Beyond Shakespeare

A Full Cast Audio Adaptation of The Tragedy of Mariam by Elizabeth Cary. See below for content warnings... MARIAM, the Queen - Gillian Horgan ALEXANDRA, Mariam’s mother - Leigh McDonald SALOME, Herod’s sister - Pamela Flanagan SILLIUS, Salome’s lover - Simon Nader CONSTABARUS, husband to Salome - Heydn McCabe PHERORAS, Herod’s Brother - Robert Crighton GRAPHINA, Pheroras’ lover - Nemonee Stone DORIS, Herod’ first wife - Pollie Hall ANTIPATER, Herod’s son by Doris - Fiona Thraille First Son of BABUS - Hugh Weller-Poley Second Son of BABUS - Mark Scanlon ANNANELL, the high Priest - Andy Barrett SOHEMUS, A Counsellor/Mariam’s guardian - Rob Myson NUNTIO - Richard Fawcett HEROD - Geir Madland BUTLER - Valentina Vinci SILLIUS' Man - Alan Scott Additional voices by Liza Graham and other members of the company. Additional sound effects from zapsplat.com Produced by Robert Crighton The full Mariam playlist on the podcast can be found here -  https://audioboom.com/playlists/4631219-the-tragedy-of-mariam-by-elizabe

A read through and discussion of the second of two surviving Coventry mystery plays, the text surviving from 1534. With Gregory Musson as Simeon, Jesus; Eric Karoulla as 1st Prophet, 1st Angel, Clerk, 1st Doctor; Liza Graham as Host, Joseph; Lynsey Beauchamp as 2nd Angel, Mary, Second Doctor; Lisa Hill-Corley as 2nd Prophet, Anna, Gabriel, Third Doctor The host was Robert Crighton. The video version of this episode is also available here - https://youtu.be/1GIWFskVxYk The Beyond Shakespeare Podcast is supported by its patrons – become a patron and you get to choose the plays we work on next. Go to www.patreon.com/beyondshakespeare - or if you'd like to buy us a coffee at ko-fi https://ko-fi.com/beyondshakespeare - or if you want to give us some feedback, email us at admin@beyondshakespeare.org, follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram @BeyondShakes or go to our website: https://beyondshakespeare.org You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel where (most of) our exploring sessions live - https://w

It's time for a ramble through 2022, as well as a few previews things for 2023. So much has been done, so much yet to come. Thank you for your support. With Robert Crighton. A video version of this also exists, with a look at some charts and stuff. https://youtu.be/TfFOCTtk7pQ The Beyond Shakespeare Podcast is supported by its patrons – become a patron and you get to choose the plays we work on next. Go to www.patreon.com/beyondshakespeare - or if you'd like to buy us a coffee at ko-fi https://ko-fi.com/beyondshakespeare - or if you want to give us some feedback, email us at admin@beyondshakespeare.org, follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram @BeyondShakes or go to our website: https://beyondshakespeare.org You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel where (most of) our exploring sessions live - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLa4pXxGZFwTX4QSaB5XNdQ The Beyond Shakespeare Podcast is hosted and produced by Robert Crighton.

Merry Christmas everyone! First of a two part Christmas release, a look at the surviving Coventry Mystery plays. This play covers the Nativity through to the slaughter of the innocents. With Stephen Longstaffe as First Shepherd, Herod; Francis Cox as Second Shepherd, Second King; Eric Karoulla as Third Shepherd, Third King; Lois Potter as Gabriel, Second Woman; Liza Graham as Second Prophet, First Woman; Alan Scott as Prologue (Isaiah), Herald; Sarah Blake as Mary; Daniel Yabut as Joseph; Lynn Freitas as Angel (1st), Third Woman; Helen Good as Second Angel, Second Soldier; Valentina Vinci as First Prophet, First King, First Soldier. The host was Robert Crighton.  First released on our YouTube channel - https://youtu.be/LksJtWk0IaI The Beyond Shakespeare Podcast is supported by its patrons – become a patron and you get to choose the plays we work on next. Go to www.patreon.com/beyondshakespeare - or if you'd like to buy us a coffee at ko-fi https://ko-fi.com/beyondshakespeare - or if you want to give us

