Press Coverage

Republic members Christopher Kirby, Sally McLean and Billy Smedley with fellow attendees Adelaide Harding and Richard Grounds Jnr. on the St Kilda Film Festival red carpet on May 18 (Photo by Jim Lee)

“… the play’s the thing …” – William Shakespeare, Hamlet (Act II, Sc 2)


IN THE MEDIA:

No Rest for the Weekend Podcast Interview – May 2021
In-depth review with Republic creator/director, Sally McLean and discussion about how we made Shakespeare Republic Season Three – #AllTheWebsAStage (The Lockdown Chronicles)
https://behindtherabbitproductions.wordpress.com/2021/05/12/episode-908-sally-mclean/

Review of Shakespeare Republic – February 2021
In-depth review and academic analysis of Shakespeare Republic Seasons One & Two in Borrowers and Lenders: The Journal of Shakespeare and Appropriation
http://www.borrowers.uga.edu/784650/show

Online theatre emerges from the wings – January 2021
Interview with Republic creator/director, Sally McLean in The Age about filming Shakespeare Republic: #AllTheWebsAStage (The Lockdown Chronicles)
https://www.theage.com.au/culture/theatre/online-theatre-emerges-from-the-wings-20210114-p56u3c.html

Sally McLean Talks All Things Shakespeare And Republic On The Bard Brunch Podcast Out Of NYC – January 2021
Interview with Republic creator/director, Sally McLean on the Bard Brunch podcast with Genny Yosco about filming Shakespeare Republic: #AllTheWebsAStage (The Lockdown Chronicles)
https://shakespearerepublic.com/2021/01/19/sally-mclean-talks-all-things-shakespeare-and-republic-on-the-bard-brunch-podcast-out-of-nyc/

Sally McLean talks Shakespeare Republic on ABC Melbourne Radio – December 2020
Interview with Republic creator/director, Sally McLean on the ABC Radio program, Saturday Afternoon with Shelley Ware about filming Shakespeare Republic: #AllTheWebsAStage (The Lockdown Chronicles) and the series’ win for Best Web Series of All Genres at the 2020 Asia Web Awards.
https://shakespearerepublic.com/2020/12/15/republic-creator-director-interviewed-on-abc-radio-about-latest-season-of-the-series/

Aussie Shakespeare series wins big internationally – December 2020
Article in FilmInk about Shakespeare Republic: #AllTheWebsAStage (The Lockdown Chronicles) wins at the New York City WebFest for Best International Series and Best Director
https://bit.ly/filmrepublic

Catorce proyectos de series web pugnan por la Luna de València en Cinema Jove – November 2020
Article in La Vanguardia about the 14 web series officially selected for Cinema Jove and in competition for the La Luna de València award for the best series, including Shakespeare Republic: #AllTheWebsAStage (The Lockdown Chronicles)
https://www.lavanguardia.com/vida/20201117/49523661762/catorce-proyectos-de-series-web-pugnan-por-la-luna-de-valencia-en-cinema-jove.html

Las webseries de Cinema Jove abordan la homosexualidad, la inmigración y el estigma de la enfermedad mental – November 2020
Article in 20 Minutos about the 14 web series officially selected for Cinema Jove and in competition for the La Luna de València award for the best series, including Shakespeare Republic: #AllTheWebsAStage (The Lockdown Chronicles)
https://www.20minutos.es/noticia/4477711/0/las-webseries-de-cinema-jove-abordan-la-homosexualidad-la-inmigracion-y-el-estigma-de-la-enfermedad-mental/

Les ‘websèries’ de Cinema Jove obrin debats sobre l’homosexualitat, la immigració, la intel·ligència artificial i l’estigma de la malaltia mental – November 2020
Article in Valencia Extra about the 14 web series officially selected for Cinema Jove and in competition for the La Luna de València award for the best series, including Shakespeare Republic: #AllTheWebsAStage (The Lockdown Chronicles)
https://valenciaextra.com/webseries-de-cinema-jove-2020/

2020 NYC Web Fest Announces Line-Up & Award Nominees Ahead of Virtual Festival – October 2020
Article in Celebmix.com about the 2020 New York City Web Fest and announcement of award nominees, including mentions of Shakespeare Republic: #AllTheWebsAStage (The Lockdown Chronicles) nominations for Best Original Concept, Best International Web Series and Best Director
https://celebmix.com/2020-nyc-web-fest-announces-line-up-award-nominees/

