Musing on the Bard: a podcast for the Shakespeare curious

Musing on the Bard: Episode 11 - Frank Collison (A Shakespeare & Acting Podcast)

Welcome to the bumper final episode of of Musing on the Bard: a podcast for the Shakespeare curious for 2025, hosted by Australian actor, Sally McLean, featuring today's guest, the fascinating American actor: Frank Collison.Known to Shakespeare Republic audiences for playing the award-winning role of "Prospero" in Shakespeare Republic: #AllTheWebsAStage (The Lockdown Chronicles), Frank Collison is a Los Angeles based actor and now, writer. Frank earned a BA at SF State during the late 60’s. He performed street theatre in San Francisco then moved up to the Sierra Nevada mountains where he helped establish Pinecrest Theatre.After earning an MFA at UC San Diego, Frank became a traveling player who once toured 39,000 miles performing as “Miss Havisham” in Great Expectations. He has also acted in Montana, Boston and Louisiana, at Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts and Denver Center.Finally settling in Los Angeles in the mid 80’s, Frank was a founding member of Pacific Resident Theatre, now in it’s 40th year. He continued his theatre career at PRT, the Bilingual Foundation of the Arts, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Los Angeles Theatre Center, The Rogue Machine and The Road.Frank has supported his theatre career with his work in film, television and voice-over. Most notable work is as “Horace Bing” a series regular on Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, O Brother Where Art Thou?, The Village, Wild at Heart, and Twin Peaks.Join Frank and podcast host, Sally McLean, as they discuss Frank's time performing during the Vietnam War protests, his vast experience in American theatre from childhood to now, the power of theatre to inspire change, thoughts on the casting process as an actor, creating character, the demands of performing Shakespeare, the perils of audience interaction and much, much more in this wide-ranging and insightful conversation.To find out more about Frank and his work, visit his IMDB profile at https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0172806/ or his Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/frank.collison.7/ and read his bio in full at https://musingonthebard.com/about-our-guests/frank-collison/Watch Frank playing "Prospero" for Shakespeare Republic (Season Three) here: https://youtu.be/sn3NLXUEc7A?si=c2HRviZlxAXJw5IzThis is our final episode for 2025, and we wish all our listeners and supporters a wonderful holiday break, filled with love and light. We will be back in mid-2026.Season One of Musing on the Bard features a plethora of fascinating guests from Australia, the UK and the USA discussing Shakespeare, acting, creativity and more. Head to our official site for all listening links and more information: https://www.musingonthebard.com and don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss a thing!As always, our fab Patreon patrons get early access to this episode before it goes live to the public, and those on the $10+ tiers can access the full video version of this episode, where you can see Leo and Sally chatting - as well as hear them! You can join our Patreon here: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/incognitaenterprises⁠Musing on the Bard: a podcast for the Shakespeare curious releases episodes on Wednesdays (AEST) and is supported by a Small Grant from the British Shakespeare Association.Produced by Incognita Enterprises.Created, edited and presented by Sally McLean.Opening credits music: "Violin Energy" by Stanislav BarantsovQuickfire round music: "Demolition Runner" by SoundbayEnd Credits music: "Good Vibe" by VItalii Iegorov (Twisterium)Music used under license from Pixabay & Storyblocks.With thanks to our Patreon Patrons for continuing to support our work.

Musing on the Bard: Episode 10 - Phoebe Anne Taylor (A Shakespeare & Acting Podcast)

