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In which we come out of hiatus (sorry everyone! we might get better at this, maybe) to talk about Richard III, and in particular two famous 20th-century adaptations: the 1955 film of Laurence Olivier's Richard III starring Laurence Olivier, and the 1993 film of Ian McKellen's Richard III starring Ian McKellen. The former is very traditional (and basically the thing you most people picture when they picture Shakespeare), the latter is... not. Ever wondered what British fascism would look like? Well, probably not quite like this, but it is a lot of fun. We're lucky to be shepherded through the world of uniforms, train station basements and boiled meats by our dear friend John. You can find him at @BadSocialism and his podcast, which is about Star Trek, at @QuitStarTrekPod. The Olivier movie is available on YouTube in full: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nja_Qa_JGcs For texts and scholarship, Margot swears by the Internet Shakespeare Editions: https://internetshakespeare.uvic.ca/ You can find the pod at @spearecast, or us separately at @beatabeatrix1 (Margot) and @railtragedy (Max)

In which we follow up a really good Shakespeare play by discussing a really bad Shakespeare play. A really, really bad one. Can you break a woman like a falcon? More importantly, should you? (The answer is no. Please do not break a woman like a falcon) CW: Domestic abuse, psychological trauma The 1929 movie starring Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks can be found on YouTube in full: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTlsrhgVQRY For texts and scholarship, Margot swears by the Internet Shakespeare Editions: https://internetshakespeare.uvic.ca/ You can find the pod at @spearecast, or us separately at @beatabeatrix1 (Margot) and @railtragedy (Max)

In which we continue our discussion of Macbeth by talking about acts two through five. Most of the play we were set up to expect has in fact already happened by this point, so what comes next? What does a fascist dictatorship in 11th-century Scotland look like in practice? When that fascist dictatorship begins to crumble, what are the telltale signs? And what does any of this have to do with 1960s close-harmony gospel singers? Some or all of these questions may be answered in this episode. The 1979 Royal Shakespeare Company production, directed by Trevor Nunn and starring Ian McKellen and Judi Dench, can be found on YouTube in full: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7skhaOegpLA For texts and scholarship, Margot swears by the Internet Shakespeare Editions: https://internetshakespeare.uvic.ca/ You can find us at @beatabeatrix1 (Margot) and @railtragedy (Max)

In which we introduce ourselves and then talk about the background and first act of Macbeth. Why did Shakespeare want to write a play set in Scotland? Why did so many people go on to think that play was cursed? What are the important dos and don'ts when trying to blow up Parliament? (legal note: do not try to blow up Parliament) Would Shakespeare fail a modern creative writing class? And most importantly, what is Aleppo? Some or all of these questions may be answered in this episode. The 1979 Royal Shakespeare Company production, directed by Trevor Nunn and starring Ian McKellen and Judi Dench, can be found on YouTube in full: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7skhaOegpLA For texts and scholarship, Margot swears by the Internet Shakespeare Editions: https://internetshakespeare.uvic.ca/ You can find us at @beatabeatrix1 (Margot) and @railtragedy (Max)