The Play's the Thing
Episodes
The Merchant of Venice: Act I (rerun)
20 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Join Tim, Heidi, and Sarah-Jane as they dive into Shakespeare's great play, The Merchant of Venice. In this episode, they discuss the character o...
James Shapiro and Shakespeare in a Divided America (rerun)
13 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, noted author James Shapiro joins the show to discuss his new book, Shakespeare in a Divide America. Dr. Shapiro and Tim discuss ...
Romeo + Juliet: Q&A (rerun)
06 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Tim, Heidi, and Sarah Jane are answering your questions about Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priv...
Romeo + Juliet: Act V (rerun)
27 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Join Tim, Heidi, and Sarah-Jane as they discuss love and death, the differences between Romeo and Juliet as they encounter death, personal and public ...
Romeo + Juliet: Act IV (rerun)
20 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Act IV of Romeo and Juliet examines the fallout from Tybalt and Mercutio's violent deaths. Join Tim, Heidi, and Sarah-Jane as they discuss Shakespeare...
Romeo + Juliet: Act III (rerun)
13 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Join Tim, Heidi, and Sarah-Jane as they discuss Mercutio and Tybalt's death and Romeo's fleeing in exile. Plus, they take up the question, what is "th...
Romeo + Juliet: Act II (rerun)
06 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Join Tim, Heidi, and Sarah-Jane as they discuss Mercutio, Friar Lawrence, fate and fortune, the famous balcony scene, and what actually is i...
Romeo + Juliet: Act I (rerun)
30 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Join Tim, Heidi, and Sarah-Jane as they dive into one of Shakespeare's greatest and most misunderstood plays. Listen as they rhapsodize over Shakespea...
Hamlet: Q&A (rerun)
17 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Tim, Heidi, and Andrew as they answer your questions about Hamlet! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Hamlet: Act V (rerun)
13 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Hamlet: Act IV (rerun)
06 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Hamlet: Act III (rerun)
30 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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, C...
Hamlet: Act II (rerun)
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Tim, Heidi, and Andrew as they dive into the drama of Hamlet, Act II! They discuss the way everyone is watching everyone else in this act, Peloni...
Hamlet: Act I (rerun)
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's finally time to discuss the grandaddy of all of Shakespeare's plays! That's right, it's time for Hamlet and Tim, Heidi, and special guest Andrew ...
Henry V: Act V (rerun)
09 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Heidi and David for the conclusion of their conversation about Shakespeare's classic history play, Henry V. Conversation explores King Henry's ho...
Henry V: Act IV (rerun)
02 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to The Play's the Thing! Join David and Heidi as they continue their conversation about Shakespeare's legendary history play, Henry ...
Henry V: Act III (rerun)
25 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to The Play's the Thing! Join David and Heidi as they continue their conversation about Shakespeare's legendary history play, Henry ...
Henry V: Act II (rerun)
18 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to The Play's the Thing! Join David and Heidi as they continue their conversation about Shakespeare's legendary history play, Henry V. Co...
Henry V: Act I (rerun)
11 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to The Play's the Thing! Join David and Heidi as they kick off a conversation about Shakespeare's legendary history play, Henry V. Conver...
Macbeth: Q&A (rerun)
08 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In which David, Tim, and Heidi answer listener questions about Macbeth.Remember: Subscribe, rate, review. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for m...
Macbeth: Act V (rerun)
04 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the conclusion of this series on Macbeth. In this conversation David, Heidi, and Tim explore the madness of the play's primary characters, ...
Macbeth: Act IV (rerun)
28 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Topics of conversation include the return of the witches and the way the witch scenes in Act I.I and Act IV.I mirror each other, what the play would b...
Macbeth: Act III (rerun)
21 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to this ongoing discussion of Shakespeare's tragedy, Macbeth. Topics of conversation include act III turning points, the presence fo supe...
Macbeth: Act II (rerun)
14 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join David, Heidi, and Tim as they dive ever-deeper into the Macbeth family treachery. Conversation touches on Macbeth's mental state, Shakespeare's f...
Macbeth: Act I (rerun)
07 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to The Play's the Thing, where we discuss Shakespeare's canon, one act at a time.In this episode, David, Tim, and Heidi dive into one of ...
As You Like It: Bonus Episode (rerun)
04 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this bonus episode, Tim chats with four first-time student-actors about their experience performing scenes from As You Like It and other Shakespear...