Creating, directing and adapting a series over Zoom – September 2020
Interview with Republic creator/director, Sally McLean, in Mornington Peninsula Magazine about the making of the new season – Shakespeare Republic: #AllTheWebsAStage (The Lockdown Chronicles)
https://www.morningtonpeninsulamagazine.com.au/creating-directing-and-adapting-a-series-over-zoom/

Sally McLean on Shakespeare in a pandemic – August 2020
In-depth interview with Republic creator/director, Sally McLean, in Limelight Magazine about the making of the new season – Shakespeare Republic: #AllTheWebsAStage (The Lockdown Chronicles)
https://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/features/sally-mclean-on-shakespeare-in-a-pandemic/

Melbourne Shakespeare Digital Series Filmed On Three Continents And In Lockdown – August 2020
Article on Theatre People about the new season – Shakespeare Republic: #AllTheWebsAStage (The Lockdown Chronicles)
https://www.theatrepeople.com.au/melbourne-shakespeare-digital-series-filmed-on-three-continents-and-in-lockdown/

Award-winning Shakespeare Series Premieres Season Filmed On Three Continents Entirely In Lockdown – August 2020
Article on BroadwayWorld.com about the new season – Shakespeare Republic: #AllTheWebsAStage (The Lockdown Chronicles)
https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/Award-winning-Shakespeare-Series-Premieres-Season-Filmed-On-Three-Continents-Entirely-In-Lockdown-20200813

Award-winning director Sally McLean premieres new digital series filmed on three continents in lockdown – August 2020
Article on AussieTheatre.com about the new season – Shakespeare Republic: #AllTheWebsAStage (The Lockdown Chronicles)
https://aussietheatre.com.au/news/award-winning-director-sally-mclean-premieres-new-digital-series-filmed-on-three-continents-in-lockdown

Award-winning Director Sally McLean Premieres New Digital Series Filmed on Three Continents Entirely in Lockdown – August 2020
Article on Filmink about the new season – Shakespeare Republic: #AllTheWebsAStage (The Lockdown Chronicles)
http://bit.ly/filminksr

Meet Sally McLean, the award-winning actress, screenwriter, director and playwright with a passion for Shakespeare | Melbourne WebFest Advisory Board – June 2020
Announcement about Republic Creator, Sally McLean, joining the MWF Advisory Board with an interview with Sally about her take on web series.
https://melbournewebfest.com/sallymclean-advisoryboard/

How Do You Do You? Sally McLean – November 2018
In depth interview on podcast “How Do You Do You?” with Republic Creator/Director, Sally McLean with a focus on her creative processes as actor/director
https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/how-do-you-do-you/id1439843325#

Sally McLean: All The World’s A Stage – October 2018
Feature interview on FilmInk with Creator/Director, Sally McLean focusing on her career to date as actor, writer & director
https://www.filmink.com.au/sally-mclean-worlds-stage/

OffBeat Interview with Sally McLean – September 2018
Interview on “Offbeat” TV show on RMITV with Republic Creator/Director, Sally McLean, about her work with Shakespeare.
https://www.facebook.com/makelivetv/videos/612453622482206/?t=478

“Speaking Daggers”, showcases crème of Aussie talent, screens at NIFF – July 2018
Article in IndieActivity.com about Speaking Daggers’ selection at the 2018 Noosa International Film Festival and updates on Shakespeare Republic
https://www.indieactivity.com/speaking-daggers-showcases-creme-of-aussie-talent-screens-niff/

Chillpak Hollywood Hour #581 – July 2018
Weekly podcast about all things Hollywood and creativity, hosted by Dean Haglund and Phil Leirness, with a discussion in the first 15 minutes about Shakespeare Republic and Dean’s work in the series.
http://chillpakhollywood.com/chillpak-hollywood-hour-581/

Can Michala Banas hit the post? – May 2018
The fabulous Michala Banas being interviewed on Nova FM Breakfast about Speaking Daggers’ screening at the 2018 St Kilda Film Festival, plus other fun things (full interview + video)
https://www.novafm.com.au/show/chrissie-sam-browny/michala-banas-hit-the-post/

