Why Shakespeare? Ken Ludwig, playwright

Why Shakespeare? Katy Stephens, actor

This is a special one. I was completely star struck when I first met Katy Stephens in a rehearsal room for Agatha Christie’s 'And Then There Were None,' the show which brought us to China, where we recorded this podcast. Katy has not only worked at the Royal Shakespeare Company for many years – including as a very memorable Rosalind – she has performed at the Globe, playing many parts amongst which are both Timora and Titus in Titus Andronicus, and in shows up and down the country. We talk about why she loves Shakespeare so viscerally, her approach to words, their muscularity… and their soul. I hope you enjoy!

Why Shakespeare? Terence Wilton, actor

My guest today is the legendary actor Terence Wilton. I will let you count all the incredible name drops he manages to do in this podcast by yourself, but suffice it to say… Terry was probably playing Shakespeare before you were born – certainly before I was born – and he is damn good at it. He has toured the world with the Bard, and gained infinite wisdom from it that he eloquently and passionately shares here. I interviewed him… like many of these first guests, in China, while we were touring together with Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None.

Why Shakespeare? Live! Dr Will Tosh, academic

In this episode of Why Shakespeare? Victoria talks to Dr Will Tosh, the Head of Higher Education at Shakespeare's Globe, about his passion for Shakespeare and the history of playhouses but also about breeching, the sonnets, casting Shakespeare, Kings and their minions, which are some of the many topics in his book 'Straight Acting: The Many Queer Lives of William Shakespeare.' This episode was the first of the episodes we have recorded live in Waterstones Gower Street. Enjoy listening!

Why Shakespeare? Lucy Bailey, director

In this episode, Victoria talks to acclaimed director Lucy Bailey about approaching Shakespeare as a director, her first experience of Shakespeare, directing at the Globe and the RSC and her specialist subject - Shakespeare and violence. The informal interview is recorded in Lucy's kitchen, with her two fluffy cats prowling around! We hope you enjoy listening.

Why Shakespeare? Ken Ludwig, playwright

Welcome to episode 4 of ‘Why Shakespeare’, a podcast in which I ask people why they like Shakespeare, why they devote their lives to it, why they learn it by heart and write books about it and donate a million pounds to the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust to restore one of its houses… Well, you will have guessed it – my guest today is a big, big Shakespeare fan. I was lucky to be able to work with the American playwright Ken Ludwig on several shows, and he kindly took time out of his very busy schedule to talk to me about Shakespeare. This was recorded in September 2024 in a dressing room in the Lowry, in Salford, when we were opening his play ‘Murder on the Orient Express.’