459: Discussing: Brave Spirits with Charlene V Smith

Beyond is sponsored by The Malone Society: The permanent utility of original textsThis week we have a chat about the work of Charlene V Smith and Brave Spirits Theatre. Spoilers for The Bloody Banquet and The Maid's Tragedy - and to some degree Tis Pity She's a Whore, The Changeling, The Duchess of Malfi, Doctor Faustus.For videos of productions by Brave Spirits - https://www.youtube.com/@BravespiritstheatreBrave Spirits website - https://www.bravespiritstheatre.com/Charlene V Smith - https://www.charlenevsmith.com/The oft mentioned book we're both in - The Theatrical Legacy of Thomas MiddletonThe host was Robert CrightonAudio editing by Dennis CaoukiCW: Discussion of sexual violence, murder, death, enforced cannibalism.Our patrons received this episode in March 2026 - 8 months early!The Beyond Shakespeare Podcast is supported by its patrons – become a patron and you get to choose the plays we work on next. Go to www.patreon.com/beyondshakespeare - or if you'd like to buy us a coffee at ko-fi https://ko-fi.com/beyondshakespeare - or if you want to give us some feedback, email us at [email protected], follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram @BeyondShakes or go to our website: https://beyondshakespeare.orgYou can also subscribe to our YouTube channel where (most of) our exploring sessions live - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLa4pXxGZFwTX4QSaB5XNdQThe Beyond Shakespeare Podcast is hosted and produced by Robert Crighton.About our sponsors - the Malone Society. The Society was founded in 1906 at the initiative of A.W. Pollard, and for over a century they have published (almost) every year edited volumes of early printed and manuscript texts of both well-known and neglected plays. They also publish collections of documentary material relating to the performance and reception of early drama. Their best-known publications include W.W. Greg’s edition of Sir Thomas More, a collaborative history play, and A.C. Dunstan’s edition of the earliest surviving original play in English to have been written by a woman, Elizabeth Cary’s The Tragedy of Mariam.Their membership is international and open to anyone interested in early drama. Members receive their annual volumes and are able to buy books from their backlist at low prices.In addition to their publications, they support scholarship of early drama through fellowships and research grants, an annual prize for graduate students, and performances and symposia.The Society is named after Edmond Malone, born in Dublin in 1741, a great editor, textual scholar and theatre historian, whose work continues to shape studies in early drama.

Beyond is sponsored by The Malone Society: The permanent utility of original textsOur latest release is the second version of the Norwich Grocers' play - B - or, The Story of the Temptation of Man in Paradise by the UnknownThis play dates to around June 1565, and survives in an 18th transcription of an earlier original. You can listen to the earlier version from the 1530's here. https://audioboom.com/posts/8939642-the-norwich-grocers-play-version-a-full-cast-adaptationEve - Song MarshallAdam - Benjamin Finch,The Prolocutor and Serpent - Larissa OatesGod - Alison WhismoreThe Angel - Natalie HarperDolour - Miriam BabooramMisery - Katie ForsterCatie Ridewood - The Holy Ghost.The text coach for the production was Liza GrahamThe Norwich Grocers Play B was produced by Robert CrightonOur patrons received the rough mix of this episode in October 2026 - about 1 month early!The Beyond Shakespeare Podcast is supported by its patrons – become a patron and you get to choose the plays we work on next. Go to www.patreon.com/beyondshakespeare - or if you'd like to buy us a coffee at ko-fi https://ko-fi.com/beyondshakespeare - or if you want to give us some feedback, email us at [email protected], follow us on social media @BeyondShakes or go to our website: https://beyondshakespeare.orgYou can also subscribe to our YouTube channel where (most of) our exploring sessions live - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLa4pXxGZFwTX4QSaB5XNdQThe Beyond Shakespeare Podcast is hosted and produced by Robert Crighton.About our sponsors - the Malone Society. The Society was founded in 1906 at the initiative of A.W. Pollard, and for over a century they have published (almost) every year edited volumes of early printed and manuscript texts of both well-known and neglected plays. They also publish collections of documentary material relating to the performance and reception of early drama. Their best-known publications include W.W. Greg’s edition of Sir Thomas More, a collaborative history play, and A.C. Dunstan’s edition of the earliest surviving original play in English to have been written by a woman, Elizabeth Cary’s The Tragedy of Mariam.Their membership is international and open to anyone interested in early drama. Members receive their annual volumes and are able to buy books from their backlist at low prices.In addition to their publications, they support scholarship of early drama through fellowships and research grants, an annual prize for graduate students, and performances and symposia.The Society is named after Edmond Malone, born in Dublin in 1741, a great editor, textual scholar and theatre historian, whose work continues to shape studies in early drama.