This Is... 1583 is a pilot for an occasional series looking at theatre history on year at a time, with a focus on plays premiering or in rep at the time, and significant events in the realm. With Helen Good, Stephen Longstaffe, Daniel Yabut and host Robert Crighton. If you'd like to hear more of this kind of thing, get in touch, suggest a year, suggest topics... though it might be a while before you hear more of this kind of thing. The plays covered in this episode, which have been explored on our YouTube channel, are... Fedele and Fortunio by Anthony Munday - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLflmEwgdfKoJO9HEXXT-czQMP_RSzb4a7 Campaspe by John Lyly - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLflmEwgdfKoJ6Gad4JC0QeGMBXzf33XfV Another confirmed play from that year includes a Latin play of Dido by William Gager Also discussed are the Queen's Men, their wider repertoire can be found on this expansive playlist - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLflmEwgdfKoKW-TB_TKM1Frf3bGqzvd_n The Beyond Shakespeare Podcast is supp

The Jests of George Peele - Episode 1: The Merry Conceited Jests of George Peele, with four of his Companions at Brainford. Performed by Sarah Blake A full audiobook reading, performed by Sarah Blake of Sounds Curious Productions. This is the first part of the collection, released monthly for the next year - followed by an omnibus version. Our patrons have received early access to nearly all the episodes so far, and have exclusive access to our exploring sessions and discussion of the text - join us on the patreon to get more from the world of jest books.  Music by Tom Cowell. Produced by Sounds Curious Productions for the Beyond Podcast. Sarah Blake discusses the project with Robert Crighton on the podcast here - https://audioboom.com/posts/8194838-discussing-the-jests-of-george-peele-with-sarah-blake The Beyond Shakespeare Podcast is supported by its patrons – become a patron and you get to choose the plays we work on next. Go to www.patreon.com/beyondshakespeare - or if you'd like to buy us a coffee at

A full cast audio adaptation of Lucidus and Dubius, a play without an ending from around 1450. Listen as two debaters get going on the important issues of theology. Like why the cross wasn't made of stone. Lucidus vs Dubius - age vs youth - master vs student. The !Spoilers! episode is available here - https://audioboom.com/posts/8198976-spoilers-lucidus-and-dubius-fragments. This is one of two dialogues/plays known as The Winchester Dialogues. It's sister text, Occupation and Idleness, is coming next year. With Liza Graham as Lucidus and Robert Crighton as Dubius. Recorded on location in London, mixed and edited by Robert Crighton. An initial exploring session can be found on the podcast here - https://audioboom.com/posts/7559944-exploring-lucidus-and-dubius-fragments An exploring session for the sister text Occupation and Idleness is also available here - https://audioboom.com/posts/7595489-exploring-occupation-and-idleness The Beyond Shakespeare Podcast is supported by its patrons – become a patron and

Chess Pieces: Exploring A Game at Chess by Thomas Middleton We focus on the closing scenes of the play, specifically the White Knight and Duke's attempt to infiltrate the Black House to uncover the truth about their plans. Reading combinations shift across the session, but mostly it was: Gregory Musson as White Knight; Liza Graham as the Fat Bishop and the Black Bishop's Pawn; Lynsey Beauchamp as White Duke and Black Knight; Tom Helsby as the Black Knight's Pawn, Black Queen and others; Daniel Yabut as Black King, Black Knight, White Knight The host was Robert Crighton, who also sometimes read the Black Knight and Black King. Our initial First Look Exploring Session can be found on our YouTube channel - feel free to browse, like, subscribe - and all that malarky. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLflmEwgdfKoJWOdHzBzkdJXtRR7UkydSW Video versions of these sessions are available to our wonderful patrons, links below. The Beyond Shakespeare Podcast is supported by its patrons – become a patron and you get t

!Spoilers! Fragments! Which kind of episode is this? Well, it's a bit of both. This is your introduction to the slightly damaged play Lucidus and Dubius - the full cast audio adaptation will follow soon. This is one of two dialogues/plays known as The Winchester Dialogues. It's sister text, Occupation and Idleness, is coming next year. The host is Robert Crighton, who plays Dubius, joined by Liza Graham as Lucidus. An initial exploring session can be found on the podcast here - https://audioboom.com/posts/7559944-exploring-lucidus-and-dubius-fragments An exploring session for the sister text Occupation and Idleness is also available here - https://audioboom.com/posts/7595489-exploring-occupation-and-idleness The Beyond Shakespeare Podcast is supported by its patrons – become a patron and you get to choose the plays we work on next. Go to www.patreon.com/beyondshakespeare - or if you'd like to buy us a coffee at ko-fi https://ko-fi.com/beyondshakespeare - or if you want to give us some feedback, email us a

A special discussing episode with performer and producer of the upcoming series of readings of The Merry Conceited Jests of George Peele. Sarah Blake has produced a complete reading of the text, which will begin its podcast release next month - patreons have early access to the episodes about six months ahead. Additionally there's a preview of other exclusive patreon content, which you can access now by supporting the work we do. The Merry Conceited Jests of George Peele is read and produced by Sarah Blake of Sounds Curious Productions, with music by Tom Cowell. The Beyond Shakespeare Podcast is supported by its patrons – become a patron and you get to choose the plays we work on next. Go to www.patreon.com/beyondshakespeare - or if you'd like to buy us a coffee at ko-fi https://ko-fi.com/beyondshakespeare - or if you want to give us some feedback, email us at admin@beyondshakespeare.org, follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram @BeyondShakes or go to our website: https://beyondshakespeare.org You can

A First Look read through and discussion of the England's Joy affair. On Saturday 6th November 1602 a show appeared at the Swan Theatre - privately produced by Richard Vennar. It did not go well. We rake through the documents of the case and ask the question - con, or cock up? With Sarah Blake, Aliki Chapple and Alan Scott. The host was Robert Crighton. An overview of the material we looked at can be found via the wonderful Lost Plays Database - https://lostplays.folger.edu/England's_Joy There is also a video version, at the time of release exclusive to our wonderful patrons, to be found here - https://www.patreon.com/posts/73776346   The Beyond Shakespeare Podcast is supported by its patrons – become a patron and you get to choose the plays we work on next. Go to www.patreon.com/beyondshakespeare - or if you'd like to buy us a coffee at ko-fi https://ko-fi.com/beyondshakespeare - or if you want to give us some feedback, email us at admin@beyondshakespeare.org, follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instag

We had hoped to be running a live event to look at the 400th anniversary of the 1622 Lord Mayor's Show, but sadly it came to nought. Or at least, this year it did. We can however release this planning / Second Look session, where we had a go at decided what could be done with a text that is slightly trickier to put on in a public street - asking as it does what is happening with representations of race. Featuring regular city chronologer Professor Tracey Hill, Gregory Musson, Lynsey Beauchamp and Tom Helsby. The host was Robert Crighton. For more on Lord Mayor's Shows, and civic and royal pageantry generally, here are some handy links... Look at the texts and the map of the locations here - https://mapoflondon.uvic.ca/mdtPrimarySourceLibraryMayoral.htm Exploring 1585 plus 1590 & 1590 - https://youtu.be/PUE5kD5ltcc Lord Mayor’s Shows Playlist - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLflmEwgdfKoIA2ktcBFPPnb6Eqss2So5k Civic and Royal Pageantry Playlist - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLflmEwgdfKoJ6XS5SaCLT

