The Shakespeare Sessions

About

Your one-stop shop for all things Shakespeare. Catch A-List casts in brand new audio versions of Shakespeare’s greatest plays, plus documentaries from the brightest minds on the bard’s life and work.

Episodes

• Coriolanus: A tragic hero 2019-05-09

  This episode of The Shakespeare Sessions features writer and broadcaster Natalie Haynes for a tour through Ancient Rome, focusing on the character of Coriolanus.

• Exit Burbage 2018-07-23

  Richard Burbage, a founding member of the Lord Chamberlain's Men and an actor at the Globe Theatre, was instrumental in bringing Shakespeare's plays to life. Many of the great Shakespearean roles were created for him, and without his cruci…

• My Own Shakespeare: Gareth Malone and Margaret Drabble 2018-07-11

  Gareth Malone and Margaret Drabble appear on The Shakespeare Sessions to discuss the topics of strength and nature.

• My Own Shakespeare: Zoe Wanamaker and Jim Al-Khalili 2018-07-04

  This episode of The Shakespeare Sessions features Zoe Wanamaker discussing the world of play and Jim Al-Khalili sharing his thoughts on staying rational.

• Looking For The Moor 2018-07-02

  Hugh Quarshie examines Othello's portrayal, questioning if the character's blackness is coherent and if the play is racist. He considers whether Shakespeare based Othello on literary convention or had awareness of black people, impacting t…

• My Own Shakespeare: David Hare and Martha Kearney 2018-06-27

  David Hare and Martha Kearney are featured in this episode of The Shakespeare Sessions, discussing deviant psychology and fancy dress.

• My Own Shakespeare: Jools Holland and Kwame Kwei-Armah 2018-06-20

  Kwame Kwei-Armah discusses falling in love with a story, while Jools Holland talks about Falstaff in this episode of The Shakespeare Sessions.

• First Folio Road Trip 2018-06-18

  Emma Smith traces the journey of seven copies of Shakespeare's First Folio across Britain and France to explore how the playwright's reputation grew from the time of the First Folio's publication in 1623 to the erection of his statue in We…

• My Own Shakespeare: Stephen Fry and Hilary Mantel 2018-06-13

  Stephen Fry and Hilary Mantel discuss the Shakespearean speeches that are most meaningful to them.

• The Art of Storytelling 2018-06-06

  Professor Emma Smith discusses Shakespeare's mastery of storytelling, analyzing how plots with predictable outcomes still engage listeners.

• My Own Shakespeare: Benjamin Zephaniah and Rowan Williams 2018-06-06

  Benjamin Zephaniah and Rowan Williams share their personal favourite Shakespearean moments. This discussion is featured in The Shakespeare Sessions podcast.