploring: N-Town, Plays 41 to 42 (Assumption of Mary & Judgement)

26 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Exploring: The N-Town Play, a slow burn look at a medieval Mystery (sort of) cycle. The N-Town Play comes to us as a single manuscript, but it's a co...

185: Exploring: N-Town, Plays 35 to 40 (Harrowing to Pentecost)

12 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Exploring: The N-Town Play, a slow burn look at a medieval Mystery (sort of) cycle. The N-Town Play comes to us as a single manuscript, but it's a co...

184: Discussing: Staging N-Town (Mary and Passion Plays)

30 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Following our spurt of N-Town releases, here's a discussion about staging some of the plays within the N-Town manuscript with special guest Elisabeth ...

183: Exploring: N-Town, Plays 31 to 34 (Passion Play 2)

17 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Exploring: The N-Town Play, a slow burn look at a medieval Mystery (sort of) cycle. The N-Town Play comes to us as a single manuscript, but it's a co...

182: Exploring: N-Town, Plays 28 to 30 (Passion Play 1 into 2)

31 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Exploring: The N-Town Play, a slow burn look at a medieval Mystery (sort of) cycle. The N-Town Play comes to us as a single manuscript, but it's a co...

181: Exploring: N-Town, Plays 26 to 27 (Passion Play 1)

11 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Exploring: The N-Town Play, a slow burn look at a medieval Mystery (sort of) cycle. The N-Town Play comes to us as a single manuscript, but it's a co...

180: Discussing: Digital Marlowe - Doctor Faustus

13 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today we're discussing upcoming digital performances of plays by Christopher Marlowe - today we're looking at Doctor Faustus (and briefly Dido), co-di...

179: Discussing: Digital Marlowe - Edward II

02 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today we're discussing upcoming digital performances of plays by Christopher Marlowe - today we're looking at Edward the Second, directed by Kevin V. ...

178: Exploring: N-Town, Plays 24 to 25 (Adultery, Lazarus)

29 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Exploring: The N-Town Play, a slow burn look at a medieval Mystery (sort of) cycle. The N-Town Play comes to us as a single manuscript, but it's a co...

177: Discussing: Supposes by George Gascoigne

15 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today we're discussing Supposes by George Gascoigne, a translation of an Italian play produced in 1566. It's super fun and worth performing today - we...

176: Exploring: N-Town, Plays 21 to 23 (Doctors, Baptism, Temptation)

25 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Exploring: The N-Town Play, a slow burn look at a medieval Mystery (sort of) cycle. The N-Town Play comes to us as a single manuscript, but it's a co...

175: Fantasy Production Meeting Ep 1: The Old Wives' Tale by George Peele

01 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A series of podcasts looking at plays we'd like to see, where we and guests pitch a Fantasy Production. With much merriment and chat, we explore diffe...

174: Discussing: The Devil is an Ass by Ben Jonson

04 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today we're discussing The Devil is an Ass by Ben Jonson, that has just received the full cast audio adaptation treatment by The Lords of Misrule, an ...

173: Happy New Year Message 2021

31 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Hello, welcome to a New Year, just a little thank you to all our listeners and viewers for all your support. Have a very Happy New Year, from Robert C...

172: Exploring: N-Town, Plays 18 to 20 (Kings, Purification, Herod)

23 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Exploring: The N-Town Play, a slow burn look at a medieval Mystery (sort of) cycle. The N-Town Play comes to us as a single manuscript, but it's a co...

171: Exploring: N-Town, Plays 14 to 16 (Trial, Nativity, Shepherds)

18 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Exploring: The N-Town Play, a slow burn look at a medieval Mystery (sort of) cycle. The N-Town Play comes to us as a single manuscript, but it's a com...

170: Exploring: N-Town, Plays 11 to 13 (Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth)

13 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Exploring: The N-Town Play, a slow burn look at a medieval Mystery (sort of) cycle. The N-Town Play comes to us as a single manuscript, but it's a com...

169: Exploring: Christmas Bits! (Old Christmas/His Masque)

07 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

First of our Christmas specials - a return to Old Christmas, a fragment we've already looked at with another room, and Christmas, His Masque by Ben Jo...

168: Exploring: N-Town, Play 10 (Marriage of Mary and Joseph)

25 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Exploring: The N-Town Play, a slow burn look at a medieval Mystery (sort of) cycle. The N-Town Play comes to us as a single manuscript, but it's a com...

167: Exploring: John John by John Heywood

15 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Exploring: A Merry Play between John Johan the husband, Tyb his wife, and Sir Johan the Priest. This is a cross over episode with our YouTube channel...

166: Exploring: N-Town, Play 9 (Mary in the Temple)

08 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Exploring: The N-Town Play, a slow burn look at a medieval Mystery (sort of) cycle. The N-Town Play comes to us as a single manuscript, but it's a com...

165: Discussing: Edward II by Christopher Marlowe

18 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Discussing: Edward II by Christopher Marlowe - with Dr. Kit Heyam This episode host Robert Crighton discusses a new book - The Reputation of Edward II...

164: Exploring: N-Town, Play 8 (Conception of Mary)

20 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Exploring: The N-Town Play, a slow burn look at a medieval Mystery (sort of) cycle. The N-Town Play comes to us as a single manuscript, but it's a com...

163: The Harrowing of Hell (Full Cast Audio Adaptation)

13 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Harrowing of Hell - A full cast audio adaption of one of the earliest surviving Biblical dramas in English, with bonus material of our first explo...

162: The Rising to the Crown of Richard III by Himself (via Giles Fletcher)

06 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Rising to the Crown of Richard the Third written by himself via Giles Fletcher - read by David Ault. This is a narrative poem about, as the title ...

161: Exploring: N-Town, Play 7 (Jesse Root)

30 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Exploring: The N-Town Play, a slow burn look at a medieval Mystery (sort of) cycle. The N-Town Play comes to us as a single manuscript, but it's a com...

160: The True Tragedy of Richard III (Induction)

23 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

What's Past is Prologue: The True Tragedy of Richard III, by someone for the Queen's Men. The True Tragedy of Richard III is a a truly disturbing piec...

159: Exploring: N-Town, Play 6 (Moses)

10 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Exploring: The N-Town Play, a slow burn look at a medieval Mystery (sort of) cycle. The N-Town Play comes to us as a single manuscript, but it's a com...

158: Spoilers: The Tragedy of Mariam (Act 5)

26 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Spoilers: The Tragedy of Mariam by Elizabeth Cary (Act 5) Welcome to this spoiler episode for The Tragedy of Mariam, the Fair Queen of Jewry by Elizab...

157: Discussing: The Ghost of Richard III by Christopher Brooke

15 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Discussing: The Ghost of Richard III by Christopher Brooke with Dr Jitka Štollová. In 1614, Christopher Brooke produced his Ghost poem on the life ...

156: Exploring: N-Town, Play 5 (Abraham and Isaac)

21 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Exploring: The N-Town Play, a slow burn look at a medieval Mystery (sort of) cycle. The N-Town Play comes to us as a single manuscript, but it's a com...

155: Discussing: John Heywood - Comedy and Survival in Tudor England

14 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A special follow up discussion episode on John Heywood, to celebrate the release of John Heywood - Comedy and Survival in Tudor England by Greg Walker...

154: Spoilers: The Tragedy of Mariam (Act 4)

06 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to this spoiler episode for The Tragedy of Mariam, the Fair Queen of Jewry by Elizabeth Cary - and it's very spoilery! It's all change again i...

153: Exploring: Occupation and Idleness

31 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

From the Winchester Dialogues this is a read through and discussion of Occupation and Idleness, edited from our zoom sessions on YouTube. Written some...

152: Eastward Ho! by Various (Prologue)

24 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

What's Past is Prologue: Eastward Ho! by Ben Jonson, George Chapman and John Marston. Eastward Ho! is a fantastic play, and one we'd like to do one da...

151: Exploring: N-Town, Play 4 (Noah)

16 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Exploring: The N-Town Play, a slow burn look at a medieval Mystery (sort of) cycle. The N-Town Play comes to us as a single manuscript, but it's a com...