Dr Andrea Smith
@audioandrea.bsky.social
Shakespeare, drama, radio. Often all at the same time. Lecturer in English and Creative Writing at University of Suffolk. Formerly BBC producer. My views.
https://linktr.ee/audioandrea
https://linktr.ee/audioandrea
Pinned
Dr Andrea Smith
@audioandrea.bsky.social
· May 12
It's lovely to have a copy of this in my hands!
#ShakespeareOnTheRadio 💀🎧
If you buy it from publishers @edinburghup.bsky.social and use the code NEW30, it's only just over £10.
edinburghuniversitypress.com/book-shakesp...
#RadioDrama #AudioDrama
#ShakespeareOnTheRadio 💀🎧
If you buy it from publishers @edinburghup.bsky.social and use the code NEW30, it's only just over £10.
edinburghuniversitypress.com/book-shakesp...
#RadioDrama #AudioDrama
Launch of first book by one of our #UniversityOfSuffolk #English PhD alumni last night.
Congratulations to Dr Andrew Worrall on the publication of The Inheritance of Peter Tye.
#CreativeWriting #NewNovel
Congratulations to Dr Andrew Worrall on the publication of The Inheritance of Peter Tye.
#CreativeWriting #NewNovel
November 11, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Launch of first book by one of our #UniversityOfSuffolk #English PhD alumni last night.
Congratulations to Dr Andrew Worrall on the publication of The Inheritance of Peter Tye.
#CreativeWriting #NewNovel
Congratulations to Dr Andrew Worrall on the publication of The Inheritance of Peter Tye.
#CreativeWriting #NewNovel
Some lovely tributes to Prunella Scales, including this in @radiotimes.bsky.social
But the best has been the extended interview with her son Samuel West for #BBCRadio4's #TheLastWord
Essential listening not only for fans of Prunella but for anyone interested in acting
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
But the best has been the extended interview with her son Samuel West for #BBCRadio4's #TheLastWord
Essential listening not only for fans of Prunella but for anyone interested in acting
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
November 7, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Some lovely tributes to Prunella Scales, including this in @radiotimes.bsky.social
But the best has been the extended interview with her son Samuel West for #BBCRadio4's #TheLastWord
Essential listening not only for fans of Prunella but for anyone interested in acting
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
But the best has been the extended interview with her son Samuel West for #BBCRadio4's #TheLastWord
Essential listening not only for fans of Prunella but for anyone interested in acting
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Reposted by Dr Andrea Smith
Naturally disappointed that journalist Betty Knox, who reported on the Goering trial, is not portrayed in the Russell Crowe 'Nuremberg' movie.
But, seeing as characters include Corporal Jones and Camp MP, they've obviously decided to play it for laughs.
But, seeing as characters include Corporal Jones and Camp MP, they've obviously decided to play it for laughs.
November 7, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Naturally disappointed that journalist Betty Knox, who reported on the Goering trial, is not portrayed in the Russell Crowe 'Nuremberg' movie.
But, seeing as characters include Corporal Jones and Camp MP, they've obviously decided to play it for laughs.
But, seeing as characters include Corporal Jones and Camp MP, they've obviously decided to play it for laughs.
Reposted by Dr Andrea Smith
Searching for the perfect Christmas comedy gift?
How about 'Bigamy Killed the Radio Star' (the birth of BBC comedy)?
Or 'It's Friday It's Crackerjack' (the entire history of a teatime TV classic).
Or everyone's favourite sand-dancing trio 'Wilson Keppel & Betty - Too Naked for the Nazis.'
Sorted!
How about 'Bigamy Killed the Radio Star' (the birth of BBC comedy)?
Or 'It's Friday It's Crackerjack' (the entire history of a teatime TV classic).
Or everyone's favourite sand-dancing trio 'Wilson Keppel & Betty - Too Naked for the Nazis.'
Sorted!
October 31, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Searching for the perfect Christmas comedy gift?
How about 'Bigamy Killed the Radio Star' (the birth of BBC comedy)?
Or 'It's Friday It's Crackerjack' (the entire history of a teatime TV classic).
Or everyone's favourite sand-dancing trio 'Wilson Keppel & Betty - Too Naked for the Nazis.'
Sorted!
How about 'Bigamy Killed the Radio Star' (the birth of BBC comedy)?
