ALL 37 PRODUCTIONS FROM THE BBC TELEVISION SHAKESPEARE SERIES

William Shakespeare’s repute spans the world – the beauty of his language, his profound insight into human nature and the complexity and integrity of his characters, confirming him as the greatest ever playwright. These BBC adaptations, renowned for their loyalty to the text, utilise the best theatrical and television talent to bring the full glory of his plays to the small screen.

In 1978, the BBC set itself the task of filming all of William Shakespeare’s plays for television. The series – beginning with Romeo and Juliet and concluding, nearly seven years later, with Titus Andronicus – featured adaptations of all 36 First Folio plays, plus Pericles, Prince of Tyre. Ranging from traditional interpretations to adventurous, stylised approaches – and featuring such great actors as John Gielgud, Jane Lapotaire, Claire Bloom, Derek Jacobi, Anthony Hopkins, Prunella Scales, Patrick Stewart, Helen Mirren and John Cleese – the resulting productions form a magnificent and unique collection of the Shakespeare canon.

THE SHAKESPEARE COLLECTION
Titles arranged in alphabetical order

ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA
AS YOU LIKE IT
THE COMEDY OF ERRORS
CORIOLANUS
CYMBELINE
HAMLET
HENRY IV PART I
HENRY IV PART II
HENRY V
HENRY VI PART I
HENRY VI PART II
HENRY VI PART III
HENRY VIII
JULIUS CAESAR
KING LEAR
THE LIFE AND DEATH OF KING JOHN
LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST
MACBETH
MEASURE FOR MEASURE
THE MERCHANT OF VENICE
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
OTHELLO
PERICLES, PRINCE OF TYRE
RICHARD II
RICHARD III
ROMEO AND JULIET
THE TAMING OF THE SHREW
THE TEMPEST
TIMON OF ATHENS
TITUS ANDRONICUS
TROILUS AND CRESSIDA
TWELFTH NIGHT
THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA
THE WINTER’S TALE