Women and Shakespeare

Send us Fan MailDame Harriet Walter discusses and recites from her poetry book, She Speaks! What Shakespeare's Women Might Have Said.For a complete episode transcript, http://www.womenandshakespeare.comInterviewer: Varsha PanjwaniGuest: Harriet WalterProducer: Stefano Masi Transcript: Benjamin PooreArtwork: Wenqi WanSuggested Citation:  Walter, Harriet in conversation with Panjwani, Varsha (2026). Harriet Walter on She Speaks! What Shakespeare's Women Might Have Said. Women & Shakespeare [podcast], Series 6, Ep.5. http://womenandshakespeare.com/Insta: earlymoderndocEmail: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailS6: E4: Jyotsna G. Singh on Shakespeare, Postcoloniality, and Global InterconnectednessFor a complete episode transcript, http://www.womenandshakespeare.comInterviewer and Producer: Varsha PanjwaniGuest: Jyotsna G. SinghTranscript: Benjamin PooreArtwork: Wenqi WanSuggested Citation:  Singh, Jyotsna G. in conversation with Panjwani, Varsha (2026). S6: E4: Jyotsna G. Singh on Shakespeare, Postcoloniality, and Global Interconnectedness.Women & Shakespeare [podcast], Series 6, Ep.4. http://womenandshakespeare.com/Insta: earlymoderndocEmail: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailLubaaba Al‑Azami discusses her book, Travellers in the Golden Realm: How Mughal India Connected England to the World For a complete episode transcript, http://www.womenandshakespeare.comLubaaba's Book: https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/lubaaba-al-azami/travellers-in-the-golden-realm/9781529371321/Interviewer: Varsha PanjwaniGuest: Lubaaba Al‑AzamiProducer: Yu-Kuan Miao Transcript: Benjamin PooreArtwork: Wenqi WanSuggested Citation:  Al‑Azami, Lubaaba in conversation with Panjwani, Varsha (2026). Lubaaba Al‑Azami on Travel and Exchanges between India and England. Women & Shakespeare [podcast], Series 6, Ep.3. http://womenandshakespeare.com/Insta: earlymoderndocEmail: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailHanh Bui discusses how Shakespeare's plays can make us rethink ageing.For a complete episode transcript, http://www.womenandshakespeare.comInterviewer: Varsha PanjwaniGuest: Hanh Bui Researcher: Julia Patterson Producers: Caitlin Cusack & Grace KunikTranscript: Benjamin PooreArtwork: Wenqi WanSuggested Citation:  Bui, Hanh in conversation with Panjwani, Varsha (2025). Hanh Bui on Ageing in Shakespeare. Women & Shakespeare [podcast], Series 6, Ep.2. http://womenandshakespeare.com/Insta: earlymoderndocEmail: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailSophie Duncan discusses her book, Searching for Juliet — a love letter to this wonderful and beloved heroine.For a complete episode transcript, http://www.womenandshakespeare.comInterviewer: Varsha PanjwaniGuest: Sophie Duncan Researchers: Irene Hao and Rose Hayward Producer: Tayphath Thyagaraj Transcript: Benjamin PooreArtwork: Wenqi WanSuggested Citation:  Duncan, Sophie in conversation with Panjwani, Varsha (2025). Sophie Duncan on Searching for Juliet. Women & Shakespeare [podcast], Series 6, Ep.1. http://womenandshakespeare.com/Insta: earlymoderndocEmail: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailMichelle Ephraim discusses memoir writing, Jewish women in Shakespeare’s time, teaching Shakespeare, and her moving memoir Green World—a powerful dialogue between lived experience and The Merchant of Venice For a complete episode transcript, click http://www.womenandshakespeare.comMichelle Ephraim's Website: https://michelleephraim.com/Interviewer: Varsha PanjwaniGuest: Michelle EphraimProducer: Bryony FishpoolTranscript: Benjamin PooreArtwork: Wenqi WanSuggested Citation:  Ephraim, Michelle in conversation with Panjwani, Varsha (2025). Michelle Ephraim on her memoir Green World—a powerful dialogue between lived experience and Jessica in The Merchant of Venice. Women & Shakespeare [Podcast], Series 5, Ep.6. http://womenandshakespeare.com/Insta: earlymoderndocEmail: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailClaudia Mayer discusses designing for Shakespeare plays, including Macbeth, The Tempest, and The Merchant of Venice.For a complete episode transcript, click http://www.womenandshakespeare.comClaudia Mayer's co-production company: https://jvproductions.co.uk/Interviewer: Varsha PanjwaniGuest: Claudia MayerResearcher: Iris Kobrock Producer: Caroline LehmanTranscript: Benjamin PooreArtwork: Wenqi WanSuggested Citation:  Mayer, Claudia in conversation with Panjwani, Varsha (2025). Claudia Mayer on Designing for Shakespeare Plays [Podcast], Series 5, Ep.5. http://womenandshakespeare.com/Insta: earlymoderndocEmail: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailDominique Le Gendre discusses composing music for Shakespeare plays, including Richard II at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse and The Complete Arkangel Shakespeare audio recordings.For a complete episode transcript, click http://www.womenandshakespeare.comDominique Le Gendre's Website: https://www.dominiquelegendre.com/Interviewer: Varsha PanjwaniGuest: Dominique Le GendreResearcher: Grayson YuzonProducers: Alyssa GoodwinTranscript: Benjamin PooreArtwork: Wenqi WanSuggested Citation:  Le Gendre, Dominique in conversation with Panjwani, Varsha (2025). Dominique  Le Gendre on Composing Music for Shakespeare Plays [Podcast], Series 5, Ep.4. http://womenandshakespeare.com/Insta: earlymoderndocEmail: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailKerry Frampton (Splendid Productions) discusses her show Midsummer Mechanicals, Clowning, and the importance Working-Class Shakespeare Theatre. For a complete episode transcript, click http://www.womenandshakespeare.comSplendid's Website: https://splendidproductions.co.uk/about/Interviewer: Varsha PanjwaniGuest: Kerry FramptonResearcher: Eleanor Goetz  Producers:  Tino Ngorima, Isis Henderson, Kynnedi Smith Transcript: Benjamin PooreArtwork: Wenqi WanSuggested Citation:  Frampton, Kerry in conversation with Panjwani, Varsha (2024). Kerry Frampton on Midsummer Mechanicals, Clowning, and Working-Class Shakespeare Theatre [Podcast], Series 5, Ep.3. http://womenandshakespeare.com/Insta: earlymoderndocEmail: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailAlexa Alice Joubin discusses Shakespeare and East Asia, Trans as Method, and AI in Shakespeare Studies and performance. For a complete episode transcript, click http://www.womenandshakespeare.comAlexa's Website: https://ajoubin.org/Interviewer: Varsha PanjwaniGuest: Alexa Alice Joubin Researchers:   Riley Coffman, Caitlin Finch, Alexandra BiancoProducers:  Bianca Thakur Transcript: Benjamin PooreArtwork: Wenqi WanSuggested Citation:  Joubin, Alexa Alice in conversation with Panjwani, Varsha (2024). Alexa Alice Joubin on Shakespeare & East Asia, Trans as Method, and AI in Shakespeare [Podcast], Series 5, Ep.2. http://womenandshakespeare.com/ Insta: earlymoderndocEmail: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailDr Poonam Trivedi discusses Shakespeare in India and talks about her germinal co-edited collections, such as India's Shakespeare: Translation, Interpretation and Performance, Shakespeare and Indian Cinemas: Local Habitations, Re-playing Shakespeare in Asia. For a complete episode transcript, click http://www.womenandshakespeare.comInterviewer: Varsha PanjwaniGuest: Poonam TrivediResearchers:   Amira Motair & Aidan HughesProducers:  Kendall Beitler & Casey BachnerTranscript: Benjamin PooreArtwork: Wenqi WanSuggested Citation:  Trivedi, Poonam in conversation with Panjwani, Varsha (2024). Poonam Trivedi on Shakespeare & India [Podcast], Series 5, Ep.1. http://womenandshakespeare.com/Insta: earlymoderndocEmail: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Professor