To Be Or Not To Be: Shakespeare Unlocked

tobeornottobe
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To Be Or Not To Be: Shakespeare Unlocked

"To Be Or Not To Be" – it’s the most famous speech in all of English drama, but what on earth is Hamlet actually talking about? In this podcast series, we talk to some of the world's leading Shakespearean actors, directors and scholars - and our conversations often end up in the most unexpected of places. The series, made by Emmy Award winning documentary producer Andrew Smith, features contributions from Adrian Lester, Harriet Walter, Sir Mark Rylance, Samuel West and many more. It was recorded during lockdown to raise awareness for theatres and for actors in a time of pandemic and theatre closures.

  1. 25/10/2022

    How Hamlet’s speech saved my life

    In this episode, American military veteran Stephan Wolfert relates the story of how Hamlet’s soliloquy saved his life when he was at his lowest point. Stephan now runs an organisation which uses Shakespearean monologues to help other veterans cope with their trauma. The episode also features Professor Alisha Ali. The reading is by Emma Fielding You can find out more about DE-CRUIT here: https://www.decruit.org/ This episode features discussion of suicide.

    10 min

  2. 07/03/2022

    To Make Oppression Bitter: Shakespeare Scholars on the Frontline in Ukraine

    The Shakespeare scholars of Ukraine have found themselves on the frontline of a brutal war, and have launched an urgent appeal in conjunction with colleagues around the world. We hear from the scholars whose lives have been swept away by war, and who have bravely volunteered to do everything they can to help. They tell us how the play of Hamlet has been intertwined for centuries with the cause of Ukrainian freedom and independence; and how his famous question has a starkly existential meaning for the future of their country and for every Ukrainian. To donate to the Shakespeare scholars' appeal, all details are here: https://flutetheatre.co.uk/ Huge thanks to Ukrainian band Balaklava Blues for permission to use their song, Shelter Our Sky, which has been released this week to urge the international community to help Ukraine: https://www.balaklavablues.ca/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=kFAHCnNV-vE&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR0tMia0WGP0uzRM-SGjfy6p5sufSiGnebdt8etAVRchARAp_NadF2cSndk

    18 min

  3. 13/05/2021

    The Globe Returns

    In this special episode of the podcast, we celebrate the return of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre after 14 months of lockdown and cancelled performances. What's it like to act on that famous stage, and what have actors learned after nearly 25 years of innovative theatrical experimentation? With Mark Rylance, Paul Chahidi, Naomi Frederick, Laura Rogers, Dominic Rowan, Emma Pallant, Michael Benz, Jonathan Broadbent and Philip Bird. For more information on the podcast and how you can help theatres and actors during the COVID crisis: http://www.fleetingyearfilms.com/podcast.html# or email Andrew@fleetingyearfilms.com

    28 min

  4. 14/04/2021

    Whose Common Theme

    In this episode of the podcast, we talk to people who have found meaning and a sense of shared experience in Hamlet’s famous soliloquy at the most difficult times of their lives; including dealing with bereavement, traumatic loss and mental health problems. We also talk to Maggie O Farrell, whose recent award-winning novel speculates that the uncanny power of the play may be rooted in the grief of Shakespeare himself, who wrote the play a few years after the death of his own son. With Lucy Clarke, Laura Clarke, Erica Cantley, Maggie O’Farrell, Christie Carson, Dominic Dromgoole and Emma Smith Laura Clarke's website: https://thebookhabit.co.uk/ Teaching Hamlet As My Father Died, by Erica Cantley: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Teaching-HAMLET-My-Father-Died/dp/1945962313/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= Hamnet, by Maggie O'Farrell: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hamnet-WINNER-WOMENS-PRIZE-FICTION/dp/1472223829/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1618391427&sr=1-1 The speech readings are by Emma Fielding and Simon Paisley Day. For more information on the podcast and how you can help theatres and actors during the COVID crisis: http://www.fleetingyearfilms.com/podcast.html# or email Andrew@fleetingyearfilms.com

    26 min

  5. 29/03/2021

    Pray, Love, Remember

    In this episode, we talk to some of Britain's leading stage actresses - Dame Harriet Walter, Mariah Gale, Sian Brooke, Katie West, Kellie Shirley and Stephanie McGregor - about Ophelia, one of the most iconic roles of the classical stage. We see Ophelia defy corrupt authority and express her own truths, assert her existential freedoms, in the famous so-called madness scene. The beautiful readings of Ophelia are by Emma Pallant, and the TBNTB speech is by Emma Fielding and Simon Paisley Day.  The extract of Mariah Gale is from the Royal Shakespeare Company's filmed version of Hamlet, 2009, directed by Greg Doran and broadcast on the BBC For more information on the podcast and how you can help theatres and actors during the COVID crisis: http://www.fleetingyearfilms.com/podcast.html#, or email Andrew@fleetingyearfilms.com

    22 min

  6. 21/03/2021

    Bad Weather Between Humans

    What can psychoanalysis tell us about Hamlet’s great speech? And what does it mean for our own divided, self-sabotaging personalities? Why do we often ask ourselves unanswerable questions? And are there any consolations which the search can bring us? With Dr Jamieson Webster, Professor Peter Brooks and Professor Richard Jacobs. The speech readings are by Emma Fielding and Simon Paisley Day. For more information on the podcast and how you can help theatres and actors during the COVID lockdown crisis: http://www.fleetingyearfilms.com/podcast.html#, or email Andrew@fleetingyearfilms.com

    35 min

  7. 26/01/2021

    The Strange History of a Radical Speech (Part 2)

    In this episode, we look at the distinguished history of women playing Hamlet on the professional stage, a tradition which goes back almost 300 years. We hear how, as readers and theatre-goers, women helped make Shakespeare a lasting success - and find Hamlet's famous soliloquy becoming an inspiration and slogan in the fight for the vote for women. With Sophie Duncan, Nicole Cooper, Tony Howard, Michael Dobson and Alison Neil.  The speech readings are by Emma Fielding and Simon Paisley Day. For more information on the podcast and how you can help theatres and actors during the COVID lockdown crisis: http://www.fleetingyearfilms.com/podcast.html#

    17 min

  8. 06/01/2021

    A Thousand Natural Shocks

    In this episode, we visit the EGO Performance Company, actors with physical disabilities or learning difficulties, who perform and rehearse on Zoom during lockdown. The company has turned to Hamlet's famous soliloquy to explore issues in their own lives and in society; with insights ranging from the powerful and moving to the high-spirited and comical. You can find out more about EGO here: http://www.egoperformance.co.uk/ And they have a donation page here: https://localgiving.org/charity/egoperformance/ For more information on the podcast and how you can help theatres and actors during the COVID lockdown crisis: http://www.fleetingyearfilms.com/podcast.html#, or email Andrew@fleetingyearfilms.com

    17 min
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"To Be Or Not To Be" – it’s the most famous speech in all of English drama, but what on earth is Hamlet actually talking about? In this podcast series, we talk to some of the world's leading Shakespearean actors, directors and scholars - and our conversations often end up in the most unexpected of places. The series, made by Emmy Award winning documentary producer Andrew Smith, features contributions from Adrian Lester, Harriet Walter, Sir Mark Rylance, Samuel West and many more. It was recorded during lockdown to raise awareness for theatres and for actors in a time of pandemic and theatre closures.

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