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Shakespeare Live! From the RSC

From the stage of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, hosts David Tennant and Catherine Tate are joined by Benedict Cumberbatch, Judi Dench, Ian McKellen, Dame Helen Mirren, and many more for a very special evening. Together they mark the life and work of William Shakespeare on the 400th anniversary and celebrate Shakespeare's...

Measure for Measure - From the Globe

The Shakespeare's Globe Theater production brings out the humor, intelligence and vitality of this classic for the modern audience. Starring Mark Rylance in a delightful comic performance as the too-kind Duke Vincentio, this comedy is not-to-be-missed.

A Midsummer Night's Dream (2016)

In the tyrannical court of Athens, the pitiless dictator Theseus plans his wedding to Hippolyta, a prisoner of war, and young Hermia is sentenced to death by her own father.

Celebrating 400 years of Shakespeare, Russell T Davies’ full-blooded adaptation has more attitude and invention than anything that’s gone before....

The Taming of the Shrew

The merchant Baptista has two daughters, but the younger, daintier daughter, Bianca, cannot be married before her strong-willed sister, Katherina. What's a suitor to do? The basis of Hollywood films like Ten Things I Hate About You, this classic romantic comedy is fun for the whole family. 

The Adventures of Pericles

Pericles, prince of Tyre, is a suitor for the hand of the beautiful daughter of Antiochus, king of Antioch. But all suitors must correctly answer a riddle he gives to earn her hand; if they fail, they are executed. Will Pericles be triumphant? 

Hamlet

A classic tale of betrayal, murder, and revenge, staged by the world-renowned Stratford Festival. Prince Hamlet is told by his father's ghost that his uncle Claudius has murdered him and married his widow.

Twelfth Night (1988)

Thames Television presents the Renaissance Theatre Company's acclaimed production of Shakespeare's comedy, Twelfth Night. A brother and sister are separated in a shipwreck, but survive to be washed up on the shore of Illyria. The sister, Viola, disguises herself as a man and takes service with the Duke Orsino who has fallen...

Macbeth (1979)

Macbeth is a daring member of the Scottish military who receives a revelation from three menacing sorceresses that he will someday become the King of Scotland. This information gives him a thirst for power, and with prompting from his wife, Lady Macbeth, he kills the current leader in order to take the throne. But he must...

Romeo and Juliet (2014)

The digitally captured production of the 2013 Broadway revival of "Romeo and Juliet" stars Orlando Bloom and two-time Tony-nominated Condola Rashad. The production ran for 93 performances at the Richard Rodgers Theatre from September 19th to December 8th, 2013. It is the 36th time "Romeo and Juliet" has appeared on...

Antony & Cleopatra (2015)

Reason and judgement prove no match for the tsunami of mutual passion engulfing Mark Antony, one of the three joint rulers of the Roman republic, and Cleopatra, the seductive queen of Egypt. Surrendering everything to their desires, they open the floodgates to a civil conflict that will shake the very foundations of their...

King John (2015)

War is the inevitable result when the King of France demands that John relinquish his crown in favour of his nephew, the young Prince Arthur. Excommunication, attempted atrocity, rebellion and assassination all contribute to a political and personal turmoil that finds devastating expression in an anguished mother’s grief for...

King Lear (2015)

An aging monarch resolves to divide his kingdom among his three daughters, with consequences he little expects. His reason shattered in the storm of violent emotion that ensues, with his very life hanging in the balance, Lear loses everything that has defined him as a king – and thereby discovers the essence of his own...

King Lear (2008)

Ian McKellen gives a tour-de-force performance as Shakespeare's tragic titular monarch in this special television adaptation of the Royal Shakespeare Company production of one the playwright's most enduring and haunting works.

Closed Captions Available.

Hamlet (1990)

With a daring and depth few of his American contemporaries seem prepared to match, Kevin Kline both starred in and directed HAMLET for the New York Shakespeare Festival.  Now with the felicitous addition of Kirk Browning as co-director, he has brought his indelible HAMLET to television where, as The New York Times stated,...

