
The Play's the Thing
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.
Latest episodes

May 23, 2025 • 1h 35min
Hamlet: Act II (rerun)
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.

May 16, 2025 • 1h 6min
Hamlet: Act I (rerun)
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.

May 9, 2025 • 1h 4min
Henry V: Act V (rerun)
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.

May 2, 2025 • 1h 13min
Henry V: Act IV (rerun)
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.

Apr 25, 2025 • 1h 19min
Henry V: Act III (rerun)
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.

Apr 18, 2025 • 1h 26min
Henry V: Act II (rerun)
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.

Apr 11, 2025 • 1h 15min
Henry V: Act I (rerun)
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.

Apr 8, 2025 • 54min
Macbeth: Q&A (rerun)
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.

Apr 4, 2025 • 1h 23min
Macbeth: Act V (rerun)
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.

Mar 28, 2025 • 1h 15min
Macbeth: Act IV (rerun)
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.