Tiffany Stern discusses her books and tells us about rehearsal practices, ballads, and popular entertainments in Shakespeare's day. She also tells us about being a general editor and editing The Tempest. For a complete episode transcript, click http://www.womenandshakespeare.comInterviewer: Varsha PanjwaniGuest: Tiffany Stern Researchers:  Sonia Kukula & Annika Suderburg  Producers:   Isabella DeJoy & Emma Munson Transcript: Benjamin PooreArtwork: Wenqi WanSuggested Citation:  Stern, Tiffany in conversation with Panjwani, Varsha (2024). Tiffany Stern on Rehearsal Practices, Ballads, Popular Entertainments [Podcast], Series 4, Ep. 6. http://womenandshakespeare.com/Insta: earlymoderndocEmail: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, playwright and actress, Lolita Chakrabarti, talks about her plays, Red Velvet and Hamnet.For a complete episode transcript, click http://www.womenandshakespeare.comInterviewer: Varsha PanjwaniGuest: Lolita Chakrabarti Researchers: Marie Tagbo & Sophie Massey Producers: Audrey Kim Chung & Niraj Nair  Transcript: Benjamin PooreArtwork: Wenqi WanSuggested Citation:  Chakrabarti, Lolita in conversation with Panjwani, Varsha (2024). Lolita Chakrabarti on Red Velvet and Hamnet [Podcast], Series 4, Ep. 5. http://womenandshakespeare.com/Insta: earlymoderndocEmail: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, the artistic-director of 'Some Kind of Theatre', Emily Ingram, talks about Shakespeare, Popular Culture, and Props. Find out more about her company here: https://www.somekindoftheatre.co.ukFor a complete episode transcript, click http://www.womenandshakespeare.comInterviewer: Varsha PanjwaniGuest: Emily IngramResearcher: Farah Elrakhawi Producers: Isabella DeJoy & Chance Ortiz-SorrentiTranscript: Benjamin PooreArtwork: Wenqi WanSuggested Citation:  Ingram, Emily in conversation with Panjwani, Varsha (2023). Emily Ingram on Shakespeare, Popular Culture, and Props. Women & Shakespeare [Podcast], Series 4, Ep. 4. http://womenandshakespeare.com/Insta: earlymoderndocEmail: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Ella Hawkins talks about her book on 'Period Dress' in contemporary Shakespeare performance and about her biscuit art. Her book is available in different formats: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/shakespeare-in-elizabethan-costume-9781350234420/Check out her Instagram: ellamchawkFor a complete episode transcript, click http://www.womenandshakespeare.comInterviewer: Varsha PanjwaniGuest: Ella HawkinsProducer: Varsha PanjwaniTranscript: Benjamin PooreArtwork: Wenqi WanSuggested Citation:  Hawkins, Ella in conversation with Panjwani, Varsha (2023). Ella Hawkins on Period Dress in Contemporary Shakespeare Performance & Biscuit Art. Women & Shakespeare [Podcast], Series 4, Ep. 3. http://womenandshakespeare.com/Insta: earlymoderndocEmail: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Playwright Hannah Khalil talks about her adaptation of Henry VIII at Shakespeare's Globe. Check out the first anthology of her plays: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/hannah-khalil-plays-of-arabic-heritage-9781350242197/ Check out her website: https://hannahkhalil.com/For a complete episode transcript, click http://www.womenandshakespeare.com Interviewer: Varsha PanjwaniGuest: Hannah KhalilProducers: Trixie Rodriguez & Sydney PartinResearch Consultant & Transcript: Benjamin PooreArtwork: Wenqi WanSuggested Citation:  Khalil, Hannah in conversation with Panjwani, Varsha (2023). Hannah Khalil on adapting Henry VIII for Shakespeare's Globe . Women & Shakespeare [Podcast], Series 4, Ep. 2. http://womenandshakespeare.com/Insta: earlymoderndocEmail: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Professor Emma Smith talks about her podcast *Approaching Shakespeare* and her wonderful books *This