Othello (1990)

A slightly updated version of Othello set in the 19th century Cyprus, where all characters wear uniforms and dresses from the American Civil War era. Othello, a heroic aging Moroccan mercenary marries beautiful and loving Desdemona, daughter of a general. Their love has no match, but their doom is spelled by none other than...

The Life and Death of King John

BBC presents the classic play by William Shakespeare. Leonard Rossiter and John Thaw star. King John's young nephew, Arthur, has a claim to the English throne, which is supported by the French monarch. When King John rejects this claim, war is declared between England and France. Young Arthur finds his life threatened and...

Comedy of Errors

BBC presents Shakespeare's comedy of mistaken identity starring Roger Daltrey and Michael Kitchen as two sets of identical twins. Separated as children, the twins unknowingly find themselves living in the same city as adults. Confusion reigns as they become caught up in a brilliantly contrived series of misunderstandings...

The Tempest

BBC presents the classic play by William Shakespeare. Michael Hordern and Derek Godfrey star. Exiled, Prospero lives on a desolate island with his daughter, Miranda. When Prospero's usurping brother sails by the island, Prospero conjures a storm that wrecks the ship and changes all of their lives.

Closed Captions...

Measure for Measure (1979)

BBC presents the classic play by William Shakespeare. Starring Kenneth Colley and Tim Pigott-Smith, the strict Angelo is left in charge of Vienna when the Duke pretends to leave town. Reviving an old law, Angelo sentences the young Claudio to death for pre-marital sex. When Claudio's sister, Isabella, pleads for his life,...

Julius Caesar

BBC presents the classic play by William Shakespeare. Starring Richard Pasco as the title character. Julius Caesar is a highly ambitious political leader in Rome whose aim is to become dictator. Caesar is assassinated due to the plotting of Marcus Brutus and Cassius, who meet their inevitable defeat and plunge the country into...

Troilus & Cressida

BBC presents the classic play by William Shakespeare. Suzanne Burden and Anton Lesser take the title roles in Jonathan Miller's production of the classic Shakespeare play. The seven-year siege of Troy by Greek forces has reached stalemate. The Trojan King has carried off Helen, wife of Menelaus the Greek King and Achilles...

Henry VI Part III

BBC presents the classic play by William Shakespeare. The end of Henry VI’s saga stars Peter Benson and Julia Foster. After the War of the Roses, Henry’s supporters clash with the victorious House of York.

Closed Captions Available.

Henry VI Part II

BBC presents the classic play by William Shakespeare. Directed by Jane Howell, the continuing saga of Shakespeare's Henry VI stars Peter Benson, Julia Foster and Bernard Hill. The play chronicles the War of the Roses, the bloody battle for the throne between the Houses of York and Lancaster, and the disintegration of Henry's...

Titus Andronicus

BBC Presents the classic play by William Shakespeare starring Trevor Peacock and Eileen Atkins. The great warrior, Titus Andronicus, returns home from war victorious with an imprisoned Tamora, Queen of the Goths. In an act of solemn revenge for the death of his children, Titus murders Tamora’s eldest son Alarbus. So begins a...

Henry VI Part I

BBC presents the classic play by William Shakespeare. Starring Peter Benson in the title role, this is the first play in Jane Howell's adaptation of Shakespeare's Henry VI history cycle. The seeds of civil war are sown when the power vacuum left by Henry V's early death cannot be filled by the pious Henry VI. The boy king is...

The Two Gentlemen of Verona

BBC presents the classic play by William Shakespeare starring such greats as Tyler Butterworth and Tessa Peake-Jones. Valentine leaves Verona for Milan, but best friend Proteus is reluctant to join him as he has fallen in love with Julia. When Proteus eventually joins Valentine in Milan, Valentine shares the news that he has...

Henry IV Part II

BBC presents the classic play by William Shakespeare. Starring Jon Finch. As the reign of King Henry IV draws to a close, the monarch is increasingly saddened by the behavior of his heir, Prince Hal. The young Prince must face up to the great responsibility which will soon be his.

