British Universities Film & Video Council

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Shakespeare: For and Against

Synopsis
As celebrations begin to mark Shakespeare’s 450th birthday, playwright Mark Ravenhill challenges the adulation of the playwright and asks: Is Shakespeare’s genius beyond question? Exploring the intellectual tradition that has seen figures from Voltaire to Tolstoy to Wittgenstein challenge Shakespeare’s supremacy, Mark searches for today’s dissenting voices. As he talks to Royal Shakespeare Company artistic director Gregory Doran, theatre director Phyllida Lloyd and actors Simon Russell Beale and Fiona Shaw, Ravenhill explores what Shakespeare’s plays mean to theatre makers today and asks if Shakespeare is a problem for a contemporary theatre. He asks teachers and children if a play such as The Taming of the Shrew, with its dark and complex sexual politics is really suitable material for ten-year-olds. Scholar Ania Loomba describes India’s changing relationship with Shakespeare, while Professor Gary Taylor talks about the ambivalence of large parts of America towards Shakespeare. Readers are Amanda Drew and Paul Ritter.
Series
Sunday Feature
Language
English
Country
Great Britain
Medium
Radio
Transmission details
20 Apr 2014 at 18:45 (Channel: BBC Radio 3)
Duration
45 mins

Credits

Producer
Matt Willis
Contributor
Amanda Drew; Edward Bond; Erica Whyman; Erin Sullivan; Ewan Fernie; Fiona Shaw; Gary Taylor (2); Gregory Doran; Howard Barker; Mark Ravenhill; Martin Higgins; Michael Dobson; Paul Ritter; Phyllida Lloyd; Simon Russell Beale

Additional Details

Production type
Documentary/Educational/News
Subjects
Drama
Keywords
Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)

Online Availability

Online URL
https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/play/p06dn7bl
Online format
Streamed/Download

Archive

Name

British Library Sound Archive

Email
listening@bl.uk
Web
http://www.bl.uk/nsa External site opens in new window
Phone
020 7412 7676
Fax
020 7412 7441
Address
96 Euston Road
London
NW1 2DB

Distributor

Name

BBC iPlayer

Record Stats

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