is Shakespeare*, *Shakespeare's First Folio*, and *Portable Magic*.Her podcast can be accessed from here:  https://podcasts.ox.ac.uk/series/approaching-shakespeareFor a complete episode transcript, check out http://www.womenandshakespeare.com Interviewer: Varsha PanjwaniGuest: Emma SmithProducer: Peyton HarmonTranscript: Benjamin PooreArtwork: Wenqi WanInsta: earlymoderndocEmail: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailAcademic Wendy Lennon talks about Shakespeare, Race, and Pedagogy. Find out more about her work here: https://www.shakeracepedagogy.com/For a complete episode transcript, check out http://www.womenandshakespeare.com Interviewer: Varsha PanjwaniGuest: Wendy LennonProducers: Emily Pepper & Marisa ValentinoArtwork: Mr Wenqi WanInsta: earlymoderndocEmail: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailTheatre critic, Lyn Gardner, talks about reviewing Shakespeare, theatre, and culture.Read her reviews & column here: https://www.thestage.co.uk/author-lyn-gardnerFor a complete episode transcript, check out http://www.womenandshakespeare.com Interviewer: Varsha PanjwaniGuest: Lyn GardnerProducer: Hannah KaskoArtwork: Wenqi WanInsta: earlymoderndocEmail: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailPlaywright and Academic, Emma Whipday talks about her play Shakespeare's Sister, her book Shakespeare's Domestic Tragedies: Violence in the Early Modern Home, and practice-based research. For a complete episode transcript, check out http://www.womenandshakespeare.com Interviewer: Varsha PanjwaniGuest: Emma Whipday [http://www.emmawhipday.com/]Research Leads: Brianna Clark & Ariana PérezProducer: Tyler Medina-MinervaArtwork: Wenqi WanSuggested Citation:  Whipday, Emma in conversation with Panjwani, Varsha (2022). Emma Whipday on Shakespeare's Sister, Shakespeare's Domestic Tragedies, and Practice-Based Research. Women & Shakespeare [Podcast], Series 3, Ep. 4. http://womenandshakespeare.com/Insta: earlymoderndocEmail: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we discuss fight and intimacy direction in Shakespeare, especially in As You Like It, Hamlet, Richard II, & Romeo & Juliet. For more on Yarit Dor's work, check out https://www.yarit-dor.com/For a complete episode transcript, check out http://www.womenandshakespeare.com Interviewer: Dr Varsha PanjwaniGuest: Ms Yarit DorProducer: Mr Zeke TweedieArtwork: Mr Wenqi Wan Insta: earlymoderndocEmail: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we discuss Chloe Gong's intricate Young Adult Fantasy reworkings of Romeo & Juliet set in 1920s Shanghai: These Violent Delights & Our Violent Ends.For a complete episode transcript, check out http://www.womenandshakespeare.com Interviewer: Dr Varsha PanjwaniGuest: Ms Chloe GongResearch Lead: Ms Morgen ShungProducer: Ms Ellie ZwolenskyArtwork: Mr Wenqi Wan Insta: earlymoderndocEmail: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we discuss Shakespeare in Education in the UK and South East Asia with Dr Sarah Olive.This episode is in collaboration with the British Shakespeare Association (BSA) https://www.britishshakespeare.ws/For a complete episode transcript, check out http://www.womenandshakespeare.com Interviewer: Dr Varsha PanjwaniProducer: Mr Zeke TweedieGuest: Dr Sarah OliveArtwork: Mr Wenqi Wan Insta: earlymoderndocEmail: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailChris Bush talks about her journey from being a university student to a successful playwright. Check out http://www.womenandshakespeare.com for a complete transcript.Interviewer: Ms Ivanna Vargas Guest: Ms Chris Bush Producer: Ms Kelly PayneEditing: Dr Varsha PanjwaniArtwork: Mr Wenqi Wan Insta: earlymoderndocEmail: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we discuss Professor Mary Bly's novel,  Lizzie & Dante,  which is an intricate reworking of Romeo & Juliet.For a