Shakespeare

Macbeth (2010)

This film of Macbeth is based on Chichester Festival's 2007 production of the play starring Patrick Stewart in the title role. It was filmed at Welbeck Abbey ...

Culture in Quarantine: Shakespeare | Macbeth

Shakespeare’s darkest psychological thriller. Returning home from battle, the victorious Macbeth meets three witches on the heat...

ShakespeaRe-told | Macbeth

Retelling of Shakespeare plays: when three binmen tell Joe Macbeth he's to become the owner of the restaurant where they work, the head chef, spur...

The Tragedy of Macbeth

Yaël Farber directs James McArdle as Macbeth and Saoirse Ronan as Lady Macbeth in the Almeida's Olivier Award-nominated production about a couple's sp...

The BBC Television Shakespeare | Macbeth

A 1983 BBC television presentation of Shakespeare's Macbeth. This was broadcast as part of the 37-play BBC Television Shakespeare pr...

Play of the Month | Macbeth

Shakespeare's classic tragedy, broadcast as part of the Play of the Month drama strand.

Performance | Macbeth on the Estate

Shakespeare's tragedy play is updated to the present day. Set on the Ladywood council estate in Birmingham, it imagines a scenario where ...

Shakespeare Unlocked | Macbeth

Shakespeare's most popular and widely studied plays are unlocked by actors and directors at the Royal Shakespeare Company. Key scenes from Mac...

The Learning Zone | GCSE Bitesize Revision: English: 1: Macbeth

An exam revision programme that looks at the GCSE English curriculum. This episode looks at Shakespeare's Mac...

Shakespeare Shorts | Playing Macbeth: Act I, Scenes 1 and 3

Each programme in this series takes a scene from Shakespeare's Macbeth. In this programme they are Act 1, Scenes ...

Macbeth (2010) | Act 1 Scene 3

The witches greet Macbeth with three titles; Banquo receives prophecies.

Macbeth (1948)

Orson Welles's classic film version of Shakespeare's play about a Scottish nobleman heavily influenced by his wife's lust for power.

Macbeth (2010) | Act 4 Scene 3

Malcolm tests Macduff's loyalty; Macduff vows revenge.

Macbeth (2010) | Act 1 Scene 1

Three witches plan to meet Macbeth after the battle.

Shakespeare Uncovered | 02: Ethan Hawke on Macbeth

Ethan Hawke sets out to prepare himself for the possibility of playing the role by uncovering the true story behind the pl...

The BBC Television Shakespeare | Macbeth: Act 1 Scene 1

Three witches plan to meet Macbeth after the battle.

Macbeth (2010) | Act 3 Scene 4

Banquo's ghost appears at Macbeth's banquet.

Macbeth (2010) | Act 4 Scene 2

Macbeth orders the murder of Macduff's wife and children.

GCSE Bitesize | English - Macbeth

An exam revision programme that looks at the GCSE English curriculum focusing on Macbeth by William Shakespeare.

Play of the Month | Macbeth: Act 1 Scene 1

Three witches plan to meet Macbeth after the battle.

Romeo + Juliet (1996)

Watch Romeo and Juliet (1996). Baz Luhrmann's explosive update of the Shakespeare tragedy starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes. A pair of 'star-...

Romeo & Juliet (2013)

Adaptation of Shakespeare's play about two young, tragic lovers torn apart by the feuding rivalry between their respective families in Medieval Verona.

Culture in Quarantine: Shakespeare | Romeo and Juliet

What if your first true love was someone you’d been told to hate? Ripped apart by the bitter divisions of their parents...

Gnomeo and Juliet (2011)

Animated film about two garden gnomes (voiced by James McAvoy and Emily Blunt) from rivalling families, who fall in love but must keep their romance...

The BBC Television Shakespeare | Romeo and Juliet

A 1978 BBC production of the classic Shakespeare tragic tale of two star-crossed lovers in 14th-century Verona. This was th...

Romeo + Juliet (1996) | Act 3 Scene 1 Part 1

Tybalt kills Mercutio; Romeo kills Tybalt.

Romeo + Juliet (1996) | Act 1 Scene 1

This captures the servants' quarrel escalating into a public fight, the Prince's warning, and the introduction of Romeo's lovesick mela...

Romeo + Juliet (1996) | Act 3 Scene 1 Part 2

Tybalt kills Mercutio; Romeo kills Tybalt.

When Romeo Met Juliet

Teenage pupils from two Coventry schools put on a professional production of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. The Montagues are cast from a comprehensi...

Romeo + Juliet (1996) | Prologue

Introduces two households in Verona whose ancient feud drives their children, Romeo and Juliet, to a doomed love that ends in their tragic d...

Romeo + Juliet (1996) | Act 1 Scene 5

Romeo meets Juliet; they fall in love at first sight.

GCSE Bitesize: English Literature | Romeo and Juliet (2009)

A compilation of video shorts to support students studying Romeo and Juliet, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Lord of the F...

Culture in Quarantine: Shakespeare | Romeo and Juliet - Act 3 Scene 5

Romeo leaves; Juliet argues with her parents.

Shakespeare in Love (1998)

William Shakespeare is out of ideas. That is, until Viola de Lesseps, the stage-struck daughter of a wealthy merchant, attends auditions disguised...

GCSE Bitesize | English - Romeo and Juliet

An exam revision programme that looks at the GCSE English curriculum focusing on Romeo and Juliet.

Romeo & Juliet (2013) | Act 1 Scene 5

Romeo meets Juliet; they fall in love at first sight.

Romeo + Juliet (1996) | Act 1 Scene 4 Part 2

Romeo is reluctant to go to the Capulet feast; Mercutio teases him.

Romeo + Juliet (1996) | Act 1 Scene 4 Part 1

Romeo is reluctant to go to the Capulet feast; Mercutio teases him.

West Side Story (1961)

The tensions between rival gangs the Jets and the Sharks reach boiling point when Tony, the co-founder of the Jets, meets Maria, the sister of the lea...

Romeo + Juliet (1996) | Act 3 Scene 5 Part 2

Romeo leaves; Juliet argues with her parents.

Hamlet (2017)

Hamlet captures the Almeida Theatre's 2017 acclaimed production of William Shakespeare's great play, recorded as-live in its West End transfer on the stage of ...

Hamlet (2009)

Drama with David Tennant in the title role of the RSC's production of Shakespeare's tragedy. Claudius has killed Prince Hamlet's father and usurped the throne,...

Culture in Quarantine: Shakespeare | Hamlet

Sent by the ghost of his father to avenge his brutal death, Hamlet’s mission to expose the truth is a perilous journey of madness...

Peter Brook's Hamlet

A screen recording of Peter Brook’s The Tragedy of Hamlet, performed at the Bouffe du Nord Theatre in Paris The production is staged on a rectangle of ...

Hamlet | Act 5 Scene 2 The duel

From Robert Icke's 2017 production, Laertes and Hamlet duel.

Shakespeare Uncovered | How to perform Hamlet

David Tennent talks to different actors about how they performed the role of Hamlet.

Hamlet | Act 5 Scene 2 - Hamlet dies

From Robert Icke's 2017 production, Hamlet's death.

Hamlet | Act 1 Scene 5 - Hamlet and the ghost

From Robert Icke's 2017 production, the encounter between Hamlet and the ghost of his father.

Shakespeare Uncovered | 06: David Tennant on Hamlet

In Hamlet, David Tennant, whose own RSC performance was a huge hit, meets other actors who have played the role - from th...

Hamlet | Act 3 Scene 1 - The nunnery scene

From Robert Icke's 2017 production, Hamlet tells Ophelia that she should become a nun.

Hamlet (1964)

Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, learns of his father's murder by his uncle and plots revenge. A masterful adaptation of Shakespeare's play with a memorable score by...

15-Minute Hamlet

The play's the thing: this contribution to the Tom Stoppard season has all the famous lines, though not necessarily in the right order. Pure fun, yet proof ...

The BBC Television Shakespeare | Hamlet, Prince of Denmark

A 1980 televised production of the classic Shakespeare tragedy play, shot entirely in a studio.

Monty Python's Flying Circus | Hamlet

Hamlet undergoes psychoanalysis in this episode of the comedy series.

The Learning Zone | Shakespeare: The Play's The Thing

Educational documentary with actors from the Royal Shakespeare Company and theatre director Greg Doran looking behind t...

Hamlet (2014)

The king of Denmark has died, and the throne has been claimed by his brother Claudius. Stars Jamie Parker and Paul Hilton.

Shakespeare Uncovered | The Closet scene

An exploration of the famous closet scene in Shakespeare's 'Hamlet'.

Shakespeare Uncovered | Hamlet and the ghost

David Tennant discusses the meeting between Hamlet and the ghost of his father.

Hamlet | Act 5 Scene 1 - The gravedigger

From Robert Icke's 2017 production, on returning from his banishment, Hamlet passes the gravediggers digging Ophelia's grave.

Hamlet | Act 3 Scene 3 - Hamlet nearly kills Claudius

From Robert Icke's 2017 production, Hamlet nearly murders Claudius.

Culture in Quarantine: Shakespeare | Othello

Othello is the greatest general of his age but he is also an outsider whose victories have created enemies of his own. As they p...

The BBC Television Shakespeare | Othello

A 1981 BBC production of Shakespeare's classic play. This was broadcast as part of the 37-play BBC Television Shakespeare project. T...

Blast TV | Othello Retold

MOBO winner Akala and 50 young Manchester-based MCs, musicians, dancers and visual artists attempt to script and perform a hip hop version of Othel...

Theatre Night | Othello

The acclaimed production of Shakespeare's masterpiece as presented by the Royal Shakespeare Company during its 1989 season in Stratford and London.

Drama on 3 | Othello (2008)

The Donmar Warehouse production of Othello, directed by Michael Grandage, with Chiwetel Ejiofor in the title role and Ewan McGregor as lago. Ejio...

Culture in Quarantine: Shakespeare | Othello: Act 1 Scene 1

Iago tells Roderigo of his hatred for Othello and they wake Brabantio to accuse Othello.

Culture in Quarantine: Shakespeare | Othello: Act 5 Scene 2

Othello smothers Desdemona; Iago’s plot is revealed; Othello kills himself.

Shakespeare In Perspective | Othello

Novelist Susan Hill offers her personal view of a play which illustrates one of Shakespeare's most obsessive themes: the conflict betwee...

Culture in Quarantine: Shakespeare | Othello: Act 3 Scene 3

Iago plants suspicion in Othello’s mind about Desdemona’s fidelity; Othello demands proof.

