Stepping into Shakespeare - a Podcast Journey with the Bard.

In this episode, filmmaker and artist Beatrice Welles , daughter of legendary director Orson Welles, joins host Sarah Lynn Dawson to explore the enduring legacy of Shakespeare on stage and screen. Beatrice shares her unique perspective on storytelling, creativity, and the influence of her father’s groundbreaking work, while offering fresh insights into why Shakespeare’s words continue to resonate...

In this compelling episode, acclaimed producer and filmmaker Colin Vaines, Producer of Coriolanus Directed and starring Ralph Fiennes, joins us to explore the intricate art of adapting this play into the film. Interviewed by Sarah Lynn Dawson, Colin shares his insights on balancing respect for the original text with creative innovation, revealing behind-the-scenes stories from some of his most not...

Talking with Actor George Keeler who played Sir Toby Belch & the Sea Captain. George's theatre credits include: Mr Whatnot - Butler and Vicar, Royal and Derngate Northampton, Director Cal McCrystal and The Chain Gang Gang - Bac and tour, Cartoon De Salvo. Film credits include : Lord of Misrule - Dave Garfoot 2023, Carl in the Bafta nominated short Going Down and Frail Man in Madonna’s Filt...

Talking with Actor Fergus Foster who played Valentine and Sebastian.  Fergus was raised in the Cayman Islands as well as Scotland and has dual citizenship. He trained at Drama Centre London and has since completed numerous credits in film, television, and theatre. He is also a keen bagpipe player and creator of his own podcast, Acting Around.  His most recent credits include: Machines That Built A...

Talking with Actress Tanya Winsor who played Maria. Tanya’s Theatre credits include the 3 hander play National Anthems by Dennis McIntyre playing Leslie for Te English Speaking There of Hamburg, Georgina with Felix Dexter in ‘Lucky You’ at the unicorn Theatre, Blanche Dubois in Interior Panic and The pretty Trap in ‘Four by Ten’ by Tennessee Williams at The Drayton Arms. Julia in ‘The Duchy of Mal...

Talking with Actor Tim James who played Antonio and Andrew Aguecheek.  Tim James is an actor & musician who splits most of his working time between recording and producing audiobooks and mastering for a music library. He has been acting for over thirty years and has appeared in a range of Film, Television and theatre productions. Highlights include: The Fugitives - series for Chanel 4, In the...

Therese Theurillat and Sarah Lynn Dawson talk to Matthew Brenher about directing and acting in Twelfth Night. Directing and playing Orsino. His theater credits include: George in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf (Best performance Lead actor/ Drama (Stage Scene LA - 2009/10)); Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights (The Bloomsbury); Dracula (Tour); Love’s Mistress (The Globe); The Mapletree Game (West Yorks...

Therese Theurillat and Sarah Lynn Dawson talk about their roles of Olivia and Viola in Twelfth Night. Therese left Switzerland to follow her passion for acting and creative writing, initially taking an introductory course in scriptwriting - in Zurich, after which she moved to England where she eagerly embraced the language and culture. She gained valuable acting experience at “Stage 2’ in Norwich...

All misunderstandings are resolved in the final act. Sebastian and Olivia, who mistakenly married, are reunited, as are Viola and Orsino. Malvolio, released from his cell, swears revenge on those who played the prank on him. Feste delivers the closing lines of the play, highlighting the theme of the fleeting nature of joy and the acceptance of life's follies. The play ends with celebrations an...

Malvolio, still believing that Olivia loves him, confronts her in front of others, but is locked away as a madman. Feste, disguised as a priest, visits Malvolio in his cell, furthering his torment. Sir Toby Belch and his companions play a trick on Malvolio, leading him to believe that he is possessed by evil spirits. Cast: Olivia - Therese Theurillat Viola - Sarah Lynn Dawson Orsino - Matthew Bren...

Olivia confesses her love to Cesario (Viola in disguise), who tries to persuade her to redirect her affections to Duke Orsino. Sir Andrew challenges Cesario to a duel, but Cesario avoids fighting. Olivia mistakes Viola's twin brother, Sebastian, for Cesario and hastily agrees to marry him. Cast: Olivia - Therese Theurillat Viola - Sarah Lynn Dawson Orsino - Matthew Brenher Malvolio - Max Dowle...

