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★★★★★

4.8

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298 reviews

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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 time. Join us. The Play’s the Thing is presented by The CiRCE Podcast Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Check latest episodes from The Play's the Thing podcast

The Life of Shakespeare Q&A (rerun)

2026/06/26

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. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Life of Shakespeare: Part Two (rerun)

2026/06/19

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

The Life of Shakespeare: Part One (rerun)

2026/06/12

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

Coriolanus: Q&A (rerun)

2026/06/05

Join Tim and Sarah-Jane as they answer your questions about Shakespeare's most underrated play. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Coriolanus: Act IV (rerun)

2026/05/29

In this episode Tim and Sarah-Jane discuss Act IV of Coriolanus, focusing in particular on some ancient Roman history (especially the Roman Republic), the complexity of the plot in this act, and much more. Get ready to dig deep! Oh, and please do rate and review if you like the show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Coriolanus: Act III (rerun)

2026/05/22

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 acast.com/privacy for more information.

Coriolanus: Act II (rerun)

2026/05/15

Coriolanus: Act I (rerun)

2026/05/08

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. They also discuss how Coriolanus is almost an anti-type to a play like As You Like It. Please note: this episode was originally recorded back in April 2020. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Merchant of Venice: Q&A (rerun)

2026/05/01

In which Tim, Heidi, and Sarah-Jane answer your questions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Merchant of Venice: Bonus with Sparky Roberts (rerun)

2026/04/24

Was Shakespeare anti-semitic? In this bonus episode, Tim chats about this question with special guest Judith "Sparky" Roberts. Sparky comes from a Jewish background and was a theatre teacher at the University of Oregon and Lane Community College. Her graduate study, at Brandeis University, was under the great American Shakespearean actor, Morris Carnovksy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Merchant of Venice: Act V (rerun)

2026/04/17

Join Tim, and Heidi, and Sarah-Jane as they wrap up their conversation of Shakespeare's classic play. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Merchant of Venice: Act IV (rerun)

2026/04/10

Act IV is usually the key act in any Shakespeare play, and The Merchant of Venice isn't any different. Join Tim, Heidi, and Sarah-Jane as they explore why. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Merchant of Venice: Act III (rerun)

2026/04/03

Join Tim, Heidi, and Sarah-Jane as they dive Into the always-important third act of The Merchant of Venice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Merchant of Venice: Act II (rerun)

2026/03/27

Join Tim, Heidi, and Sarah-Jane as they discuss Shakespeare's exploration of the folly of people who are put to the test, Bossanio's role (and his name), Shylock's complex role in the play, and much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Merchant of Venice: Act I (rerun)

2026/03/20

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 of Portia, Shylock's unnerving nature, a little of bit of context, and much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Podcast reviews

Read The Play's the Thing podcast reviews

4.8 out of 5

298 reviews

★★★★★

Kelly Gwin 2026/06/18

Homeschool Mom Gold

Amazing resource. This podcast has greatly enhanced my Shakespeare experience over the years, and has served as such a delightful addition to our Shak...

★★☆☆☆

McDuck1977 2026/03/19

Seem knowledgeable, but…

…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 a...

★★★★★

RevAvery 2026/02/20

So Awesome!

You folks are manna from Shakespeare Heaven. Thank you so very much.

★★★★★

torahforall 2025/10/01

So thankful!

I am so thankful to have found this podcast. What a delight! My Shakespeare cup runneth over!

★★★★☆

KTP1915 2025/06/10

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 interpretat...

★★★★★

elbybo 2025/04/25

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!!

★★★★★

Kelms80 2025/01/18

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 t...

★★★★★

LiteraryLover📚 2024/10/30

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 y...

★★★★★

i love kidscirner terrine 2024/06/08

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....

★★★★☆

Caliban's Day Out 2024/05/31

Great show but…

…Hamlet is the longest play not Richard III. As “misspoken” by Tim when he was interviewed in that interview podcast. Gotta give out correct facts i...

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