Theatre Night | Othello: Act 1 Scene 3

Othello defends his marriage to Desdemona before the Duke; Iago plots against Cassio.

Culture in Quarantine: Shakespeare | Othello: Act 2 Scene 1

Othello, Desdemona, Iago, and others arrive in Cyprus; Iago begins to plant seeds of jealousy.

Othello (1955)

The earliest British televised production in existence of the play Othello, with black American actor, Gordon Heath, in the title role. This was the first tel...

Drama on 3 | Othello (2020)

Khalid Abdalla and Matthew Needham star in Shakespeare's tragedy, staged in an imagined near future, in which Turkey attempts to re-invade Cyprus.

Shakespeare: Love Across the Racial Divide | 1: Othello

Yasmin Alibhai-Brown examines the powerful drama of a marriage between the Moor Othello and the Venetian lady Desdemona.

The BBC Television Shakespeare | Othello: Act 1 Scene 1

Iago tells Roderigo of his hatred for Othello and they wake Brabantio to accuse Othello.

Theatre Night | Othello: Act 1 Scene 1

Iago tells Roderigo of his hatred for Othello and they wake Brabantio to accuse Othello.

Othello (1955) | Act 1 Scene 3

Othello defends his marriage to Desdemona before the Duke; Iago plots against Cassio.

Theatre Night | Othello: Act 2 Scene 3

Iago gets Cassio drunk, leading to a fight; Othello demotes Cassio.

Theatre Night | Othello: Act 3 Scene 2

Othello discusses military matters briefly.

Theatre Night | Othello: Act 3 Scene 3

Iago plants suspicion in Othello’s mind about Desdemona’s fidelity; Othello demands proof.

Much Ado About Nothing (2022)

A new Royal Shakespeare Company production for 2022 of one of Shakespeare's best-loved romantic comedies, filmed in Stratford-upon-Avon. In a c...

ShakespeaRe-told | Much Ado About Nothing

Retelling of Shakespeare plays: a romantic comedy set in a south coast regional TV newsroom, charting the relationship between ex-l...

Culture in Quarantine: Shakespeare | Much Ado About Nothing

Autumn 1918: a group of soldiers return from the trenches, and the world-weary Benedick and his friend Claudio fi...

The BBC Television Shakespeare | Much Ado about Nothing

A 1984 BBC television presentation of Shakespeare's classic comedy play. This was broadcast as part of the 37-play BB...

Culture in Quarantine: Shakespeare | Act 1 Scene 1 - Beatrice and Benedick meet again

In an adaption of 'Much Ado About Nothing' set in 1918, soldiers return from war and Be...

Much Ado About Nothing (1967)

Part 1 of a televised adaptation of the play based on a National Theatre stage production by Franco Zeffirelli, starring real-life couple Maggi...

Culture in Quarantine: Shakespeare | Act 2 Scene 3 - Benedick is tricked

In an adaption of 'Much Ado About Nothing' set in 1918, Benedick overhears Don Pedro, Claudio and Le...

Shakespeare In Perspective | Much Ado about Nothing

Writer Eleanor Bron gives her personal view of Shakespeare's play Much Ado About Nothing. In her introduction to the play...

Culture in Quarantine: Shakespeare | Act 3 Scene 1 - Beatrice is tricked

In an adaption of 'Much Ado About Nothing' set in 1918, Hero, Ursula and Margaret trick Beatrice int...

Culture in Quarantine: Shakespeare | Act 4 Scene 1 - Claudio accuses Hero of immorality

In an adaption of 'Much Ado About Nothing' set in 1918, on their wedding day, Claudio...

See Hear | S42E06

Yvonne and Julian learn about translating Shakespeare into BSL.

Much Ado About Nothing (1969)

A full-length production of William Shakespeare's classic play, adapted and produced by John Powell. The action of the play takes place in the ...

The Sunday Play | Much Ado About Nothing

The second of four new productions as part of Radio 3's on-going Shakespeare series. Richard Eyre introduces a new production of Sha...

Culture in Quarantine: Shakespeare | Act 2 Scene 2 - Don John and Borachio plan to dishonour Hero

In an adaption of 'Much Ado About Nothing' set in 1918, Don John and Borach...

Culture in Quarantine: Shakespeare | Act 5 Scene 4 - The lovers are reconciled

In an adaption of 'Much Ado About Nothing' set in 1918, Hero reveals herself and Beatrice and ...

Culture in Quarantine: Shakespeare | Act 5 Scene 1 - Hero's innocence is discovered

In an adaption of 'Much Ado About Nothing' set in 1918, after Hero fakes her own death, h...

Culture in Quarantine: Shakespeare | Act 4 Scene 1 - ''Kill Claudio''

In an adaption of 'Much Ado About Nothing' set in 1918, Beatrice demands that Benedick kill Claudio aft...

Words and Music | Razor Sharp

Excerpt from Much Ado About Nothing by Shakespeare.

Front Row | Much Ado About Nothing

Front Row brings three directors - Simon Godwin (National), Lucy Bailey (Globe) and Robert Hastie (Crucible) - together to discuss the fas...

Behind the Scenes | Afro-Futurist Shakespeare

Carnival colours and Afro beats herald the return of live audiences to the RSC in Stratford-upon-Avon after Covid restrictions ...

The Merchant of Venice (2004)

An adaptation of Shakespeare's play about a Jewish moneylender who seeks to forfeit a literal pound of flesh from his Christian nemesis. Starri...

Culture in Quarantine: Shakespeare | The Merchant of Venice

In the melting pot of Venice, trade is God, and when the gold is flowing, all is well. But when a contract betwee...

The BBC Television Shakespeare | The Merchant of Venice

A 1980 BBC production of Shakespeare's classic play. This was broadcast as part of the 37-play BBC Television Shakesp...

The Merchant of Venice (2001)

A performance of the Royal National Theatre's Olivier Award-winning adaption of Shakespeare's play, which moves the story to 1930s Venice.

Play of the Month | The Merchant of Venice

A 1971 production of Shakespeare's classic play, broadcast as part of the Play of the Month drama strand. The Venice of Titian and...

Culture in Quarantine: Shakespeare | Act 3 Scene 1 - ''If you prick us do we not bleed''

In Polly Findlay's Royal Shakespeare Company production 'The Merchant of Venice', Sh...

Drama on 3 | The Merchant of Venice

Andrew Scott, Ray Fearon, Hayley Atwell and Colin Morgan star in Shakespeare's drama of debt, greed and a society suspicious of religious...

Culture in Quarantine: Shakespeare | Act 4 Scene 1 - The pound of flesh

In Polly Findlay's Royal Shakespeare Company production 'The Merchant of Venice', Shylock demands his...

The Learning Zone | The Merchant of Venice

Schools programme on The Merchant of Venice.

Shakespeare In Perspective | The Merchant of Venice

Wolf Mankowitz gives a personal view of The Merchant of Venice which, 'more than any other in the English language, estab...

Culture in Quarantine: Shakespeare | Act 1 Scene 1 - Antonio becomes Bassanio's guarantor

In Polly Findlay's Royal Shakespeare Company production 'The Merchant of Venice', A...

Imagine... | Shylock's Ghost

In this arts documentary, Alan Yentob travels to Venice with novelist Howard Jacobson, who has re-written Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice a...

Shakespeare: Love Across the Racial Divide | 03: The Merchant of Venice

Yasmin Alibhai-Brown focuses on the complex role of Shylock, and how he navigates being a Jew in a Ch...

Culture in Quarantine: Shakespeare | Act 4 Scene 1 - ''The quality of mercy is not strained''

In Polly Findlay's Royal Shakespeare Company production 'The Merchant of Venice...

Culture in Quarantine: Shakespeare | Act 1 Scene 3 Antonio and Bassanio agree a bond with Shylock

Culture in Quarantine: Shakespeare | Act 5 Scene 1 - The rings

In Polly Findlay's Royal Shakespeare Company production 'The Merchant of Venice', Bassanio gives away the ring...

Culture in Quarantine: Shakespeare | Act 3 Scene 2 - Bassanio chooses a casket

In Polly Findlay's Royal Shakespeare Company production 'The Merchant of Venice', Bassanio cho...

Words and Music | Rings

Featuring William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice.

Words and Music | Life through a Screen

Excerpt from William Shakespeare's The Merchant Of Venice.

Words and Music | Courtroom Drama

Excerpt from The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare.

The Tempest (2010)

Adaptation of Shakespeare's play: Prospera is banished from Milan by her brother and finds herself stranded on an island with her daughter, where she wait...

Culture in Quarantine: Shakespeare | The Tempest

With a spirit of the supernatural, The Tempest is a story of forgiveness, generosity and enlightenments set on a remote and ...

The BBC Television Shakespeare | The Tempest

A 1980 BBC production of Shakespeare's classic play. This was broadcast as part of the 37-play BBC Television Shakespeare project.

The Tempest (1996)

A full BBC radio adaptation of Shakespeare’s play The Tempest. Magically, Prospero creates a storm at sea and causes the ship bearing his enemies to be sh...

Shakespeare Uncovered | 04: Trevor Nunn on The Tempest

Royal Shakespeare Company director Trevor Nunn explores Shakespeare's final work, The Tempest.

Drama on 3 | The Tempest

Shakespeare's The Tempest as part of the Shakespeare Unlocked season, adapted for radio and directed by Jeremy Mortimer. Music written and performed...

Culture in Quarantine: Shakespeare | Act 3 Scene 1: The log scene

From a film adaptation of 'The Tempest', over watched by Prospero, Ferdinand and Miranda fall in love.

Culture in Quarantine: Shakespeare | Act 2 Scene 2: Caliban and Trinculo

From a film adaptation of 'The Tempest', the comedic scene when Caliban and Trinculo first meet.

Shakespeare Uncovered | Caliban

Trevor Nunn explores Shakespeare's strange and controversial character Caliban.

Sunday-Night Theatre | The Tempest

A 1956 televised production of Shakespeare's last play The Tempest.

Culture in Quarantine: Shakespeare | Act 5 Scene 1: Prosperos soliloquy

From a film adaptation of 'The Tempest', Prospero's famous soliloquy.

Culture in Quarantine: Shakespeare | Act 1 Scene 2: Ariels freedom

From a film adaptation of 'The Tempest', Ariel begs Prospero for his freedom.

Culture in Quarantine: Shakespeare | Act 1 Scene 2: Prospero's story

From a film adaptation of 'The Tempest', Prospero's story of how he ended up on the island.

