“… polished, beautifully made series from director/producer Sally McLean … A fine use of the platform and, more importantly, a very fine adaptation of the Bard … Shakespeare Republic is put together with grace and wit. An assortment of actors do terrific work making the (non-dumbed down) dialogue accessible, prying it open with great care and skill.”

"… immensely enjoyable … wonderfully realistic … refreshing … The cast played their well defined characters superbly without exception … (the dramatic events in the film) were handled both by the cast and writers with skill and sensitivity."

"McLean's combined expertise is on full display in Shakespeare Republic, which features both a critical eye and ear to Shakespeare's text, and high production values ... The vignettes are themselves a metaphorical gauntlet thrown down to the viewer, daring them to imagine what a full production in this world might look like ... Perhaps the highest compliment I can pay any artist is that they left me wanting more, and Shakespeare Republic has done exactly that."

"Shakespeare’s place in modern life is often questioned, so it’s lucky film and theatre aficionado Sally Mclean has a passion for the Bard’s work. Speaking Daggers shows the best of Shakespeare."

“… strong performances from a cast containing many familiar faces from Australian television … engaging … insightful … if you’re in the mood for some dramatic theatre with interesting characters, inspiring stories and a feel-good, uplifting message, Chasing Pegasus provides an ultimately engaging hour of theatre.”

"Sally McLean creates, adapts, directs and is even an ensemble member of the award-winning web series Shakespeare Republic, now in its second season. Taking the world by storm ... done in an inventive, captivating way ... the entire series is astonishingly smart."

“… a tightly written and superbly acted piece that explored the difficulties of being a twenty-something living in London in the last throes of the 20th Century. Very similar to the Australian television series “The Secret Life of Us” (which aired here on Channel 4 in 2001), this film is funny, touching, absorbing and confronting. The relationships between the characters are raw and realistic – sometimes disturbingly so.”

"For many decades key research has shown that the arts are a medium which has linked disparate fields naturally, since day one of its evolutionary practice ... Speaking Daggers is one shining example."

"These are beautifully produced soliloquies from Shakespeare’s most famous characters, interpreted by a wide range of talented actors."

"(Cate) Blanchett’s recital of old speeches in modern environments evokes the fine web series Shakespeare Republic. Except Manifesto is less about contemptorarising material than altering frame of reference; the film explores the relationship between art and context."

"Although each episode is just a glimpse into each character, the series does a wonderful job of creating an entire world to bring context to the monologue. This is a wonderful series, that is perfect to just dip in and out of ... It is funny, emotional, and thought-provoking, providing a unique take on words that many would write off as irrelevant or old‑fashioned ... definitely worth a watch."