Series synopsis
The BBC Television Shakespeare is a British drama comedy television series that premiered on BBC Two on December 3, 1978. It ended on April 27, 1985. It was created by Cedric Messina. It stars Patrick Ryecart, Rebecca Saire, Celia Johnson and Joseph O'Conor.
The BBC Television Shakespeare is a series of British television adaptations of the plays of William Shakespeare, created by Cedric Messina and produced by BBC Television. It was transmitted in the UK from 3 December 1978 to 27 April 1985 and spanned seven series. Development of the series began in 1975 when Messina saw that Glamis Castle would make a perfect location for an adaptation of Shakespeare's play As You Like It. On returning to London, he envisioned an entire series devoted exclusivel ...
Premise
The BBC Television Shakespeare is a series of British television adaptations of the plays of William Shakespeare, created by Cedric Messina and produced by BBC Television. It was transmitted in the UK from 3 December 1978 to 27 April 1985 and spanned seven series. Development of the series began in 1975 when Messina saw that Glamis Castle would make a perfect location for an adaptation of Shakespeare's play As You Like It. On returning to London, he envisioned an entire series devoted exclusively to the dramatic works of Shakespeare. After encountering numerous problems trying to produce the series, Messina eventually pitched the idea to the BBC’s departmental heads and the series was greenlighted. The series as a whole received generally negative reviews from critics.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Patrick Ryecart as Romeo
- Rebecca Saire as Juliet
- Celia Johnson as Nurse
- Joseph O'Conor as Friar Laurence
- Laurence Naismith as Prince Escalus
- Anthony Andrews as Mercutio
- Alan Rickman as Tybalt
- Jacqueline Hill as Lady Capulet
Supporting cast
- Christopher Strauli as Benvolio
- Christopher Northey as Paris
- John Gielgud as John of Gaunt
- Paul Henry as Peter
- Roger Davidson as Balthasar
- John Paul as Montague
- Zulema Dene as Lady Montague
- Esmond Knight as Old Capulet
- David Sibley as Sampson
- Wendy Hiller as Duchess of York
- Mary Morris as Douchess of Gloucester
- David Swift as Duke of Northumberland
Guest cast
- Patrick Ryecart as Romeo
- Rebecca Saire as Juliet
- Celia Johnson as Nurse
- Joseph O'Conor as Friar Laurence
- Laurence Naismith as Prince Escalus
- Anthony Andrews as Mercutio
- Alan Rickman as Tybalt
- Jacqueline Hill as Lady Capulet
- Christopher Strauli as Benvolio
- Christopher Northey as Paris
- John Gielgud as John of Gaunt
- Paul Henry as Peter
Episodes
This series spans 1 season with 37 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 37 | December 3, 1978 | April 27, 1985 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Romeo & Juliet Two households, both alike in dignity, in fair Verona where we lay our scene, from ancient grudge break to new mutiny where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. From forth the fatal loins of these two foes a pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life whose misadventur'd piteous overthrows doth with their death bury their parents' strife. |
December 3, 1978 |
| 2 |
King Richard the Second Richard II, who ascended the throne as a child, is a regal and stately monarch. He believes he is the rightful ruler of England, ordained by God, yet he is a weak and ineffective king - wasteful in his spending habits, unwise in his choice of chancellors, and detached from his country and its people. When he seizes the land of his cousin Henry Bolingbroke, both the commoners and the barons decide that their king has gone too far. |
December 10, 1978 |
| 3 |
As You Like It Orlando is forced to work like a servant for his brother Oliver, so he goes to win his fortune in a wrestling contest, where he meets a lady of the court, Rosalind (daughter of the deposed duke), who is companion to Celia, niece of the deposed duke. When the current duke banishes Rosalind from the kingdom, she, Celia, the court jester, and incidentally Orlando, all end up in the forest or Arden, where the deposed duke holds court. Romantic mix-ups, cross-dressing, love poems nailed to trees, and a lion await them all. |
December 17, 1978 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | BBC Two |
|---|---|
| First aired | December 3, 1978 |
| Last aired | April 27, 1985 |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Saturday |