Beyond is sponsored by The Malone Society: The permanent utility of original textsThe History of the Damnable Life and Deserved Death of Doctor John Faustus, is the book that is the source for Christopher Marlowe's play. Chapter by chapter we will wander through the twists and turns of this story.We continue the last section of the book - or:The third and last of Doctor Faustus his merry conceits, showing after what sort he practised Necromancy in the Courts of great Princes, and lastly of his fearful and pitiful end.Chapter Thirty-Two: How Three Young Dukes being together at Wittenberg to behold the University requested Faustus to help them at a wish to the town, of Menchen in Bavaria, there to see the Duke of Bavaria his Sons wedding.Our patrons also get an exploring session looking in detail at the text - join our chat here.Thunder sfx thanks to zapsplat.comOur patrons received this episode in over 18 months early. They have also already received the next 19 chapters and exploring sessions!The Beyond Shakespeare Podcast is supported by its patrons – become a patron and you get to choose the plays we work on next. Go to www.patreon.com/beyondshakespeare - or if you'd like to buy us a coffee at ko-fi https://ko-fi.com/beyondshakespeare - or if you want to give us some feedback, email us at [email protected], follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram @BeyondShakes or go to our website: https://beyondshakespeare.orgYou can also subscribe to our YouTube channel where (most of) our exploring sessions live - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLa4pXxGZFwTX4QSaB5XNdQThe Beyond Shakespeare Podcast is hosted and produced by Robert Crighton.About our sponsors - the Malone Society. The Society was founded in 1906 at the initiative of A.W. Pollard, and for over a century they have published (almost) every year edited volumes of early printed and manuscript texts of both well-known and neglected plays. They also publish collections of documentary material relating to the performance and reception of early drama. Their best-known publications include W.W. Greg’s edition of Sir Thomas More, a collaborative history play, and A.C. Dunstan’s edition of the earliest surviving original play in English to have been written by a woman, Elizabeth Cary’s The Tragedy of Mariam.Their membership is international and open to anyone interested in early drama. Members receive their annual volumes and are able to buy books from their backlist at low prices.In addition to their publications, they support scholarship of early drama through fellowships and research grants, an annual prize for graduate students, and performances and symposia.The Society is named after Edmond Malone, born in Dublin in 1741, a great editor, textual scholar and theatre historian, whose work continues to shape studies in early drama.

Beyond is sponsored by The Malone Society: The permanent utility of original textsThis week we have another full cast audio adaptation of a Lord Mayors Show, this time from 1609. Sadly, much of the text is lost, but we do have the end and the accounts of some of the elements involved, which we have pieced together with Professor Tracey Hill. In CAMP-BELL: or The Ironmongers Fair FieldMine host John was played by Robert CrightonMine hostess Joan by Liza GrahamAnthony Munday by Iona CampbellSaint Andrew by Alex Scott Fairley, and Saint George by Emma Kemp.The episode was produced by Robert CrightonOur patrons received this episode in September 2026 - over a month early!The Beyond Shakespeare Podcast is supported by its patrons – become a patron and you get to choose the plays we work on next. Go to www.patreon.com/beyondshakespeare - or if you'd like to buy us a coffee at ko-fi https://ko-fi.com/beyondshakespeare - or if you want to give us some feedback, email us at [email protected], follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram @BeyondShakes or go to our website: https://beyondshakespeare.orgYou can also subscribe to our YouTube channel where (most of) our exploring sessions live - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLa4pXxGZFwTX4QSaB5XNdQThe Beyond Shakespeare Podcast is hosted and produced by Robert Crighton.About our sponsors - the Malone Society. The Society was founded in 1906 at the initiative of A.W. Pollard, and for over a century they have published (almost) every year edited volumes of early printed and manuscript texts of both well-known and neglected plays. They also publish collections of documentary material relating to the performance and reception of early drama. Their best-known publications include W.W. Greg’s edition of Sir Thomas More, a collaborative history play, and A.C. Dunstan’s edition of the earliest surviving original play in English to have been written by a woman, Elizabeth Cary’s The Tragedy of Mariam.Their membership is international and open to anyone interested in early drama. Members receive their annual volumes and are able to buy books from their backlist at low prices.In addition to their publications, they support scholarship of early drama through fellowships and research grants, an annual prize for graduate students, and performances and symposia.The Society is named after Edmond Malone, born in Dublin in 1741, a great editor, textual scholar and theatre historian, whose work continues to shape studies in early drama.