Closed Captions Available.

Henry IV Part I

BBC presents the classic play by William Shakespeare. Starring Anthony Quayle and Tim Pigott-Smith. Henry Bolingbroke has been crowned King of England, but he faces a rebellion headed by the disillusioned Earl of Northumberland and his son. Henry's son Hal, the Prince of Wales, has taken to heavy drinking and petty theft in...

Timon of Athens

BBC presents one of William Shakespeare’s lesser known works starring Jonathan Price and Sebastian Shaw. Timon’s incredible generosity is known throughout Athens. When his so-called friends take advantage of this, he soon alienates those who are truly loyal to him ending up alone and friendless.

Closed Captions Available.

Richard II

BBC presents the classic play by William Shakespeare with a stellar cast featuring John Gielgud and Derek Jacobi. When King Richard exiles Henry Bolingbroke and Thomas Mowbray over a dispute, he sows the seeds of his own downfall. Bolingbroke invades England, forcing the vain King to abdicate the throne, and rebellion...

Richard III

BBC presents the classic play by William Shakespeare. Ron Cook plays the tyrant king in Jane Howell's production of Shakespeare's great history play. Overbrimming with ambition and jealousy, the duplicitous Richard will stop at nothing to claim his brother's throne. One by one Richard eliminates all those who stand in his way...

Measure for Measure (1994)

William Shakespeare’s age-old play exploring the darker side of society is adapted for the modern day by David Thacker starring Tom Wilkinson, Corin Redgrave, and Juliet Aubrey. Sexually transmitted disease is reaching epidemic proportions. Prostitution, licentiousness and petty crime are on the increase and a new government...

Macbeth

BBC presents the classic play by William Shakespeare. Nicol Williamson plays the title role and Jane Lapotaire portrays Lady Macbeth in Jack Gold's production of the Scottish play. After receiving a prophecy of his future kingship from three witches, and coerced by his scheming wife, Macbeth murders King Duncan but he is...

King Lear (1998)

Ian Holm stars in the title role of this award-winning Royal National Theatre Production of William Shakespeare's King Lear. The cast also includes Timothy West as The Earl of Gloucester, Finbar Lynch as his bastard son, Edmund and Paul Rhys as his legitimate son, Edgar; Barbara Flynn, Amanda Redman and Victoria Hamilton as...

King Lear (1974)

The formidable James Earl Jones reprises his critically acclaimed King Lear in this television adaptation of Joseph Papp’s New York Shakespeare Festival production.  Of Jones’s performance, The Washington Post wrote, “Jones has the qualities of mind, body, voice and movement which enable him to make us care deeply about...

Henry V

BBC presents the classic play by William Shakespeare. This TV adaptation starring Julian Glover, Anna Quayle, and David Gwillim completes the story of Prince Hal's transformation from irresponsible rebel to majestic monarch. Now as King Henry V he is not only triumphant in the fields of France but also victorious in winning...

Henry VIII

BBC presents one of Shakespeare’s lesser known history plays. Henry VIII tells the story of a young King Henry (John Stride) and his trusted advisor Cardinal Wolsey (Timothy West). As the King meets and falls into lust with the beautiful Ann, a web of political and religious intrigue begins to form which leads the King to...

Henry IV Parts I & II

John Caird's adaptation of William Shakespeare's history play of a young man's elevation from immature prince to responsible king explores timeless themes against the brutal backdrop of medieval England and starring Jonathan Firth, Rufus Sewell, and Toby Jones.

Closed Captions Available.

Hamlet (1980)

BBC presents Shakespeare's classic tale of betrayal, murder and revenge. Rodney Bennett's television adaptation of Hamlet stars Derek Jacobi as the most complex of all Shakespeare’s characters. Prince Hamlet is told by his father's ghost that his uncle Claudius has murdered him and married his widow.

Coriolanus

BBC presents the classic play by William Shakespeare. Elijah Moshinsky directs this Shakespearian tragedy which chronicles the downfall of a Roman general. Caius Marcius is rewarded with the surname Coriolanus and given the rank of consul following his successes in battle. But his arrogance so incenses the common people that...

