a little trial and error but this is my current order of operations for shakespeare 2026:
watch a stage adaptation (NOT a film adaptation) — I usually just watch a BBC or RSC one on Kanopy (my—and probably your— library's free streaming service)
read the play — I'm using the annotated Folger's from this post
listen to lectures — I listen this podcast which has a ~45 min lecture on each play on my walk after I finish the play and then depending on the play there's usually 2 or 3 good lectures on youtube which I listen to while I cook or do chores (the comedies get less love but there's the full recording of Harold Bloom on the tragedies and a Harvard class that goes through most of the big plays + interesting one offs depending on the play)
watch a film adaptation — I also get these on Kanopy, they have a great collection of Shakespeare and older/classic cinema and world cinema
