
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

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.

Mar 21, 2025 • 1h 22min
Macbeth: Act III (rerun)
Welcome back to this ongoing discussion of Shakespeare's tragedy, Macbeth. Topics of conversation include act III turning points, the presence fo supernatural forces, and the downward trajectory of the characters and action of the play. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 14, 2025 • 1h 16min
Macbeth: Act II (rerun)
Join David, Heidi, and Tim as they dive ever-deeper into the Macbeth family treachery. Conversation touches on Macbeth's mental state, Shakespeare's formal choices in Macbeth's monologues, the themes of repentance and time in the play, and much more.Remember: subscribe, rate, review! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 7, 2025 • 1h 30min
Macbeth: Act I (rerun)
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 the great tragedies, Macbeth. Topics of conversation include the play's reputation, the suspicions surrounding performance of the play, the weird sisters and their role, Macbeth's response to them, Lady Macbeth's desire to be evil, and much more.Remember: subscribe, rate, review! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 4, 2025 • 46min
As You Like It: Bonus Episode (rerun)
In this bonus episode, Tim chats with four first-time student-actors about their experience performing scenes from As You Like It and other Shakespeare plays.If you like this episode be sure to rate and review wherever you listen to podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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