Gratuitous Sex and Violence: Shakespeare 1601 AD

Synopsis: Canadian comedy sketch show based on the premise ‘what if television had been around for the past 5,000 years’. Each episode explores a particular day in history and the result is a history lesson. "Excess violence in popular entertainment is not a new issue. Shakespeare came under attack for the excessive gore in his play Titus Andronicus. But the Bard’s latest play, Hamlet is opening this week, and Merriment Tonite is there to cover all the Renaissance glitz and glamour. We go behind the scenes to meet the playwright, and the players! Rounding out this episode are Elizabethan game shows, fashion shows, and more" (http://www.historybites.com/episodes.htm). Two clips are available for download on the Canadian Adaptations of Shakespeare site. Richard Burbage on Playing Hamlet. Shakespeare (Pedro) makes a last minute change to the script, and Burbage (Bainborough) is interviewed by Mary Hearty (Van De Graaf) about playing Hamlet. Is Titus Andronicus Too Violent? Host Rick Green talks about bear baiting on the Elizabethan stage, and Shakespeare explains the use of special effects in Titus Andronicus.
Series: History Bites, Series
Language: English
Country: Canada
Medium: Multimedia; Television
Technical information: Colour / Sound
Transmission details: 5 Jul 2002 (Channel: History Television Network)

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Online URL: http://www.canadianshakespeares.ca/multimedia/video/history_bites.cfm

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British Universities Film & Video Council