Helen is simply one of the best historians currently writing, and it was a privilege to interview her for my Substack. The link is here.
Substack: interview with Darren Freebury-Jones
A Q&A with Darren Freebury-Jones, author of a fascinating new book which shows us Shakespeare at work among the players and playwrights of the English Renaissance.
Thoughts among the noise: talking poetry with Rachel Stirling
Earlier this year I talked with writer and reviewer Rachel Stirling about the writing and reading of poetry. The conversation appeared on Rachel's blog in June, so I'm reposting here now on mine. RACHEL: When did you know that you wanted to write? MATHEW: Quite early on I think. I can’t really remember a time... Continue Reading →
John Lyly and Early Modern Authorship: an interview with Andy Kesson
Last week saw the launch of Andy Kesson’s brilliant new book John Lyly and Early Modern Authorship, which makes an eloquent and powerful case for both the quality of Lyly’s work and its importance to early modern literature as we understand it. It is full of fascinating insights into literary and print culture and commerce... Continue Reading →
Sex, money and morality: Thomas Middleton’s A Trick To Catch The Old One
Few people would disagree that Shakespeare's shadow has served to obscure a great number of superb plays and playwrights. But Thomas Middleton has a good case for being the most unjustly neglected of them all. I was delighted to discover, therefore, that Mercurius, the independent production company run by my friend Jenny Eastop, was planning... Continue Reading →
The borders of historical fiction and non-fiction: a conversation with Nancy Bilyeau
Last year I reviewed Nancy Bilyeau's excellent début Tudor thriller, The Crown which is set during the dissolution of the monasteries. Its sequel, The Chalice, is being published in the UK by Orion on February 28; and in North America by Simon & Schuster on March 5. Nancy has kindly agreed to take part in... Continue Reading →
Mathew Lyons 