As You Like It

BBC presents the classic play by William Shakespeare starring Helen Mirren. When Rosalind falls in love with a young man named Orlando, she is swiftly banished from court by her uncle Duke Frederick. Joined by her cousin Celia and the court jester Touchstone, Rosalind seeks refuge in the forest of Arden disguised as a boy,...

Othelo

William Shakespeare's play is updated in this Chamé Buendia adaptation. Four actors embody all roles in an exploration of gender violence, racism and the role of media in society.

Spanish language, presented with English subtitles.

All's Well That Ends Well

BBC presents the classic play by William Shakespeare starring Ian Charleson and Angela Down. Poor doctor's daughter wins the hand of Bertram, the son of the Countess of Rousillon. Newlywed Helena is abandoned by a petulant Bertram who insists that she may not call him husband until she gets from him a ring, which he always...

The Taming of the Shrew

BBC presents the classic comedy by William Shakespeare starring John Cleese and Sarah Badel as they depict the courtship of Petruchio and Katherina.

Closed Captions Available.

Romeo and Juliet (1978)

BBC presents the classic play by William Shakespeare. This classic romantic tragedy is brought to the screen by director Alvin Rakoff. When Romeo attends a ball given by his family's enemy, the Capulets, he falls in love with Juliet, daughter of the house. They are wedded the next day by Friar Lawrence, who hopes to bring an...

Much Ado About Nothing

BBC presents one of Shakespeare’s most cherished comedies with a cast of greats led by Jon Finch, Cherie Lunghi, and Robert Lindsay. This is the quick-witted story of pride, love and jealousy. When Don Pedro visits the house of the Governor of Messina, he brings with him his half-brother Don John, and his two soldiers...

Cymbeline

BBC presents Shakespeare's symbolic romance starring Helen Mirren and Richard Johnson. King Cymbeline's daughter, the virtuous Imogen, marries the humble Posthumus in secret much to the disappointment of her stepmother. Posthumus is banished by the King and what follows is a tale of disguise, deceit, poison and...

A Midsummer Night's Dream (1997)

Pacific Northwest Ballet displays all the vitality, brilliance and versatility of its wonderful dancers in this award-winning production of Balanchine's first original full-length ballet. Shakespeare's comic fantasy of love's delusions set to the music of Felix Mendelssohn is a guaranteed audience pleaser.

Closed captions...

Uncle Vanya

A retired professor returns to the estate left to him by his first wife with Yelena, his new, young and beautiful wife. The estate is managed by Vanya, the professor's brother-in-law and his dull daughter, Sonya. Both Vanya and Astrov, the family doctor, fall in love with Yelena, but Sonya loves Astrov. The discontentment of...

Reluctant Tragic Hero - Chekhov Comedy Shorts

These star-studded adaptations of some of Chekhov's finest short works, commissioned to coincide with the 150th anniversary of his birth, feature some of the most acclaimed and celebrated actors from British stage and screen comedy.

Tolkachov, a frustrated and exasperated family man, exhausted from running countless errands...

The Bear - Chekhov Comedy Shorts

These star-studded adaptations of some of Chekhov's finest short works, commissioned to coincide with the 150th anniversary of his birth, feature some of the most acclaimed and celebrated actors from British stage and screen comedy.

Rude and boorish landowner Smirnoff calls on the recently widowed Popova to collect a debt...

The Dangers of Tobacco & The Proposal - Chekhov Comedy Shorts

These star-studded adaptations of some of Chekhov's finest short works, commissioned to coincide with the 150th anniversary of his birth, feature some of the most acclaimed and celebrated actors from British stage and screen comedy.

In “The Dangers of Tobacco”, Nyukhin, a brow-beaten husband of a domineering wife,...

The Making of 'West Side Story'

The world's leading opera singers gather to make a recording of the celebrated musical West Side Story, conducted for the first time by its composer Leonard Bernstein.