Shakespeare Uncovered | We are such stuff as dreams are made on

Trevor Nunn explores Prospero's famous speech.

Shakespeare Uncovered | Influences for The Tempest

Trevor Nunn investigates the real life event that inspired Shakespeare to write 'The Tempest'.

Culture in Quarantine: Shakespeare | Act 1 Scene 2: Caliban's story

From a film adaptation of 'The Tempest', Caliban tells his story.

Shakespeare Uncovered | Ferdinand and Miranda

A study of the first encounter of Miranda and Ferdinand.

Shakespeare Uncovered | Ariel

An exploration of the character of Ariel from 'The Tempest'.

Shakespeare Uncovered | Colonialism in The Tempest

Trevor Nunn addresses how 'The Tempest' has been understood through theories of race and colonialism.

Drama on 3 | The Tempest

Shakespeare's play explores the relationship between humanity and the environment. A Scottish cast, led by Ian McDiarmid as Prospero, in this play o...

Twelfth Night from Shakespeare's Globe

Shakespeare's comedy of mistaken identity and the madness of love, from London's Globe Theatre in a production infused with soulful mu...

Twelfth Night (1996)

Trevor Nunn's film version of William Shakespeare's mature comedy. Twins Viola and Sebastian are shipwrecked on different parts of the same coast, with ...

Shakespeare Shorts | Twelfth Night: Act II, Scene 5

Television programme for schools featuring television actors not usually associated with Shakespeare in scenes from Twelf...

Twelfth Night (1974)

A BBC production of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night with a Regency theme and set in the splendours of Castle Howard in Yorkshire.

Twelfth Night | Act 1 Scene 5 - Cesario/ Viola meets Olivia

From the 1996 film adaptation of 'Twelfth Night' by Trevor Nunn, Cesario/ Viola and Olivia meet for the first time.

Shakespeare Uncovered | Women in Twelfth Night

Joely Richardson investigates Shakespeare's extraordinary heroines in 'Twelfth Night'.

Shakespeare In Perspective | Twelfth Night, Or What You Will

David Jones offers a personal view of the play Twelfth Night, which he describes as 'full of fun and high spirit...

The BBC Television Shakespeare | Twelfth Night, Or What You Will

A 1980 BBC production of Shakespeare's comedy play. This was broadcast as part of the 37-play BBC Television...

The Now Show | Now the Twelfth Night Show

Using 'archive' clips, theatrical performances and current pundits, Punt and Dennis present their unique take on Shakespeare's Twel...

Twelfth Night | Act 5 Scene 1 - Resolution

From the 1996 film adaptation of 'Twelfth Night' by Trevor Nunn, everything in resolved in the final scene of the play.

Twelfth Night | Act 3 Scene 4 - Malvolio visits Olivia in yellow stockings

From the 1996 film adaptation of 'Twelfth Night' by Trevor Nunn, under the belief that Olivia is i...

Twelfth Night | Act 2 Scene 5 - Malvolio is tricked

From the 1996 film adaptation of 'Twelfth Night' by Trevor Nunn, Sr Toby, Sir Andrew, Maria and Fabian trick Malvolio int...

Twelfth Night | Act 1 Scene 4 - Cesario is sent with a love letter

From the 1996 film adaptation of 'Twelfth Night' by Trevor Nunn, Orsino sends Cesario with a love letter f...

Twelfth Night | Act 1 Scene 2 - The shipwreck

From the 1996 film adaptation of 'Twelfth Night' by Trevor Nunn, a shipwreck leaves Viola separated from her brother in a forei...

Drama on 4 | Twelfth Night

A 400th anniversary production of Shakespeare's wonderful comedy of mistaken identities and unrequited love, starring Toby Jones as Malvolio and G...

Twelfth Night (1972)

The first part of a radio adaptation of the play Twelfth Night, produced by Charles Lefeaux.

The Sunday Play | Twelfth Night (1993)

A 1993 production of Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare. A blast of winter sunshine as the world is turned upside-down in this magic...

Sunday Play | Twelfth Night

The Bard's comedy of mistaken identity, cruel practical jokes and lovelorn suitors. A blast of winter sunshine as the world is turned upside-down...

Twelfth Night | Act 4 Scene 3 - Sebastian agrees to marry Olivia

From the 1996 film adaptation of 'Twelfth Night' by Trevor Nunn, Sebastian meets Olivia and agrees to marry ...

Twelfth Night | Act 2 Scene 1 Sebastian and Antonio

From the 1996 film adaptation of 'Twelfth Night' by Trevor Nunn, Antonio follows Sebastian to Orsino's court, where he h...

Julius Caesar (2012)

Gregory Doran directs a filmed version of the Royal Shakespeare Company's current production of William Shakespeare's tragedy, which relocates the story...

Shakespeare Unlocked | Julius Caesar

Shakespeare's most popular and widely studied plays are unlocked by actors and directors at the Royal Shakespeare Company. Three key sce...

Julius Caesar from Donmar King's Cross

Phyllida Lloyd directs an all-female production of Shakespeare's great political drama, set in a present-day women's prison.

Julius Caesar (1953)

Rome, 44 BC. Caesar's power has grown so great that even his allies in the senate plot his downfall. Classic Hollywood adaptation of William Shakespeare...

Shakespeare Shorts | Julius Caesar: Act III, Scene 1

Television programme for schools featuring television actors not usually associated with Shakespeare in scenes from Juli...

The BBC Television Shakespeare | Julius Caesar

A 1979 BBC production of Shakespeare's great political thriller which tells the story of the conspiracy against Caesar, his as...

Play of the Month | Julius Caesar

The first BBC production of Julius Caesar in colour. This production was made for the Play of the Month classic drama strand and portrays t...

Julius Caesar (1964)

A televised recording of National Youth Theatre's modern dress production of Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar, with its original jazz score. This produc...

The Shakespeare Plays | Julius Caesar

Programme One of a reshowing of the BBC Television Shakespeare production of Julius Caesar.

Heil Caesar

Part One of John Bowen's adaptation of William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, set in modern times with contemporary dialogue and many strong allusions to political...

Julius Caesar (1963)

The first part of a four part production of Shakespeare's play. Today's programme is introduced by James Grout, who discusses the production with the ac...

Julius Caesar Revealed

Mary Beard is on a mission to uncover the real Julius Caesar, and to challenge public perception, exploring Caesar's surprising legacy.

Bard on the Box | Jimmy Knapp - Secretary General of RMT

Celebrity Shakespeare devotees join members of the public to recite some of Shakespeare’s best-known and best-loved ...

Bard on the Box | Damon Hill - Formula One Racing Driver

Celebrity Shakespeare devotees join members of the public to recite some of Shakespeare’s best-known and best-loved ...

Prefaces to Shakespeare | Julius Caesar

The actor Ronald Pickup gives his personal view of Julius Caesar with commercial extracts. "I've never believed that Shakespeare has ...

Julius Caesar (1972)

A radio adaptation of Julius Caesar adapted and produced by Martin Jenkins.

The Sunday Play | Julius Caesar (1999)

Radio 3's Shakespeare season continues with a 1999 radio adaptation of the Bard's classic tragedy. It is Italy 1925, and Julius Caesar...

The Sunday Play | Julius Caesar (1995)

A BBC Radio Shakespeare adaptation of Julius Caesar with an American cast, this production was recorded in the studios of KCRW, Los An...

The Sunday Play | Julius Caesar (1990)

A production of William Shakespeare's play about Julius Caesar, "the noblest Roman of them all".

The Shakespeare Plays | 05: Julius Caesar

Programme Five of a reshowing of the BBC Television Shakespeare production of Julius Caesar.

King Lear (2016)

Stage to screen film with specially shot introduction of the Talawa Royal Exchange co-production of King Lear directed for the stage by Michael Buffong (Art...

Performance | King Lear

The film version of Shakespeare's King Lear, which was first produced at the National Theatre's Cottesloe Theatre, directed by Richard Eyre.

Play of the Month | King Lear

A BBC production of Shakespeare's King Lear, broadcast as part of the Play of the Month drama strand.

King Lear (2018)

King Lear divides his kingdom with tragic consequences, as chaos descends on family and state (contains some violence and some upsetting scenes).

In Our Time | Lear

Melvyn Bragg is joined by Jonathan Bate, Catherine Belsey and Katherine Duncan-Jones to examine Shakespeare's tragedy, King Lear; how its themes of rule a...

King Lear | Act 1 Scene 1 - Lear divides his kingdom

King Lear asks his daughter's to express their love for him.

The BBC Television Shakespeare | King Lear

The first part of a 1982 BBC production of Shakespeare's classic play. This was broadcast as part of the 37-play BBC Television S...

King Lear | Act 1 Scene 2 - Edmund's bastard speech

Edmund's anger over his treatment for being illegitimate.

World Drama | King Lear

The first part of a radio adaptation of the play King Lear, produced by John Tydeman. The special effects were performed by the BBC Radiophonic Works...

The Reduced Shakespeare Radio Show

The truncated thespians perform a fifteen-second King Lear, Othello Rap and Scottish Highland Discs.

King Lear | Michael Buffong and Don Warrington discuss King Lear

Michael Buffong and Don Warrington discuss the performance and direction of Shakespeare's King Lear.

Love, Tyranny and Madness

A documentary about King Lear, and how Shakespeare took a well known fairy tale and turned it into a dark play about family relationships.

Omnibus | Every Inch a King

Omnibus visit Robert Stephens at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre at Stratford where he received rapturous reviews for his portrayal of King Lear. T...

Prefaces to Shakespeare | King Lear

The actor Tony Church, who played the role of Lear for the Royal Shakespeare Company In 1974-5, gives his personal view of the play and i...

World Drama | King Lear - Part 2

The second part of a radio adaptation of the play King Lear, produced by John Tydeman. The special effects were performed by the BBC Radioph...

King Lear (1967) | Part 3

The third and final part of a production of William Shakespeare's classic tragedy play, adapted for radio.

King Lear (1967) | Part 2

The second part of a production of William Shakespeare's classic tragedy play, adapted for radio.

King Lear (1967)

The first part of a production of William Shakespeare's classic tragedy play, adapted for radio.

The Sunday Play | King Lear

The first of four new productions as part of Radio 3's on-going Shakespeare series, introduced by Richard Eyre. This tragic story of the conseque...

The Tragedy of King Lear

A radio production of Shakespeare's play King Lear, co-produced by the Renaissance Theatre Company and BBC Radio 3. This was produced in celebration...