Beyond is sponsored by The Malone Society: The permanent utility of original textsThis week we're sharing this version of the Seven Deadly Sins, as found in the Norwich Archdeacon's visitation book. It might not have been designed for performance, but it could have functioned as a mini pageant on the theme of sin, in a similar way to pageants of the Nine Worthies might be trotted out for civic events. It might date to 1548, based on where the text is placed in relation to other entries, but it might also date a little early or later (1533-51ish) Aliki Chapple - PrideAilbhe Casey - EnvyTamara Ritthaler - WrathHadrian Conyngham -  Covetousness Roel Fox - SlothOliver Maynard - GluttonyEmma Kemp -  Lechery The episode was hosted and produced by Robert Crighton. Our patrons received this episode in August 2026 - a month early!The Beyond Shakespeare Podcast is supported by its patrons – become a patron and you get to choose the plays we work on next. Go to www.patreon.com/beyondshakespeare - or if you'd like to buy us a coffee at ko-fi https://ko-fi.com/beyondshakespeare - or if you want to give us some feedback, email us at [email protected], follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram @BeyondShakes or go to our website: https://beyondshakespeare.orgYou can also subscribe to our YouTube channel where (most of) our exploring sessions live - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLa4pXxGZFwTX4QSaB5XNdQThe Beyond Shakespeare Podcast is hosted and produced by Robert Crighton.About our sponsors - the Malone Society. The Society was founded in 1906 at the initiative of A.W. Pollard, and for over a century they have published (almost) every year edited volumes of early printed and manuscript texts of both well-known and neglected plays. They also publish collections of documentary material relating to the performance and reception of early drama. Their best-known publications include W.W. Greg’s edition of Sir Thomas More, a collaborative history play, and A.C. Dunstan’s edition of the earliest surviving original play in English to have been written by a woman, Elizabeth Cary’s The Tragedy of Mariam.Their membership is international and open to anyone interested in early drama. Members receive their annual volumes and are able to buy books from their backlist at low prices.In addition to their publications, they support scholarship of early drama through fellowships and research grants, an annual prize for graduate students, and performances and symposia.The Society is named after Edmond Malone, born in Dublin in 1741, a great editor, textual scholar and theatre historian, whose work continues to shape studies in early drama. 

Beyond is sponsored by The Malone Society: The permanent utility of original textsThis week we haves a chat about The Parnassus Plays, written in Cambridge in the early 1600's by some people. Robert Crighton is joined by the editors of an upcoming edition of the plays for the Revels series, Andrew Hadfield and Neil Rhodes.The plays are available to buy from Manchester University Press now!Andrew Hadfield has taught a variety of undergraduate courses throughout his career at the Universities of Leeds, Ulster, Aberystwyth, Columbia (New York), and Sussex, concentrating on medieval and early modern literature, Irish literature, literary theory and some twentieth-century literature. He has also taught M. A. courses on Spenser; literature, travel writing and colonialism; and Shakespeare, and also has been a visiting professor at the University of Granada (Spain) since 2007 and a fellow of the British Academy and the English Association.Neil Rhodes was a Scholar of St Catherine’s College, Oxford, where he was awarded the degrees of MA and DPhil and was a Newdigate prizewinner. He is currently a Visiting Professor at the University of Granada, and Liverpool Hope University, and joint General Editor with Andrew Hadfield of the MHRA Tudor and Stuart Translations. From 2014-16 he held a Leverhulme Research Fellowship to work on a book entitled Common: The Development of Literary Culture in Sixteenth-Century England, published by Oxford University Press in 2018. His teaching is principally in the fields of English Renaissance literature.Our patrons received this episode in July 2026 - over a three months early!The Beyond Shakespeare Podcast is supported by its patrons – become a patron and you get to choose the plays we work on next. Go to www.patreon.com/beyondshakespeare - or if you'd like to buy us a coffee at ko-fi https://ko-fi.com/beyondshakespeare - or if you want to give us some feedback, email us at [email protected], follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram @BeyondShakes or go to our website: https://beyondshakespeare.orgYou can also subscribe to our YouTube channel where (most of) our exploring sessions live - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLa4pXxGZFwTX4QSaB5XNdQThe Beyond Shakespeare Podcast is hosted and produced by Robert Crighton.About our sponsors - the Malone Society. The Society was founded in 1906 at the initiative of A.W. Pollard, and for over a century they have published (almost) every year edited volumes of early printed and manuscript texts of both well-known and neglected plays. They also publish collections of documentary material relating to the performance and reception of early drama. Their best-known publications include W.W. Greg’s edition of Sir Thomas More, a collaborative history play, and A.C. Dunstan’s edition of the earliest surviving original play in English to have been written by a woman, Elizabeth Cary’s The Tragedy of Mariam.Their membership is international and open to anyone interested in early drama. Members receive their annual volumes and are able to buy books from their backlist at low prices.In addition to their publications, they support scholarship of early drama through fellowships and research grants, an annual prize for graduate students, and performances and symposia.The Society is named after Edmond Malone, born in Dublin in 1741, a great editor, textual scholar and theatre historian, whose work continues to shape studies in early drama.