BBC Proms 1996: Dawn at Dusk

An evening featuring Dawn Upshaw, celebrating the range and vitality of the American music she grew up with, ranging from opera to songs from the shows. With the London Sinfonietta she performs music by Bernstein, Copland, Weill and Gershwin, and, for the first time at the Proms, Rodgers and Hart and Stephen Sondheim. Songs...

BBC Proms 2010: Rodgers & Hammerstein

John Wilson and his hand-picked orchestra give a program of Broadway hits penned by the great creative partnership of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein. Excerpts from Oklahoma!, Carousel, The King and I and The Sound of Music are just some of the movie orchestrations recreated by John Wilson and performed by his orchestra,...

Shakespeare Live! From the RSC

From the stage of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, hosts David Tennant and Catherine Tate are joined by Benedict Cumberbatch, Judi Dench, Ian McKellen, Dame Helen Mirren, and many more for a very special evening. Together they mark the life and work of William Shakespeare on the 400th anniversary and celebrate Shakespeare's...

Measure for Measure - From the Globe

The Shakespeare's Globe Theater production brings out the humor, intelligence and vitality of this classic for the modern audience. Starring Mark Rylance in a delightful comic performance as the too-kind Duke Vincentio, this comedy is not-to-be-missed.

A Midsummer Night's Dream (2016)

In the tyrannical court of Athens, the pitiless dictator Theseus plans his wedding to Hippolyta, a prisoner of war, and young Hermia is sentenced to death by her own father.

Celebrating 400 years of Shakespeare, Russell T Davies’ full-blooded adaptation has more attitude and invention than anything that’s gone before....

The Merchant of Venice (1972)

Maggie Smith, Frank Finlay and Charles Gray star in the adaptation of William Shakespeare's classic play. The Venice Titian and the Belmont of Botticelli are the visual inspiration behind this lavish production.

An Interview with Arthur Miller

Playwright Arthur Miller is interviewed at his Connecticut home about the political and poetic nature of his plays, about being a writer in twentieth-century America, and about his marriage to Marilyn Monroe.

Closed captions available. 

The Barretts of Wimpole Street

Jane Lapotaire and Joss Ackland star in this adaptation of Rudolph Besier’s play. Elizabeth Barrett is kept a virtual prisoner by her father.  Then the poet Robert Browning bursts into her life.

Closed Captions Available.

All's Well That Ends Well

BBC presents the classic play by William Shakespeare starring Ian Charleson and Angela Down. Poor doctor's daughter wins the hand of Bertram, the son of the Countess of Rousillon. Newlywed Helena is abandoned by a petulant Bertram who insists that she may not call him husband until she gets from him a ring, which he always...

Henry IV Parts I & II

John Caird's adaptation of William Shakespeare's history play of a young man's elevation from immature prince to responsible king explores timeless themes against the brutal backdrop of medieval England and starring Jonathan Firth, Rufus Sewell, and Toby Jones.

Closed Captions Available.

Henry IV Part I

BBC presents the classic play by William Shakespeare. Starring Anthony Quayle and Tim Pigott-Smith. Henry Bolingbroke has been crowned King of England, but he faces a rebellion headed by the disillusioned Earl of Northumberland and his son. Henry's son Hal, the Prince of Wales, has taken to heavy drinking and petty theft in...

Henry IV Part II

BBC presents the classic play by William Shakespeare. Starring Jon Finch. As the reign of King Henry IV draws to a close, the monarch is increasingly saddened by the behavior of his heir, Prince Hal. The young Prince must face up to the great responsibility which will soon be his.

Closed Captions Available.

Henry VI Part I

BBC presents the classic play by William Shakespeare. Starring Peter Benson in the title role, this is the first play in Jane Howell's adaptation of Shakespeare's Henry VI history cycle. The seeds of civil war are sown when the power vacuum left by Henry V's early death cannot be filled by the pious Henry VI. The boy king is...

Henry VI Part II

BBC presents the classic play by William Shakespeare. Directed by Jane Howell, the continuing saga of Shakespeare's Henry VI stars Peter Benson, Julia Foster and Bernard Hill. The play chronicles the War of the Roses, the bloody battle for the throne between the Houses of York and Lancaster, and the disintegration of Henry's...