Measure for Measure Live from the Globe

Television production of the play live from Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. Presented by Andrew Marr and with comment from historian Dav...

Performance | Measure for Measure

David Thacker's 1994 adaptation of Shakespeare's play which has been set in the near future. This was the first Shakespeare production made...

Bard on the Box | The Shakespeare Laboratory - Measure for Measure

In the first of two programmes, top directors from both sides of the Atlantic use the workshop format to e...

Prefaces to Shakespeare | Measure for Measure

Judi Dench presents a personal view of Measure For Measure, emphasising Shakespeare's depiction of characters as mixtures of go...

Drama on 3 | Measure for Measure (2004)

A 2004 radio adaptation of Shakespeare's Measure for Measure: in a world of sexual harassment and unwed mothers - and the inability o...

The Sunday Play | Measure for Measure

A 1994 radio adaptation of Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare. Vincentio realises that the moral climate of his dukedom has suf...

Shakespeare In Perspective | Measure for Measure

John Mortimer offers a personal view of the play as he visits the Inns of Court to place Shakespeare in Perspective and disc...

The BBC Television Shakespeare | Measure for Measure

A 1979 BBC production of Shakespeare's classic comedy which occasionally veers into more troublesome territory, as the c...

Face to Face | Dame Edith Sitwell

Dame Edith Sitwell reads a sequence of poems chosen from a recital she gave at the Edinburgh Festival. These include 'Take, O, take those l...

Drama on 3 | Measure for Measure (2018)

Introduced by Professor Julie Sanders, Paul Higgins and Nicola Ferguson star in Shakespeare's last and perhaps strangest comedy.

ShakespeaRe-told | The Taming of the Shrew

Shakespeare's comedy retold by Sally Wainwright: talented - yet peevish - politician Katherine Minola is under pressure to marry, ...

The Taming of the Shrew

Adaptation of Shakespeare's comedy about a feisty, headstrong woman who is eventually tamed by her new husband. Starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard...

The BBC Television Shakespeare | The Taming of the Shrew

A 1980 BBC production of Shakespeare's classic play. This was broadcast as part of the 37-play BBC Television Shakes...

Prefaces to Shakespeare | The Taming of the Shrew

Paola Dionisotti gives her personal views of the play which she sees as an intricate weave of farce and wit shot with black...

Proms | Kiss Me, Kate at the Proms

John Wilson and his orchestra are joined by a spectacular ensemble of singers and dancers from Broadway and the West End for a unique perf...

Kiss Me Kate (1953)

Adaptation of Cole Porter's hit about a theatre company attempting a musical version of The Taming of the Shrew. Songs include So in Love. With Howard Ke...

Bard on the Box | Sister Elizabeth Shaw - Religious Sister

Celebrity Shakespeare devotees join members of the public to recite some of Shakespeare’s best-known and best-love...

The Friday Play | The Taming of the Shrew

A full-length radio adaptation of the play The Taming of the Shrew, directed by Jeremy Mortimer.

The Sunday Play | The Taming of the Shrew

A 2000 BBC radio adaptation of Shakespeare's play The Taming of the Shrew. Shakespeare's comedy combines a mixture of farce, disgui...

Shakespeare In Perspective | The Taming of the Shrew

Penelope Mortimer, author of bestselling novel 'The Pumpkin Eater' offers her personal view of the 'wittie and pleasant ...

Omnibus | Kiss Me Petruchio

Omnibus presents its alternative Shakespeare: this spirited and hilarious open-air production of The Taming of the Shrew takes place in New York'...

Kiss Me Kate (1964)

Howard Keel and Patricia Morison star in the TV version of the classic American musical, based on Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, by Sam and Bella...

A Midsummer Night's Dream (2016)

Russell T Davies' adaptation of Shakespeare's comedy, from 2016. In the tyrannical court of Athens, dictator Theseus plans his wedding to Hi...

Culture in Quarantine: Shakespeare | A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Shakespeare's riotous tale of love and magic, filmed live at the Globe Theatre in 2016. Emma Rice's exuberan...

The BBC Television Shakespeare | A Midsummer Night's Dream

A 1981 BBC production of Shakespeare's classic comedy play. This was broadcast as part of the 37-play BBC Televisi...

Shakespeare Unlocked | A Midsummer Night's Dream

Key scenes from A Midsummer Night's Dream are explored through performance, to unlock the meaning of language and developmen...

ShakespeaRe-told | A Midsummer Night's Dream

An updated retelling of Shakespeare's romantic comedy. A Midsummer Night's Dream is transferred to a holiday centre. Cue four wa...

A Midsummer Night's Dream | Act 2 Scene 1 - The love potion

From Russell T Davies' adaptation of A Midsummer Night's Dream', Oberon uses a love potion to Titania and the yo...

Play of the Month | A Midsummer Night's Dream

A 1971 BBC production of Shakespeare's classic comedy, broadcast as part of the Play of the Month drama strand. The play is set...

A Midsummer Night's Dream (1991)

A production of A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare.

A Midsummer Night's Dream | Act 3 Scene 2 - The bewitched lovers argue

From Russell T Davies' adaptation of A Midsummer Night's Dream', bewitched by Oberon's love potion, th...

A Midsummer Night's Dream | Act 1 Scene 1 - Setting the scene

From Russell T Davies' adaptation of A Midsummer Night's Dream', the opening scene.

A Midsummer Night's Dream | Act 3 Scene 1 - Titania and Bottom

From Russell T Davies' adaptation of A Midsummer Night's Dream', Titania wakes up with the love potion in her ...

Sunday Night Theatre | A Midsummer Night’s Dream

The earliest surviving television adaptation of Shakespeare's magical play, broadcast on 9 November 1958, in the BBC's Sun...

A Midsummer Night's Dream | Act 5 Scene 1 - Pyramus and Thisbe

From Russell T Davies' adaptation of A Midsummer Night's Dream', the theatre troupe's production of Pyramus an...

Shakespeare Shorts | A Midsummer Night's Dream: Act III, Scene 2

Television programme for schools featuring television actors not usually associated with Shakespeare in scen...

A Midsummer Night's Dream | Act 2 Scene 1 - Oberon and Titania argue

From Russell T Davies' adaptation of A Midsummer Night's Dream', Oberon and Titania's argument.

Drama on 3 | Mendelssohn Weekend - A Midsummer Night's Dream

A rare chance to watch Shakespeare's play and Mendelssohn's complete incidental music for it, in a recording fro...

The Sunday Play | A Midsummer Night's Dream

Radio 3's Shakespeare season continues with a 1999 radio adaptation of the Bard's magical comedy. This production was broadcast a...

A Midsummer Night's Dream | Act 1 Scene 2 - Quince's acting troupe

From Russell T Davies' adaptation of A Midsummer Night's Dream', the theatre troupe bicker and laugh about...

Midsummer Night's Dreaming

The Royal Shakespeare Company's Associate Director, Gregory Doran, journeys through rural England in search of natural phenomena - from nightingal...

Drama on 3 | Mendelssohn Weekend - A Midsummer Night's Dream: Part 2

A rare chance to watch Shakespeare's play and Mendelssohn's complete incidental music for it, in a recor...

Drama on 3 | All's Well That Ends Well

Set in France, Shakespeare's play All's Well That Ends Well tells of the questionable course of action a young woman will take to win ...

All's Well That Ends Well

A full-length radio adaptation of the play All's Well That Ends Well, produced and directed by Martin Jenkins.

Prefaces to Shakespeare | All's Well That Ends Well

A personal introduction to the play by actor Sebastian Shaw, who played the King of France in the 1967 Royal Shakespeare ...

The BBC Television Shakespeare | All's Well That Ends Well

A 1981 version of the classic Shakespeare "problem comedy". The Countess of Rousillon's son, Bertram prepares to l...

Shakespeare In Perspective | All's Well That Ends Well

Barry Took offers a personal view of Shakespeare's play All's Well That Ends Well.

Theatre 625 | All's Well That Ends Well

A BBC Television presentation of the Royal Shakespeare Company production, adapted and directed for the stage by John Barton.

The BBC Television Shakespeare | Antony and Cleopatra

The first part of a 1981 BBC production of Shakespeare's classic play. This was broadcast as part of the 37-play BBC Te...

The BBC Television Shakespeare | Antony and Cleopatra Part 2

The second part of a 1981 BBC production of Shakespeare's classic play. This was broadcast as part of the 37-pla...

Drama on 3 | Antony and Cleopatra (2014)

Kenneth Branagh and Alex Kingston star in this great tragedy of love and power, part of Radio 3s celebration of the 450th anniversar...

A Timewatch Guide | S01E02: Cleopatra

Using the BBC film archives, historian Vanessa Collinridge explores how our view of Cleopatra has changed and evolved over the years - ...

Words and Music | Encounters with Egypt

Our readers are Samuel West and Nadi Kemp-Sayfi. Featuring Shakespeare: Antony and Cleopatra.

Drama on 3 | Make Death Love Me: Antony and Cleopatra Re-Imagined

Neil Bartlett reimagines Shakespeare's classic war drama ''Antony and Cleopatra'' as a dysfunctional love s...

Open University | Antony and Cleopatra - Workshop

The workshop examines one of the many short, crowded scenes of the play, in which Antony takes his leave of Cleopatra befor...

Jonathan Miller Directs | The Making of Antony and Cleopatra

A portrait of Jonathan Miller as he directs Antony and Cleopatra in the BBC Television Shakespeare series. This ...

Cleopatra and Me: In Search of a Lost Queen

Was Cleopatra a seductress or a great politician? Shakespeare scholar Dr Islam Issa's exploration of why history and literature h...

This Cultural Life | Sam Mendes

How the work of Shakespeare came alive for him while watching productions at the RSC, and in particular, a memorable performance of Antony an...

Prefaces to Shakespeare | Antony and Cleopatra

A personal introduction to the play by Barbara Jefford, who talks of her experience of playing Cleopatra in various production...

World Drama | Antony and Cleopatra - Part 2

The second and final part of a full-length radio adaptation of Shakespeare’s play Antony and Cleopatra, directed and produced by ...

World Drama | Antony and Cleopatra

The first part of a full-length radio adaptation of Shakespeare’s play Antony and Cleopatra, directed and produced by John Tydeman.

Antony and Cleopatra

A production of William Shakespeare's classic play, adapted for radio and produced by R D Smith.

Drama on 3 | Antony and Cleopatra (2002)

William Shakespeare 's last great tragedy is set against the political backdrop of the Roman Empire and the centre of Egyptian cultu...

