Beyond Shakespeare

Exploring: The Brome Play of Abraham and Isaac From our Exploring workshop, where we read through the text of this solo Biblical play for future use towards an audio/stage show. This play is probably related in some way with another Abraham play (the Chester Play workshop audio already available on this podcast - it starts somewhere in part two, here - https://audioboom.com/posts/2776335-chester-p...

Epicene (Prologue 2) - What's Past Is Prologue A performance of the second prologue (first prologue already out!) to Epicene or The Silent Woman (c.1609) 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. NB: Yes, it should be spelled with an OE, but it's annoying to put online, so we wen...

Epicene by Ben Jonson (Prologue 1) - What's Past Is Prologue A performance of the first prologue (we have two!) to Epicene or The Silent Woman (c.1609) 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. NB: Yes, it should be spelled with an OE, but it's annoying to put online, so we went...

Exploring The Four Cardinal Virtues (Fragment) From our Exploring workshop, where we read through the text of this fragment of a lost play for future use towards an audio/stage show. This play is probably related in some way with another fragmentary play called Temperance and Humility (workshop audio already available on this podcast) and we're playing around with how to make these pieces come ali...

Discussing: John Heywood (part 1) Host Robert Crighton discusses with Greg Walker, Professor of English at the University of Edinburgh, the playwright John Heywood and his works. In this first part we discuss his early life and his plays - intercut with recordings from our archives - including some of our audio material never released before. You can listen to any of the plays discussed on our Joh...

Exploring Temperance and Humility (Fragment) From our Exploring workshop, where we read through the text of this fragment of a lost play for future use towards an audio/stage show. This play is probably related in some way with another fragmentary play called The Four Cardinal Virtues (workshop audio also on way) and we're playing around with how to make these pieces come alive for people today. A...

Volpone or The Fox (Prologue) - What's Past Is Prologue A performance of the prologue to Volpone (1606) 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. That said, for once there is a version available online - you can get it here  https://www.stageonscreen.com/volpone.php or you can ac...

This is an epilogue to a lost medieval play - from the Reynes texts. Performed live at the close of a live fundraiser by Heydn McCabe, Rob Myson and Geir Madland - introduced by Robert Crighton.  This is the second recording we've made of this wonderful epilogue, and we will keep doing do overs in different ways till we are ordered to stop.  #beyondshakespeare The Beyond Shakespeare Podcast is sup...

Robin Hood and the Sheriff/Knight – c.1475, an event where the Sheriff hires a Knight to kill Robin Hood. After challenging Robin to various trials, they fight and the Knight is killed, Robin stealing his clothes. Meanwhile some outlaws discuss the rumours about Robin and come across a battle between the Sheriff’s men and Friar Tuck – Tuck and other followers are captured and taken to the castle....

Robin Hood and the Potter – A May Day Pageant, where Robin Hood attempts to extort money from a local Potter. 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, Jack by Robert Crighton & the Potter by Richard Fawcett. Presented by Robert Crighton. Additional Sound effects are from https://www.zapsplat.com and http:/...

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 -...