The Hamlet Podcast

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act V Scene iii - Trial by combat looms: the tension is high and Regan seems very unwell indeed... Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act V Scene iii - Albany and Edmund discuss their next steps. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act V Scene iii - Edmund sends a Captain with a chilling note. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act V Scene iii - Lear and Cordelia are brought on, as prisoners. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act V Scene ii - Edgar and Gloucester take refuge under a tree. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act V Scene i - Edgar makes his suit to Albany, and then Edmund reveals how he really feels about Regan and Goneril. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act V Scene i - At Dover, Edmund, Albany, Regan and Goneril start to plan for the impending battles. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act IV Scene vii - We end Act IV with tears, forgiveness, and a little bit of German gossip. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act IV Scene vii - Lear wakes, and a poignant recognition scene ensues. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act IV Scene vii - Cordelia and the Doctor ponder Lear's condition, as he seems on the brink of waking. *PLUS - news of my forthcoming book! If you'd like 25% off, pre-order it from Waterstones THIS WEEK, Feb 17-20, 2026. Search for it under my name, Bloomsbury Teacher Introductions, Macbeth, and my co-author Amy Smith.* Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act IV Scene vii - At the French camp, Lear sleeps while Cordelia and Kent determine what to do next. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act IV Scene vi - We reach the end of Act 4 Scene 6, as Edgar deals with Oswald and his despairing but lucid father. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

This year's seasonal offering takes the form of a voyage, exploring resonances inspired by the carol "I Saw Three Ships". Today, the third and final episode recounts the tale of the Sea Venture. The real life escapades of this important ship inspired Shakespeare's most famous maritime fantasy, The Tempest, and this episode will transport you all the way into 2026. Happy New Year! 🎄

This year's seasonal offering takes the form of a voyage, exploring resonances inspired by the carol "I Saw Three Ships". Today, for Episode 02, we board the delicate barque of the Sonnets. Seasons greetings to you! 🎄

This year's seasonal offering takes the form of a voyage, exploring resonances inspired by the carol "I Saw Three Ships". Today, for Episode 01, we explore the fascinating mythology of The Tiger, which appeared in an earlier episode during our exploration of Macbeth. Seasons greetings to you! 🎄

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act IV Scene vi - Oswald enters, with murderous intent. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act IV Scene vi - Edgar, Gloucester and the Gentleman all respond to what has happened. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act IV Scene vi - Lear recognises Gloucester, before descending into further madness. Listen to the end for news of a) a new book and b) Christmas treats coming your way! Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act IV Scene vi - Gloucester wonders at Lear's fallen state, while Lear madly criticises the hypocrisies of the world. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act IV Scene vi - Lear rails against women, while Gloucester is overcome with emotion at seeing him. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act IV Scene vi - Lear enters, at a new level of madness. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act IV Scene vi - Gloucester attempts to jump, but Edgar has a whole plan in place. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act IV Scene vi - Gloucester and Edgar reach Dover. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act IV Scene v - Regan tries to get information out of Oswald. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act IV Scene v - Regan and Oswald reappear, discussing various pressing concerns. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act IV Scene iv - Cordelia hears reports of her father and hopes her Doctor can help make him better. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act IV Scene iii - Kent and Gentleman continue their discussion and we hear a startling description of Lear's emotional state. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act IV Scene iii - Kent and his Gentleman messenger have met at Dover and discuss the state of affairs. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

To celebrate not one but TWO exciting Shakespeare productions in Dublin Theatre Festival this year, I've teamed up with DTF to bring you a sneak preview of the delights that await. This time: Druid Theatre Company presents Macbeth, introduced by festival artistic director Róise Goan. Macbeth is at the Gaiety Theatre from September 25 - October 05, at tickets are available from Ticketmaster. The Making of Pinocchio is at the Samuel Beckett Theatre and tickets are available from dublintheatrefestival . ie

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act IV Scene ii - A Messenger brings news of Cornwall and Gloucester, which horrifies Albany. Goneril has new plans for the future too... Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

To celebrate not one but TWO exciting Shakespeare productions in Dublin Theatre Festival this year, I've teamed up with DTF to bring you a sneak preview of the delights that await. First up: a production of Hamlet from Peru, introduced by festival artistic director Róise Goan. Hamlet is at the O'Reilly Theatre from September 25-27, at tickets are available from dublintheatrefestival . ie

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act IV Scene ii - Albany arrives but does not give Goneril the welcome she is expecting. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act IV Scene ii - Goneril arrives back to her home, with Edmund by her side. She has plans for him... Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act IV Scene i - Gloucester asks Edgar (as Poor Tom) to lead him to Dover. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act IV Scene i - Gloucester and Edgar find each other, but it is not the recognition we might imagine. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act IV Scene i - We are back out on the heath, and Edgar appears, before Gloucester is led on by a kind Old Man. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act III Scene vii - The scene concludes with more violence, but also a trace of kindness. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act III Scene vii - Cornwall and Regan turn violent. A servant attempts to help Gloucester. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act III Scene vii - Gloucester is brought before Regan and Cornwall, and tied up. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act III Scene vii - Cornwall starts plotting Gloucester's punishment, while Goneril leaves to rejoin her husband. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act III Scene vi - Gloucester comes back and hurries Lear and the others away to safety. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act III Scene vi - Lear madly attempts to prosecute his daughters for the way they have treated him. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act III Scene vi - Gloucester brings the others to shelter. Edgar and the Fool vie for Lear's attention. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act III Scene v - Cornwall appears, with Edmund in tow. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act III Scene iv - The scene comes to an end, not before Lear makes some more fantastical references and Edgar matches him with a famous rhyme. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act III Scene iv - The Walking Fire - and its bearer - arrives. Edgar continues to perform his role as mad Poor Tom. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act III Scene iv - Lear is still fascinated by Edgar, while the Fool still watches. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act III Scene iv - Lear is fascinated by Edgar, while the Fool watches what is happening. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act III Scene iv - Edgar appears as Poor Tom, scaring the Fool but fascinating Lear. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty

The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act III Scene iv - Kent tries to get Lear to take shelter in the hovel. Lear does some remarkable soul-searching, in his anger and madness. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty