In a departure from my usual subjects, this episode analyses two video games - "The Last of Us" and "The Last of Us 2", both by Naughty Dog. The analysis discusses post-apocalyptic literature, 'ordinary violence' and revenge tragedy. Contains spoilers of both games.

This episode of Stage Blether offers a brief history of the phenomenon of the 'emergency'. It is recorded at the beginning of UK responses to the global pandemic caused by the Covid 19 virus, and also speaks to the peculiarities of the states of emergency and emergency measures that are being implemented in response to this pandemic.

This episode discusses my forthcoming book "Precarious Spectatorship: Theatre and image in an age of emergencies" (Manchester University Press, 2019). Many of the ideas in this book were first trialled on the Stage Blether podcast, so my heartfelt thanks to anybody and everybody who has listened over the last few years. Topics discussed include Islamic State, States of Emergency, the Refugee Crisis and storytelling.

This episode reviews Robert Icke's Dutch Language production of "Oedipus" at the Kings Theatre in Edinburgh, part of the Edinburgh International Festival. The general conversation is about the ways in which this production relocates Oedipus in a world of post-truth, and the ways in which Sophocles' text still presents challenges to contemporary audiences.

Episode 10: Wonder by Sam Haddow

Episode 6: Carnival! by Sam Haddow

Episode 8: The Name of Terrorism by Sam Haddow

Episode 9 Impossible Communities by Sam Haddow

Episode 3: Haunted Houses by Sam Haddow

Episode 7: Fighting with Images by Sam Haddow