Or 'It's Friday It's Crackerjack' (the entire history of a teatime TV classic).
Or everyone's favourite sand-dancing trio 'Wilson Keppel & Betty - Too Naked for the Nazis.'
Sorted!
Great day at #AHTV
Lots of useful conversations (and now a notebook full of tips and ideas) about working with the media.
Lovely opportunity to see old friends and make new acquaintances.
Many thanks to the #AHRC & the #TVFoundation for organising.
Lots of useful conversations (and now a notebook full of tips and ideas) about working with the media.
Lovely opportunity to see old friends and make new acquaintances.
Many thanks to the #AHRC & the #TVFoundation for organising.
November 5, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Great day at #AHTV
Lots of useful conversations (and now a notebook full of tips and ideas) about working with the media.
Lovely opportunity to see old friends and make new acquaintances.
Many thanks to the #AHRC & the #TVFoundation for organising.
Lots of useful conversations (and now a notebook full of tips and ideas) about working with the media.
Lovely opportunity to see old friends and make new acquaintances.
Many thanks to the #AHRC & the #TVFoundation for organising.
As it's the first of the month, time for another #Shakespeare recommendation. Tomorrow is All Souls Day, so...
November: Hamlet
You can find a production starring Ronald Pickup on #BBCSounds with an introduction from me.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
#ShakespeareOnTheRadio 💀🎧
#RadioDrama #AudioDrama
November: Hamlet
You can find a production starring Ronald Pickup on #BBCSounds with an introduction from me.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
#ShakespeareOnTheRadio 💀🎧
#RadioDrama #AudioDrama
November 1, 2025 at 7:21 AM
As it's the first of the month, time for another #Shakespeare recommendation. Tomorrow is All Souls Day, so...
November: Hamlet
You can find a production starring Ronald Pickup on #BBCSounds with an introduction from me.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
#ShakespeareOnTheRadio 💀🎧
#RadioDrama #AudioDrama
November: Hamlet
You can find a production starring Ronald Pickup on #BBCSounds with an introduction from me.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
#ShakespeareOnTheRadio 💀🎧
#RadioDrama #AudioDrama
Reposted by Dr Andrea Smith
My biography of BBCs first comedy celebrity - Bigamy Killed the Radio Star - is currently 3,062,500 in the Amazon best-sellers list.
Let's see if we can get it into the top 2 million before Christmas!
Let's see if we can get it into the top 2 million before Christmas!
October 30, 2025 at 1:05 PM
My biography of BBCs first comedy celebrity - Bigamy Killed the Radio Star - is currently 3,062,500 in the Amazon best-sellers list.
Let's see if we can get it into the top 2 million before Christmas!
Let's see if we can get it into the top 2 million before Christmas!
Too right, @lizduffyadams.bsky.social!
Loved hearing her refute the nonsense that #Shakespeare wasn't clever enough to write the plays, as well as talking about her play #BornWithTeeth (including clips of the current West End production).
Recommended listening 🎧
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Loved hearing her refute the nonsense that #Shakespeare wasn't clever enough to write the plays, as well as talking about her play #BornWithTeeth (including clips of the current West End production).
Recommended listening 🎧
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Not Just the Tudors - Marlowe & Shakespeare: Rivals or Collaborators? - BBC Sounds
Exploring Dangerous Times: Playwrights, Politics, and Censorship in Elizabethan England
www.bbc.co.uk
October 30, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Too right, @lizduffyadams.bsky.social!
Loved hearing her refute the nonsense that #Shakespeare wasn't clever enough to write the plays, as well as talking about her play #BornWithTeeth (including clips of the current West End production).
Recommended listening 🎧
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Loved hearing her refute the nonsense that #Shakespeare wasn't clever enough to write the plays, as well as talking about her play #BornWithTeeth (including clips of the current West End production).
Recommended listening 🎧
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
#ShakespeareSurvey 78 has arrived 📕
Really looking forward to reading the #Audio #Shakespeare section (where you'll find my contribution), plus @benbroadribb.bsky.social's article on the Henry VI plays - personal faves of mine (and the subject of my MA dissertation)
www.cambridge.org/gb/universit...
Really looking forward to reading the #Audio #Shakespeare section (where you'll find my contribution), plus @benbroadribb.bsky.social's article on the Henry VI plays - personal faves of mine (and the subject of my MA dissertation)
www.cambridge.org/gb/universit...