The Sunday Play | Antony and Cleopatra

Shakespeare's classic story of love and war in a vivid new production made in association with Northern Broadsides Theatre Company, w...

Shakespeare In Perspective | Antony and Cleopatra

Anna Raeburn offers her personal view of this epic love story in which everything is sacrificed to an obsessive passion. An...

The Morecambe and Wise Show | S05E05

Entertainment and comedy show starring Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise. Tonight's special guests are Glenda Jackson who features in the Cl...

The Spread of the Eagle | 09: The Monument (Antony and Cleopatra Acts 4 and 5)

A BBC production of a 9 part cycle based on the three Roman plays by Shakespeare - Coriolanus,...

The Spread of the Eagle | 08: The Alliance (Antony and Cleopatra Acts 2, 3 and 4)

A BBC production of a 9 part cycle based on the three Roman plays by Shakespeare - Coriolan...

The BBC Television Shakespeare | As You Like It

Classic comedy by William Shakespeare about the travails of lovers Rosalind and Orlando, who become entangled in a beguiling ...

As You Like It (2006)

Adaptation of Shakespeare's pastoral comedy set in 19th-century Japan, telling the story of Orlando and Rosalind's expulsion from the Court of Duke Fre...

Shakespeare Uncovered | Rosalind and Orlando in the Forest of Arden

An exploration of the scene between Rosalind and Orlando in the Forest of Arden.

Shakespeare Uncovered | Rosalind in As You Like It

Joely Richardson discusses Shakespeare's 'As You Like It' and the character of Rosalind.

Shakespeare Uncovered | Vanessa Redgrave

The actress Vanessa Redgrave discusses her love for performing in Shakespeare's plays.

Dame Helen Mirren Remembers... As You Like It

Dame Helen Mirren looks back on one of her earliest TV roles, playing Rosalind in the BBC's 1978 production of the Shakespeare ...

Bard on the Box | Susanne Kennedy - Health Visitor

Celebrity Shakespeare devotees join members of the public to recite some of Shakespeare’s best-known and best-loved speech...

Only Fools and Horses | The Chance of a Lunchtime

A comedy by John Sullivan about wheeler-dealers in south London. Raquel is offered an audition for the part of Rosalind in ...

Prefaces to Shakespeare | As You Like It

Janet Suzman gives the third of six talks introducing the first season of Shakespeare's plays on BBC2. "In most plays people are dif...

World Drama | As You Like It

A full-length radio adaptation of Shakespeare’s play As You Like It, adapted and produced by Ian Cotterell.

The Sunday Play | As You Like It

A 2000 BBC radio adaptation of Shakespeare's play As You Like It. Shakespeare's forest of Arden liberates those banished from the repressive...

Monday Play | As You Like It

A 1997 radio version of William Shakespeare's comedy of true love, misplaced love, gender confusion and reconciliation.

Five to Eleven | Paul Alexander

Paul Alexander reads extracts from Shakespeare's As You Like It (All the World's a Stage) and The Tempest (Prospero's Epilogue).

Shakespeare In Perspective | As You Like It

Brigid Brophy offers a personal view of the comedy As You Like It which was originally an Elizabethan 'best seller'.

As You Like It

A Royal Shakespeare Company production of Shakespeare's As You Like It. The cast includes Vanessa Redgrave as Rosalind, Patrick Wymark as Touchstone and Pats...

Drama on 3 | As You Like It

A new production of Shakespeare's pastoral comedy of love, lust, cross-dressing and mistaken identity. With music by Johnny Flynn.

Coriolanus (2011)

Ralph Fiennes's acclaimed directorial debut transposes Shakespeare's Roman tragedy to a contemporary Balkan conflict. Contains some strong language and som...

Coriolanus (1965)

A 1965 TV production of Shakespeare's 'Coriolanus', performed by the National Youth Festival, from the Chichester Festival Theatre. In this production the ...

The Spread of the Eagle

A BBC production of a 9 part cycle based on the three Roman plays by Shakespeare - Coriolanus, Julius Caesar and Antony & Cleopatra. The plays are pr...

Prefaces to Shakespeare | Coriolanus

Ian Hogg, who played the title role at Stratford ten years ago, presents his personal view of the play and the central character Coriola...

The Tragedy of Coriolanus | Part 2

Part two of a radio adaptation of Coriolanus, produced and directed by Ian Cotterell.

The Tragedy of Coriolanus

Part one of a radio adaptation of Coriolanus, produced and directed by Ian Cotterell.

Drama on 3 | The Tragedy of Coriolanus

A 2002 radio adaptation of Shakespeare's classic play: when Rome's greatest military hero, Coriolanus, divides the people and the patr...

Shakespeare In Perspective | Coriolanus

General Sir John Hackett gives an introduction to Shakespeare's Coriolanus which portrays a soldier hero who is destroyed by his unyi...

The BBC Television Shakespeare | The Tragedy of Coriolanus

A 1983 BBC television presentation of Shakespeare's classic play. This was broadcast as part of the 37-play BBC Te...

The Spread of the Eagle | 03: The Outcast (Coriolanus Acts 4 and 5)

A BBC production of a 9 part cycle based on the three Roman plays by Shakespeare - Coriolanus, Julius Cae...

The Spread of the Eagle | 02: The Voices (Coriolanus Acts 2, 3 and 4)

A BBC production of a 9 part cycle based on the three Roman plays by Shakespeare - Coriolanus, Julius C...

Drama on 3 | Coriolanus

One of Shakespeare's most powerful political plays; in Ancient Rome, a society at war with itself banishes its great martial hero, Coriolanus, with p...

The BBC Television Shakespeare | Cymbeline

A 1983 BBC television presentation of Shakespeare's Cymbeline. This was broadcast as part of the 37-play BBC Television Shakespear...

Drama on 3 | Cymbeline (2024)

An ineffectual ruler governs a Britain alienated from the rest of Europe. Lydia Wilson, Michael Maloney and Greta Scacchi star in this contempo...

In the Studio | Gregory Doran: Staging Shakespeare's Cymbeline

Behind the scenes of the Royal Shakespeare Company's new production, Cymbeline.

Front Row | The making of the new RSC production of Cymbeline

In this special edition, Front Row follows the making of the Royal Shakespeare Company's new production of Cymb...

Cymbeline (1986) | Part 2

Part two of a full-length radio adaptation of Shakespeare’s play Cymbeline, produced and directed by David Spenser.

Cymbeline (1986)

Part one of a full-length radio adaptation of Shakespeare’s play Cymbeline, produced and directed by David Spenser.

Prefaces to Shakespeare | Cymbeline

Jeffery Dench, actor and an associate artist of the Royal Shakespeare Company, introduces the play and characters. "We have Imogen at th...

Drama on 3 | Cymbeline (2006)

A 2006 radio adaptation of William Shakespeare's drama Cymbeline. When Cymbeline discovers his daughter Imogen's secret marriage to Posthumus, ...

The Sunday Play | Cymbeline

A 1996 BBC radio adaptation of Shakespeare’s play Cymbeline. Juliet Stevenson stars as Imogen, whose love for Posthumus is tested to its utmost a...

Shakespeare In Perspective | Cymbeline

In his 'personal view' playwright Dennis Potter sees the world of Cymbeline as 'the extravagant imperious, improbable, tender shocking...

RSC's Henry IV, Part I

Antony Sher stars as Falstaff in the RSC's 2014 production of Shakespeare's history play, directed by the company's artistic director, Gregory Doran.

The Hollow Crown | Henry IV Part I

When King Henry is threatened by rebellion led by Hotspur, his dissolute son Prince Hal must join him to defeat the rebels and fight Hotsp...

Drama on 3 | Henry IV

Rebellion threatens both in the country and within Henry's own family. Can the king hold on to power and win back the love of his son? Starring Iain Gl...

Prefaces to Shakespeare | Henry IV Part I

Sir Michael Redgrave presents a personal view of Henry IV, Part 1, referring to Shakespeare's treatment of political loyalties. "I ...

Performance | Henry IV Part I

Part 1 of a 1995 BBC screen adaptation by John Caird which compresses both parts of Henry IV into a three-hour television drama focusing on the...

Cry God for Harry | Part 3: Falstaff Goodnight

The third part of a radio adaptation of William Shakespeare's Henry IV and Henry V. Northumberland learns that his son Hotspur...

Cry God for Harry | Part 2: Glorious Deeds

The second part of a radio adaptation of William Shakespeare's Henry IV and Henry V. With the rebellion in full force, the battle ...

Cry God for Harry

The first part of a radio adaptation of William Shakespeare's Henry IV and Henry V. The rebellion gathers pace.

Henry IV (1973) | Part I

The first part of a radio version of Shakespeare’s history play King Henry IV produced by Martin Jenkins in stereo.

The Sunday Play | Henry IV Part I

A BBC radio Shakespeare adaptation of Henry IV Part I which features Falstaff, Shakespeare's greatest comic creation, who latches on to Hal...

Shakespeare In Perspective | Henry IV Part I

George Melly offers a personal view of the play Henry IV Part I, and introduces Sir John Falstaff whom he regards as Shakespeare...

The BBC Television Shakespeare | Henry IV

A 1979 BBC production of Shakespeare's history play which features the opportunistic miscreant, Sir John Falstaff. This was broadca...

An Age of Kings | 04: Henry IV: The Road to Shrewsbury

Part Four of a fifteen-part BBC series comprising Shakespeare’s history plays from Richard II to Richard III (the two ...

An Age of Kings | 03: Henry IV: Rebellion from the North

Part Three of a fifteen-part BBC series comprising Shakespeare’s history plays from Richard II to Richard III (the t...

Book of the Week | 05: Antony Sher - Year of the Fat Knight

Antony Sher reveals his fat knight to the public after a year of rehearsing. But what will they and the critics m...

Book of the Week | 04: Antony Sher - Year of the Fat Knight

Antony Sher recounts running Henry IV Parts I and II at the same time, while rehearsing Falstaff for the RSC.

Book of the Week | 03: Antony Sher - Year of the Fat Knight

The author finally gets to try on his Falstaffian fat suit; it weighs a ton.

Book of the Week | Antony Sher - Year of the Fat Knight

Antony Sher's account of researching, rehearsing and performing one of Shakespeare's best-known and most popular char...

Book of the Week | 02: Antony Sher - Year of the Fat Knight

While rehearsing Falstaff, Sher films a scene in The Hobbit with Ian McKellen.

The Hollow Crown | Henry IV Part II

In the aftermath of the Battle of Shrewsbury, Northumberland learns of the death of his son. The Lord Chief Justice attempts to separate ...