complete episode transcript, check out http://www.womenandshakespeare.com Interviewer & Producer: Dr Varsha PanjwaniGuest: Professor Mary BlyArtwork: Mr Wenqi Wan Insta: earlymoderndocEmail: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we discuss Professor Naomi Miller's novel,  Imperfect Alchemist,  which revolves around Mary Sidney Herbert and her bond with a maidservant and artist Rose. You can find the paperback here: https://amzn.to/3x4AdKX For a complete episode transcript, check out http://www.womenandshakespeare.com Interviewer: Dr Varsha PanjwaniGuest: Professor Naomi MillerProducer: Mr Zeke TweedieArtwork: Mr Wenqi Wan Insta: earlymoderndocEmail: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailIn this Birthday episode, part-2, we discuss the all-women-of-colour Richard II, inclusive theatre lighting, and Julius Caesar. This episode is a collaboration with a special issue of the journal, Otherness: Essays and Studies. Edited by Dr. Anne Sophie Refskou, the special issue is all about 'representing (and misrepresenting) the title characters in Richard II and Richard II'. Listeners will find a wealth of both contextual material for Andoh's production as well as good companion pieces here: https://www.otherness.dk/journal/otherness-essays-studies-82/The production was recorded by Andoh’s company ‘Swinging the Lens’ and is available here: https://youtu.be/BHrXAJ93hRUFor a complete transcript, check out http://www.womenandshakespeare.com Interviewer & Producer: Varsha PanjwaniGuest: Adjoa AndohArtwork: Wenqi Wan Part-Sponsored by NYU (London)Insta: earlymoderndocEmail: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailIn this Birthday episode, we discuss the women of colour who shape Shakespeare and Britain, Ulysses, and the all-women-of-colour Richard II. This is part-1 of a two-part conversation.   This episode is a collaboration with a special issue of the journal, Otherness: Essays and Studies. Edited by Dr. Anne Sophie Refskou, the special issue is all about 'representing (and misrepresenting) the title characters in Richard II and Richard II'. Listeners will find a wealth of both contextual material for Andoh's production as well as good companion pieces here: https://www.otherness.dk/journal/otherness-essays-studies-82/Check out http://www.womenandshakespeare.com for a complete transcript.Interviewer & Producer: Varsha PanjwaniGuest: Adjoa AndohArtwork: Wenqi Wan Part-Sponsored by NYU Global Faculty Fund AwardInterviewer & Producer: Varsha PanjwaniGuest: Adjoa AndohArtwork: Wenqi Wan Part-Sponsored by NYU Global Faculty Fund AwardInsta: earlymoderndocEmail: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailWe discuss Shakespeare in British Sign Language (BSL), deaf actors, Celia, Titania, Guildenstern, and Cleopatra.  Check out http://www.womenandshakespeare.com for a complete transcript. Interviewer & Producer: Dr Varsha PanjwaniGuest: Ms Nadia NadarajahInterpreter: Ms Linda BruceArtwork: Mr Wenqi Wan Suggested Citation: Nadarajah, Nadia in conversation with Panjwani, Varsha (2021). Nadia Nadarajah on Shakespeare in Sign Language (BSL), Celia, Titania, Guildenstern, Cleopatra [Podcast], Series 2, Ep. 3. http://womenandshakespeare.com/Sponsored by NYU Global Faculty Fund AwardInsta: earlymoderndocEmail: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailWe discuss Radio Shakespeares in the UK, accents, silent characters, and teaching resources.  