Malvolio, Olivia's steward, is tricked into believing that Olivia loves him by a forged letter. Meanwhile, Viola, still disguised as Cesario, finds herself falling in love with Orsino. Olivia confesses her love to Cesario, who tries to redirect her affections toward Orsino. Sebastian, Viola's twin, arrives in Illyria and is mistaken for Cesario by Olivia, who promptly marries him. Cast: Ol...

In the kingdom of Illyria, a shipwreck separates Viola from her twin brother, Sebastian. Viola disguises herself as a young man named Cesario and becomes a servant to Duke Orsino. Orsino is in love with Lady Olivia, who is mourning the recent loss of her brother. Viola, as Cesario, is sent to woo Olivia on Orsino's behalf, but Olivia becomes infatuated with Cesario instead. Cast: Olivia - Ther...

Hamlet meets Horatio in the graveyard, where they talk about life and death. Ophelia's funeral procession arrives at the same graveyard. Hamlet confronts Laertes, Ophelia's brother, who has taken his father's place at the court; and they fight over the grave. A duel is arranged between Hamlet and Laertes. During the match, Claudius conspires with Laertes to kill Hamlet. They plan that Hamlet will...

Gertrude tells Claudius that Hamlet has killed Polonius and Claudius devises a plan to send Hamlet to England, just as King Fortinbras of Norway crosses Denmark with an army to attack Poland. During his journey, Hamlet discovers the plan to have him killed once he arrives. He returns to Denmark alone, sending his companions Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to their deaths in his place.   Laertes...

Hamlet devises a plan to reveal the Kings guilt. He convinces a group of Players to enact a murder and watches Claudius closely to see how he reacts. The play provokes Claudius, and he interrupts the action by storming out. Summoned by his distressed mother, Gertrude, Hamlet happens upon Claudius kneeling and attempting to pray. Hamlet reasons that to kill the King now would only send his soul to...

According to his plan, Hamlet begins to act strangely. He rejects Ophelia, while Claudius and Polonius spy on him. They had hoped to find the reason for Hamlet's sudden change in behavior, but could not. Claudius summons Guildenstern and Rosencrantz, old friends of Hamlet to find out what's got into him. Their arrival coincides with a group of traveling actors. Hamlet writes a play which includes...

Hamlet, returns to Denmark upon learning that his father the King has died. He finds that his mother Gertrude, the Queen has swiftly married his Uncle Claudius who is now the King. Hamlet is told that his father has returned as a Ghost and meets him on the castle battlements where he delivers some shocking news abut the nature of his fathers death.  Cast:  Frank Reeves: Hamlet   And...

Guest William Jackson talks about the roles he was reading: the Ghost, Cornelius, and Voltemand as well as his experiences of playing Shakespeare.  William calls himself a journeyman actor and the journey says that the journey has been enjoyable. He never intended to be one. Radio was his calling and he found his niche running the Traffic Information Station on AM 530 for LAX patrons to liste...

Guest Emmanuel Todorov talks about his roles Polonius, Laertes and Guildenstern as well as his thoughts on Shakespeare.  Emmanuel is an actor, writer, and producer. Emmanuel was born in Sofia Bulgaria and was schooled in England. Graduate of Stella Adler Conservatory and Shakespeare Lab at the Public Theater in NYC. Further Shakesperean training includes First Folio workshops with the Elizabe...

Guest Andy Davoli talks about his roles, Claudius, Horatio, and Rosencrantz as well as his fascination for Shakespeare. Andy has been performing on stage, since the age of six and it can be said that since then he hasn't left. He attended clown and magic school as a teen, graduated from Villanova University, and then got accepted into law school. But Andy knew his destiny was always in front of hi...

Guest Frank Reeves talks about reading Hamlet and gives insight into his approach to acting Shakespeare. Frank started his career as an actor working on Broadway and various Off-Broadway shows in New York. He has trained with some of the best acting teachers in the world. He was first invited into the Actors Studio by Lee Strasberg, as a professional observer while he was working as "Luis", one of...

Therese Theurillat and Sarah Lynn Dawson talk about their roles of Ophelia and Gertrude as well as their interests and fascination with Shakespeare's Hamlet. Therese left Switzerland to follow her passion for acting and creative writing, initially taking an introductory course in scriptwriting - in Zurich, after which she moved to England where she eagerly embraced the language and culture. Sh...