Drama on 3 | Henry IV, Part 2

Shakespeare's play examines the burdens of kingship, ageing and atonement and bids farewell to his greatest comic creation, Falstaff.

Words and Music | Drink and No Drink

Excerpt from Henry IV Part II and The Porter, Macbeth by William Shakespeare.

Performance | Henry IV Part II

Part 2 of a 1995 BBC screen adaptation by John Caird which compresses both parts of Henry IV into a three-hour television drama focusing on th...

Prefaces to Shakespeare | Henry IV Part II

The actor Anthony Quayle gives his personal view of Henry IV Part 2 and introduces this winter's season of Shakespeare's plays on ...

Henry IV (1973) | Part II

The second and final part of a radio version of Shakespeare’s history play King Henry IV produced by Martin Jenkins in stereo.

The Sunday Play | Henry IV Part II

A BBC radio Shakespeare adaptation of Henry IV Part II. Despite defeat, the rebels are still plotting against King Henry, who has fallen s...

Shakespeare In Perspective | Henry IV Part II

Fred Emery offers a personal view of the play Henry IV Part II. He regards Shakespeare as 'the master of all political journali...

The BBC Television Shakespeare | Henry IV Part II

A 1979 BBC production of Shakespeare's history play. This was broadcast as part of the 37-play BBC Television Shakespeare p...

An Age of Kings | 11: Henry VI: The Rabble from Kent

Part Eleven of a fifteen-part BBC series comprising Shakespeare’s history plays from Richard II to Richard III (the two ...

An Age of Kings | 06: Henry IV: Uneasy Lies the Head

Part Six of a fifteen-part BBC series comprising Shakespeare’s history plays from Richard II to Richard III (the two tet...

An Age of Kings | 05: Henry IV: The New Conspiracy

Part Five of a fifteen-part BBC series comprising Shakespeare’s history plays from Richard II to Richard III (the two tetr...

Henry V (2017)

Kenneth Branagh's Oscar-winning adaptation of Shakespeare's play telling the story of the courageous king's invasion of France and the historic Battle of Agin...

The Hollow Crown | Henry V

Henry V has settled onto the throne and has the makings of a fine king when the French ambassador brings a challenge from the Dauphin. Inspired by...

The BBC Television Shakespeare | Henry V

A 1979 BBC production of Shakespeare's history play. This was broadcast as part of the 37-play BBC Television Shakespeare project an...

Words and Music | Leadership

William Shakespeare - Henry V: Act IV, prologue

Drama on 3 | Henry V

King Henry lays claim to the throne of France and finds himself caught up in a battle not only for the country but the hearts and minds of his followers.

Henry V from Shakespeare's Globe

A performance of Shakespeare’s great history play from the Globe Theatre.

Open University | The Authentick and Ironical Historie of Henry V

This programme looks for the real King Henry V in Medieval history, on the Shakespearean stage and in Olivi...

Bard on the Box | HRH Prince Charles

Celebrity Shakespeare devotees join members of the public to recite some of Shakespeare’s best-known and best-loved speeches and sonnets...

Prefaces to Shakespeare | Henry V

Robert Hardy, the actor and author, who has played Henry V and many other leading Shakespearean roles, presents a personal view of Henry V,...

Henry V (1976) | Part 2

Part 2 of a full radio adaptation of Shakespeare’s Henry V produced and directed by Martin Jenkins. The music is performed by Christopher Ball, John ...

Henry V (1976)

Part 1 of a full radio adaptation of Shakespeare’s Henry V produced and directed by Martin Jenkins. The music is performed by Christopher Ball, John Royston-M...

Shakespeare In Perspective | Henry V

Lord Chalfont offers a personal view of the play Henry V; he describes the epic military campaign on which the play is based and assesse...

An Age of Kings | 08: Henry V: The Band of Brothers

Part Eight of a fifteen-part BBC series comprising Shakespeare’s history plays from Richard II to Richard III (the two te...

An Age of Kings | 07: Henry V: Signs of War

Part Seven of a fifteen-part BBC series comprising Shakespeare’s history plays from Richard II to Richard III (the two tetralogie...

BBC Television World Theatre | The Life of Henry V

The first televised adaptation of Shakespeare's play The Life of Henry V, broadcast in the BBC Television World Theatre se...

Shakespeare - Henry at Agincourt

A sequence from Shakespeare's Henry V, devised for broadcasting on the eve of St George's Day 1956. Stars Richard Burton.

And Calm of Mind

Ex-soldiers turn to Shakespeare to tackle post-traumatic stress: Chris Ledgard follows the Combat Veteran Players, as they take Henry V from a community hal...

The Hollow Crown | The Wars of the Roses: Henry VI Part I

Drama based on Shakespeare's history play. Henry VI Part I. With Henry V dead and against the backdrop of wars in F...

Prefaces to Shakespeare | Henry VI

Actor Brewster Mason - who played Warwick in the RSC's 1963 version of the plays, The Wars of the Roses - gives a personal view of this ep...

Henry VI Part I (1971) | Part 2

Part 2 of the first part of the Henry VI trilogy abridged and produced by Raymond Raikes and broadcast in two parts. The original stage direc...

Henry VI Part I (1971)

Part 1 of the first part of the Henry VI trilogy abridged and produced by Raymond Raikes and broadcast in two parts. The original stage directions are...

Shakespeare In Perspective | Henry VI Part I

Michael Wood sets the scene for the first play in this historical trilogy telling of the death of heroes, loss of Empire and the...

The BBC Television Shakespeare | Henry VI

A 1983 BBC television presentation of the first part of Shakespeare's Henry VI. Henry V is dead and war continues with France. The ...

Chronicle | The Making of a Saint: The Story of Joan of Arc

This programme uses extracts from contemporary manuscripts and literature to trace how the legend of Joan of Arc...

The Wars of the Roses (1966) | 02: Margaret of Anjou

A BBC TV production of Shakespeare's late medieval histories first created for the stage by Peter Hall for the Royal Sha...

The Wars of the Roses (1966) | (Episodes 1-11)

A BBC TV production of Shakespeare's late medieval histories first created for the stage by Peter Hall for the Royal Shakespea...

The Wars of the Roses (1965) | 01: Henry VI

First part of the RSC's landmark production of The Wars of the Roses, adapted by John Barton.

An Age of Kings | 09: Henry VI: The Red Rose and the White

Part Nine of a fifteen-part BBC series comprising Shakespeare’s history plays from Richard II to Richard III (the ...

The Hollow Crown | The Wars of the Roses: Henry VI Part II

After victory at the Battle of St Albans, the Yorkists force King Henry VI and the Lancastrians to surrender their...

Henry VI Part II (1971) | Part 2

Part 2 of the second part of the Henry VI trilogy abridged and produced by Raymond Raikes and broadcast in two parts. The original stage dir...

Henry VI Part II (1971)

Part 1 of the second part of the Henry VI trilogy abridged and produced by Raymond Raikes and broadcast in two parts. The original stage directions a...

Shakespeare In Perspective | Henry VI Part II

Michael Wood presents a personal view of Henry VI Part II. He questions the portrayal of Henry as 'a naive, weak but moral man ...

The BBC Television Shakespeare | Henry VI Part II

A 1983 BBC television presentation of Shakespeare's Henry VI Part II. This was broadcast as part of the 37-play BBC Televis...

The Wars of the Roses (1966) | 04: Council Board

A BBC TV production of Shakespeare's late medieval histories first created for the stage by Peter Hall for the Royal Shakesp...

The Wars of the Roses (1966) | 05: The Fearful King

A BBC TV production of Shakespeare's late medieval histories first created for the stage by Peter Hall for the Royal Shak...

The Wars of the Roses (1966) | 03: The Lord Protector

A BBC TV production of Shakespeare's late medieval histories first created for the stage by Peter Hall for the Royal Sh...

The Wars of the Roses (1965) | 02: Edward IV

The second play in the RSC's production by Peter Hall starring Alan Tucker and Peggy Ashcroft.

An Age of Kings | 10: Henry VI: The Fall of the Protector

Part Ten of a fifteen-part BBC series comprising Shakespeare’s history plays from Richard II to Richard III (the tw...

Shakespeare In Perspective | Henry VI Part III

Michael Wood presents a personal view of Henry VI Part III. He traces the background to the play which ends with the depositio...

The BBC Television Shakespeare | Henry VI Part III

A 1983 BBC television presentation of Shakespeare's Henry VI Part III. Richard, Duke of Gloucester, aspiring to the crown,...

The Wars of the Roses (1966) | 08: The Prophetess

A BBC TV production of Shakespeare's late medieval histories first created for the stage by Peter Hall for the Royal Shakes...

The Wars of the Roses (1966) | 07: Edward of York

A BBC TV production of Shakespeare's late medieval histories first created for the stage by Peter Hall for the Royal Shake...

The Wars of the Roses (1966) | 06: The Kingmaker

A BBC TV production of Shakespeare's late medieval histories first created for the stage by Peter Hall for the Royal Shakesp...

An Age of Kings | 13: Henry VI: The Sun in Splendour

Part Thirteen of a fifteen-part BBC series comprising Shakespeare’s history plays from Richard II to Richard III (the tw...

An Age of Kings | 12: Henry VI: The Morning's War

Part Twelve of a fifteen-part BBC series comprising Shakespeare’s history plays from Richard II to Richard III (the two tet...

The BBC Television Shakespeare | Henry VIII

A 1979 BBC production of Shakespeare's history play. This was broadcast as part of the 37-play BBC Television Shakespeare project...

Words and Music | The Tudors

Excerpt from Shakespeare's from Henry VIII and Richard II.

Free Thinking | Tudor Families

Henry VIII from a female perspective is on offer at the Globe Theatre this summer in a new adaptation of the play written by Shakespeare and J...

Prefaces to Shakespeare | Henry VIII

Donald Sinden presents a personal view of Shakespeare's Henry VIII, referring to the politics of the age, and problems posed to the acto...

Henry VIII (1966)

The first part of a production of William Shakespeare's classic history play, adapted for radio and produced by R D Smith.

Henry VIII (1966) | Part II

The second part of a production of William Shakespeare's classic history play, adapted for radio and produced by R D Smith.

Shakespeare In Perspective | Henry VIII

Anthony Burgess sets Shakespeare in perspective by looking at the circumstances which surrounded the first public performance of Shak...

Drama on 3 | Henry VIII

Shakespeare's play about the monarch who came to the throne as a 17 year old, 500 years ago.

