Beyond Shakespeare

Host Robert Crighton discusses with Christopher Hapka of the Groundling Press about the practical side of producing e-book and print on demand reading/acting texts of under represented plays. The Groundling Press have produced e-editions of Mankind, The Life and Death of Jack Straw, A Christian Turn'd Turk, The Weeding of Covent Garden. This episode focuses on Jack Straw which we're producing in t...

A Full Cast Audio Adaptation of Robin Hood and the Friar – A May Day Pageant, where Robin Hood battles with Friar Tuck and his men, ending in an accord between the two and a dance. From ‘A Mery Geste of Robin Hood and of hys lyfe’ printed c1560. Robin Hood was played by Geir Madland, Little John by Rob Myson, Friar Tuck by Heydn McCabe and the Lady by Nemonee Stone.  Everyone else was played by me...

The Devil is an Ass (Prologue) - What's Past Is Prologue A performance of the prologue to The Devil is an Ass by Ben Jonson - recorded to frustrate everyone who wants to hear a full production, and as a sitting accusation to the world for not (necessarily) supplying one. If you'd like to make us to do a full audio production of this play, join us on patreon and choose this play at the next vote. w...

A Full Cast Adaptation of A Play of Love by John Heywood . The power of love is explored in all variables in this rarely performed play by John Heywood. Four lovers (or non-lovers) meet and compare their pain and joy. Which is worse: to love someone and not be loved back, or to be loved by someone who you cannot stand? Which is better: to be in love and loved back, or to have a life free and singl...

A plain text version of Act 2 of God's Promises written by protestant playwright John Bale in 1538. This act sees God talking to Noah, part of a procession of prophets, before finally preparing the way for the arrival of Jesus through speaking to John the Baptist. This is a follow up to a test recording made in 2013 and incorporates elements from that session and maintaining the basic style for co...

Bartholomew Fair (Prologue) - What's Past Is Prologue A performance of the prologue to Bartholomew Fair by Ben Jonson - the prologue for the King. It has been recorded to frustrate everyone who wants to hear a full production, and as a sitting accusation to the world for not (necessarily) supplying one. If you'd like to make us to do a full audio production of this play, join us on patreon and cho...

Courage, Kindness, Cleanness - A Fragment of a Lost Play. A lost fragment of a play from the 1530's/40's, only eight lines long - given as full a treatment as we could do at this time. Courage is played by Geir Madland, Kindness by Gillian Horgan and Cleanness by Heydn McCabe. Additional sound effects provided with Rob Myson. The presenter is Robert Crighton. The Beyond Shakespeare Podcast is supp...

Discussing: Staging Marlowe with Lazarus Theatre Company Host Robert Crighton discusses with Ricky Dukes & Gavin Harrington-Odedra of Lazarus Theatre Company about their upcoming work on Doctor Faustus, as well as their past productions of other plays by Christopher Marlowe, including Edward II, Dido and Tamberlaine. Lazarus is an award-winning theatre company, re-imagining and revitalising cl...

A plain text version of Act 4 of God's Promises written by protestant playwright John Bale in 1538. This act sees God talking to the prophet Moses, part of a procession of prophets, before finally preparing the way for the arrival of Jesus through speaking to John the Baptist. This is a follow up to a test recording made in 2013 and incorporates elements from that session and maintaining the basic...

The Alchemist (Prologue) - What's Past Is Prologue A performance of the prologue to The Alchemist by Ben Jonson - recorded to frustrate everyone who wants to hear a full production, and as a sitting accusation to the world for not (necessarily) supplying one. If you'd like to make us to do a full audio production of this play, join us on patreon and choose this play at the next vote. www.patreon.c...

Discussing: The Playhouse (or Newington Butts) with Professor Laurie Johnson . Host Robert Crighton discusses with Laurie Johnson (Professor of English and Cultural Studies at the University of Southern Queensland) about The Playhouse, otherwise known as Newington Butts, and his book covering what happened there over eleven days in 1594. Shakespeare’s Lost Playhouse: Eleven Days at Newington Butts...

A Tale of a Tub (Prologue) - What's Past Is Prologue A performance of the prologue to A Tale of a Tub by Ben Jonson - recorded to frustrate everyone who wants to hear a full production, and as a sitting accusation to the world for not supplying one.  If you'd like to make us to do a full audio production of this play, join us on patreon and choose this play at the next vote. www.patreon.com/beyond...