Welcome to the penultimate episode of Season 1 of Musing on the Bard: a podcast for the Shakespeare curious, hosted by Australian actor, Sally McLean, featuring today's guest, the wonderful Australian actor: Phoebe Anne Taylor.Known to Shakespeare Republic audiences for playing the award-winning roles of "Sebastian" and "Launce" in Shakespeare Republic and "Jane Porter" in Dark Arcadia, Phoebe Anne Taylor is a Melbourne based theatre maker, actor and writer. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Honours in Creative Writing from the University of Melbourne and Honours in Performance from Monash University, and was a graduate of the inaugural Full Time ensemble of the Howard Fine Acting Studio Australia.In 2019, Phoebe became an alumni of the Arteles Creative Centre in Finland, having completed the Silence Awareness Existence residency. She was awarded runner up for her work in the 2020 Alpine Fellowship International Theatre Writing prize, and has had work produced at La Mama and the Butterfly Club.Theatre acting credits include “Ricki” in Apples and Shoes’ the art of f*cking and no blinding light, both of which she also wrote, performed at La Mama & Adelaide Fringe, a vocalist in Old Man Nanook for 3Mask, “Maya (Marcus)” in Four Letter Word Theatre’s Titus Andronicus and “Naomi” in Speak English or Die.Film credits include “Raylene” in Michael Liparota’s Raylene and Charlie, “Jasmine” in Liam Firmager’s Revelation and Jaklene Vukasinovic’s Firelight.Phoebe is also a regular narrator for the Vision Australia Information Library Service and has narrated several audio books for various publishers.Join Phoebe and podcast host, Sally McLean, as they discuss the value of casting well, how to keep your sanity as a producer, a healthy way to approach acting process, what value does the iambic pentameter really have, the importance of deprogramming, the nature of poetics and language, the importance of context and much, much more in this wide-ranging and insightful conversation.To find out more about Phoebe and her work, visit her Instagram profile at https://www.instagram.com/thingsfromiso/ and read her bio in full at https://musingonthebard.com/about-our-guests/phoebe-anne-taylor/You can watch Phoebe playing "Sebastian" for Shakespeare Republic (Season Two) here: https://youtu.be/pdu73YF3h-4?si=e5_g3N_8BK56GsoVAnd her playing "Launce" for Shakespeare Republic (Season Three) here: https://youtu.be/jvQsq9US0zk?si=r_xzCDTHnMfFhEW0And you can watch Phoebe as "Jane Porter" in Dark Arcadia here: https://youtu.be/1q0lBi08hzQ?si=F8op8gX1PrfEW6_YTo hear Phoebe reading the audiobook of her father, Hugh R Taylor's memoir Opening Eyes (as mentioned in the interview), head to Audible here: https://www.audible.com.au/pd/Opening-Eyes-Audiobook/B0FMBKT733Season One of Musing on the Bard features a plethora of fascinating guests from Australia, the UK and the USA discussing Shakespeare, acting, creativity and more. Head to our official site for all listening links and more information: https://www.musingonthebard.com and don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss a thing!As always, our fab Patreon patrons get early access to this episode before it goes live to the public, and those on the $10+ tiers can access the full video version of this episode, where you can see Leo and Sally chatting - as well as hear them! You can join our Patreon here: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/incognitaenterprises⁠Musing on the Bard: a podcast for the Shakespeare curious releases episodes on Wednesdays (AEST) and is supported by a Small Grant from the British Shakespeare Association.Produced by Incognita Enterprises.Created, edited and presented by Sally McLean.Opening credits music: "Violin Energy" by Stanislav BarantsovQuickfire round music: "Demolition Runner" by SoundbayEnd Credits music: "Good Vibe" by VItalii Iegorov (Twisterium)Music used under license from Pixabay & Storyblocks.With thanks to our Patreon Patrons for continuing to support our work.

Musing on the Bard: Episode 9 - Leo Atkin (A Shakespeare & Acting Podcast)

Welcome to Musing on the Bard: a podcast for the Shakespeare curious, hosted by Australian actor, Sally McLean, and featuring today's guest, the wonderful British actor: Leo Atkin.Known to Shakespeare Republic audiences for playing the award-winning role of "Puck" in Shakespeare Republic: #AllTheWebsAStage (The Lockdown Chronicles), Leo has been an actor for 40 years, and has been privileged to perform in some of the most beautiful and historic theatres in the world, as well as some of the most wonderful castles in Europe, including the Manoel Theatre, Malta, Schloss Hohenzollern (apparently the model for the castle in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) and Lenzburg Castle, among others.Theatre credits include Twelfth Night, See How They Run, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, King Lear touring Europe, Scandinavia, and most memorably, Japan, The Old Curiosity Shop, Merchant Of Venice, Dick Whittington, Beauty And The Beast, Treasure Island, the cult musical Saucy Jack And The Space Vixens at the Albany Stage for the National Theatre and almost 2 years as “George”, the boxing coach, and covering “Billy’s Dad”, in Billy Elliot The Musical UK and International tour.TV credits include dramas Coronation Street, Doctors, Merseybeat, Coasting and 999 for the BBC, the second series of Sky TV’s Brassic, and the BBC comedy series, The First Team.Join Leo and podcast host, Sally McLean, as they discuss the countries who love Shakespeare almost more than the British (one was rather surprising), the value of performing Shakespeare in your natural accent, the most important trait required to tackle Shakespeare as an actor, the danger of homogenising Shakespeare's works, the pros and cons of amateur theatre, how Sally approaches casting Shakespeare Republic and much, much more in this wide-ranging and insightful conversation - available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible and more.To find out more about Leo and his work, visit his IMDB profile at https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1692728/ and read his bio in full at https://musingonthebard.com/about-our-guests/leo-atkin/You can watch Leo playing "Puck" for Shakespeare Republic here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2FKVss38ggAnd you can find out how you can see Leo live in action in Manchester in The Polar Express Experience here: https://www.polarexpressbelievemanchester.co.uk/Season One of Musing on the Bard features a plethora of fascinating guests from Australia, the UK and the USA discussing Shakespeare, acting, creativity and more. Head to our official site for all listening links and more information: https://www.musingonthebard.com and don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss a thing!As always, our fab Patreon patrons get early access to this episode before it goes live to the public, and those on the $10+ tiers can access the full video version of this episode, where you can see Leo and Sally chatting - as well as hear them! You can join our Patreon here: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/incognitaenterprises⁠Musing on the Bard: a podcast for the Shakespeare curious releases episodes every Wednesday (AEST) and is supported by a Small Grant from the British Shakespeare Association.Produced by Incognita Enterprises.Created, edited and presented by Sally McLean.Opening credits music: "Violin Energy" by Stanislav BarantsovQuickfire round music: "Demolition Runner" by SoundbayEnd Credits music: "Good Vibe" by VItalii Iegorov (Twisterium)Music used under license from Pixabay & Storyblocks.With thanks to our Patreon Patrons for continuing to support our work.

Musing on the Bard: Episode 8: Yolanda Ovide (A Shakespeare & Acting Podcast)

Welcome to Musing on the Bard: a podcast for the Shakespeare curious, hosted by Australian actor, Sally McLean, and featuring today's guest, the wonderful British actor: Yolanda Ovide.Known to Shakespeare Republic audiences for playing the award-winning role of "Juliet" in Shakespeare Republic: #AllTheWebsAStage (The Lockdown Chronicles), a performance that won her Best Supporting Actress in a Drama at the 2021 British Web Awards in the UK, Yolanda trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA) in the UK. Since graduating, she has appeared in numerous professional theatre productions, most recently: Noughts & Crosses at Regents Park Open Air Theatre, Alterations at the National Theatre, Slave: A Question Of Freedom at Riverside Studios & on Tour, Gangs Of New York and The Importance Of Being Earnest at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre, Jitney at The Old Vic Theatre, Splintered at Soho Theatre, Groan Ups UK Tour for Mischief Theatre and Unbelievable at The Criterion Theatre, which also marked her West End Debut.Join Yolanda and podcast host, Sally McLean, as they discuss the challenges of filming Shakespeare in your car in full view of the neighbours, will Shakespeare always be a staple of the theatre, why you should do things that scare you, how Sally gained the support of Sir Nigel Hawthorne as her Honorary Patron, the importance of having a sense of play as artists and people generally, how curiosity is vital as an actor and much, much more in this wide-ranging, joyful and insightful conversation - available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible and more.To find out more about Yolanda and her work, visit her at https://www.instagram.com/yoyoyo147 and read her bio in full at https://musingonthebard.com/about-our-guests/yolanda-ovide/You can watch Yolanda playing "Juliet" for Shakespeare Republic here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYWOBzcr604And you can see Yolanda in Alterations for the National Theatre, UK on the National Theatre at Home site here: https://www.ntathome.com/alterationsSeason One of Musing on the Bard features a plethora of fascinating guests from Australia, the UK and the USA discussing Shakespeare, acting, creativity and more. Head to our official site for all listening links and more information: https://www.musingonthebard.com and don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss a thing!As always, our fab Patreon patrons get early access to this episode before it goes live to the public, and those on the $10+ tiers can access the full video version of this episode, where you can see Yolanda and Sally chatting - as well as hear them! You can join our Patreon here: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/incognitaenterprises⁠Musing on the Bard: a podcast for the Shakespeare curious releases episodes every Wednesday (AEST) and is supported by a Small Grant from the British Shakespeare Association.Produced by Incognita Enterprises.Created, edited and presented by Sally McLean.Opening credits music: "Violin Energy" by Stanislav BarantsovQuickfire round music: "Demolition Runner" by SoundbayEnd Credits music: "Good Vibe" by VItalii Iegorov (Twisterium)Music used under license from Pixabay & Storyblocks.With thanks to our Patreon Patrons for continuing to support our work.

