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Titus Andronicus: Wrap Up

Shakespeare Anyone?

Release Date: 11/08/2023

Mini: Shakespeare for Autistic Individuals: The Flute Theatre with Kelly Hunter, MBE show art Mini: Shakespeare for Autistic Individuals: The Flute Theatre with Kelly Hunter, MBE

Shakespeare Anyone?

In today's episode, we are joined in discussion with Kelly Hunter, MBE, to discuss her work producting Shakespeare for autistic audiences. We will discuss Kelly's professional journey that led her from working with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre, and on the West End to founding The Flute Theatre and developing the Hunter Heartbeat Method in collaboration with autistic individuals. Kelly Hunter, MBE began working in theatre aged 17 playing The Mistress in Evita in the West End in 1980. Since then she has been creatively engaged in theatres, performing and adapting and...

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Romeo and Juliet: Feuds, Vendettas, and Duels show art Romeo and Juliet: Feuds, Vendettas, and Duels

Shakespeare Anyone?

In today's episode, we are exploring the historical context for the family feud and violence between the Capulets and Montagues in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. We'll briefly revisit the history of medieval bloodfeuds that we examined in our episodes on Macbeth, then we will dive into the pratices of vendettas and dueling in the Italian renaissance and how this form of violence was imported into England, Scotland, and Wales in the late 1500s and early 1600s. We will examine the rise in popularity of dueling among young men of the English nobility and gentry, how the public...

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Mini: Ben Jonson, Shakespeare's Colleague and Competitor show art Mini: Ben Jonson, Shakespeare's Colleague and Competitor

Shakespeare Anyone?

In today's episode, we are exploring the life and works of one of Shakespeare's contemporaries: Ben Jonson. Often called "Shakespeare's rival," Ben Jonson was an early modern actor turned playwright who came from humble beginnings to achieve success on the London stages. We'll dive into the parallels between Shakespeare and Jonson's lives, and we'll discuss how Jonson may be the person who we should thank for Shakespeare's First Folio.    Shakespeare Anyone? is created and produced by Kourtney Smith and Elyse Sharp. Music is "Neverending Minute" by Sounds Like Sander. Follow us on...

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Romeo & Juliet: Teenagerdom in Shakespeare's Time show art Romeo & Juliet: Teenagerdom in Shakespeare's Time

Shakespeare Anyone?

In today's episode, we will be discussing what is was like to be a teenager in Shakespeare's time, and how we can see early modern teenagerdom represented in Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet. We will build on our previous explorations of the early modern understanding of age and youth from our episodes on girlhood and manhood, then dive into the lived experiences of early modern teens and young adults. Finally, we will discuss the early modern public health crisis of suicide among children and adolescents. Content Warning: Suicide If you or someone you know is struggling or in...

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Mini: Staging Violence in Shakespeare with Dr. Danielle Rosvally and Sydney Schwindt show art Mini: Staging Violence in Shakespeare with Dr. Danielle Rosvally and Sydney Schwindt

Shakespeare Anyone?

In today's episode, we are joined by Dr. Danielle Rosvally and Sydney Schwindt to discuss how fight choreographers approach staging moments of violence in theatre, specifically in Shakespeare's plays. We will discuss how they collaborate with directors and actors to safely depict violence on stage, the state of the fight direction community, and how anyone can learn more about safe, consent-based practices for staging violence onstage.  Our guests:  Danielle Rosvally, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of theatre at the University at Buffalo where she serves as resident violence...

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Romeo and Juliet: Courtship and Marriage in Shakespeare's Time show art Romeo and Juliet: Courtship and Marriage in Shakespeare's Time

Shakespeare Anyone?

In today's episode, we will be diving into the culture of courtship and marriage in early modern England. We will take a look at how the cultural norms and concerns surrounding marriage were shifting and changing in Shakespeare's time and how we can see this represented in Romeo and Juliet. We will also discuss how, at least in some parts of England and for certain classes, young people were able to resist some of the societal structures around courtship and marriage.    Shakespeare Anyone? is created and produced by Kourtney Smith and Elyse Sharp. Music is "Neverending...

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Mini: Shakespeare and Petrarch show art Mini: Shakespeare and Petrarch

Shakespeare Anyone?

In today's episode, we will be continuing our series on Shakespeare's Language Framework and our Shakespeare's Sources by taking a closer look at Petrarch. First, we will dive into the biography of Francesco Petrarca, more commonly known as Petrarch in English, the 14th century poet who had a huge influence on European humanism, the Renaissance, and poetry. Then, we will explore Petrarch's influence and how it spread across Europe before covering how we can see his influence in the works of William Shakespeare.  Shakespeare Anyone? is created and produced by Kourtney Smith and Elyse...

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Romeo and Juliet: Patriarchy, Masculinity, and Honor show art Romeo and Juliet: Patriarchy, Masculinity, and Honor

Shakespeare Anyone?

In today's episode, we're diving deep into the world of early modern masculinity, patriarchy, and honor as we dissect Shakespeare's iconic play, Romeo and Juliet. Our discussion begins with the examination of the expectations placed upon men during the early modern period and how those pressures are reflected in Shakespeare's play – the embodiment of honor, the nuances of patriarchy, and the various faces of masculinity depicted in Shakespeare's characters. Shakespeare Anyone? is created and produced by Kourtney Smith and Elyse Sharp. Music is "Neverending Minute" by Sounds Like Sander....

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Romeo and Juliet: Stuff to Chew On show art Romeo and Juliet: Stuff to Chew On

Shakespeare Anyone?

To kick off our series on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, we are (as always) starting with an overview of basic facts about the play and an introduction to the major themes and motifs of the play.  Shakespeare Anyone? is created and produced by Kourtney Smith and Elyse Sharp. Music is "Neverending Minute" by Sounds Like Sander. Follow us on Instagram at for updates or visit our website at You can support the podcast by becoming a patron at or by shopping our bookshelves at Works referenced: Shakespeare, William, and René Weis. Romeo and Juliet: Revised Edition. Bloomsbury...

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Romeo and Juliet: Synopsis show art Romeo and Juliet: Synopsis

Shakespeare Anyone?

It's time for a new play, which means a new synopsis! We are diving into Romeo and Juliet today, and we will be breaking down this play scene by scene.  Shakespeare Anyone? is created and produced by Kourtney Smith and Elyse Sharp. Special thanks to Nat Yonce for guest-editing this episode. Episode written by Elyse Sharp and Kourtney Smith. Music is "Neverending Minute" by Sounds Like Sander. Follow us on Instagram at for updates or visit our website at You can support the podcast at or by shopping our bookshelves at  Works referenced: Shakespeare, William, and René Weis. Romeo...

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More Episodes

We are finishing up our series on Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus by discussing two prominent adaptations and how they match up to what we've studied in our episodes. 

First, we will take a look at Julie Taymor's 1999 epic surrealist film adaptation, Titus, starring Antony Hopkins and Jessica Lange. Then, we compare it to the 2017 Royal Shakespeare Company production directed by Matthew Woodward.

Join us as we explore these two very different productions of Shakespeare's bloody and brutal play!

Shakespeare Anyone? is created and produced by Kourtney Smith and Elyse Sharp.

Music is "Neverending Minute" by Sounds Like Sander.

Follow us on Instagram at @shakespeareanyonepod for updates or visit our website at shakespeareanyone.com

You can support the podcast by becoming a patron at patreon.com/shakespeareanyone  or by shopping our bookshelves at bookshop.org/shop/shakespeareanyonepod

Works referenced:

Taymor, Julie, director. Titus. Fox Searchlight Pictures, 2000.

"Titus Andronicus." , directed by Matthew Woodward, and William Shakespeare. , produced by Griselda Yorke. , Royal Shakespeare Company, 2017. Alexander Street, https://search.alexanderstreet.com/view/work/bibliographic_entity%7Cvideo_work%7C3999879.