
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

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.

Feb 28, 2025 • 51min
As You Like It: Act V (rerun)
Welcome back to this series on Shakespeare's classic comedy, As You Like It! In this series Tim and Heidi discuss love and disorder in Shakespearean comedy, the natural world versus the civilized world, Rosalind's delightfulness, and how Shakespeare can help us deal with the self-quarantine blues.Remember to rate and review if you like this episode! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 21, 2025 • 44min
As You Like It: Act IV (rerun)
Welcome back to this series on Shakespeare's classic comedy, As You Like It! In this series Tim and Heidi discuss love and disorder in Shakespearean comedy, the natural world versus the civilized world, Rosalind's delightfulness, and how Shakespeare can help us deal with the self-quarantine blues.Remember to rate and review if you like this episode! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 14, 2025 • 1h 1min
As You Like It: Act III (rerun)
Welcome back to this series on Shakespeare's classic comedy, As You Like It! In this series Tim and Heidi discuss love and disorder in Shakespearean comedy, the natural world versus the civilized world, Rosalind's delightfulness, and how Shakespeare can help us deal with the self-quarantine blues.Remember to rate and review if you like this episode! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 7, 2025 • 1h 4min
As You Like It: Act II (rerun)
Welcome back to this series on Shakespeare's classic comedy, As You Like It! In this series Tim and Heidi discuss love and disorder in Shakespearean comedy, the natural world versus the civilized world, Rosalind's delightfulness, and how Shakespeare can help us deal with the self-quarantine blues.Remember to rate and review if you like this episode! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 3, 2025 • 1h 3min
As You Like It: Act I (rerun)
Welcome to our new series on Shakespeare's classic comedy, As You Like It! In this series Tim and Heidi discuss love and disorder in Shakespearean comedy, the natural world versus the civilized world, Rosalind's delightfulness, and how Shakespeare can help us deal with the self-quarantine blues.Remember to rate and review if you like this episode! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 6, 2024 • 1h 15min
Julius Caesar: Act V (rerun)
This episode is brought to you The Classic Learning Test - a fantastic alternative to the ACT and SAT. Learn more at cltexam.com.Welcome back to The Play's the Thing, where we're working through Shakespeare one act at a time. Today Heidi, Brian, and Matt discuss Act V of Julius Caesar, focusing on the nature of tragedy, Shakespearean chiastic structures, and whether Brutus died a hero.Remember: Subscribe, rate, review! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.