Sleepless Creatives
Sleepless Creatives is a sleep and well-being podcast for people in the Performing Arts and Creative industry.
Hosted and read by Actor & Voice Actor, Florence St Leger, each episode is beautifully tailored towards the minds of Actors, Writers and other creatives in the form of stories, plays, poetry and more - allowing us to take you back to the page, back to the script and back to the words you love to perform.
Because creativity is in our blood, but it's not always easy, so sometimes we need a gentle reminder of why we chose it.
Sleepless Creatives
Bardic Lullabies: Fair Youth Sonnets Part 4
Do you have any thoughts or ideas about the show? Send us a text!
Hello Creatives,
Ever found yourself drifting peacefully to sleep with the rhythmic cadence of Shakespeare's sonnets? In this soothing episode of Sleepless Creatives, we return to the Bard's most intimate poetry with part four of the Fair Youth Sonnets.
We journey through Sonnets 33-38, where Shakespeare masterfully explores the complex emotional landscape of love, disappointment, and forgiveness. Beginning with the celestial imagery of Sonnet 33, where the beloved is compared to the sun suddenly hidden by clouds, we witness the poet's raw disappointment transformed gradually into understanding.
By Sonnet 35, Shakespeare not only forgives his beloved's trespasses but takes part of the blame upon himself, demonstrating the paradoxical nature of loving someone who has hurt us.
The reading continues through Sonnets 36 and 37, where, despite physical or social separation, the unity of true love persists.
Shakespeare finds completeness in his beloved's excellence despite his own perceived shortcomings—a sentiment that resonates powerfully across centuries. The sequence concludes with Sonnet 38's celebration of the beloved as muse, the wellspring of creative inspiration who surpasses even the nine muses of classical mythology.
Whether you're a Shakespeare enthusiast or simply seeking a peaceful transition to sleep, this episode offers both literary richness and the gentle, measured cadence perfect for quieting an active mind.
Sweet dreams, creative dreamers.
Florence x
The Music in this episode is Dawning by Ian Kelosky.
Our Links:
Do you want to feature as one of our Guest Readers in your own special episode? If you work or study in the Performing Arts or Creative Industry in any capacity, we would love to have you.
Applications open on 1st September every year, follow us on Instagram to keep up with the announcements!
Sleepless Creatives is hosted by Florence St Leger, and produced by Canary Studios.
The opening theme is Reflection by Birds of Norway.
Podcasts we love
Check out these other fine podcasts recommended by us, not an algorithm.
Don’t Let Dave Win
Abbie Atkinson
Dreamful Bedtime Stories
Jordan BlairIn the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast
Backstage
Acting Up
Megan Alderson & Jordan Skidmore
The Art of Kindness: Pop Culture & Positivity with Robert Peterpaul
Robert Peterpaul
The Sleepy Bookshelf
Slumber Studios