Talking Shakespeare with Sally McLean – April 2018
Interview with Shakespeare Republic creator, Sally McLean by Catherine Hallam at Howard Fine Acting Studio Australia, discussing Shakespeare and Sally’s return to teaching Shakespeare at the studio
https://www.howardfinestudio.com.au/blog/2018/4/16/talking-shakespeare-with-sally-mclean

El ‘Carballo Interplay’ arranca este miércoles (The ‘Carballo Interplay’ starts on Wednesday) – April 2018
Article about the 2018 Carballo Interplay festival, including the mention of Shakespeare Republic’s official selection and nomination.
http://www.europapress.es/galicia/noticia-carballo-interplay-arranca-miercoles-20180404081933.html

OZZIES 2018: NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED FOR INAUGURAL OZFLIX AWARDS – April 2018
Article about the inaugural Ozflix Awards mentioning Shakespeare Republic’s nomination for “Best Web Series”
https://thereelbits.com/2018/04/03/ozzies-2018-nominations-announced-for-inaugural-ozflix-awards/

Interview with Shakespeare Republic creator/director, Sally McLean – April 2018
In-depth interview with Sally McLean about her life, career and work with Shakespeare on screen with Vaishnavi Sundar at Women Making Films
http://www.wmfindia.com/blogs/australian-multi-hyphenate-sally-mclean-shakespeare-republic/

Or So the Web Series Go(es): Women in Web Series Shout-Out #1 (Sally McLean) – December 2017
Article in Stareable (USA) about Shakespeare Republic and creator/director, Sally McLean as the first featured female content creator in this new series of articles about the web series world.
http://community.stareable.com/t/or-so-the-web-series-go-es-women-in-web-series-shout-out-1-sally-mclean/3462

The Act Of Storytelling: Ch02.Podcast05 Sally McLean – November 2017
Nick and Lauren discuss ‘holding the line’, creating space and being present before turning their attention to a great conversation, and a lot of laughter, with actress, producer, writer, Shakespeare Republic creator and Melbourne WebFest General Manager, Sally McLean.
https://theactofstorytelling.com.au/stories/sally-mclean

First Annual Baltimore New Media Web Fest is a smash – November 2017
Article about the inaugural Baltimore New Media Web Fest, with mention of Shakespeare Republic
http://us.blastingnews.com/showbiz-tv/2017/11/first-annual-baltimore-new-media-web-fest-is-a-smash-002147111.html

The 4th Annual NYC Web Fest Nominations Have Been Revealed – October 2017
Article about the 2017 New York City Web Fest nominees, including Shakespeare Republic
http://celebmix.com/4th-annual-nyc-web-fest-nominations-revealed/

SYN FM Interview – Sally McLean & Christopher Kirby – September 2017
Interview with Sally and Chris on ArtSmitten about Shakespeare, the Republic and working together in web series
http://syn.org.au/interview-sally-maclean-christopher-kirby/

3RRR FM Radio Interview – A Room With A View – September 2017
Interview with Republic creator, Sally McLean on A Room With A View about Shakespeare, independent filmmaking and webseries.
https://shakespearerepublic.com/2017/09/07/listen-to-our-3rrr-fm-interview-minnesota-web-fest-nominations-september-is-off-with-a-bang-shakespeare-webseries-webfest/

Australian Shakespeare web series wins top screen award in USA – September 2017
Article with interview with Sally McLean about Shakespeare Republic’s CINE Golden Eagle Award win in the USA
http://www.artnewsportal.com/art-news/australian-shakespeare-web-series-wins-top-screen-award-in-usa

“Don’t Be Afraid Of It” — Sally McLean, Shakespeare Republic – August 2017
Interview with Sally McLean on podcast ShakenBake in the USA
https://soundcloud.com/laurence-r-baker/dont-be-afraid-of-it-sally-mclean-shakespeare-republic

Shakespeare Republic – August 2017
Article in the Melbourne Observer by Cheryl Threadgold about Shakespeare Republic’s recent win at the CINE Golden Eagle Awards in the USA (Page 39)
https://issuu.com/mediaflash/docs/ob170830z

Festival accolade for Speaking Daggers – August 2017
Article about Speaking Daggers being officially selected and nominated at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust’s Shakespeare Film Festival and receiving a Highly Commended nod from Festival Jury President, Sir Kenneth Branagh.
https://www.artslearningfestival.org.au/festival-accolade-for-speaking-daggers/

