A Tribute to Shakespeare - The Unparalleled

Synopsis: An About Anglia special presentation by Michael Robson to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth, featuring a compilation of enactments of his work, and footage taken from Laurence Olivier’s RICHARD III. Actors Jeremy Bush and Michael Robson, in period costume, enact scenes from King Lear, sonnet 73 is recited complemented by visuals of an English rural landscape, and Ron Moody as Shylock performs a speech from The Merchant of Venice. Robson gives a brief analysis of Shakespeare’s works that are still part of the school curriculum and two pupils enact a scene from Henry V. A scene from Henry V is performed by Robson and Bob Wellings and Jessica Hallsmith re-interpret scenes from Troilus and Cressida, replacing Elizabethan with World War II settings and costuming. Further recitals from Shakespeare’s work include sections taken from King Lear; and Cymbeline; followed by a choral version of the same play performed by school pupils. A recital from The Tempest completes the film, against visuals of historic buildings and the natural landscape.

Robson gives a brief analysis of the scope of Shakespeare’s work, that is still to this day part of the school curriculum, and two pupils enact scenes from Henry IV.

A scene from Henry V is performed by Robson, and later, Bob Wellings and Jessica Hallsmith reinterpret scenes from Troilus and Cressida replacing Elizabethan with World War II settings and costuming.

Further recitals from Shakespeare’s work include sections taken from King Lear (the Consolation monologue); and Cymbeline; followed by a choral version of the same play performed by school pupils. A recital from The Tempest completes the film, against visuals of historic buildings and the natural landscape.
Series: About Anglia
Language: English
Country: Great Britain
Medium: Television
Transmission details: 1964 (Channel: ITV)
Duration: 38:55