The BBC Television Shakespeare | The Life and Death of King John

A 1984 BBC television presentation of Shakespeare's history play. This was broadcast as part of the 37-play ...

Prefaces to Shakespeare | King John

Emrys James, who played King John at Stratford in 1974, presents a personal view of the play. "The action is a see-saw struggle for powe...

The Life and Death of King John

A production of William Shakespeare's classic history play, adapted for radio and produced by Raymond Raikes.

The Friday Play | King John

A production of Shakespeare's play King John: relocated to an age of technological warfare, King John emerges as a brooding play of schemes where...

Shakespeare In Perspective | King John

Sir Peter Parker visits the ruins of Minster Lovell Hall to present his personal view of the play which he describes as a 'blood-curdl...

Prefaces to Shakespeare | Love's Labour's Lost

The actor Kenneth Branagh, who plays the King of Navarre in the RSC production at Stratford gives his personal view of Shakesp...

World Theatre | Love's Labour's Lost

A radio version of Shakespeare’s play Love's Labour's Lost. The music is composed by Derek Oldfield and is played by the Allegro Ensembl...

Play of the Month | Love's Labour's Lost

A 1975 BBC production of Shakespeare's Love's Labour's Lost, broadcast as part of the Play of the Month drama strand. It was shot en...

The BBC Television Shakespeare | Love's Labour's Lost

A 1985 BBC television presentation of Shakespeare's classic comedy play. This was broadcast as part of the 37-play BBC ...

Shakespeare In Perspective | Love's Labour's Lost

Novelist Emma Tennant gives her personal view of Love's Labour's Lost which centres on four studious young men and their at...

Love's Labour's Lost

A televised recording of Val May’s Bristol Old Vic Company European Tour production. This production was recorded for television as part of the celebrat...

Prefaces to Shakespeare | Pericles

The actress Amanda Redman, who played the part of Marina in the BBC TV Shakespeare series, gives her personal view of Pericles, Prince of...

Pericles, Prince of Tyre

A radio adaptation of the play Pericles, Prince of Tyre. Shakespeare uses the poet Gower to relate the adventures, sufferings and wanderings of the ...

Drama on 3 | Pericles

A 2005 radio adaptation of William Shakespeare 's drama Pericles - with a contemporary twist and a multicultural cast.

Shakespeare In Perspective | Pericles

Poet P J Kavanagh offers his personal view of Shakespeare's play, which tells the story of a good man whose patient acceptance of life'...

The BBC Television Shakespeare | Pericles, Prince of Tyre

A 1984 BBC television presentation of Shakespeare's play. This was broadcast as part of the 37-play BBC Television ...

Richard II Live from the Globe

For the first time in nearly 50 years, there is a live and interactive broadcast of a theatrical production, as Shakespeare's 'Richard II' is ...

The Hollow Crown | Richard II

Shakespeare adaptation starring Ben Whishaw. King Richard is called upon to settle a dispute between his cousin Henry Bolingbroke and Thomas Mo...

The BBC Television Shakespeare | Richard II

A 1978 BBC production of the classic Shakespeare story of King Richard II. This was the second broadcast of the 37-play BBC Telev...

Shakespeare Uncovered | 03: Derek Jacobi on Richard II

Derek Jacobi looks at Richard II, a role he played 30 years ago. He helps actors at the Globe with aspects of the play...

Shakespeare: Rise of a Genius | Essex Rebellion

Elizabethan links to the Essex Rebellion and Richard II.

Words and Music | The Tudors

Excerpt from Shakespeare's from Henry VIII and Richard II.

Performance | Richard II

A production of the National Theatre’s 1995 production of Richard II directed by Deborah Warner with Fiona Shaw in the title role. It was re-staged ...

Richard II (1986)

A full-length radio adaptation of the play Richard II, produced and directed by Richard Wortley.

Prefaces to Shakespeare | Richard II

Ian Richardson presents a personal view of King Richard II and the characters in the Shakespeare play. These talks were given as curtain...

Richard II (2000)

Richard Eyre introduces a new production of Richard II starring Samuel West in the title role. The play raises the questions as to whether Richard is the "...

Five to Eleven | Laurence Olivier: Richard II

Poetry or prose readings, read this week by guest presenter Lord Laurence Olivier. The choices include John of Gaunt's deathbed...

Shakespeare In Perspective | Richard II

Paul Johnson offers a personal view of the play which, when produced in 1601, threatened the throne of England. The programme include...

The Tragedy of King Richard II

Shakespeare's classic tragedy, performed by the Prospect Theatre Company in the 1969 Edinburgh Festival production. This is the first televise...

An Age of Kings | 02: Richard II: The Deposing of a King

Part Two of a fifteen-part BBC series comprising Shakespeare’s history plays from Richard II to Richard III (the two...

An Age of Kings | 01: Richard II: The Hollow Crown

Part One of a fifteen-part BBC series comprising Shakespeare’s history plays from Richard II to Richard III (the two tetra...

Eye to Eye | Night in the City

Denis Mitchell narrates a programme looking at the people who inhabit the streets of a provincial city (Manchester) at night. Among the people...

Drama on 3 | Richard II

William Shakespeare's study of deluded autocracy: when Richard II banishes Bolingbroke and confiscates his property, he begins a chain of events that...

The Hollow Crown | The Wars of the Roses: Richard III

In his quest for the throne, Richard will stop at nothing - not even murder.

The BBC Television Shakespeare | The Tragedy of Richard III

A 1983 BBC television presentation of Shakespeare's Richard III. This was broadcast as part of the 37-play BBC Te...

Richard III (1955)

Having helped his brother King Edward IV take the throne of England, the jealous Richard, Duke of York, conspires and plots to seize power for himself, or...

Blackadder | The Foretelling

The first of six horrible situation tragedies to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the accession of Richard III. From out of the swirling mists...

The Wars of the Roses (1966) | 11: Henry Tudor

43'00''

The Learning Zone | Film Education: Richard III - Shooting Shakespeare

This programme examines how director Richard Loncraine and star Ian McKellen have collaborated to prod...

The Monday Play | Richard III

A radio adaptation of Shakespeare’s history play produced and directed for radio by Jane Morgan. The production commemorates the 500th annivers...

Prefaces to Shakespeare | The Tragedy of Richard the Third

Edward Woodward, who recently played the title role of King Richard III in a much-praised production, gives his pe...

Richard III - Part Two

A play on three time levels: the action of the play moves in and out of the years 1948, 1984, 1484 and 1485. Richard III - Part Two has been presented...

The Life and Death of King Richard III | Part 2

Part 2 of a production of William Shakespeare's classic history play, adapted and produced by John Powell.

The Life and Death of King Richard III

Part 1 of a production of William Shakespeare's classic history play, adapted and produced by John Powell.

Drama on 3 | The Tragedy of King Richard III

A 2004 radio adaptation of Shakespeare's The Tragedy of King Richard III. Douglas Henshall stars as the hunchback Duke of Glouce...

The Sunday Play | Richard III

A Radio Drama North production in collaboration with Northern Broadsides Theatre Company who bring Shakespeare's most famous antihero to life i...

Saturday Review | Richard III

Antony Sher 's Richard III at the RSC has been described as 'electrifying'. What is it that has captivated the critics?

The Two Ronnies | 10/12/1983

Comedy series starring Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett. This show includes 'Humphrey and Godfrey' 'Roadsweepers'

The Wars of the Roses (1966) | 11: Henry Tudor

A BBC TV production of Shakespeare's late medieval histories first created for the stage by Peter Hall for the Royal Shakespea...

The Wars of the Roses (1966) | 10: Richard the King

A BBC TV production of Shakespeare's late medieval histories first created for the stage by Peter Hall for the Royal Shak...

The Wars of the Roses (1966) | 09: Richard of Gloucester

A BBC TV production of Shakespeare's late medieval histories first created for the stage by Peter Hall for the Royal...

The Wars of the Roses (1965) | 03: Richard III

The third part of the RSC's production by Peter Hall, starring Roy Dotrice.

An Age of Kings | 15: Richard III: The Boar Hunt

Part Fifteen of a fifteen-part BBC series comprising Shakespeare’s history plays from Richard II to Richard III (the two tet...

Bard on the Box | Sarah Holland - Romantic Novelist

Celebrity Shakespeare devotees join members of the public to recite some of Shakespeare’s best-known and best-loved speec...

Poetry Please | Sonnet 116 (2002)

There's an air of celebration as Frank Delaney returns with a new series of listeners' poetry requests. These include Waiting by Raymond Ca...

Poetry Please | Sonnet 116 (2000)

Selections of poetry on various themes, chosen by listeners. Frank Delaney talks to anthology editors Christopher Ricks and Jo Shapcott and...

Poetry Please | Sonnet 116 (1998)

Selections of poetry on various themes, chosen by listeners. Ian McMillan and Wendy Cope 'scorn not the sonnet' and celebrate 600 years of ...

Poetry Please | Sonnet 116 (1997)

Selections of poetry on various themes, chosen by listeners. Adrian Henri rounds up the month's Merseyside requests with teachers and pupil...

Poetry Please | Sonnet 116 (1995)

Selections of poetry on various themes, chosen by listeners. Palgrave's Golden Treasury, first published 130 years ago, has been a favourit...

Poetry Please | Sonnet 116 (1994)

Selections of poetry on various themes, chosen by listeners. Simon Rae introduces some listeners' requests marking rites of passage from bi...

Poetry Please | Sonnet 116 (1993)

Selections of poetry on various themes, chosen by listeners. Simon Rae introduces a selection of love poetry for Valentine's Day from the B...

Poetry Please | Sonnet 116 (1992)

Selections of poetry on various themes, chosen by listeners. This episode contains Something for everybody by Thomas Middleton and read by ...

Words and Music | Writers and the BBC

Featuring 'Sonnet 18' by William Shakespeare.

With Great Pleasure | Sonnet 18 (1987)

Rt Hon Roy Hattersley MP, deputy leader of the Labour Party, presents his personal choice of poetry and prose, including Sonnet XVIII ...

With Great Pleasure | Sonnet 18 (1971)

Extracts from poetry and prose, including Shakespeare's Sonnets 18 and 65. In 1944 General Hackett was badly wounded at the battle of ...

Poetry Please | Sonnet 18 (2005)

Selections of poetry on various themes chosen by listeners. Celebrating the BBC's November Shakespeare season, Roger McGough introduces requ...

Poetry Please | Sonnet 18 (2004)

Selections of poetry on various themes chosen by listeners. As Valentine's Day approaches, Roger McGough introduces a selection of listener...