D, G, T (or, Tom, Dick & Gary) - A Fragment of a Lost Play.  A lost fragment of a play, only ten lines long - given as full a treatment as we could do at this time. Dick is played by Heydn McCabe, Tom by Geir Madland and Gary by Rob Myson. The presenter is Robert Crighton. The Beyond Shakespeare Podcast is supported by its patrons – become a patron and you get to choose the plays we work on ne...

It's the results of the first ever public vote by our patrons has come in - full update of future shows, the new winter / spring season of shows. Four winning plays - and other news. Hosted by Robert Crighton - with additional sound effects from the wonderful people at http://www.freesfx.co.uk - To support our work go to www.patreon.com/beyondshakespeare

Cain and Abel, from the Chester Mystery Cycle, based on the second half of the Drapers Play. This full cast audio recording covers Adam teaching his children, their offerings to God, Abel's murder by Cain, and his leaving. Sound effects and musical stings are from https://www.zapsplat.com and http://www.freesfx.co.uk . Cast: God - Robert Crighton, Adam - Cecil Qadir, Eve - Annie Eddington, Abel -...

Discussing: John Rastell, with John Thor Ewing - modern editor of Rastell's A Hundred Merry Tales, which is available now from all good book sellers. John Rastell was a huge influence on early modern drama, not only as a playwright (of The Four Elements and parts of Gentleness and Nobility) but more importantly as a publisher and stager of plays. His Jest Book, A Hundred Merry Tales, was an incred...

An archive recording of Act 1 of God's Promises written by protestant playwright John Bale in 1538 (staged in 1547). This act sees God talking to the prophet Adam - he will speak with another five prophets, before finally preparing the way for the arrival of Jesus through speaking to John the Baptist. This was a follow up (recorded in 2015) to a test recording made in 2013 (incorporating elements...

A Full Cast Adaptation of The Four P's by John Heywood Three travellers meet and pass the time arguing as to who is better at getting to heaven - the Palmer, for his pilgrimages, the Pardoner for his relics, or the Pothecary for his medicines. They are met by a Peddler, who persuades them to settle their disagreement by having a contest in something they are all suited at - lying. A couple of tall...

A Full Cast Adaptation of Gentleness and Nobility by John Heywood and John Rastell A Knight overhears a Merchant boasting of his nobleness, sparking an argument between the two as to what is a gentleman. They are further interupted by a Ploughman, whose debating style is a little more… violent. With Rob Myson as the Merchant, Heydn McCabe as the Knight and Robert Crighton as the Ploughman. The Epi...

An updated version of our Roaring Girl episode - with a discussion about the play with Professor Tracey Hill of Bath Spa University and host Robert Crighton. The prologue to The Roaring Girl by Middleton and Dekker is performed by Sarah Golding. Additional sound effects from the wonderful people at http://www.freesfx.co.uk

Anything For A Quiet Life (Prologue) - What's Past Is Prologue A performance of the prologue to Anything for a Quiet Life by Thomas Middleton & John Webster - recorded to frustrate everyone who wants to hear a full production, and as a sitting accusation to the world for not supplying one.   Prologue performed by Sarah Golding, produced by Robert Crighton.  Additional sound effects from the wo...

No Wit / Help Like A Woman's (Prologue) - What's Past Is Prologue  A performance of the prologue to No Wit / Help Like A Womans, or The Almanac by Thomas Middleton - recorded to frustrate everyone who wants to hear a full production, and as a sitting accusation to the world for not supplying one.  Prologue performed by Sarah Golding, produced by Robert Crighton Additional sound effects from the wo...

The Roaring Girl (Prologue) - What's Past Is Prologue A performance of the prologue to The Roaring Girl by Thomas Middleton & Thomas Dekker - recorded to frustrate everyone who wants to hear a full production, and as a sitting accusation to the world for not supplying one.   Prologue performed by Sarah Golding, presented by Robert Crighton  Additional sound effects from the wonderful people at...

The Bloody Banquet (Prologue) - What's Past Is Prologue A performance of the prologue to The Bloody Banquet by Thomas Middleton & Thomas Dekker, followed by a mix of the prologue with stage directions from the Inductio.  Prologue performed by Sarah Golding, presented by Robert Crighton Additional sound effects from the wonderful people at http://www.freesfx.co.uk

The Actors Remonstrance or Complaint for the silencing of their profession and banishment from their several playhouses - a satirical pamphlet written in January 1643 about the closing of the playhouses. We've taken the text at its word as to the setting. If it's too silly, we may put out a less fiddly version.  Performed by Geir Madland and produced by Robert Crighton. Additional sound effects fr...