I hope there is a third series to further explore Shakespeare's plays, although most of the popular ones have already been covered (the man wrote 37 plays, there are still plenty to go).
Part One: A Midsummer Night's Dream with Hugh Bonneville
Hugh Bonneville looks at one of Shakespeare's most accessible comedies: A Midsummer Night's Dream. It is a romantic comedy, that was first performed at a wedding feast. The story has many elements and characters and every production chooses which aspects to highlight.
Bonneville's acting career began with the play A Midsummer Night's Dream. The play is considered a gateway to Shakespeare, the first of his plays that you should see. It is funny and heartbreaking, with wonderful roles and a terrible play within the play. The film versions are good, but nothing compares to a live performance of this play.
Part Two: King Lear with Christopher Plummer
Christopher Plummer played King Lear at the age of 70. King Lear is a difficult play that challenges the actors and subverts audience expectations. Plummer explores the historical basis for the character, how theatres depict the play, and the alternate ending that was created in the later 1700s ran for almost 150 years.
I read this play in college and wrote a paper about it, although I have never seen the play performed. The alternate version of the play is called The History of King Lear and was written by Nahum Tate. Tate's version makes many significant changes to Shakespeare play (in some cases removing characters and changing the person delivering Shakespeare's lines).
Part Three: The Taming of the Shrew with Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman talks about The Taming of the Shrew, one of Shakespeare's first plays. Freeman starred in The Taming of the Shrew in 1990 at the Delacorte Theater. He explores the culture and women's role in the time period and tries to find out why the play was written.
I've never read The Taming of the Shrew, but I am familiar with two film adaptations of it: Kiss Me Kate and 10 Things I Hate About You. It is a complex play that can make modern audiences uncomfortable
Part Four: Othello with David Harewood
David Harewood played Othello is 1997. He looks at the role of prejudice, race, and jealousy in the play, and the history of the men who have played Othello (and how they were received).
I've never read Othello or seen any film or theater versions of the play. It is a difficult play to perform or read / watch, it is brutal and the villain never explains himself (adding to the mystery of who he is and why he is making the decisions that drastically affect so many lives).
Part Five: Anthony and Cleopatra with Kim Cattrall
Kim Cattrall looks at the love story and politics surrounding Anthony and Cleopatra. She played Cleopatra in 2010. The play looks at the destruction of the relationship between Marc Anthony, one of the rulers of Rome and Cleopatra, the ruler of Egypt. She compares the history of the characters with Shakespeare's version, including brief scenes from Julius Caesar that feature Marc Anthony.
Like most people, I know the basic story of Cleopatra (her name and relationships with Roman rulers), but I've never read Shakespeare's play (although I have read Julius Caesar). These are strong characters, that are best portrayed by middle-age (age appropriate) actors, with iconic speeches that live beyond the play.
Part Six: Romeo and Juliet with Joseph Fiennes
Joseph Fiennes looks at one of the most performed and adapted of Shakespeare's plays. Fiennes played William Shakespeare in the film Shakespeare In Love which is about Shakespeare writing Romeo and Juliet. What is it about this play that inspires and captures young hearts and is re-made every generation?
I first read this play in high school (and saw a live performance) and then more in-depth in college. I have also seen Shakespeare In Love and 3 of the film adaptations of the play. I love the commentary and the in-depth look at the language (and how it changes throughout).
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