...In Quarantine

For the final episode of season 2, Alex and Jimmy chat to renowned author and journalist John Mullan all about Little Dorrit. They discuss Dickens' own childhood in Marshalsea Prison, delusions of grandeur and how to get revenge on your ex through the power of words.

This week Alex and Jimmy discuss Nicholas Nickleby. They talk about Dickens' literary revenge against his own mother, his strange affections towards his sister and his visit to appalling Yorkshire boarding school Bowes.

This week Alex and Jimmy take on Bleak House. They chat to writer and composer Olivia Mace about Dickens’ only female protagonist, how music can enhance a story and the joys you can have from performing the story in a bookshop with just 5 actors.

Alex and Jimmy explore Dickens’ ‘favourite child’ David Copperfield with Poldark star Ruby Bentall. They discuss  which famous author ended up stalking Dickens in real life, the recent Hollywood film and why David Copperfield was his favourite novel he ever wrote

To kick of 2021 Alex and Jimmy explore one of Charles Dickens’ most beloved stories of all time ‘Great Expectations’. They discuss Dickens’ love life,  how it influenced the novel, their own expectations for 2021 and probably the most exciting spoiler in literature history.

CHRISTMAS SPECIAL: Alex and Jimmy get all festive this week with David Archer himself, Tim Bentinck. They chat about kindness in the festive season, their favourite Christmas songs and whether or not Donald Trump could be redeemed by three spirits, as well as casting The Archers characters in an alternative Ambridge Christmas show of 'A Christmas Carol'

This week Alex and Jimmy explore Dickens’ only unfinished novel and try to uncover the famous mystery of Edwin Drood. They chat to Tamzin Merchant who played Rosa about the perfect feminist ending, acting opposite Matthew Rhys and the perils of wearing corsets.

In this weeks episode Alex and Jimmy explore Dickens’ only novel set outside of England. They chat guillotines, Richard Curtis films and that famous opening paragraph of the book.

This week Alex and Jimmy are looking at MORE Dickens and kicking it off with their first novel Oliver Twist. They are joined by this weeks guest star Jodie Prenger winner of BBC's 'I'd Do Anything' about playing the iconic role Nancy and her menagerie of furry friends named after the characters in the book. They also discuss Charles Dickens' antisemitism, using his work as a means to 'out' failing government systems and his strange idolising of young women.

In the first episode of Season 2, Alex and Jimmy are joined by cultural BBC historian Dr Fern Riddell. They discuss his early life in prison, his views on women and why he was such a success. You think you know everything about Charles Dickens?.....think again!

Alex and Jimmy are back for a brand new season. This time they are learning all things Dickens. 

Games of Thrones star Harry Lloyd chats to our hosts this week about Jimmy’s favourite play of all time. They discuss head or heart decisions, Star Wars and we even get to hear Jimmy’s Gollum impression.

Alex and Jimmy are joined by actor Freddie Fox this week. They explore the most famous love story of all time. They discuss feuding households, modern day romance and whether a phone would have saved the day.

With Ekow Quartey. This week Jimmy and Alex discuss Shakespeare's last play 'The Tempest'. They talk about magic, washing up on desert islands, Aladdin freeing genies and the origin of many words and phrases we use today thanks to Shakespeare and this play. They also chat about your answers on which character would make the best real life companion from one of the bard's plays.

This week Alex and Jimmy recap on last weeks episode and are joined by special guest Rachel Pickup. They discuss their favourite Shakespeare quotes, some of the best ones sent in by you and the 'Merchant of Venice' Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode (yes that is correct)

In one of the darkest weeks of racism in the United States, Alex and Jimmy by chance find themselves exploring Shakespeare’s ‘The Merchant of Venice’. In part 1 of this two-part episode, they discuss fear of the other, the endless battle against extremism and what it means to be an outsider.

With Lucy Phelps.
In Episode 7, Alex and Jimmy step into the forest of Arden to explore love at first sight, angry Dukes and sibling rivalry in ‘As You Like It’.

They are joined by Lucy Phelps who played Rosalind for the Royal Shakespeare Company in yet another production that was interrupted by Coronavirus. They discuss the Bechdel Test, Queen Elizabeth 1’s feminist traits and the conspiracy theory behind the authorship question.

With Paapa Essiedu. In episode 3 Alex and Jimmy take on Hamlet. They discuss ghosts, the theme of madness, Danish Jeremy Kyle and a prince in isolation...

Their guest this week is Paapa Essiedu (The Miniaturist, Gangs of London) who played the iconic role for the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2016.

With Kristin Atherton. Alex and Jimmy come head to head in this episode on the first play they disagree about: Julius Caesar. They explore the morality of the characters, their different takes on the story and famous speeches. 

Their guest this week is RSC regular Kristin Atherton who has played both Cassius and Calpurnia.

With Kate Kennedy and David Moorst. In this episode Alex and Jimmy venture into the woods to explore ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. They share their own experiences of high school romances, unrequited loves and explore Shakespeare’s most famous love triangle.

This week’s guests are Kate Kennedy who played Helena in the BBC adaptation of the play and David Moorst who played Puck at the Bridge Theatre last year.

With James Northcote. In episode two Alex and Jimmy explore their first comedy ‘The Taming of the Shrew’. They compare it to the modern adaptation ‘10 Things I Hate About You’, as well as the musical ‘Kiss Me Kate’. They discuss teenage love, the art of wooing the opposite sex and whether this play is a fun story of flirtation, or a dangerous reminder of a pre- feminism age.

Their guest this week is James Northcote who last month played Lucentio at the Globe’s Sam Wanamaker Playhouse. The show was sadly cancelled due to covid-19. James has starred in films such as ‘The Imitation Game’ and ‘Anna Karenina’ but is most known to fans around the world for his role as Aldhem in Netflix series ‘The Last Kingdom’.

With Paul Tinto and Phoebe Sparrow. In the first episode Alex and Jimmy start with the Scottish play - Macbeth, written by Shakespeare whilst he was also in quarantine (for the black plague). Discussing the famous curse myth, witchcraft, ambition, guilt and loyalty as well as parallels between the bards work and modern classics such as  The Talented Mr Ripley and Breaking Bad.

They are joined by guests Paul Tinto (1917, Outlander, King Lear BBC) and Phoebe Sparrow (Downton Abbey). Paul and Phoebe starred as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in a UK national tour. They discuss the cancellation of the tour due to COVID-19, playing the roles and the famous curse of the play.

Shakespeare in Quarantine, hosted by Alexandra Evans (actor) and Jimmy Walters (director and Producer), is a weekly podcast exploring all things Shakespeare. Going our book club with a new plat and guest each week as we step inside the world of the bard.