The last of our full(ish) cast series on the 16th century Lord Mayor's Show, another George Peele number, Descensus Astraea, borne before William Web. With Gillian Horgan, Seb Ranson, Liza Graham, David Ault, Geir Madland, Pamela Flanagan, and Heydn McCabe. Trumpet by Matt Byham - it was hosted and produced by Robert Crighton. Additional sounds from zapsplat.com Also featuring our initial exploring session, with regular city chronologer Professor Tracey Hill, Gregory Musson, Alex Scott Fairley and Liza Graham. For more on Lord Mayor's Shows, and civic and royal pageantry generally, here are some handy links... Look at the texts and the map of the locations here - https://mapoflondon.uvic.ca/mdtPrimarySourceLibraryMayoral.htm Exploring 1585 plus 1590 & 1590 - https://youtu.be/PUE5kD5ltcc Lord Mayor’s Shows Playlist - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLflmEwgdfKoIA2ktcBFPPnb6Eqss2So5k Civic and Royal Pageantry Playlist - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLflmEwgdfKoJ6XS5SaCLTFcieiL9FTMw_ The Beyond Sh

The civic pageantry fest continues with our mini reconstruction of the 1590 Lord Mayor's Show by Thomas Nelson, who wrote the device of this pageant for the new Lord Mayor Sir John Allot. This production is less expansive than 1585, as we don't have as much material to use, so this is a more sedate walk through. With the voices of Karim Fronfli as the figure riding the Merman; Liza Graham as the rider of the Unicorn & God's Truth;Gillian Horgan as Loyalty and Concord & Richard II; Seb Ranson as Fame, Plenty & Jack Straw; David Ault as Peace, Commonwealth & Walworth; Geir Madland as Policy, Science and Labour, Pamela Flanagan as Wisdom, Ambition & Time, and trumpet by Matt Byham. Additional sound effects from zapsplat.com Hosted and produced by Robert Crighton. Plus our initial exploring session with regular city chronologer Professor Tracey Hill, Gregory Musson, Alex Scott Fairley and Liza Graham. For more on Lord Mayor's Shows, and civic and royal pageantry generally, here are some handy

A full cast audio adaptation of the 1585 Lord Mayor's Show - the Device of the Pageant borne before Wolstan Dixie. Based on the pageant text and the eye witness account of Lupold von Wedel. Adapted by Robert Crighton, with additional material by Liza Graham. NB: Some of our recordings suffered from some distortion, we have tidied these sources up as best we can. With expert testimony from Dr Annaliese Connolly and Professor Tracey Hill, our resident city chronologer. With Heydn McCabe as Lupold von Wedel, Liza Graham as Mine Host Joan and Robert Crighton as Mine Host John. A Speech spoken by him that rid on a luzern – Karim Kronfli LONDON - Seb Ranson MAGNANIMITY - Gillian Horgen LOYALTY - Pamela Flanagan THE COUNTRY - David Ault THE THAMES - Seb Ranson THE SOLDIER - Geir Madland THE SAILOR - Pamela Flanagan  SCIENCE - David Ault FIRST NYMPH - Gillian Horgan SECOND NYMPH - Seb Ranson THIRD NYMPH - Pamela Flanagan FOURTH NYMPH - Geir Madland  Trumpet by Matt Byham.  Additional sfx from zapsplat.com In the

An exploration of The Funeral of Queen Mary the First - This is a surprise episode, coming about thanks to Helen Good who transcribed this text for us. We have looked at other royal pageantry, where there is a performance text to play with, so this less texty text is not completely outside our usual fare. With Helen Good, Melita Thomas, Johanna Strong, Liza Graham, Gregory Musson, Tom Helsby and Eric Karoulla. The host was Robert Crighton The Funeral: Stale Papers Domestic Elizabeth Volume 1 Document Number 32 for images see http://aalt.law.uh.edu/AALT7/SP12/1_(1558)/… for text see https://waalt.uh.edu/index.php/TNA_SP_12/1,_32… and thanks to Michael Pearce for proofing and helpful suggestions. Proclamation of the Accession: Stale Papers Domestic Elizabeth Volume 1 Document Number 1 - for images see http://aalt.law.uh.edu/AALT7/SP12/1_(1558)/… for text see https://waalt.uh.edu/index.php/TNA_SP12/1,_1… For the “Presentation” see - https://www.westminster-abbey.org/about-the-abbey/history/funeral-and-wax-