Poetry Please | Sonnet 18 (1996)

Selections of poetry on various themes, chosen by listeners. On Midsummer's Eve, Gareth Owen presents a poetic celebration of the sun and Su...

Poetry Please | Sonnet 18 (1995)

Selections of poetry on various themes, chosen by listeners. Gareth Owen introduces poetry requests on the popular theme of love. This epis...

Poetry Please | Sonnet 18 (1994)

Selections of poetry on various themes, chosen by listeners. This episode includes Praise the Lord by Brendan Kennelly and read by the poet,...

Poetry Please | Sonnet 18 (1991)

Selections of poetry on various themes, chosen by listeners. This episode contains Sonnet 18 "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?" by Wi...

Poetry Please | Sonnet 18 (1990)

Selections of poetry on various themes, chosen by listeners. This episode contains Sonnet 18 (Shall I compare thee to a summer's day) by Wil...

Adventures in Poetry | Shakespeare's Sonnet

Richard Wilson explores some of the hidden meanings and resonances of Shakespeare's famous and much loved sonnet, and asks: 'Shal...

My Life in Verse | Shakespearean language in Sonnet 29

Sheila Hancock explores Shakespearean language.

Open University | The Learning Zone - The Sonnet

A schools programme which looks at the form and content of a selection of sonnets from William Wordsworth, Philip Sidney, Wi...

Bard on the Box | Rt Hon Neil Kinnock MP

Celebrity Shakespeare devotees join members of the public to recite some of Shakespeare’s best-known and best-loved speeches and son...

Poetry Please | Sonnet 29 (2003)

Selections of poetry on various themes chosen by listeners. In the start of a new series, Roger McGough celebrates Shakespeare's 439th birth...

Poetry Please | Sonnet 29 (1998)

Selections of poetry on various themes, chosen by listeners. Ian McMillan introduces listeners' requests for favourite sonnets. These includ...

Stanza on Stage | Maya Angelou

Andrew McAllister introduces Maya Angelou in performance at the Hay-on-Wye festival. The performances include 'My bonnie lies over the ocean',...

Sonnets in the City

In response to Shakespeare's Sonnet 29, Tom Wells's drama about a waiter who arrives late to the restaurant where he works, finding his boss in a bad moo...

Poetry Please | Sonnet 30 (1999)

Selections of poetry on various themes, chosen by listeners. Frank Delaney celebrates the programme's 20th anniversary with a gala performan...

Poetry Please | Sonnet 30 (1993)

Selections of poetry on various themes, chosen by listeners. Simon Rae explores Shakespeare's greatest hits with director Bob Carlton. These...

Stanza | Rhythm and Sound

The first in a series of late night conversations with poetry in mind. Guest Tom Paulin takes presenter Andrew McAllister on a tour through sound a...

Poetry Please | Sonnet 30 (1989)

Selections of poetry on various themes, chosen by listeners. This episode contains Sonnet number 30 by William Shakespeare read by Tim Pigot...

Pebble Mill at One

A lunchtime television magazine programme broadcast live on weekdays at 1pm: this episode features a reading of Shakespeare's Sonnet 30.

The BBC Television Shakespeare | The Comedy of Errors

A 1983 BBC television presentation of Shakespeare's early comedy play. This was broadcast as part of the 37-play BBC Te...

Prefaces to Shakespeare | The Comedy of Errors

The actor Roger Rees, who starred in Trevor Nunn's highly popular musical version of the play in 1977, gives a personal view o...

The Comedy of Errors (1968)

A full-length production of William Shakespeare's classic play, adapted and produced by Raymond Raikes.

Shakespeare In Perspective | A Comedy of Errors

Comedian Roy Hudd illustrates some of the timeless gags and comic routines that sharpen this comedy of mistaken identities. ...

The Comedy of Errors (1964)

A televised adaptation of Clifford Williams’ Royal Shakespeare Company stage production. The tale of the complications which ensue when two sets ...

Shakespeare from Kabul

This is the story of a group of Afghan actors bringing a production of Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors to an international festival at London's Glo...

Prefaces to Shakespeare | The Merry Wives of Windsor

Actress Prunella Scales, who plays the role of Mistress Page in the BBC TV Shakespeare series production, gives her pers...

The Monday Play | The Merry Wives of Windsor

A radio version of Shakespeare’s play, The Merry Wives of Windsor, adapted and directed by Dickon Reed.

The Merry Wives of Windsor

A 1995 BBC radio Shakespeare adaptation of The Merry Wives of Windsor. The randy Falstaff is in hot pursuit of a brace of Windsor wives in this li...

Sunday Night Theatre | The Merry Wives of Windsor

A special telerecording of a Stratford-upon-Avon theatre production staged as part of the Stratford Festival in 1955. Direc...

Saturday Review | The Merry Wives of Windsor

The last in the present series of the journal of the arts and media presented by Russell Davies. Russell Davies introduces a cli...

The BBC Television Shakespeare | The Merry Wives of Windsor

A 1982 BBC production of Shakespeare's classic play. This was broadcast as part of the 37-play BBC Television Sh...

Shakespeare In Perspective | The Merry Wives of Windsor

Journalist Jilly Cooper presents a personal view of the play The Merry Wives of Windsor which she regards as 'a sort ...

Drama on 3 | The Two Gentlemen of Verona

The Two Gentlemen of Verona is considered to be one of Shakespeare’s earliest plays. This production was filmed on location in the S...

Prefaces to Shakespeare | The Two Gentlemen of Verona

The actor Geoffrey Hutchings gives his personal view of Shakespeare's The Two Gentlemen of Verona.

The Two Gentlemen of Verona | Part 2

Part 2 of a full-length production of William Shakespeare's classic play, adapted and produced by R D Smith.

The Two Gentlemen of Verona

Part 1 of a full-length production of William Shakespeare's classic play, adapted and produced by R D Smith.

The BBC Television Shakespeare | The Two Gentlemen of Verona

A 1983 BBC television presentation of Shakespeare's rarely performed comedy play. This was broadcast as part of ...

Shakespeare In Perspective | The Two Gentlemen of Verona

Broadcaster Russell Davies introduces the production of The Two Gentlemen of Verona, a comedy of young love which of...

The Winter's Tale from the Royal Ballet

Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon introduces the Royal Ballet's staging of his ballet, based on Shakespeare's late romance The Winte...

The BBC Television Shakespeare | The Winter's Tale

A 1981 BBC production of Shakespeare's classic play. This was broadcast as part of the 37-play BBC Television Shakespeare ...

The Winter's Tale (1997)

A 1997 full radio adaptation of Shakespeare’s play The Winter's Tale. Tom Courtenay stars as the wildly jealous King Leontes, who, suspecting his qu...

Lights Up | The Winter's Tale

King Leontes rips his family apart with his jealousy, but grief opens his heart. Will he find the child he abandoned before it is too late? Set...

The Winter's Tale (1982)

A full-length radio adaptation of the play The Winter's Tale, produced in stereo by Martin Jenkins.

Prefaces to Shakespeare | The Winter's Tale

A personal introduction to the play by the actress Anna Calder-Marshall, who played Hermione in the BBC TV Shakespeare production.

Drama on 3 | The Winter's Tale (2004)

A 2004 radio adaptation of Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale, a play that explores the cycles of human life, the destructiveness of jealo...

Shakespeare In Perspective | The Winter's Tale

Stephen Spender offers a personal view of Shakespeare's 'The Winter's Tale'.

The Winter's Tale (1962)

A 1962 televised adaptation of the play The Winter's Tale which aims, according to producer Don Taylor, at ‘simplicity and understanding’. The produ...

Drama on 3 | The Winter's Tale (2016)

A story of love, loss and ultimately reconciliation and renewal, with Danny Sapani as King Leontes and Eve Best as his queen, Hermione.

Free Thinking | Sounds of Shakespeare - The Winters Tale

Matthew Sweet discusses Shakespeare's play The Winter's Tale with actor Samuel West and scholars Michael Dobson and ...

Shakespeare In Perspective | Timon of Athens

Malcolm Muggeridge presents his personal view of Shakespeare's play Timon of Athens.

Prefaces to Shakespeare | Timon of Athens

A personal introduction to the play by Richard Pasco, who played the title role for the 1980 Royal Shakespeare Company production a...

World Drama | Timon of Athens

A radio adaptation of Shakespeare’s unfinished play Timon of Athens, produced and arranged for stereo by Raymond Raikes. The music is written a...

The Friday Play | Timon of Athens

A production of Shakespeare's 'unfinished' but powerful play Timon of Athens. Shakespeare presents an acquisitive society in which greed an...

The BBC Television Shakespeare | Timon of Athens

A 1981 BBC production of Shakespeare's classic play. This was broadcast as part of the 37-play BBC Television Shakespeare pr...

The BBC Television Shakespeare | Titus Andronicus

A 1985 BBC television presentation of Shakespeare's classic tragic play. This was the last broadcast in the 37-play BBC Tel...

Prefaces to Shakespeare | Titus Andronicus

The actor, Patrick Stewart, gives his personal view of Titus Andronicus and the difficulty of playing the character of Titus.

World Drama | Titus Andronicus

A radio adaptation of Shakespeare's full-blooded revenge tragedy. The Andronici family become involved in a feud with the Roman Emperor Saturn...

Shakespeare In Perspective | Titus Andronicus

Anthony Clare offers his personal view of the play which portrays the family as 'the source of all our strengths, the genesis o...

Shakespeare: Love Across the Racial Divide | 02: Titus Andronicus

Yasmin Alibhai-Brown focuses on the relationship between Tamora the Goth Queen and Aaron the Moor in Titus ...

The BBC Television Shakespeare | Troilus and Cressida

A 1981 BBC production of Shakespeare's classic satire on the theme of love and war. This was broadcast as part of the 3...

Troilus and Cressida (1966)

A televised production of an outside broadcast of a National Youth Theatre stage production filmed at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry.

Words and Music | Aspects of the Divine

Featuring William Shakespeare - Troilus and Cressida.

Prefaces to Shakespeare | Troilus and Cressida

Norman Rodway, a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company, gives a personal view of this very 'modern' play which hovers betwee...

Troilus and Cressida (2005)

Set during the Trojan War, Shakespeare's powerful drama about a doomed love and the futility of war is also an extraordinarily topical enquiry in...

Shakespeare In Perspective | Troilus and Cressida

Sir David Hunt offers his personal view of Shakespeare's Troilus and Cressida which he sees as a savage satire on war and a...