As You Like It: Act V (rerun)
28 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to this series on Shakespeare's classic comedy, As You Like It! In this series Tim and Heidi discuss love and disorder in Shakespearean c...
As You Like It: Act IV (rerun)
21 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to this series on Shakespeare's classic comedy, As You Like It! In this series Tim and Heidi discuss love and disorder in Shakespearean c...
As You Like It: Act III (rerun)
14 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to this series on Shakespeare's classic comedy, As You Like It! In this series Tim and Heidi discuss love and disorder in Shakespearean c...
As You Like It: Act II (rerun)
07 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to this series on Shakespeare's classic comedy, As You Like It! In this series Tim and Heidi discuss love and disorder in Shakespearean c...
As You Like It: Act I (rerun)
03 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to our new series on Shakespeare's classic comedy, As You Like It! In this series Tim and Heidi discuss love and disorder in Shakespearean com...
Julius Caesar: Act V (rerun)
06 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is brought to you The Classic Learning Test - a fantastic alternative to the ACT and SAT. Learn more at cltexam.com.Welcome back to The P...
Julius Caesar: Act IV (rerun)
30 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to The Play's the Thing, where Heidi, Matt, and Brian discussing Julius Caesar. This episode is all about act IV and topics of conversati...
Julius Caesar: Act III (rerun)
23 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to The Play's the Thing where we're talking Shakespeare one act at a time. This week, Heidi, Matt, and Brian discuss Julius Caesar, ...
Julius Caesar: Act II (rerun)
17 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to The Play's the Thing where contributors from the Close Reads Podcast Network discuss Shakespeare's canon one act at a time. In this ep...
Julius Caesar: Act I (rerun)
09 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to The Play's the Thing. In this episode, Heidi White, Matt Bianco, and Brian Phillips kick off conversation on Julius Caesar, focusing o...
Much Ado About Nothing: Act 5 (rerun)
12 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join Andrew Kern and Angelina Stanford for the conclusion of their discussion about Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing.If you like this show remembe...
Much Ado About Nothing: Act 4 (rerun)
05 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Play's the Thing, Andrew Kern and Angelina Stanford discuss Act IV of Much Ado About Nothing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p...
Much Ado About Nothing: Act 3 (rerun)
28 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to The Play's the Thing where Andrew Kern and Angelina Stanford are discussing Act 3 of Much Ado About Nothing. Conversation touches on h...
Much Ado About Nothing: Act 2 (rerun)
21 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to The Play's the Thing, a podcast dedicated to an ongoing examination and celebration of Shakespeare's entire canon. In this episode, Angelin...
Much Ado About Nothing: Act 1 (rerun)
14 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to The Play's the Thing, a podcast dedicated to an ongoing examination and celebration of Shakespeare's entire canon. In this episode, David, ...
Cymbeline (rerun)
07 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Tim McIntosh and special guest Madelaine Wheeler discuss one of Shakespeare's weirdest plays. What sort of play is Cymbeline? A comed...
Tim Gets Interviewed, with Matt Bianco
22 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sound the trumpet blast! We have now covered all of Shakespeare's plays! In this episode, Tim McIntosh hands the mic to Matt Bianco of the CiRCE ...
Yearbook!
11 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Audio yearbook podcast. Since we have podcasted all of Shakespeare's plans(!!!) I asked my guests to come on and mention their favorite mome...
The Life and Death of King John
26 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
King John was remembered, in history, for two things. Do you know what they were? In Shakespeare's play, he's remembered for being a cad, a ...
The Merry Wives of Windsor
19 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Imagine the biggest comedic star of Shakespeare's stage, taken from battle, and dropped into a love triangle. Huzzah! Tim and Sarah-Jane Bentley celeb...
Teaching Shakespeare
30 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Teaching Shakespeare: Why do so many students hate Shakespeare? Probably because the way his plays are taught. Let's get out of our desks and onto a s...
Measure for Measure: Act V
09 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I like to call this act "duke ex machina." The Duke returns, ready to solve everyone's problems. Plus, a special guest asks the question, "Did Shakesp...
Measure for Measure: Act IV
02 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's complicated, okay. In Act 4, the Duke (disguised as the Friar) is a puppet master, pulling strings, saving prisoners, ending lives. He also ...
Measure for Measure: Act III
19 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In Measure for Measure, Act 3, Isabella breaks the news to her brother: He will be executed by Angelo. The only alternative is unthinkable to Isabella...
Measure for Measure: Act II
12 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The nun, Isabella, asks Angelo to have mercy on her condemned brother. But Angelo is unrelenting. —Unless Isabella is willing to offer something in ...
Measure for Measure: Act I
29 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When Angelo is appointed governor, he cleans up Venice, starting with a pregnant couple. Death to the lewd! Except, Angelo sets himself a trap. O...
The Comedy of Errors
08 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Shakespeare's most confusing play? Twins, separated after a shipwreck, both named Antipholus. Their servants, also separated by shipwreck, both named ...
Antony and Cleopatra
01 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A sequel to Julius Caesar, starring two of the most immature lovers of all time. Or maybe they're mature shape-shifters? Sarah-Jane Bentley makes...
Philosophy and Shakespeare with Dr. Peter Adamson
18 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We're joined by Dr. Peter Adamson who hosts the podcast, "The History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps." Discussed: What was the most pressing philosoph...
How to Become a Word-Coining Genius
10 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
William Shakespeare created over 1,700 words. This talk explores how his education helped him invent new words and will give volunteers an opportunity...
Shakespeare on Leadership
03 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Shakespeare obsessed over kings and queens and how they ruled. What can we learn from bad kings (like Richard III) and good kings (like Henry V)? Host...
Titus Andronicus
27 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A warning: Don't listen with kids in the car. Shakespeare's bloodiest play includes 14 killings, 6 severed limbs, a rape, a live burial, a case o...
Show Preview: Othello - Episode 1 - Marks Set Against Me
20 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A rich young man named Roderigo rages in anger at Iago when he learns that the woman he’s been pining for (and paying Iago to help him win), Desdemo...
Timon of Athens
13 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Wealthy and popular, Timon of Athens helps friends, gives presents, and holds a feast. But when he runs out of money, none of his friends help. He run...
Henry VI: Parts 1, 2, 3
06 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when every nobleman in the kingdom wants the throne except the man who’s on the throne? The Henry VI trilogy shows us. Buckle up for ba...
Richard III: Act V
29 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Before the battle, the ghosts. All of Richard's victims come to haunt him. Will he look back on his life and repent? And, at the end, how much will he...
Richard III: Act IV
22 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Finally, Richard gets the throne! Now, instead of being the hunter, he is the hunted. Sidebar: How women in mourning so often end civil conflicts. Hos...
Richard III: Act III
15 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
No, please, not Hastings. (Yes, Hastings.) No, not the kids! (Yes, even the sons of Edward VI.) Even while slaughtering friends and children, Ric...
Richard III: Act II
29 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Richard III schemes and dreams, taking big steps toward claiming the throne. The big news: Warring factions form a "united league” that is interrupt...
Richard III: Act I
12 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The bloodiest villain. The most famous opening monologue. The most demanding role. Richard III plans to "set the murderous Machiavelli to school!" But...
Pericles!
25 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Is it a tragedy, a comedy, a travelogue, a romance? Whatever the genre, it's probably Shakespeare's least-known play. Join Sophia Maeda, Noah Perrin, ...
Love's Labours Lost
27 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Four bros attempt to be abstinent scholars. No women. Lots of fasting. Heaps of books. What could possibly go wrong? Almost everything. Thankfully, fo...
Dr. Christopher Perrin Joins the Show, Part 2
26 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Join Tim as he continues his Shakespeare-themed conversation with Dr. Christopher Perrin of Classical Academic Press. They tell classical jokes, wonde...
Dr. Christopher Perrin Joins the Show to Discuss Teaching Shakespeare, Part 1
19 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Join Tim in the first part of a conversation with Dr. Chris Perrin about how to teach Shakespeare, about the neglected virtue of prudence, and about t...
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Act V
13 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this last act, Shakespeare gives lessons on how NOT to write a play and answers the question: What motivates more: Facts or imagination? Hosted on ...
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Act IV
31 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Act IV is the "hangover act." The regret act. The foggy act. So join the crew as they dig into the unsettling (but humorous) nature of these climactic...
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Act III
24 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Which Midsummer Night's character would you be and why? How the Christianizing of England might have shaped Oberon and Titania into something differen...