A fantasy production meeting for a play we really want to stage - this week Thomas Cromwell. A series of podcasts looking at plays we'd like to see, where we and guests pitch a Fantasy Production. With much merriment and chat, we explore different media, different approaches and a different play each session. Each play has been covered on our YouTube channel, or on the podcast, so you can dig deeper into the text if you'd like. Regular segments include - Cocktail Minute (a play themed cocktail), and from the Chatroom (reactions to the play in chat from our readings). With Liza Graham, Alexandra Katagida, Tamara Ritthaler & special guest Eric Karoulla - the host was Robert Crighton. Episode Five: Thomas Cromwell - a dive into the tale of a prodigal son. First and Second Look runs at this rather fun play can be found on this handy playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLflmEwgdfKoL5eCaEwfu5RTHeunEkDS5v Join our Patreon to listen to uncut versions of the podcast - full uncut audio (£5 tier) o

Welcome to the Butchers play from The Chester Mystery Cycle - The Temptation and the Woman Taken in Adultery, which is play twelve in the sequence.   Dashingly Quirky for the Beyond Shakespeare Podcast presents… The Temptation A Full Cast Audio Adaptation of the Chester Mystery play of The Temptation of Christ in the Wilderness, with the Woman taken in Adultery – written by the Unknown. The Company (in order of appearance) Satan - Robert Cudmore Jesus - Karim Kronfli Doctor - Méabh de Brún Maeve de Brun Pharisee 1 - Fiona MacKinnon Pharisee 2 - Emily C. A. Snyder Woman - Sarah Golding Music/Soundscape by Katie Seaton Directed by Sarah Golding & Fiona Thraille The Temptation was produced by Fiona Thraille and Sarah Golding and is a Dashingly Quirky Production for the Beyond Shakespeare podcast. We've done a lot on Chester and Temptation plays... For the full breakdown of play 12, go to our !Spoilers! episode - https://audioboom.com/posts/8146345-spoilers-the-temptation-chester-mystery-cycle Chester Pla

A Proclamation Declaring the Undoubted Right of our Sovereign Lord King James to the Crown of the Realms of England, France and Ireland, from March 1603. A reading of the proclamation made shortly after the death of Elizabeth the First in March 1603. Performed by Robert Crighton The Beyond Shakespeare Podcast is supported by its patrons – become a patron and you get to choose the plays we work on next. Go to www.patreon.com/beyondshakespeare - or if you'd like to buy us a coffee at ko-fi https://ko-fi.com/beyondshakespeare - or if you want to give us some feedback, email us at admin@beyondshakespeare.org, follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram @BeyondShakes or go to our website: https://beyondshakespeare.org You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel where (most of) our exploring sessions live - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLa4pXxGZFwTX4QSaB5XNdQ The Beyond Shakespeare Podcast is hosted and produced by Robert Crighton

Chess Pieces: Exploring A Game at Chess by Thomas Middleton A planning session for our future productions of A Game at Chess by Middleton. We focus on the big scenes of the play (Act 2.1, 3.1 & 5.3), where there are more speakers than an audio adaptation might like to have in a single sequence. Can we conflate characters? What do we need to explicate some of the business? And what noises do chess pieces make? With Eric Karoulla as White Knight, Black King; Alan Scott as Black Bishop; Elizabeth Amisu as White King, White Bishop's Pawn, Black Jesting Pawn; Rachael Nicole as White Queen, White Duke; Helen Good as Fat Bishop, White Knight's Pawn, Black Queen's Pawn; Briony Sparrow as White Queen's Pawn, Black Duke; Lynn Freitas as White Bishop, Black Queen. The host was Robert Crighton, who also read the Black Knight. Our initial First Look Exploring Session can be found on our YouTube channel - feel free to browse, like, subscribe - and all that malarky. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLflmEwgdfKoJWOd