In which we come out of hiatus (sorry everyone! we might get better at this, maybe) to talk about Richard III, and in particular two famous 20th-century adaptations: the 1955 film of Laurence Olivier's Richard III starring Laurence Olivier, and the 1993 film of Ian McKellen's Richard III starring Ian McKellen. The former is very traditional (and ba…

In which we follow up a really good Shakespeare play by discussing a really bad Shakespeare play. A really, really bad one. Can you break a woman like a falcon? More importantly, should you? (The answer is no. Please do not break a woman like a falcon) CW: Domestic abuse, psychological trauma The 1929 movie starring Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairba…

In which we continue our discussion of Macbeth by talking about acts two through five. Most of the play we were set up to expect has in fact already happened by this point, so what comes next? What does a fascist dictatorship in 11th-century Scotland look like in practice? When that fascist dictatorship begins to crumble, what are the telltale sign…

In which we introduce ourselves and then talk about the background and first act of Macbeth. Why did Shakespeare want to write a play set in Scotland? Why did so many people go on to think that play was cursed? What are the important dos and don'ts when trying to blow up Parliament? (legal note: do not try to blow up Parliament) Would Shakespeare f…