Henry VI Part III

BBC presents the classic play by William Shakespeare. The end of Henry VI’s saga stars Peter Benson and Julia Foster. After the War of the Roses, Henry’s supporters clash with the victorious House of York.

Closed Captions Available.

Julius Caesar

BBC presents the classic play by William Shakespeare. Starring Richard Pasco as the title character. Julius Caesar is a highly ambitious political leader in Rome whose aim is to become dictator. Caesar is assassinated due to the plotting of Marcus Brutus and Cassius, who meet their inevitable defeat and plunge the country into...

Measure for Measure (1994)

William Shakespeare’s age-old play exploring the darker side of society is adapted for the modern day by David Thacker starring Tom Wilkinson, Corin Redgrave, and Juliet Aubrey. Sexually transmitted disease is reaching epidemic proportions. Prostitution, licentiousness and petty crime are on the increase and a new government...

Oedipus the King

Claire Bloom and Michael Pennington star in this adaption of the classic Theban play by Sophocles. As plagues ravish Thebes, Oedipus seeks to find the murderer of the former king.

Pericles

BBC presents the classic play by William Shakespeare. Mike Gwilym and Amanda Redman star. The many adventures of the Prince of Tyre begin when the King of Antioch offers his beautiful daughter’s hand in marriage to any man who can answer his riddle.

Closed Captions Available.

The Tempest

BBC presents the classic play by William Shakespeare. Michael Hordern and Derek Godfrey star. Exiled, Prospero lives on a desolate island with his daughter, Miranda. When Prospero's usurping brother sails by the island, Prospero conjures a storm that wrecks the ship and changes all of their lives.

Closed Captions...

Twelfth Night

BBC presents the classic play by William Shakespeare. Felicity Kendal and Sinead Cusack star in this adaptation, which is transferred to the time of the English Civil War. After Viola is parted from her twin Sebastian in a shipwreck, she poses as a manservant to Duke Orsino, but comical confusion arises when the Duke uses her...

The Life and Death of King John

BBC presents the classic play by William Shakespeare. Leonard Rossiter and John Thaw star. King John's young nephew, Arthur, has a claim to the English throne, which is supported by the French monarch. When King John rejects this claim, war is declared between England and France. Young Arthur finds his life threatened and...

Dangerous Corner

Daniel Day-Lewis and Sarah Badel star in J.B. Priestley’s classic play. A tragic event causes guests at a dinner party to ruminate on honesty, trust and dark secrets.

Closed captions available.

The Maitlands

Eileen Atkins and Bill Nighy star in Ronald Mackenzie's 'lost masterpiece.' Taking place in early summer in the secluded seaside village of Betworthy, there is strained atmosphere in the once-prosperous Maitland household, as impossible love triangles and hard times begin to take their toll.

Closed Captions Available.

Playboy of the Western World

John Hurt and Sinead Cusack star in this play written by John Millington Synge. Pegeen Mike is the bewitched admirer of the Playboy of the Western World and believes in Celtic portents.

Closed Captions Available.

A Doll's House

Henrik Ibsen struck an early blow for feminism in 1879 with this liberated tale of a wife who rebels. Juliet Stevenson plays Nora who finally revolts against her husband's perception of her as a doll-wife whose opinions count for nothing.

Closed captions available.

Absolute Hell

Judi Dench and Bill Nighy star in a production of Rodney Ackland's once scandalous black comedy about the alcoholic, nymphomaniac owner of a Soho drinking club in bomb-blasted London in the weeks leading up to the 1945 election.

Closed captions available.

Troilus & Cressida

BBC presents the classic play by William Shakespeare. Suzanne Burden and Anton Lesser take the title roles in Jonathan Miller's production of the classic Shakespeare play. The seven-year siege of Troy by Greek forces has reached stalemate. The Trojan King has carried off Helen, wife of Menelaus the Greek King and Achilles...

