49 episodes

James Sheldrake, jack of all literary trades, attempts to say something valuable about each of Shakespeare's plays in handy 15-minute instalments.

Sheldrake on Shakespeare James Sheldrake

    • Arts
    • 4.8 • 13 Ratings

James Sheldrake, jack of all literary trades, attempts to say something valuable about each of Shakespeare's plays in handy 15-minute instalments.

    Special: Interview with RADA ex-Head of Voice Robert Price

    Special: Interview with RADA ex-Head of Voice Robert Price

    Few people in the world will have spent as many hours working on the delivery and performance of Shakespeare as Robert Price. After a career as an actor, he was the Senior Voice Tutor at RADA 2007-15 and a voice tutor at LAMDA for many years. He therefore has huge experience with and a rare […]

    Hamlet – Is anything original?

    Hamlet – Is anything original?

    In the first of two episodes on this mightiest of plays, Sheldrake compares the plot of Shakespeare’s Hamlet with its sources, uncovering a tremendous amount of ‘literary upcycling’ but also a profound and imaginative tribute to the power of theatre at the play’s core. First preview of Sheldrake on Shakespeare: Live! THIS FRIDAY 2nd June, […]

    A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Why so popular?

    A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Why so popular?

    In his return to the airwaves, Sheldrake considers the extraordinary popularity of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and concludes that it is the dark matter in the middle of this festive comedy sandwich that makes the play such a satisfying experience overall. iTunes Amazon Sheldrake on Shakespeare Live! London previews: Etcetera Theatre 2nd June Rosemary Branch […]

    Henry V – The Play, The Myth, The Legend

    Henry V – The Play, The Myth, The Legend

    Henry V: one of the most patriotic characters and plays in all of literature, surely? Not so, says Sheldrake. Henry V and his world are thoroughly morally ambiguous. Also available on iTunes: http://tinyurl.com/ndhzfxm

    Henry IV Part 2 – Learning to Play

    Henry IV Part 2 – Learning to Play

    How did people learn to act in the Renaissance? Did the texts themselves co-operate in teaching newish actors how to do certain things? Sheldrake thinks so.

    Henry IV, Part 1 – History and Personality

    Henry IV, Part 1 – History and Personality

    What to say about Henry IV Part 1? In the first of three main episodes, each of which will tackle one play in this Henriad, Sheldrake explores a play about history and personality, focussing on Prince Henry and his rival for glory Harry Hotspur. Also available on iTunes: http://tinyurl.com/ndhzfxm

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
13 Ratings

13 Ratings

Paul Couture ,

The Shakespeare Podcast You are Looking For

Whether you are new to Shakespeare or considerably more advanced, I highly recommend that you try Mr. Sheldrake’s podcast. He speaks on a wide range of topics citing history and scholarship, but also, importantly, he has his own perspective; and you trust his judgment because his arguments ring true. Better still is that his speaking style has a conversational quality like the smart friend you always wish you had who shares with you the ins and outs to some of the greatest art civilization has produced. Finally it should be said that Mr. Sheldrake treats the listener with genuine respect. He keeps the discourse at a high level but in a way that everyone can comprehend. This podcast is pitch perfect. If you’re like me then before long you will be returning to past episodes to reacclimatize yourself with his ideas - both Shakespeare’s and Sheldrake's. Very enjoyable learning.

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