Personal Oxfordian Milestones

Steven is flying solo this week to share his personal progression as an Oxfordian, from his first introduction to the Shakespeare Authorship Question as teenager, to his progression as a proponent of the belief that the secret to the mystery lies in the question of the succession of the English throne. He touches on his personal milestones, the books and influences that have shaped his views, and the way the past 100 years of the Oxfordian movement may shape the future.

Begin at the Beguine

Dorothea Dickerman returns as Steven’s guest to discuss why the 3649 lines of poetry in "Venus and Adonis" and "The Rape of Lucrece" are well worth the read for Quillers on the trail of the Shakespeare authorship mystery. Dorothea uses her background as a lawyer to delve into Tudor law, politics, and first and third party historical documents to explain the details of these two epic poems, and why the works were part of a high stakes personal and political battle over the family secrets behind the verses.

Social Media for Skeptics

Virginia Tech English Professor Shelly Maycock joins Steven to discuss the history and importance of the popular ShakesVere Facebook Group. Together, they explore how Shelly became the principal moderator of the Group Page, the rules of the Page, how it functions as a forum for authorship skeptics, and the great user-generated content that regularly occurs on the Page.

Going Gonzo

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Steven welcomes Emmy Award-winning composer and Shakespeare Authorship educator, Daniel Steven Crafts, to discuss his creation of Gonzo Opera and the class he teaches on the Shakespeare Authorship Question for the University of New Mexico extension program. Daniel also talks about a new book project he is putting together with a collection of ad hominem attacks and insults authorship skeptics have received from establishment Stratfordians.

An Honourable Dedication

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Steven welcomes Bonner Miller Cutting, author of "Necessary Mischief," back to the series to discuss her interpretation of the most glowing dedication of "Venus and Adonis" to the 3rd Earl of Southampton. Together they explore the implications the epic poem and its famous dedication could have had at the time of its publishing and the appearance of the name "William Shakespeare" for the very first time.

Translating Irish Clues

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Steven welcomes Dublin-based lawyer, Rosemary O'Loughlin, to the series to discuss her discovery of what she believes are Oxfordian allusions contained within Irish playwright Brian Friel's play, "Translations." Rosemary is also the winner of the 2019 "Who Wrote Shakespeare?" Video Contest, as well as one of the social media managers of the De Vere Society in the United Kingdom. She and Steven also explore the importance of social media to the Shakespeare Authorship Question.

Quiller Clare Conversions

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All the way from the Turks and Caicos Islands, Steven talks with international listener, Clare Jaget (aka Quiller Clare), about how she became an Oxfordian, discovered our show, and what it was like to arrange a gathering of friends to hear a presentation on the Shakespeare Authorship Question. It was indeed a dinner party to remember.

Shakespeare on Film

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Steven welcomes his wife, actress Annie Sabel, back to the program to discuss some of their favorite Shakespearean film adaptations, and some of the stinkers they can't bear to watch. From Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet, to Baz Lurman's Romeo & Juliet, Laurence Fishburne as Othello, to Josh Whedon's Much Ado About Nothing and more. Find out which films get the two thumbs up, and which ones get the raspberries from the Sabels.

Good Night, Sweet Prince?

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Steven welcomes William Boyle, retired librarian and founder of the New England Shakespeare Oxford Library, to discuss his 40-year history with Oxfordianism and why the controversial Prince Tudor theory of Shakespeare authorship continues to intrigue many who are interested in the Shakespeare Authorship Question and its history dating back to the 1930s.