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Act II
18 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Join Tim and the crew as they dig deeper into Midsummer! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Act I
10 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Join Tim, Heidi, and the Andrews as they dig into Act I of one of Shakespeare's most beloved plays: A Midsummer Night's Dream! Hosted on Acast. See ac...
Did Shakespeare Write Shakespeare's Plays
24 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
For years, a handful of cranks have asserted that William Shakespeare didn't write Shakespeare's plays. Someone else (Edward de Vere, Francis Bac...
The Troilus and Cressida Episode
17 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Imagine the Beatles covering an Elvis album. Here, Shakespeare covers Homer. Should be amazing! —Except, it’s not. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/...
The Two Gentlemen of Verona
11 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
One of Shakespeare’s earliest plays includes all of his favorite tricks: Love at first sight, friends-as-rivals, and happily ever after. Featur...
A Winter's Tale: Q&A
03 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's time to answer your questions about A Winter's Tale! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A Winter's Tale: Act V
27 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The scars don’t disappear. But after Leontes’ rage, this tragedy turns toward reunion and resurrection. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priva...
A Winter's Tale: Act IV
20 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week: Does Shakespeare have a philosophy? He does, and he demonstrates it here through a discussion of flowers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p...
A Winter's Tale: Act III
13 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Leontes gets what he wants and loses everything. But hope arrives in the most unexpected place. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for ...
A Winter's Tale: Act II
06 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What would you do if your king (falsely) accused his queen of infidelity? Bravery and cowardice both show themselves in Leontes’s palace. Hosted on ...
A Winter's Tale: Act I
30 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Join us for this hidden classic from late in Shakespeare’s career. What begins with toxic masculinity ends with rebirth. Hosted on Acast. See acast....
The Life of Shakespeare Q&A
16 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week Tim is joined by a family of Shakespeare fans who are full of questions, including, "How many words did Shakespeare create?" Hosted on Acast...
The Life of Shakespeare: Part Two
09 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
William Shakespeare is the most celebrated dramatist in the English language, perhaps any language. But who was the man behind the plays? Part two of ...
The Life of Shakespeare: Part One
02 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
William Shakespeare is the most celebrated dramatist in the English language, perhaps any language. But who was the man behind the plays? Part one of ...
All's Well That Ends Well: Q&A
25 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Join the "All's Well" crew as they answer listener questions! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
All's Well That End's Well: Act V
10 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Do we believe in the sincerity of the marriage that ends this play? Were Matt's predictions correct? Is it true that all's well that end's well? Join ...
All's Well That end's Well: Act IV
03 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode we discuss, “Does Shakespeare believe too strongly in marriage?” Plus, predictions about what will happen at the end. Will Parolle...
All's Well That Ends Well: Act III
27 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In which we discuss whether anyone is honorable in this play? Plus, two traps are set. One for a cad, one for our protagonist. Hosted on Acast. See ac...
All's Well That Ends Well: Act II
12 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
During Act II, we ask, “Why does Helena love Bertram? He’s — a jerk, right?” Plus, pronunciation advice on those tricky French names. Hosted o...
All's Well That Ends Well: Act I
30 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to our discussion of another play that’s created centuries of controversy! On this episode, we meet our virtuous heroine and her confused lo...
Henry IV, Part 2
21 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Is this sequel closer to the Godfather II or Gremlins II? Plus a new member joins the team! And remembrances of the queen. Hosted on Acast. See acast....
Shakespeare After an Apocalypse
26 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Shakespeare after an apocalypse! In this very special episode, Tim discusses Station 11 -- both Emily St. John Mande's book and the HBO adaptation, wi...
Henry IV, Part 1: Q&A
06 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Join Tim and the gang (that is the official band name) as they answer your questions about Henry IV, Part I! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy fo...
Henry IV, Part I: Act V
11 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Join Tim, Heidi, and Brandon as they dig into the conclusion of this wonderful play! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Henry IV, Part 1: Act IV
16 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It's time to discuss another crucial act four! In this episode we discuss the ways Shakespeare inverts expectations of Hal and Hotspur and how this ac...
Henry IV, Part I: Act III
21 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In which we dig into the insurrectionist theme in this play, especially Harry's place in the middle of the violence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p...
Henry IV, Part 1: Act II
14 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In which we return our gaze back to the tavern, to the Hal and Falstaff and their various hijinks and the way Falstaff steals the show. Plus, Tim offe...