Los Blogos de Oro en el Festival Internacional de Cine de Fuengirola – August 2017
Another article from Spain about the official selections for the Fuengirola International Film Festival which highlights Shakespeare Republic’s inclusion in the Web Series category.
http://www.tavernamasti.com/2017/08/los-blogos-de-oro-en-el-festival.html

Diez webseries internacionales compiten en Fuengirola Web Fest – August 2017
Article from popular Spanish entertainment blog, ElrinconTV about the official selections for the 2017 Fuengirola International Film Festival, with emphasis on the Fuengirola WebFest element, featuring Shakespeare Republic.
http://elrincon.tv/cine/festivales/diez-webseries-internacionales-compiten-fuengirola-web-fest/

Diez webseries internacionales competirán en el VI Festival de Cine de Fuengirola – August 2017
Article from La Tribuna about the official selections for the 2017 Fuengirola International Film Festival, again featuring Shakespeare Republic.
http://www.latribunahoy.com/_n1033951_diez-webseries-internacionales-competiran-en-el-vi-festival-de-ci.html

Diez webseries internacionales compiten en el Festival Internacional de Cine de Fuengirola – August 2017
Article from 20 Minutos (Spanish newspaper) about the official selection list for the Fuengirola International Film Festival’s Web Fest section, featuring Shakespeare Republic.
http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/3111334/0/diez-webseries-internacionales-compiten-festival-internacional-cine-fuengirola/

Sally McLean talks to DWF about Shakespeare Republic! – August 2017
Interview with Republic Creator/Director about what Shakespeare Republic has been up to since our official selection and nomination for Best Actress (Comedy) for Michala Banas for Season One at Dublin Web Fest.
http://dublinwebfest.com/2017/08/sally-mclean-shakespeare-republic/

From The Katering Show to Fighting Isis: eight of the best Australian web series – July 2017
The Guardian’s list of the Top 8 Australian web series worth the watch, with Shakespeare Republic: #LoveTheBard (Season Two) at Number 3 (although TV & Film critic, Luke Buckmaster, who compiled the list did go to pains to point out that the series’ were listed in no particular order … 🙂 ).
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/jul/13/the-katering-show-fighting-isis-eight-best-australian-web-series

Shakespeare Republic: breaking it down for Melbourne Web Fest – June 2017
Interview with Republic creator, Sally McLean for Scenestr Magazine about Shakespeare Republic and our official selection and Best Australian Drama nomination for Melbourne Web Fest
http://scenestr.com.au/movies/shakespeare-republic-breaking-it-down-for-melbourne-webfest

2017 Official Selection: Shakespeare Republic: #LoveTheBard (AUS) – June 2017
Interview with Republic creator, Sally McLean about the inspiration behind Shakespeare Republic, the challenges faced when making Season Two and thoughts on web series creation in general
http://www.melbournewebfest.com/2017-official-selection-shakespeare-republic-lovethebard-aus/

Shakespeare Republic Series (Review) – June 2017
In-depth and very complimentary review of both Seasons of Shakespeare Republic from “Books By The Window” in the UK
https://booksbythewindow.wordpress.com/2017/06/21/shakespeare-republic-shakespeare-republic-2015-2017/

Local talent shines at St Kilda Film Festival – May 2017
Round up of what’s on offer at St Kilda Film Festival this year, with a special mention for Shakespeare Republic as part of their “Australia’s Favourite Web Series” showcase (which has also been listed as Be Melbourne’s #1 session to attend!)
https://www.bemelbourne.com/single-post/2017/05/16/LOCAL-TALENT-SHINES-AT-ST-KILDA-FILM-FESTIVAL

‘Speaking Daggers’, the new film by Shakespeare Republic – May 2017
Lovely review of our first film “Speaking Daggers” and article about the Shakespeare Republic web series from The Plus Ones
https://theplusones.com/melbourne/2017/05/18/speaking-daggers-shakespeare-republic/

“Speaking Daggers” shows the best of Shakespeare – April 2017
Article about Shakespeare Republic‘s first film Speaking Daggers with short interview with creator/director, Sally McLean
https://www.bemelbourne.com/single-post/2017/04/18/%E2%80%98Speaking-Daggers%E2%80%99-shows-the-best-of-Shakespeare

