Being Shakespeare

Being Shakespeare

2012

Featuring a tour de force performance from Simon Callow, Being Shakespeare is a one-man show about the life and work of the world’s greatest playwright. Written by the renowned scholar Jonathan Bate, and taking its cue from Jacques’ famous ‘Seven Ages of Man’ speech in As You Like It, the drama traces Shakespeare’s life from his birth in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1564 to his burial there fifty-two years later. Weaving together this story with extracts from many of Shakespeare’s most famous plays, Simon Callow presents a vivid and very human portrait of the man and of the Elizabethan world in which he lived. Recorded before an audience during the play’s triumphant London run, Being Shakespeare is both a wonderful introduction to the author and a richly nuanced, funny and fascinating study for those who already love his plays.

Directed by John Wyver · Written by Jonathan Bate

Your Rating

Where to Watch

Rent or Buy

Cast

Simon Callow

Make it a double feature

Being Shakespeare

Je Suis A Stand-Up: Eddie Izzard Abroad

Both from John Wyver.

More from John WyverSee all →

Je Suis A Stand-Up: Eddie Izzard Abroad

Je Suis A Stand-Up: Eddie Izzard Abroad · 1996

Je Suis A Stand-Up: Eddie Izzard Abroad

MovieDocumentary

BBC2 documentary of Eddie Izzard's first foray into world touring. Beginning in her "hometown" of Eastbourne and and culminating in her month long show in the East village of New York, Izzard travels to Paris (her first, unsuccessful French language show,) Copenhagen, Reykjavik, and Stockholm.

Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar · 2018

MovieHistoryAction

The first installment of Phyllida Lloyd’s groundbreaking all-female Shakespeare Trilogy sees Harriet Walter take on the role of Brutus, who wrestles with his moral conscience over the murder of Julius Caesar.

RSC Live: King Lear

RSC Live: King Lear · 2016

RSC Live: King Lear

King Lear has ruled for many years. As age begins to overtake him, he decides to divide his kingdom amongst his children, living out his days without the burden of power. Misjudging his children’s loyalty and finding himself alone in the wilderness, he is left to confront the mistakes of a life that has brought him to this point. Antony Sher plays King Lear, one of the greatest parts written by Shakespeare in this, one of Shakespeare’s most epic and powerful plays.

Shakespeare Live! From the RSC

Shakespeare Live! From the RSC · 2016

Shakespeare Live! From the RSC

MovieMusicTV Movie

From the stage of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, David Tennant, Catherine Tate and guests mark the life of William Shakespeare on the 400th anniversary of the playwright's death.

Hamlet

MovieDramaTV Movie

David Tennant stars in a film of the Royal Shakespeare Company's award-winning production of Shakespeare's great play. Director Gregory Doran's modern-dress production was hailed by the critics as thrilling, fast-moving and, in parts, very funny.

Rocky Horror Show Live

Rocky Horror Show Live · 2015

Rocky Horror Show Live

MovieComedyScience Fiction

After getting a flat tire in the middle of nowhere, newly engaged couple Brad and Janet encounter the eerie mansion of the flamboyant, seductive Dr. Frank-N-Furter and a variety of eccentric characters. Through elaborate dance and rock music, the mad scientist unveils his latest creation: a perfect, muscular man.

Macbeth

Macbeth · 2010

Renowned Shakespearean actor Patrick Stewart features as the eponymous anti-hero in this Soviet-era adaptation of one of Shakespeare's darkest and most powerful tragedies.

The Dilapidated Dwelling

The Dilapidated Dwelling · 2000

The Dilapidated Dwelling

MovieDocumentary

Documentary with fictional elements exploring issues around housing in the United Kingdom.

Donald Cammell: The Ultimate Performance

Donald Cammell: The Ultimate Performance · 1998

Donald Cammell: The Ultimate Performance

MovieDocumentary

Documentary profile of the Scottish painter, screenwriter and director Donald Cammell, who committed suicide in 1996.

Hamlet

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 London's Harold Pinter Theatre. Robert Icke's innovative modern-dress production, featuring Andrew Scott, Juliet Stevenson, Angus Wright and Jessica Brown Findlay, has been widely acclaimed as a dazzlingly intelligent, forcefully contemporary staging. The Evening Standard hailed Andrew Scott's 'career-defining performance... he makes the most famous speeches feel fresh and unpredictable.'

Performance

Performance · 1991

An anthology series of various plays and dramatic performances.

The Tempest

The Tempest · 2018

MovieDramaComedy

Phyllida Lloyd’s final installment of the Donmar Shakespeare Trilogy concludes with an all-female version of The Tempest starring Harriet Walter as Prospero. This captivating reimagining explores themes of freedom and justice in the context of a women’s prison.

Shakespeare's Sonnets

Shakespeare's Sonnets · 2012

Shakespeare's Sonnets

William Shakespeare’s Sonnets are among the most beautiful and most fascinating poems ever written. All of the poems, together with their enigmatic Dedication, are featured in readings by a star-studded cast.

Art, Truth and Politics

Art, Truth and Politics · 2005

Art, Truth and Politics

MovieDocumentary

Nobel Lecture delivered on video by the 2005 Nobel Laureate in Literature Harold Pinter (1930–2008), who was at the time hospitalised and unable to travel to Stockholm to deliver it in person.

Drama Out of a Crisis: A Celebration of Play for Today

Drama Out of a Crisis: A Celebration of Play for Today · 2020

Drama Out of a Crisis: A Celebration of Play for Today

MovieDocumentary

Marking Play for Today’s 50th anniversary, Drama Out of a Crisis is a compelling exploration of the series, its origins, achievements, controversies and legacies. Featuring a rich and surprising range of archive extracts and original interviews with many who created the series, including producers Kenith Trodd, Margaret Matheson and Richard Eyre, and directors Mike Leigh, David Hare and Ken Loach.

Henry IV

Henry IV · 2018

MovieHistoryDrama

Harriet Walter takes the lead in the second installment of the Donmar Shakespeare Trilogy directed by Phyllida Lloyd. Featuring a diverse company of women, this unique interpretation combines both parts of Shakespeare’s history plays about King Henry IV and his son Prince Hal.

More Like This

Couldn't load this row right now.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter