Beyond Shakespeare

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

It's a mini double bill, with Robert wittering on about the new patreon voted play/workshop series - followed by another 'lost' discussing episode. It's a bittersweet convo with Beth Burns about Hidden Room Theatre's production of Arden of Faversham, which was supposed to come to the UK - but this was recorded pre-pandemic and... well, things didn't turn out the way everyone hoped. But, there is a good chat about early modern theatre in revival and Arden specifically, so good stuff. The Hidden Room Theatre page on Arden of Faversham is here - http://hiddenroomtheatre.com/past/arden-of-faversham/ 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: htt

This is our spoilerly introduction to the Chester Temptation play - with the Woman Taken in Adultery. It is play 12 of the Chester cycle, which we've danced around as a sequence a fair amount since our inception.  The forthcoming full cast audio adaptation has been produced by the wonderful Dashingly Quirky, one of a number of upcoming works we've commissioned. The full cast audio adaptation follows in a few weeks time. !Spoilers! is hosted by Robert Crighton, featuring the voices of... 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 Play text directed by Sarah Golding & Fiona Thraille. The upcoming production of 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... Chester Playlist - https://audioboom.com/playlists/4623693-the-chester-mystery-cycle There's

This is a bonus episode of interviews with the youth company of last year's Lord Mayor's Show reconstruction of The Sun in Aries by Thomas Middleton. This is pretty much the last of our material from the show - new shows to come! Many thanks to Charlie Beer, Holly Bartlett Giles, Quinn Scott, and Sam Plumb for giving their time to this project and that interview – the interview was recorded at Chesterton Community College in November 2021. More on this LMS, and our reconstruction of the event, can be found here - https://beyondshakespeare.org/triumph-1621-sun-in-aries-recon/ Previous podcasts on the 1621 LMS include this intro to our reconstruction - https://audioboom.com/posts/7961092-reconstructing-middleton-s-1621-lord-mayor-s-show And this recording of the live event - https://audioboom.com/posts/8000607-triumph-1621-live-recording-of-the-sun-in-aries-recon And this !Spoilers! episode, walking you through the whole text in detail - https://audioboom.com/posts/8137014-spoilers-the-sun-in-aries-by-thomas-

Welcome to this very special !Spoilers! episode, covering The Sun in Aries by Thomas Middleton - it goes through the text in the usual stop/start way, with a mix of readings from our prep for the live recon, plus the original exploring session in full. It's everything you didn't need to know under one roof. I have yet to do a final pass over the audio, so some tweaking will occur prior to final release. With Tracey Hill, Perry Mills, Daniel Yabut, Stephen Longstaffe, Liza Graham, Gregory Musson, Eric Karoulla, Rachael Nicole and Angela McShane. Additional reading thanks to Charlie Beer, Holly Bartlett Giles, Quinn Scott, and Sam Plumb of the youth company for the reconstruction. The episode is hosted and produced by Robert Crighton More on this LMS, and our reconstruction of the event, can be found here - https://beyondshakespeare.org/triumph-1621-sun-in-aries-recon/ Previous podcasts on the 1621 LMS include this intro to our reconstruction - https://audioboom.com/posts/7961092-reconstructing-middleton-s-1

A remixed combination of the two fragmentary play texts, Temperance and Humility and The Four Cardinal Virtues - using the material we recorded for the two separate plays. We think, whilst the match isn't quite perfect, that the similarity of the two texts means we can slot them together, and one day use these fragments to construct a longer, fuller version for performance. In Temperance and other Virtues – Disobedience who becomes Fortitude was played by Gillian Horgan, Temperance by Pamela Flanagan, Humility by Leigh McDonald, Wilfulness by Robert Crighton, Justice by Geir Madland, and Prudence by Liza Graham. Recording and technical presentation was 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 u

Discussing: Look About You with Lois Potter, Ned B. Allen Professor Emerita of the University of Delaware. Yes, it's time for a nice chat with YouTube regular Lois Potter about one of our favourite plays - Look About You, or Robin Hood: The Early Years. We've done exploring sessions on Look About You on YouTube here - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLflmEwgdfKoIR0raF2UFZ6J8lyzEhyAha We've done, at the least, a first look exploring run at all the Robin Hood plays, plus more for select others.  Full Cast Audio Adaptation on the Podcast: Robin Hood and the Sheriff/Knight - https://audioboom.com/posts/7124367-robin-hood-and-the-sheriff Robin Hood and the Friar - https://audioboom.com/posts/7114942-robin-hood-and-the-friar Robin Hood and the Potter - https://audioboom.com/posts/7120136-robin-hood-and-the-potter YouTube videos: General Playlist - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLflmEwgdfKoLajx9vcZ7Vtw07YsJgY8FD Edward I by George Peele - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLflmEwgdfKoI-6hCF_T_COL-JP6mZ

It's another exciting fragments episode - The Four Cardinal Virtues was written sometime between 1537-47. This is a ridiculously long episode for the length of the fragment, but we don't care; no play left behind! There will be a bonus episode doing a link up with Temperance and Humility, which feels very close to this play, soon. In The Four Cardinal Virtues by the Unknown Robert Crighton was Wilfulness, Geir Madland was Justice, Pamela Flanagan was Temperance, Liza Graham was Prudence and Gillian Horgan was Fortitude. Recording and technical presentation was 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://beyon