Upstart Crow - Series 2

Synopsis
Episode 1 - The Green-Eyed Monster
William Shakespeare is on a mission to achieve upward mobility for himself and his family. With his old rival, Robert Greene, firmly in place as the Master of Heralds, William’s ambitions seems doomed. However, when he meets an African Prince, Otello, William devises a plan to secure the much needed support of the aristocracy.

Episode 2 - I Know Thee Not Old Man
William is about to go to Stratford to get some writing done when an old teacher decides to visit. The teacher’s visit conjures terrible childhood memories that William would rather forget.

Episode 3 - I Did Adore a Twinkling Star
When his nemesis, Robert Greene, tricks William into writing a dark tragedy for an aristocratic client who like romances, the Bard has to write a new play before it’s too late.

Episode 4 - Food of Love
William’s new play about twins who are separated at birth and given the same name attracts the criticism of being too far fetched. Undaunted, he decides to us the songs of the Tudor Music legend, Thomas Morley, to create his first ever musical.

Episode 5 - Beware My Sting
Buoyed by the success of his new play, "The Taming of the Shrew", William decides to try out Petruchio’s strategy for managing women; on the female members of his own family. He’s surprised to discover that it’s much harder to make life imitate art.

Episode 6 - Sweet Sorrow
The completion of "Romeo and Juliet" gives Williams he unenviable task of telling the seasoned actors, Burbage and Condell, that they are too old to play the star-crossed, teenaged lovers. If Greene has his way, he whole production will be shut down by the Puritans!
Series
Series 2
Language
English
Country
Great Britain
Medium
Television
Technical information
Colour / Sound
Year of release
2017
Transmission details
11 Sep 2017 at 20:30 (Channel: BBC2)
Duration
30 mins

Credits

Director
Matt Lipsey; Richard Boden
Producer
Gareth Edwards
Cinematographer
Martin Kempton; Tony Keene
Writer
Ben Elton
Editor
Jake Bernard
Music
Grant Olding
Production Design
Alex Beverley; Julian Fullalove
Costume
Leah Archer
Contributor
Fay Compton
Cast
David MitchellWill Shakespeare
Dominic ColemanCondell
Gemma WhelanKate
Harry EnfieldJohn Shakespeare
Helen MonksSusanna Shakepeare
Jake J. MenianiAntonio
Jocelyn Jee EsienLucy
Lisa TarbuckAnna Shakespeare
Mark HeapRobert Green
Paula WilcoxMary Shakespeare
Rob RouseBottom
Spencer JonesKempe
Steve SpiersBurbage
Steve ToussaintOtello
Tim DownieKit Marlow

Additional Details

Production type
Sitcoms/Variety
Plays
Othello
Subjects
Shakespeare
Keywords
family history; mobility; Othello (character)
Related items
Star Crossed Lovers

Production Company

Name

BBC Studios

Web
https://www.bbcstudios.com/ External site opens in new window

Distributor (VHS)

Name

BBC

Notes
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

How to cite this record

Shakespeare, "Upstart Crow - Series 2". https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/shakespeare/search/index.php/title/av77858 (Accessed 05 Dec 2024)