Shakespeare Uncovered: Series 3

After the success of Series 1 (aired in 2013) and Series 2 (aired in 2015), PBS commissioned a third season of Shakespeare Uncovered to take a deep look at 6 more of William Shakespeare's plays.  Each episode focuses on a Shakespeare play and is hosted by an actor or actress with a tie to the play.  They look at the play, with clips from live and film versions, discuss the historical context, legacy, etc.

Part One: Much Ado About Nothing with Helen Hunt
Helen Hunt looks at Shakespeare's romantic comedy: Much Ado About Nothing.  It is the story of lovers Claudio and Hero, but audiences are drawn to Benedick and Beatrice.  The title should be read as "Much Ado About Noting" or listening to other people's conversations, which is the focus of the story.

Hunt has played Beatrice twice and is interested in returning to the character.  There are two film versions of the story, Kenneth Branagh's 1993 period piece and Joss Whedon's 2012 modern take in black and white.  Both versions are fascinating looks at the play.


Part Two: The Merchant of Venice with F. Murray Abraham
F. Murray Abraham looks at Shakespeare's polarizing comedy: The Merchant of Venice.  The play starts as a comedy, but in the end there are no winners.  The most memorable character in the play is Shylock, but he is not the lead... the Merchant is question is his rival, Antonio.  The play is indirectly about dealing with trauma - dealing with things, without addressing them.

Abraham's investigation focuses on the culture clash in the play and the feeling of being an outsider.  The play may not resonate with everyone, but it still manages to captivate audiences.  I was not familiar with the play before this, and I'm still not sure if I want to look into it further.


Part Three: Measure for Measure with Romola Garai
Romola Garai dives into Shakespeare's "problem play:" Measure for Measure.  The city of Vienna is morally in decay.  The Duke put Angelo in charge and then disguises himself as a friar to see how it goes.  It is styled as a dark comedy and focuses on Angelo's actions.  Angelo comes into direct conflict with Isabella, a nun who is very smart and passionate.

Audiences have problems with the play.  Angelo is an extreme and an illustration of when lust corrupts power.  The Duke doesn't fare much better... he observes all and only intervenes at the end.  The story ends with marriage proposals, but does not resolve the problems.  It ends without an answer to the final question.


Part Four: Julius Caesar with Brian Cox
Brian Cox takes on Shakespeare's political drama Julius Caesar.  While the play is called Caesar, Brutus is the charismatic and pragmatic center of the play.  He is the axis  around which everything happens.

Cox looks at the the politics of the play.  It paralleled life in Elizabethan England: Queen Elizabeth was a powerful leader with no successor, like Caesar.  The parallels would be apparent to the audience, echoing their fears of the future.  It also questions how well we know our selves and what we are willing to do for the things we believe.


Part Five: The Winter's Tale with Simon Russell Beale
Simon Russell Beale focuses on Shakespeare's psychological The Winter's Tale.  King Leontes is a man who has everything and is in a good place: he is happily married, has a beautiful son and is expecting a second son, and his best friend is visiting.  And goes downhill from there, ending Act 3 with Leontes in despair and broken.  The focus changes in Act IV and Act V brings everyone together again together again.

Winter's tales are fairy tales / ghost stories.  Beale focuses on the magical elements of the story.  Beale portrayed King Leontes to critical acclaim.  I didn't know anything about the play before this, but I am interested in exploring this play.


Part Six: Richard III with Anthony Sher
Anthony Sher takes on one of Shakespeare's most notorious figures, Richard III.  Richard III's legacy lives on in Shakespeare's play, but how close is that to the real figure.  In the play, he is a master manipulator... winning over the audience and his harshest critics, all while doing terrible things.

Sher played the character in 1977 and the role has stuck with him.  My first introduction to the character was in The Hollow Crown: War of the Roses: Richard III as portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch.  I am interested in discovering other versions of the play.