Titus Andronicus

BBC Presents the classic play by William Shakespeare starring Trevor Peacock and Eileen Atkins. The great warrior, Titus Andronicus, returns home from war victorious with an imprisoned Tamora, Queen of the Goths. In an act of solemn revenge for the death of his children, Titus murders Tamora’s eldest son Alarbus. So begins a...

A Midsummer Night's Dream (1997)

Pacific Northwest Ballet displays all the vitality, brilliance and versatility of its wonderful dancers in this award-winning production of Balanchine's first original full-length ballet. Shakespeare's comic fantasy of love's delusions set to the music of Felix Mendelssohn is a guaranteed audience pleaser.

Closed captions...

Tis Pity She's A Whore

Director Roland Joffé transports John Ford's Jacobean tragedy of incestuous love into strait-laced mid-Victorian England. Cherie Lunghi and Kenneth Cranham are the passionate lovers indulging in forbidden fruit, with violent and tragic consequences.

Closed Captions Available.

Timon of Athens

BBC presents one of William Shakespeare’s lesser known works starring Jonathan Price and Sebastian Shaw. Timon’s incredible generosity is known throughout Athens. When his so-called friends take advantage of this, he soon alienates those who are truly loyal to him ending up alone and friendless.

Closed Captions Available.

The Two Gentlemen of Verona

BBC presents the classic play by William Shakespeare starring such greats as Tyler Butterworth and Tessa Peake-Jones. Valentine leaves Verona for Milan, but best friend Proteus is reluctant to join him as he has fallen in love with Julia. When Proteus eventually joins Valentine in Milan, Valentine shares the news that he has...

The Taming of the Shrew

BBC presents the classic comedy by William Shakespeare starring John Cleese and Sarah Badel as they depict the courtship of Petruchio and Katherina.

Closed Captions Available.

Romeo and Juliet (1978)

BBC presents the classic play by William Shakespeare. This classic romantic tragedy is brought to the screen by director Alvin Rakoff. When Romeo attends a ball given by his family's enemy, the Capulets, he falls in love with Juliet, daughter of the house. They are wedded the next day by Friar Lawrence, who hopes to bring an...

Richard II

BBC presents the classic play by William Shakespeare with a stellar cast featuring John Gielgud and Derek Jacobi. When King Richard exiles Henry Bolingbroke and Thomas Mowbray over a dispute, he sows the seeds of his own downfall. Bolingbroke invades England, forcing the vain King to abdicate the throne, and rebellion...

Richard III

BBC presents the classic play by William Shakespeare. Ron Cook plays the tyrant king in Jane Howell's production of Shakespeare's great history play. Overbrimming with ambition and jealousy, the duplicitous Richard will stop at nothing to claim his brother's throne. One by one Richard eliminates all those who stand in his way...

Much Ado About Nothing

BBC presents one of Shakespeare’s most cherished comedies with a cast of greats led by Jon Finch, Cherie Lunghi, and Robert Lindsay. This is the quick-witted story of pride, love and jealousy. When Don Pedro visits the house of the Governor of Messina, he brings with him his half-brother Don John, and his two soldiers...

Measure for Measure (1979)

BBC presents the classic play by William Shakespeare. Starring Kenneth Colley and Tim Pigott-Smith, the strict Angelo is left in charge of Vienna when the Duke pretends to leave town. Reviving an old law, Angelo sentences the young Claudio to death for pre-marital sex. When Claudio's sister, Isabella, pleads for his life,...

Macbeth

BBC presents the classic play by William Shakespeare. Nicol Williamson plays the title role and Jane Lapotaire portrays Lady Macbeth in Jack Gold's production of the Scottish play. After receiving a prophecy of his future kingship from three witches, and coerced by his scheming wife, Macbeth murders King Duncan but he is...

Lady Windermere's Fan

On the brink of a momentous life-altering decision, a young lady learns that the difference between good and bad people is not always as straightforward as she thinks. This comedy of manners is packed with the wit and wisdom of the incomparable Oscar Wilde.

Closed Captions Available.