Beyond is sponsored by The Malone Society: The permanent utility of original textsPart four of our an epic (yet dinky) series looking at some fragments found in The English Treasury of Wit and Language by John Cotgrave.You can find a version of the text at archive.org. This fragment comes from page 40 and another quote on Chamber-maids. The text is performed by Aliki Chapple, the host is Robert Crighton.Our patrons received this episode in March 2025 - over eighteen months early!The Beyond Shakespeare Podcast is supported by its patrons – become a patron and you get to choose the plays we work on next. Go to www.patreon.com/beyondshakespeare - or if you'd like to buy us a coffee at ko-fi https://ko-fi.com/beyondshakespeare - or if you want to give us some feedback, email us at [email protected], follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram @BeyondShakes or go to our website: https://beyondshakespeare.orgYou can also subscribe to our YouTube channel where (most of) our exploring sessions live - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLa4pXxGZFwTX4QSaB5XNdQThe Beyond Shakespeare Podcast is hosted and produced by Robert Crighton.About our sponsors - the Malone Society. The Society was founded in 1906 at the initiative of A.W. Pollard, and for over a century they have published (almost) every year edited volumes of early printed and manuscript texts of both well-known and neglected plays. They also publish collections of documentary material relating to the performance and reception of early drama. Their best-known publications include W.W. Greg’s edition of Sir Thomas More, a collaborative history play, and A.C. Dunstan’s edition of the earliest surviving original play in English to have been written by a woman, Elizabeth Cary’s The Tragedy of Mariam.Their membership is international and open to anyone interested in early drama. Members receive their annual volumes and are able to buy books from their backlist at low prices.In addition to their publications, they support scholarship of early drama through fellowships and research grants, an annual prize for graduate students, and performances and symposia.The Society is named after Edmond Malone, born in Dublin in 1741, a great editor, textual scholar and theatre historian, whose work continues to shape studies in early drama.

Beyond is sponsored by The Malone Society: The permanent utility of original textsThe History of the Damnable Life and Deserved Death of Doctor John Faustus, is the book that is the source for Christopher Marlowe's play. Chapter by chapter we will wander through the twists and turns of this story.We continue the last section of the book - or: The third and last of Doctor Faustus his merry conceits, showing after what sort he practised Necromancy in the Courts of great Princes, and lastly of his fearful and pitiful end. Chapter Thirty-One: How the above mentioned Knight went about to be revenged of Doctor Faustus. Our patrons also get an exploring session looking in detail at the text - join our chat here.Thunder sfx thanks to zapsplat.comOur patrons received this episode in February 2025 - over 18 months early. They have also already received the next 19 chapters and exploring sessions!The Beyond Shakespeare Podcast is supported by its patrons – become a patron and you get to choose the plays we work on next. Go to www.patreon.com/beyondshakespeare - or if you'd like to buy us a coffee at ko-fi https://ko-fi.com/beyondshakespeare - or if you want to give us some feedback, email us at [email protected], follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram @BeyondShakes or go to our website: https://beyondshakespeare.orgYou can also subscribe to our YouTube channel where (most of) our exploring sessions live - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLa4pXxGZFwTX4QSaB5XNdQThe Beyond Shakespeare Podcast is hosted and produced by Robert Crighton.About our sponsors - the Malone Society. The Society was founded in 1906 at the initiative of A.W. Pollard, and for over a century they have published (almost) every year edited volumes of early printed and manuscript texts of both well-known and neglected plays. They also publish collections of documentary material relating to the performance and reception of early drama. Their best-known publications include W.W. Greg’s edition of Sir Thomas More, a collaborative history play, and A.C. Dunstan’s edition of the earliest surviving original play in English to have been written by a woman, Elizabeth Cary’s The Tragedy of Mariam.Their membership is international and open to anyone interested in early drama. Members receive their annual volumes and are able to buy books from their backlist at low prices.In addition to their publications, they support scholarship of early drama through fellowships and research grants, an annual prize for graduate students, and performances and symposia.The Society is named after Edmond Malone, born in Dublin in 1741, a great editor, textual scholar and theatre historian, whose work continues to shape studies in early drama. 

Beyond is sponsored by The Malone Society: The permanent utility of original textsThis week we conclude (for now) our Thyestes journey, with a mix of the post-show discussion.With Helen Good, Tudor historian, and cast member Simon Nader Mirza - hosted by Robert CrightonLive show technical Manager – Valentina VinciProduced by Robert CrightonCW: torture, violence, references to sexual violence, injury detail, murder, infanticide, cannibalism, discussion of Catholic persecution.Our patrons received the rough mix of this episode in November 2025 - over 10 months early!The Beyond Shakespeare Podcast is supported by its patrons – become a patron and you get to choose the plays we work on next. Go to www.patreon.com/beyondshakespeare - or if you'd like to buy us a coffee at ko-fi https://ko-fi.com/beyondshakespeare - or if you want to give us some feedback, email us at [email protected], follow us on social media @BeyondShakes or go to our website: https://beyondshakespeare.orgYou can also subscribe to our YouTube channel where (most of) our exploring sessions live - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLa4pXxGZFwTX4QSaB5XNdQThe Beyond Shakespeare Podcast is hosted and produced by Robert Crighton.About our sponsors - the Malone Society. The Society was founded in 1906 at the initiative of A.W. Pollard, and for over a century they have published (almost) every year edited volumes of early printed and manuscript texts of both well-known and neglected plays. They also publish collections of documentary material relating to the performance and reception of early drama. Their best-known publications include W.W. Greg’s edition of Sir Thomas More, a collaborative history play, and A.C. Dunstan’s edition of the earliest surviving original play in English to have been written by a woman, Elizabeth Cary’s The Tragedy of Mariam.Their membership is international and open to anyone interested in early drama. Members receive their annual volumes and are able to buy books from their backlist at low prices.In addition to their publications, they support scholarship of early drama through fellowships and research grants, an annual prize for graduate students, and performances and symposia.The Society is named after Edmond Malone, born in Dublin in 1741, a great editor, textual scholar and theatre historian, whose work continues to shape studies in early drama.

Beyond is sponsored by The Malone Society: The permanent utility of original textsThis week we continue our Thyestes journey, with a mix of the live show. Next week we will drop our post-show discussion. Thyestes by Seneca, translated by Jasper HeywoodRecorded live on Thursday 23rd October 2025 at 7.30pmBrian Eastty - Chorus leaderPamela Flanagan - Megaera and MessengerKarim Kronfli - AtreusSophie Lawlor – Philisthenes and ChorusShamiso Mushambi - Atreus’ Servant and ChorusSimon Nader Mirza – ThyestesValentina Vinci – Tantalus and ChorusLive show technical Manager – Valentina VinciContinuity – Dennis CaoukiCompany Text Coach – Liza GrahamProduced by Robert CrightonCW: torture, violence, references to sexual violence, injury detail, murder, infanticide, cannibalism.Our patrons received the rough mix of this episode in November 2025 - over 10 months early!The Beyond Shakespeare Podcast is supported by its patrons – become a patron and you get to choose the plays we work on next. Go to www.patreon.com/beyondshakespeare - or if you'd like to buy us a coffee at ko-fi https://ko-fi.com/beyondshakespeare - or if you want to give us some feedback, email us at [email protected], follow us on social media @BeyondShakes or go to our website: https://beyondshakespeare.orgYou can also subscribe to our YouTube channel where (most of) our exploring sessions live - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLa4pXxGZFwTX4QSaB5XNdQThe Beyond Shakespeare Podcast is hosted and produced by Robert Crighton.About our sponsors - the Malone Society. The Society was founded in 1906 at the initiative of A.W. Pollard, and for over a century they have published (almost) every year edited volumes of early printed and manuscript texts of both well-known and neglected plays. They also publish collections of documentary material relating to the performance and reception of early drama. Their best-known publications include W.W. Greg’s edition of Sir Thomas More, a collaborative history play, and A.C. Dunstan’s edition of the earliest surviving original play in English to have been written by a woman, Elizabeth Cary’s The Tragedy of Mariam.Their membership is international and open to anyone interested in early drama. Members receive their annual volumes and are able to buy books from their backlist at low prices.In addition to their publications, they support scholarship of early drama through fellowships and research grants, an annual prize for graduate students, and performances and symposia.The Society is named after Edmond Malone, born in Dublin in 1741, a great editor, textual scholar and theatre historian, whose work continues to shape studies in early drama.