October 29, 2025 at 8:33 PM
#ShakespeareSurvey 78 has arrived 📕
Really looking forward to reading the #Audio #Shakespeare section (where you'll find my contribution), plus @benbroadribb.bsky.social's article on the Henry VI plays - personal faves of mine (and the subject of my MA dissertation)
www.cambridge.org/gb/universit...
Really looking forward to reading the #Audio #Shakespeare section (where you'll find my contribution), plus @benbroadribb.bsky.social's article on the Henry VI plays - personal faves of mine (and the subject of my MA dissertation)
www.cambridge.org/gb/universit...
Wonderful event at Suffolk Archives to celebrate the 50th anniversary of #RadioOrwell
For those too young to remember, Radio Orwell was our news, our social media and our friend - predating BBC Radio Suffolk by 15 years.
#RadioMemories #Suffolk #Ipswich #Radio #LocalRadio
For those too young to remember, Radio Orwell was our news, our social media and our friend - predating BBC Radio Suffolk by 15 years.
#RadioMemories #Suffolk #Ipswich #Radio #LocalRadio
October 28, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Wonderful event at Suffolk Archives to celebrate the 50th anniversary of #RadioOrwell
For those too young to remember, Radio Orwell was our news, our social media and our friend - predating BBC Radio Suffolk by 15 years.
#RadioMemories #Suffolk #Ipswich #Radio #LocalRadio
For those too young to remember, Radio Orwell was our news, our social media and our friend - predating BBC Radio Suffolk by 15 years.
#RadioMemories #Suffolk #Ipswich #Radio #LocalRadio
Reposted by Dr Andrea Smith
🛩️ This time next week! Our #WolseyWriters theme is SPY STORIES in fiction, film & real life.
🛩️ w/ special guest author & historian Bob Pearson.
🛩️ SAT 1 NOV, 10:30am-12pm
🛩️ Creative writing at #NewWolsey Theatre, Ipswich #Suffolk
Pay what you feel ⤵️
www.wolseytheatre.co.uk/events/wolse...
🛩️ w/ special guest author & historian Bob Pearson.
🛩️ SAT 1 NOV, 10:30am-12pm
🛩️ Creative writing at #NewWolsey Theatre, Ipswich #Suffolk
Pay what you feel ⤵️
www.wolseytheatre.co.uk/events/wolse...
October 25, 2025 at 9:33 AM
🛩️ This time next week! Our #WolseyWriters theme is SPY STORIES in fiction, film & real life.
🛩️ w/ special guest author & historian Bob Pearson.
🛩️ SAT 1 NOV, 10:30am-12pm
🛩️ Creative writing at #NewWolsey Theatre, Ipswich #Suffolk
Pay what you feel ⤵️
www.wolseytheatre.co.uk/events/wolse...
🛩️ w/ special guest author & historian Bob Pearson.
🛩️ SAT 1 NOV, 10:30am-12pm
🛩️ Creative writing at #NewWolsey Theatre, Ipswich #Suffolk
Pay what you feel ⤵️
www.wolseytheatre.co.uk/events/wolse...
Translating #Shakespeare: Access and Mediation is out now!
I'm delighted to be part of this excellent group of scholars. Looking forward to reading this.
More info available here: link.springer.com/book/10.1007...
And you can get 20% off with the code: PALAUT
Congratulations to everyone involved 🎉📕
I'm delighted to be part of this excellent group of scholars. Looking forward to reading this.
More info available here: link.springer.com/book/10.1007...
And you can get 20% off with the code: PALAUT
Congratulations to everyone involved 🎉📕
October 27, 2025 at 8:23 AM
Translating #Shakespeare: Access and Mediation is out now!
I'm delighted to be part of this excellent group of scholars. Looking forward to reading this.
More info available here: link.springer.com/book/10.1007...
And you can get 20% off with the code: PALAUT
Congratulations to everyone involved 🎉📕
I'm delighted to be part of this excellent group of scholars. Looking forward to reading this.
More info available here: link.springer.com/book/10.1007...
And you can get 20% off with the code: PALAUT
Congratulations to everyone involved 🎉📕
It's been #graduation week at #UniversityOfSuffolk. Unfortunately my teaching commitments meant I couldn't attend the ceremony for my former students but a couple of my #English department colleagues were there and put together this lovely little video. Congratulations to everyone graduating 🎉
October 24, 2025 at 12:48 PM
It's been #graduation week at #UniversityOfSuffolk. Unfortunately my teaching commitments meant I couldn't attend the ceremony for my former students but a couple of my #English department colleagues were there and put together this lovely little video. Congratulations to everyone graduating 🎉
Our 2nd year University of Suffolk students have been studying #AsYouLikeIt this week - and this is a fab production. Pippa Nixon is glorious as Rosalind, while Johnny Flynn's music is soulful yet infectious. I guarantee you'll be singing along by the end 🎶
#Shakespeare
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...
#Shakespeare
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...
BBC Radio 3 - Drama on 3, As You Like It
Shakespeare's pastoral comedy of love, lust, cross-dressing and mistaken identity.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 24, 2025 at 6:43 AM
Our 2nd year University of Suffolk students have been studying #AsYouLikeIt this week - and this is a fab production. Pippa Nixon is glorious as Rosalind, while Johnny Flynn's music is soulful yet infectious. I guarantee you'll be singing along by the end 🎶
#Shakespeare
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...
#Shakespeare
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...
Reposted by Dr Andrea Smith
Wonderful surprise to see that Shakespeare Survey 78 is now out in the world, including a piece by yours truly on inter-English conflict in The Merry Wives of Windsor that I am actually quite proud of!
www.cambridge.org/core/books/a...
www.cambridge.org/core/books/a...
‘Here’s Company’: Fractured Englishness and Conflicted Communities in The Merry Wives of Windsor and Henry V - Shakespeare Survey 78
Shakespeare Survey 78 - October 2025
www.cambridge.org
October 14, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Wonderful surprise to see that Shakespeare Survey 78 is now out in the world, including a piece by yours truly on inter-English conflict in The Merry Wives of Windsor that I am actually quite proud of!
www.cambridge.org/core/books/a...
www.cambridge.org/core/books/a...
Reposted by Dr Andrea Smith
Very pleased to learn at the end of last week that my article for Shakespeare Survey 78, "The BBC's Television Adaptations of Henry VI and Britain's National Identity Crises," has now been published online. If you'd like to read it, here's the link: www.cambridge.org/core/books/a...
The BBC’s Television Adaptations of Henry VI and Britain’s National Identity Crises - Shakespeare Survey 78
Shakespeare Survey 78 - October 2025
www.cambridge.org
October 19, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Very pleased to learn at the end of last week that my article for Shakespeare Survey 78, "The BBC's Television Adaptations of Henry VI and Britain's National Identity Crises," has now been published online. If you'd like to read it, here's the link: www.cambridge.org/core/books/a...
Reposted by Dr Andrea Smith
Not heard in nearly three decades, today BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcasts Are You Still Awake? 15 minute plays starring real-life couples written by Russell Davies First episode with Prunella Scales & Timothy West was broadcast on Radio 3 28.11.94
October 20, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Not heard in nearly three decades, today BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcasts Are You Still Awake? 15 minute plays starring real-life couples written by Russell Davies First episode with Prunella Scales & Timothy West was broadcast on Radio 3 28.11.94
My chapter 'Shakespeare for Free: The Accessibility and Politics of Audio Shakespeare in Anglo-American Contexts' is out now in the book Translating Shakespeare Access and Mediation, edited by the brilliant pairing of Duncan Lees & @earlymodlancs.bsky.social
Here's the link: doi.org/10.1007/978-...
Here's the link: doi.org/10.1007/978-...
October 20, 2025 at 7:37 AM
My chapter 'Shakespeare for Free: The Accessibility and Politics of Audio Shakespeare in Anglo-American Contexts' is out now in the book Translating Shakespeare Access and Mediation, edited by the brilliant pairing of Duncan Lees & @earlymodlancs.bsky.social
Here's the link: doi.org/10.1007/978-...
Here's the link: doi.org/10.1007/978-...
Reposted by Dr Andrea Smith
Delighted to have an article in the latest edition of Intermission from @talkingpicturestv.bsky.social
'Desperately Seeking Betty' features some new research into Egyptian sand-dancers Wilson, Keppel & Betty - plus a previously unseen picture of the original Betty.
'Desperately Seeking Betty' features some new research into Egyptian sand-dancers Wilson, Keppel & Betty - plus a previously unseen picture of the original Betty.