King Lear (1998)

Ian Holm stars in the title role of this award-winning Royal National Theatre Production of William Shakespeare's King Lear. The cast also includes Timothy West as The Earl of Gloucester, Finbar Lynch as his bastard son, Edmund and Paul Rhys as his legitimate son, Edgar; Barbara Flynn, Amanda Redman and Victoria Hamilton as...

Henry V

BBC presents the classic play by William Shakespeare. This TV adaptation starring Julian Glover, Anna Quayle, and David Gwillim completes the story of Prince Hal's transformation from irresponsible rebel to majestic monarch. Now as King Henry V he is not only triumphant in the fields of France but also victorious in winning...

Henry VIII

BBC presents one of Shakespeare’s lesser known history plays. Henry VIII tells the story of a young King Henry (John Stride) and his trusted advisor Cardinal Wolsey (Timothy West). As the King meets and falls into lust with the beautiful Ann, a web of political and religious intrigue begins to form which leads the King to...

Hedda Gabler

Fiona Shaw and Stephen Rea star in Ibsen's classic story of a woman who sets out to destroy her husband and his smug, middle-class attitudes, but instead finds herself having to make a grave decision. Hedda Gabler is the television debut of the highly acclaimed theatre director, Deborah Warner.

Closed Captions Available.

Hamlet (1980)

BBC presents Shakespeare's classic tale of betrayal, murder and revenge. Rodney Bennett's television adaptation of Hamlet stars Derek Jacobi as the most complex of all Shakespeare’s characters. Prince Hamlet is told by his father's ghost that his uncle Claudius has murdered him and married his widow.

Heartland

Anthony Hopkins plays a Welsh dairy farmer pushed beyond his endurance by a faceless bureaucracy. Jack's family have been farming their land for generations. Encouraged by Government and banks to modernize and expand, he borrows some money. Suddenly he is facing ruin through EC regulations. He determines to fight for his...

Ghosts

Starring Judi Dench, Kenneth Branagh, and Michael Gambon, Ibsen's powerful drama explores the suppression of disturbing truths and tragic effects of hypocrisy in the 19th century.

Closed Captions Available.

Cymbeline

BBC presents Shakespeare's symbolic romance starring Helen Mirren and Richard Johnson. King Cymbeline's daughter, the virtuous Imogen, marries the humble Posthumus in secret much to the disappointment of her stepmother. Posthumus is banished by the King and what follows is a tale of disguise, deceit, poison and...

Coriolanus

BBC presents the classic play by William Shakespeare. Elijah Moshinsky directs this Shakespearian tragedy which chronicles the downfall of a Roman general. Caius Marcius is rewarded with the surname Coriolanus and given the rank of consul following his successes in battle. But his arrogance so incenses the common people that...

Copenhagen

Based on the acclaimed stage play by Michael Frayn, and adapted and directed by Howard Davies, Daniel Craig and Stephen Rea star in this thought-provoking drama. Long after their deaths, Neils Bohr and Werner Heisenberg look back on their 1941 meeting in occupied Copenhagen. Old friends, Bohr and Heisenberg revolutionized...

Comedy of Errors

BBC presents Shakespeare's comedy of mistaken identity starring Roger Daltrey and Michael Kitchen as two sets of identical twins. Separated as children, the twins unknowingly find themselves living in the same city as adults. Confusion reigns as they become caught up in a brilliantly contrived series of misunderstandings...

A Winter's Tale

BBC presents the classic play by William Shakespeare starring Jeremy Kemp and Anna Calder-Marshall. The King of Sicily is convinced his wife is guilty of adultery with his close friend Polixenes. He imprisons her and tries to kill Polixenes, setting in motion a tragic chain of events.

Closed captions available. 

As You Like It

BBC presents the classic play by William Shakespeare starring Helen Mirren. When Rosalind falls in love with a young man named Orlando, she is swiftly banished from court by her uncle Duke Frederick. Joined by her cousin Celia and the court jester Touchstone, Rosalind seeks refuge in the forest of Arden disguised as a boy,...