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★★★★★

4.8

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293 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

Romeo + Juliet: Act I (rerun)

2026/01/30

Join Tim, Heidi, and Sarah-Jane as they dive into one of Shakespeare's greatest and most misunderstood plays. Listen as they rhapsodize over Shakespeare's linguistic genius, speculate about why this story continues to be so influential and enduring, and discuss whether the star-crossed lovers were truly in love. The Play's the Thing is produced by Goldberry Studios for the CiRCE Podcast Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hamlet: Q&A (rerun)

2025/06/17

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)

2025/06/13

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.

Hamlet: Act IV (rerun)

2025/06/06

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.

Hamlet: Act III (rerun)

2025/05/30

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.

Hamlet: Act II (rerun)

2025/05/23

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, Pelonius as parent, the appearance of Rosencrans and Guildenstern, and much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hamlet: Act I (rerun)

2025/05/16

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 Kern are ready to dig deep. In this episode they discuss why this play matters so much, the initial structure of the play, the themes and problems Act I introduces, and much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Henry V: Act V (rerun)

2025/05/09

Join Heidi and David for the conclusion of their conversation about Shakespeare's classic history play, Henry V. Conversation explores King Henry's honesty (or lack thereof) in the final scene with Princess Katherine, the role of the commoners in the play, performing Henry, and (of course) more on teaching Shakespeare. Remember: subscribe, rate, and review! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Henry V: Act IV (rerun)

2025/05/02

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. Conversation touches on the build-up to the battle, stage/film interpretation of Henry's famous speech, the historical context of the battle and Shakespeare's take on it, Henry finally showing some emotion, and much, much more. Remember: Subscribe, rate, review! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Henry V: Act III (rerun)

2025/04/25

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. Conversation explores the way Shakespeare brings the artifice of the play to the fore, the double meaning of the word "breach," Henry's obsession with duty (and chivalry), the way act three treats the horrors of war, and lots of thoughts on Shakespeare use of imagination for rhetorical purposes. Remember: Subscribe, rate, review! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Henry V: Act II (rerun)

2025/04/18

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. Conversation explores the role of the commoners in the play, The Falstaff-effect, Henry vs the French Prince, Henry's rejection of his passions, Shakespeare's enduring legacy, and much, much more. Remember: Subscribe, rate, review! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Henry V: Act I (rerun)

2025/04/11

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. Conversation touches on the historical background behind the story, the role of the church in the play, the complicated nature of the character of King Henry, and much more. Remember: Subscribe, rate, review! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Macbeth: Q&A (rerun)

2025/04/08

In which David, Tim, and Heidi answer listener questions about Macbeth. Remember: Subscribe, rate, review. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Macbeth: Act V (rerun)

2025/04/04

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, discuss the question of evil, and contemplate the collision of the natural and the supernatural in the play. Remember: subscribe, rate, review! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Macbeth: Act IV (rerun)

2025/03/28

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 be without the witches, the question of whether this is a "Christian play," the terrible problem of fate, and much more. Remember: subscribe, rate, review! 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

293 reviews

★★★★★

torahforall 2025/10/01

So thankful!

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

★★★★★

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!!

★★★★☆

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...

★★★★★

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....

★★★★★

tayrollew 2023/05/16

What a find!

It’s not easy for Christians (or just normal people with a traditional moral worldview) to find podcasts about the great works of the West that aren’t...

★★★★☆

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...

★★★★☆

richcole99 2024/05/15

Great content; just one suggestion for improvement

Very good show. Smart people. But……. the……. long…… pauses…… are….. umm … are…… really……. …. really distracting. Just as reading a nov...

★★★★★

hannahbelle121 2023/04/19

Best way to supplement Shakespeare

As a former English teacher, I wish I’d known about this podcast before!! Still, I LOVE listening to this podcast - just for fun! The camaraderie, ban...

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