Check out http://www.womenandshakespeare.com for a complete transcript. Contact Andrea Smith @AndreaUEA for more listening suggestions!Interviewer & Producer: Dr Varsha PanjwaniGuest: Andrea SmithArtwork: Mr Wenqi Wan Insta: earlymoderndocEmail: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailJanet Suzman tells us about playing in Richard III on the night that Kennedy was shot. Check out http://www.womenandshakespeare.com for a complete transcript.Interviewer: Ms Lauren Grajewski Guest: Dame Janet SuzmanProducer: Ms Ivanna VargasEditing: Dr Varsha PanjwaniArtwork: Mr Wenqi Wan Insta: earlymoderndocEmail: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailWe discuss Virginia Woolf's collaborations with Shakespeare, Shakespeare Films, adaptations and Shake-shifting, and collaborative models for the discipline. Check out http://www.womenandshakespeare.com for a complete transcript.Interviewer: Dr Varsha Panjwani Guest: Professor Diana HendersonProducers: Mr Kyle Eber and Ms Zoey LiuArtwork: Mr Wenqi Wan Insta: earlymoderndocEmail: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we discuss Janet Suzman's productions of Hamlet, Othello, and Antony and Cleopatra in South Africa and England. Check out http://www.womenandshakespeare.com for a complete transcript.Interviewer: Dr Varsha Panjwani Guest: Dame Janet SuzmanProducer: Ivanna VargasArtwork: Mr Wenqi Wan Sponsored by NYU Global Faculty Fund AwardInsta: earlymoderndocEmail: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we discuss Shakespeare's young women - Portia, Ophelia, and Lady Anne and the way in which they navigate a patriarchal world. Check out http://www.womenandshakespeare.com for a complete transcript.Interviewer: Dr Varsha Panjwani Guest: Kathryn PogsonProducer: Ms Karen Jessica StewartArtwork: Mr Wenqi Wan Sponsored by NYU Global Faculty Fund AwardInsta: earlymoderndocEmail: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we discuss Shakespeare's Globe, Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, cosmetics, and gestures and the way in which they are connected to race, women, and power. Check out http://www.womenandshakespeare.com for a complete transcript.Interviewer: Dr Varsha Panjwani Guest: Professor Farah Karim-CooperProducer: Ms Lauren Yingqi CheungArtwork: Mr Wenqi Wan Sponsored by NYU Global Faculty Fund AwardInsta: earlymoderndocEmail: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we discuss Chris Bush's Shakespeare-based community musical plays, Dream and Pericles. We also talk about democratizing Shakespeare through community theatre. Check out http://www.womenandshakespeare.com for a complete transcript.Interviewer: Dr Varsha Panjwani Guest: Ms Chris BushProducer: Ms Kelly PayneArtwork: Mr Wenqi Wan Sponsored by NYU Global Faculty Fund AwardInsta: earlymoderndocEmail: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we discuss Dona Croll's portrayal of Cleopatra (she was the first black Cleopatra on the professional British stage) and John of Gaunt in Richard II at Shakespeare’s Globe. We also talk about the experience of black actors in the British theatre industry. Check out http://www.womenandshakespeare.com for a complete transcript.Interviewer: Dr Varsha Panjwani Guest: Ms Dona CrollProducer: Ms Lauren Yingqi CheungArtwork: Mr Wenqi Wan Sponsored by NYU Global Faculty Fund AwardInsta: earlymoderndocEmail: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we discuss Dr Delia Jarrett-Macauley's novel, Moses, Citizen & Me, which revolves around a production of Julius Caesar by child soldiers in Africa, and her edited collection Shakespeare, Race and Performance. Check out http://www.womenandshakespeare.com for a complete transcript.Interviewer: Dr Varsha Panjwani Guest: Dr Delia Jarrett-MacauleyProducer: Ms Karen Jessica StewartArtwork: Mr Wenqi Wan Sponsored by NYU Global Faculty Fund AwardInsta: earlymoderndocEmail: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I discuss why the podcast series was created and why everyone should listen to it. Check out http://www.womenandshakespeare.com for transcripts.Creator: Dr Varsha PanjwaniInterviewer: Ms Apurva Kothari Producer: Mr Davis StephensArtwork: Mr Wenqi Wan Funded by NYU Global Faculty Fund AwardInsta: earlymoderndocEmail: [email protected]