SHAKESPEARE GOES VIRAL
Shakespeare Goes Viral tells you everything you've ever wanted to know about the making of Bard in the Yard
Comprising seven episodes, this podcast invites the listener to learn more about Shakespeare in a very colloquial way, thanks to the interview by famed Swiss broadcaster Zelda Chauvet of writer and director Victoria Gartner. Alongside the extensive interview, the episodes are scattered with anecdotes from the Bards who performed in outdoor spaces across the UK during the pandemics of summer 2020 and 2021, as well as producer and co-creator of Bard in the Yard Charlie Mackellar.
Five episodes explore the Shakespearean themes of the plague, love, comedy, tragedy and magic, while the two final ones are complete recordings of Bard in the Yard plays King Leonardo and The Scottish Play.
This podcast was possible thanks to the support of the Swiss Cultural Fund UK, the Swiss Embassy’s support fund for the arts.
EP1: SHAKESPEARE AND THE PLAGUE
In this episode, find out more about the genesis of Bard in the Yard and about how Shakespeare (and our Bards) wrote plays during the plague.
Including: an interview with Victoria Gartner and anecdotes from producer Charlie Mackellar and actor Henry Charnock. Excerpts of 'King Leonardo' performed by Rupert Sadler and 'The Scottish Play' performed by Luke Farrugia.
EP2: SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE
In this episode, find out more about how 'Shakespeare invented love' and the nooks and crannies of the Shakespearean love and sexuality landscape, colourfully explained by Victoria Gartner.
Including: an interview with Victoria Gartner by Zelda Chauvet and anecdotes from actors Kit McGuire and Honey Gabriel. Excerpts of 'King Leonardo' performed by Rupert Sadler and 'The Scottish Play' performed by Luke Farrugia.
EP3: SHAKESPEARE AND COMEDY
In this episode, discover how "Shakespeare invented comedy" by listening to Victoria Gartner tell you more about the tenets, tricks and themes of the Shakespearean comedy genre.
With anecdotes from Bard in the Yard actors Alix Dunmore and Jonathan McGarrity and particularly comedic excerpts from the plays acted by Luke Ferrugia and Rupert Sadler, this episode is bound to put a smile on your face.
EP4: SHAKESPEARE AND TRAGEDY
In this particularly poignant episode, learn more about the big Shakespearean tragedies of Hamlet, King Lear, Twelfth Night, and the 'emotional mush that Shakespeare embraces,' as revealed by Victoria Gartner.
Enjoy anecdotes from actors Will Harrison-Wallace and Constanza Ruff and excerpts from the Bard in the Yard plays acted by Luke Farrugia and Rupert Sadler.
EP5: SHAKESPEARE AND MAGIC
In this episode, discover more about Shakespeare's magic - both on and off stage. From astronomy to fairyland and all the way to witches, listen to this very special episode of Shakespeare Goes Viral.
With anecdotes from actors Hannah Young and Jonathan Blakeley, and excerpts of the Bard in the Yard plays performed by Rupert Sadler and Luke Farrugia.
Shakespeare Goes Viral is co- produced by Will & Co and Zelda Chauvet, La Souris Verte
With an interview of Bard in the Yard writer and director Victoria Gartner
Music by Kevin Queille
King Leonardo is performed by Luke Farrugia
The Scottish Play is performed by Rupert Sadler
With anecdotes from actors Henry Charnock, Charlie Mackellar, Kit McGuire, Honey Gabriel, Jonathan Blakeley, Alix Dunmore, Jonathan McGarrity, Will Harrison-Wallace and Hannah Young.
Recordings of the plays are by Bobby Goulder and Aaron Blackledge
With support from the Swiss Cultural Fund UK