Professor Ronan Hatfull literally wrote the book on the Reduced Shakespeare Company. His new book from Bloomsbury/Arden – Shakespeare in the Theatre: Reduced Shakespeare Company – is the very first full-length study to be published about the RSC. Focusing specifically on our Shakespearean reduction and adaptation, Ronan's book examines the origins and evolution of the company through the creation of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged), The Reduced Shakespeare Radio Show, William Shakespeare's Long Lost First Play (abridged), and The Comedy of Hamlet! (a prequel). Ronan shares his methodology; how he wanted to make his book accessible to the general reader; how he learned that the RSC carries on the 17th-century tradition of “drolls”; how the RSC injected a bit of danger and the unexpected into Shakespeare and influenced various folks like the Q Brothers and Potted Potter creator Daniel Clarkson; and how for a limited time, Arden Shakespeare is offering to RSC fans a 35% discount on the hardcover edition of the book! (Length 24:54)

Say hello to the newest UK incarnation of the Reduced Shakespeare Company! Efé Agwele, Woogie Jung, Kiran Raywilliams, and Tom Pavey join director and RSC founder Adam Long to discuss our brand-new tour of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) that's hitting at least 29 cities across the UK in this first half of 2026. The gang talks about how they were cast; their origins both humble and impressive; incorporating micro Shakespeare moments; experience with something called the Jesus College Shakespeare Project; our first live conversation from the back of the bus to Oxford University; and the key importance for touring actors to be "pre-loved-up"! (Length 27:44) (PICTURED, above l-r: Kiran Raywilliams, Efé Agwele, Tom Pavey (seated), and Woogie Jung. Photo by Michael Wharley.)

Our live celebration of 1000 weeks of podcasting onstage at Chicago's Annoyance Theater continues this week as Annoyance founder and directors Mick Napier and Jennifer Estlin discuss the evolution of their mentalism and closeup magic double-act. Mick and Jen share their early inspiration; a special appearance from telephone psychic Vanessa Sawyer from the Kenny Kingston Psychic Hotline; shout-out Chicago’s Magic Lounge, where Napier and Estlin have played before; and how the danger of knowing too much or overthinking a thing can sometimes destroy the magic of that thing; a fantastic definition of magic; how the value of most institutions is the generations of artists who’ve contributed to its legacy; and a partial answer to the question “Are magicians born or made?” (Length 26:17)