SHAKESPEARE

Synopsis

A film made for television based on Timothy Findlay’s two-act play, directed by Martha Henry, for the Stratford (Ontario) Shakespeare Festival. Queen Elizabeth condemns her lover, the Earl of Essex, to death for treason. On the eve of his death in 1601, a tormented Elizabeth seeks distraction and calls on William Shakespeare and his players to perform a comedy, Much Ado About Nothing. After the play has ended she joins the company, and as the players remove their costumes stripping away illusion, Elizabeth confronts her own torment. On the eve of his own death in 1616 Shakespeare remembers the confrontation and mourns the play he never wrote.

Series

Opening Night

Language

English

Country

Canada

Medium

Television; Video

Technical information

Colour / Sound

Transmission details

25 Sep 2003 (Channel: CBC)

Duration

92 mins

Credits

Director

Barbara Willis Sweete

Producer

Daniel Iron; Jennifer Jones (2); Niv Fichman

Cinematographer

Milan Podsedly

Writer

Timothy Findley

Production Design

Matthew Davies

Cast

Brent Carver	Ned Lowenscoff
Diane D’Aquila	Queen Elizabeth I
Peter Hutt	William Shakespeare

Additional Details

Production type

Television and Radio Drama

Plays

Much Ado About Nothing

Subjects

Drama

Keywords

history of the 16th century; Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); Elizabeth I, Queen of England; Stratford (Ontario) Shakespeare Festival

Notes

Notes

DVD extras include director’s audio commentary, omitted scenes and outtakes, behind-the-scenes documentary, close captioning for the hearing impaired and scene selection.

Production Company

Name

Rhombus Media

Sponsor

Name

Bravo TV

Online Retailer

Name

cbcshop.ca

Email

cbcshop@cbc.ca

Web

http://www.cbcshop.ca External site opens in new window

Fax

416-205 2139

Address

CBC Shop
PO Box 500, Station ‘A’
Toronto
Ontario, MSW 1E6 Canada