SHAKESPEARE

Synopsis

Four-part drama autobiographical serial written by Jimmy McGovern set in a tough Liverpool comprehensive school where Drew (Eccleston) is a principled probationary teacher. In this final episode he is the only teacher who will take on the school play and the headmaster (McElhinney) demands that the production of Julius Caesar must be ‘as Shakespeare intended or not at all’. Drew at first obeys but when the headmaster refuses a place for Drew’s nephew, who has a stutter and is deemed ‘remedial’, Drew rebels and allow his players full creativity by turning the play into a musical romp.

Series

Hearts and Minds

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Television

Technical information

Colour / Sound

Transmission details

9 Mar 1995 at 22:00 (Channel: Channel Four)

Duration

65 mins

Credits

Director

Stephen Whittacker

Producer

David Wimbury; Tara Prem

Writer

Jimmy McGovern

Cast

Christopher Eccleston	Drew McKenzie
Ian McElhinney	Headmaster

Additional Details

Production type

Television and Radio Drama

Plays

Julius Caesar

Subjects

Drama

Keywords

musicals; Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); School productions

Notes

Awards

1996 RTS Television Award for Best Serial

Production Company

Name

Alomo Productions

Name

Witzend Productions

Archive

Name

BFI National Archive

Web

http://www.bfi.org.uk/archive-collections/searching-access-collections/research-viewing-services External site opens in new window

Phone

020 7255 1444

Fax

020 7436 0165

Address

21 Stephen Street
London
W1T 1LN