October 4, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Delighted to have an article in the latest edition of Intermission from @talkingpicturestv.bsky.social
'Desperately Seeking Betty' features some new research into Egyptian sand-dancers Wilson, Keppel & Betty - plus a previously unseen picture of the original Betty.
'Desperately Seeking Betty' features some new research into Egyptian sand-dancers Wilson, Keppel & Betty - plus a previously unseen picture of the original Betty.
A couple of weeks ago, I had a great time at #IpswichBookFestival
This is me talking about Shakespeare's Henry V - the clip starts just after I mentioned Laurence Olivier's 1944 film.
Coincidentally Henry V was my #Shakespeare play choice for October
#ShakespeareOnTheRadio 💀🎧
#RadioDrama #AudioDrama
This is me talking about Shakespeare's Henry V - the clip starts just after I mentioned Laurence Olivier's 1944 film.
Coincidentally Henry V was my #Shakespeare play choice for October
#ShakespeareOnTheRadio 💀🎧
#RadioDrama #AudioDrama
October 18, 2025 at 7:00 AM
A couple of weeks ago, I had a great time at #IpswichBookFestival
This is me talking about Shakespeare's Henry V - the clip starts just after I mentioned Laurence Olivier's 1944 film.
Coincidentally Henry V was my #Shakespeare play choice for October
#ShakespeareOnTheRadio 💀🎧
#RadioDrama #AudioDrama
This is me talking about Shakespeare's Henry V - the clip starts just after I mentioned Laurence Olivier's 1944 film.
Coincidentally Henry V was my #Shakespeare play choice for October
#ShakespeareOnTheRadio 💀🎧
#RadioDrama #AudioDrama
*New Publication!*
Lovely end to the week - 'John Gielgud on Air: 65 Years of Performing Shakespeare on Radio' out now in Shakespeare Survey. It shows that not only was he a leading stage actor, but he was an audio drama pioneer too.
If you have access, here's the link: doi.org/10.1017/9781...
Lovely end to the week - 'John Gielgud on Air: 65 Years of Performing Shakespeare on Radio' out now in Shakespeare Survey. It shows that not only was he a leading stage actor, but he was an audio drama pioneer too.
If you have access, here's the link: doi.org/10.1017/9781...
October 17, 2025 at 4:55 PM
*New Publication!*
Lovely end to the week - 'John Gielgud on Air: 65 Years of Performing Shakespeare on Radio' out now in Shakespeare Survey. It shows that not only was he a leading stage actor, but he was an audio drama pioneer too.
If you have access, here's the link: doi.org/10.1017/9781...
Lovely end to the week - 'John Gielgud on Air: 65 Years of Performing Shakespeare on Radio' out now in Shakespeare Survey. It shows that not only was he a leading stage actor, but he was an audio drama pioneer too.
If you have access, here's the link: doi.org/10.1017/9781...
Last night my local news programme's opening report suggested an eSports degree is "more valuable" than studying #EnglishLiterature www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002kx17
I don't want to attack colleagues in other fields, but when will people realise the value of studying English (see also below 👇)
I don't want to attack colleagues in other fields, but when will people realise the value of studying English (see also below 👇)
October 16, 2025 at 5:53 AM
Last night my local news programme's opening report suggested an eSports degree is "more valuable" than studying #EnglishLiterature www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002kx17
I don't want to attack colleagues in other fields, but when will people realise the value of studying English (see also below 👇)
I don't want to attack colleagues in other fields, but when will people realise the value of studying English (see also below 👇)
Reposted by Dr Andrea Smith
Thank you @burylitfest.bsky.social & Bury St Eds Library for a beautiful event yesterday celebrating East Anglian Voices. I was honoured to appear w/ Emily Buchanan, Ashley Hickson-Lovence & Lisa Brennan. A wonderfully energising & thoughtful conversation w/ a brilliant audience #suffolk #booksky 📚💙
October 12, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Thank you @burylitfest.bsky.social & Bury St Eds Library for a beautiful event yesterday celebrating East Anglian Voices. I was honoured to appear w/ Emily Buchanan, Ashley Hickson-Lovence & Lisa Brennan. A wonderfully energising & thoughtful conversation w/ a brilliant audience #suffolk #booksky 📚💙
Reposted by Dr Andrea Smith
October 12, 2025 at 12:41 PM