Will social TV ever be a success? – February 2017
Interview with Tim Gibbon of Elemental Communications, Paul Telegdy of NBC Entertainment and Sally McLean in her role as Creator/Director of Shakespeare Republic about the success web series are having with disrupting traditional media outlets
http://www.alphr.com/social-media/1005377/will-social-tv-ever-be-a-success

BOOK, STAGE AND SCREEN – February 2017
In-depth interview with Director, Sally McLean and Executive Producer, Billy Smedley about Shakespeare Republic, Season Two
https://shakespearerepublic.com/2017/02/28/shakespeare-republic-on-book-stage-screen-interview-shakespeare-lovethebard/

Lord Somers Camp hosts Shakespeare – January 2017
Article from Somers Nautilus Paper about Shakespeare Republic filming at Lord Somers Camp for Season Two
http://somers-nautilus.org.au/2017/01/25/lord-somers-camp-hosts-shakespeare/

New Work from Shakespeare Republic – December 2016
Lovely concise review of Shakespeare Republic‘s work to date from ShakespeareTwentyScore.org
http://shakespearetwentyscore.org/2016/12/30/new-work-from-shakespeare-republic/

Shakespeare’s Republic – November 2016
Article in the Melbourne Observer about the Live Show Official Launch of Shakespeare Republic: #LoveTheBard (Season Two) at the Courthouse Hotel, North Melbourne

Get ‘on Bard’ with Shakespeare Republic – bringing Shakespeare to modern audiences in a brilliant way! – September 2016
Article about our crowdfunding campaign and announcements for Season Two
http://radiogirlproductions.blogspot.com.au/2016/09/get-on-bard-with-shakespeare-republic.html

THE NEW CURRENT – August 2016
In-depth interview with Director, Sally McLean about Shakespeare Republic after the series’ Official Selection for the NightPiece International Film Festival at Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Scotland
http://www.thenewcurrent.co.uk/nightpiece–shakespeare-republic

MELBOURNE WEB FEST: 2016 OFFICIAL SELECTION: SHAKESPEARE REPUBLIC (AUS) – June 2016
Interview with Director Sally McLean about Shakespeare Republic Season One and her obsession with Shakespeare.
http://www.melbournewebfest.com/2016-official-selection-shakespeare-republic-aus/

WE ARE MOVING STORIES – SHAKESPEARE REPUBLIC – April, 2016
In-depth interview with Director, Sally McLean, about Shakespeare Republic Season One and what the future holds for Shakespeare Republic in 2016.
http://www.wearemovingstories.com/we-are-moving-stories-videos/2016/4/13/nq19oh0hvenrgu7om1h1m416siwmme

KURIOSITAS.COM – October 25, 2015
A short review of Ben Steel’s episode of Shakespeare Republic by video review site Kuriositas.com in the UK.
http://www.kuriositas.com/2015/10/ben-steel-as-shakespeares-juliet.html

NEIGHBOURS NEWS – TENPLAY – September 4, 2015
A short article and interview with photos from Neighbours about Alan Fletcher’s work in Shakespeare Republic. Thanks guys!
http://tenplay.com.au/channel-eleven/neighbours/features/alan-fletcher-takes-on-shakespeare-republic

AUSTRALIA’S SHAKESPEARE – THE SHAKESPEARE BLOG – September 1, 2015
An article about Shakespeare being alive and well in Australia, with mentions of Bell Shakespeare and Shakespeare Republic, among others, from the blog of Sylvia Morris, former Librarian at the Shakespeare Centre Library in Stratford-upon-Avon (responsible for the RSC’s Archives), featured interviewee in the documentary Stealing Shakespeare and current member of the British Shakespeare Association, among many other fascinating Shakespeare-related things.
http://theshakespeareblog.com/2015/09/australias-shakespeare/

THE ACT OF STORYTELLING – September, 2015 
Lauren and Nick at The Act Of Storytelling gave us a lovely shout out and plug in September, for which we thank them very much!

(To hear the full podcast, go here).

SYN FM Interview – August 30, 2015
Have a listen to Artistic Director, Sally McLean, discuss the why, what and where of Shakespeare Republic on SYN FM (click on audio file below to stream)

(To hear the full podcast, go here).