Musing on the Bard: Episode 7: Tim Constantine (A Shakespeare & Acting Podcast)

Welcome to Musing on the Bard: a podcast for the Shakespeare curious, hosted by Australian actor, Sally McLean, and featuring today's guest, the fabulous Australian actor: Tim Constantine.Known to Shakespeare Republic audiences for playing the award-winning role of "Hamlet" in Shakespeare Republic: #AllTheWebsAStage (The Lockdown Chronicles), Tim's stage roles include “Jerry” in Pinter’s Betrayal; “Freddie Filmore” in It’s A Wonderful Life; “David O. Selznick” in Moonlight & Magnolias; “Louis Ironson” in Angels in America; “Lady Bracknell” in The Importance of Being Earnest; “Rosencrantz” in Rosencrantz and Guldenstern Are Dead; “Randall McMurphy” in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest; and “Lord Alfred Douglas” (‘Bosie’) in both The Judas Kiss and Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde.Tim also originated the role of “Captain Moonlite” (bushranger, lay-preacher, ‘madman’, and queer icon) in the acclaimed Moonlite – a new Australian musical play by bestselling author Gabriel Bergmoser. People might also have caught him in the usual line-up of Australian TV shows, including Underbelly, City Homicide and Neighbours.Join Tim and podcast host, Sally McLean, as they discuss how best to approach Shakespeare as a newbie, the realities of being a working actor, mental health in the industry, how to bring yourself to Shakespeare when performing his characters, which of Shakespeare's plays they're not fans of and why, did Shakespeare have a problem with women and much, much more in this wide-ranging, fun and insightful conversation - available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible and more.To find out more about Tim and his work, visit him at https://www.instagram.com/tim_actor_bibliophileTo read his full biography, head to: https://musingonthebard.com/about-our-guests/tim-constantine/You can watch Tim playing "Hamlet" for Shakespeare Republic here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eePFJa7En-gSeason One of Musing on the Bard features a plethora of fascinating guests from Australia, the UK and the USA discussing Shakespeare, acting, creativity and more. Head to our official site for all listening links and more information: https://www.musingonthebard.com and don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss a thing!As always, our fab Patreon patrons get early access to this episode before it goes live to the public, and those on the $10+ tiers can access the full video version of this episode, where you can see Tim and Sally chatting - as well as hear them! You can join our Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/incognitaenterprisesMusing on the Bard: a podcast for the Shakespeare curious releases episodes every Wednesday (AEST) and is supported by a Small Grant from the British Shakespeare Association.Produced by Incognita Enterprises.Created, edited and presented by Sally McLean.Opening credits music: "Violin Energy" by Stanislav BarantsovQuickfire round music: "Demolition Runner" by SoundbayEnd Credits music: "Good Vibe" by VItalii Iegorov (Twisterium)Music used under license from Pixabay & Storyblocks.With thanks to our Patreon Patrons for continuing to support our work.