Shakespeare at the Movies

Shakespeare’s works were performed in 3-D long before Avatar.

Shakespeare at the 2016 Golden Globes

The 73rd Annual Golden Globes will be presented this Sunday, and we couldn’t be happier to see so many Shakespearean actors and actresses nominated for awards! We have compiled a list of all of the actors that have been nominated in the Film, TV, and Limited Series categories for you. Take a look below!

Cate Blanchett (Carol)

Appeared in:

Richard II (Sydney Festival, 2009) as Richard II

*This production was part of The War of the Roses, where all of Shakespeare’s Historical plays were condensed into one 8 hour performance!

Leonardo DiCaprio (The Revenant)

Appeared in:

Romeo and Juliet (1996) as Romeo

Michael Fassbender (Steve Jobs)

Appeared in:

Macbeth (2015) as Macbeth

Eddie Redmayne (The Danish Girl)

Appeared in:

Richard III (Donmar Warehouse 2011) as Richard III
Twelfth Night (Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre,2002) as Viola

Maggie Smith (The Lady in the Van)

Appeared in:

Gnomeo and Juliet (2011) as Lady Blueberry
Romeo.Juliet (1990) as Rosaline
Richard III (1995) as Duchess of York
The Merchant of Venice (BBC Play of the Month, 1972) as Portia
Much Ado About Nothing (TV movie, 1967) as Beatrice
Othello (1965) as Desdemona
Twelfth Night (Oxford University Dramatics Society, 1952) as Viola

Christian Bale (The Big Short)

Appeared in:

A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1999) as Demetrius
Henry V (1989) as Robin the Luggage Boy

Al Pacino (Danny Collins)

Appeared in:

Richard III (1979) as Richard III
Julius Caesar (New York Shakespeare Festival, 1986) as Mark Anton

Helen Mirren (Trumbo)

Appeared in:

The Tempest (2010) as Prospera
Antony and Cleopatra (National Theatre, 1998) as Cleopatra
Cymbeline (TV movie, 1982) as Imogen
Antony and Cleopatra (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1982) as Cleopatra
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (TV movie, 1981) as Titania
As You Like It (TV movie, 1978) as Rosalind
Henry VI Part 1 (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1977) as Margaret
Henry VI Part 2 (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1977) as Queen Margaret
Hamlet (1976) as Ophelia and Gertrude
Macbeth (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1974) as Lady Macbeth
The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1970) as Julia
Richard III (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1970) as Lady Anne
Hamlet (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1970) as Ophelia
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1969) as Hermia
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1968) as Hermia
Troilus and Cressida (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1968) as Cressida
Much Ado About Nothing (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1968) as Hero
All’s Well That Ends Well (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1967) as Diana

Kate Winslet (Steve Jobs)

Appeared in:

Hamlet (1996) as Ophelia

Idris Elba (Beasts of No Nation)

Appeared in:

Trolius and Cressida (American Place Theater, 2001) as Achilles

Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies)

Mark_Rylance

Appeared in:

Much Ado About Nothing (The Old Vic, 2013)
Anonymous (2011) as Condell
The Tempest (Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, 2005) as Prospero/Stephano/Sebastian/Alonso
Measure for Measure (Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, 2004) as Vincentio
Richard II (Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, 2003) as Richard II
Hamlet (British National Theatre, 2001)
The Winter’s Tale (British National Theatre, 2001)
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (British National Theatre, 2001)
Twelfth Night (Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, 2001) as Olivia
Cymbeline (Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, 2001) as Posthumus/ Cloten
Romeo and Juliet (British National Theatre, 2000)
Hamlet (Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, 2000) as Hamlet
Antony and Cleopatra (Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, 1999) as Cleopatra
The Merchant of Venice (Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, 1998) as Bassanio
The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, 1996) as Proteus
Macbeth (Greenwich Theatre, 1995) as Macbeth
Romeo and Juliet (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1989) as Romeo
The Winter’s Tale (British National Theatre, 1988)
The Tempest (British National Theatre, 1988)
Cymbeline (British National Theatre, 1988)
Antony and Cleopatra (British National Theatre, 1988)
Hamlet (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1988) as Hamlet
King Lear (British National Theatre, 1987)
Antony and Cleopatra (British National Theatre, 1987)
The Taming of the Shrew (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1982) Lucentio, Player
The Tempest (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1982) as Ariel

Jon Hamm (Mad Men)

jon-hamm

Appeared in:

Timon of Athens (Sacred Fools Theatre Company, 1998) as Flavius

Liev Schreiber (Ray Donovan)

liev-schreiber

Appeared in:

Henry V (Shakespeare in Central Park, 2003) as Henry V
Hamlet (2000) as Laertes
Macbeth (Joseph Papp Public Theater, 1998) as Banquo
Cymbeline (Shakespeare in the Park, 1998) as Iachimo

Gael Garcia Bernal (Mozart in the Jungle)

Appeared in:

Letters to Juliet (2010) as Victor

Patrick Stewart (Blunt Talk)

Appeared in:

The Hollow Crown- Richard II (TV mini-series, 2012) as John of Gaunt
Great Performances- Macbeth (TV series, 2012) as Macbeth
Gnomeo and Juliet (2011) as Bill Shakespeare
The Merchant of Venice (Royal Shakespeare Company , 2011) as Shylock
Hamlet (TV movie, 2009) as Claudius/ Ghost
Twelfth Night (Chichester Festival Theatre, 2007) as Malvolio
Macbeth (Chichester Festival Theatre, 2007) as Macbeth
Othello (Shakespeare Theater, 1997) as Othello
The Tempest (on Broadway, 1995)
King Lear (British National Theatre, 1986)
Hamlet (British National Theatre, 1986)
Henry IV Part 1 and 2 (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1982)
The Winter’s Tale (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1981 and 1982)
Titus Andronicus (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1981)
Two Gentlemen of Verona (Royal Shakespeare Company,1970 and 1981)
Hamlet, Prince of Denmark (TV movie, 1980) as Claudius
The Merchant of Venice (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1979)
Antony and Cleopatra (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1972 and 1979)
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Royal Shakespeare Company,1971 and 1977)
Antony and Cleopatra (TV movie, 1974) as Enobarbus
Julius Caesar (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1973)
Coriolanus (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1972)
The Tempest (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1970)
King John (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1970)
Richard III (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1970)
As You Like It (Royal Shakespeare Company,1967 and 1968)
Much Ado About Nothing (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1968)
Trolius and Cressida (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1968)
King Lear (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1968)
All’s Well That Ends Well (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1967)
The Taming of the Shrew (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1967)
Hamlet (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1966) as Player 1
The Merchant of Venice (Old Vic Theatre, 1965)

Oscar Isaac (Show Me A Hero)

Appeared in:

Romeo and Juliet (Delacorte Theater, 2007) as Romeo
The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Delacorte Theater, 2005) as Proteus

David Oyelowo (Nightingale)

Appeared in:

As You Like It (2006) as Orlando De Boys
Richard III (Royal Shakespeare Company, 2001) as Ghost of Henry VI
Henry VI Part 1 (Royal Shakespeare Company, 2000) as Henry VI
Henry VI Part 2 (Royal Shakespeare Company, 2000) as Henry VI
Henry VI Part 3 (Royal Shakespeare Company, 2000) as Henry VI
Antony and Cleopatra (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1999) as Menacrates and Decretas

Alan Cumming (The Good Wife)

Alan-Cumming

Appeared in:

The Tempest (2010) as Sebastian
Titus (1999) as Saturninus
Richard III (Royal National Theatre, 1990)
Hamlet (Royal National Theatre, 1990)
As You Like It (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1989) as Courtier, Silvius
Macbeth (Tron Theatre, 1985) as Malcom

Damian Lewis (Wolf Hall)

19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards - Arrivals

Appeared in:

Romeo and Juliet (2013) as Lord Capulet
ShakespeaRE-Told- Much Ado About Nothing (TV mini-series, 2005) as Benedick
Cymbeline (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1997) as Posthumus Leonatus
Much Ado About Nothing (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1996) as Don John

Shakespeare at the Movies- Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Well friends, the time that I am sure many of us have been waiting for is finally here! Like our last couple of posts about the original and prequel trilogies, we are going to take a look at what Shakespeare-related work the cast has done!

Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia)

Appeared in:

A Midsummer Night’s Rave (2002) as Mia’s Mom

Lupita Nyong’o (Maz Kanata)

Appeared in:

The Winter’s Tale (Yale School of Drama Production)
The Taming of the Shrew (Yale School of Drama Production)

Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron)

Appeared in:

The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Delacorte Theater, 2005) as Proteus
Romeo and Juliet (Delacorte Theater, 2007) as Romeo

Andy Serkis (Supreme Leader Snoke)

Appeared in:

Henry IV Part 1 (Nuffield Studio, Southampton, 1982) as Poins
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (The Dukes in Lancaster, 1986) as Lysander
The WInter’s Tale (The Dukes in Lancaster, 1986) as Florizel
Macbeth (Royal Exchange Theatre, 1988) as Porter/Sargeant
King Lear (Royal Court Theatre, 1993) as The Fool
Othello (Royal Exchange Theatre, 2002) as Iago

Pip Torrens (Colonel Kaplan)

Appeared in:

Richard II (Royal National Theatre, 1995)
The Merry Wives of Windsor (Royal National Theatre, 1995)
The Hollow Crown- Henry IV, Part 2 (TV mini-series, 2012) as Mowbray

Sebastian Armesto (Lieutenant Mitaka)

Appeared in:

Anonymous (2011) as Ben Jonson

Shakespeare in Action will be closed for the holidays, but we will be back in 2016! Which movie or series would you like to see covered in out next instalment of “Shakespeare at the Movies?” Let us know!

Shakespeare at the Movies- Star Wars: Episodes I-III

Yesterday, we wrote about the Shakespeare roles that the cast of the original Star Wars trilogy have appeared in on and off stage. Today, we will focus on the prequels!

Liam Neeson (Qui- Gon Jinn)

Appeared in:

Henry IV Part 1 (Lyric Players Theatre, 1976) as Percy
The Winter’s Tale (Dublin’s Abbery Theatre, 1979)

Ewan McGregor (Obi Wan Kenobi)

Appeared in:

Othello (Donmar Warehouse, 2007) as Iago

Pernilla August (Shmi Skywalker)

Appeared in:

Hamlet (Royal Dramatic Theatre Company, 1987) as Ophelia

Oliver Ford Davies (Sio Bibble)

Appeared in:

Henry IV Part 1 (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1975) as Sheriff/ Sir Michael
Henry IV Part 2 (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1975) as Morton/ Wart
Henry V (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1976) as French Bishop/ Montjoy
Henry VI Part 1 (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1977) as Duke of Somerset
Henry VI Part 2 (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1977) as Duke of Somerset
As You Like It (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1977) as Duke Senior
Coriolanus (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1977) as Junius Brutus
Love’s Labour’s Lost (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1978) as Boyet
Troilus and Cressida (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1981) as Nestor
Timon of Athens (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1981) as Senator
Henry VIII (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1983) as Bishop Gardiner
Julius Caesar (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1983) as Marullus/ Titinus
Measure for Measure (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1983) as Provost
Venus and Adonis (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1987) as Narrator
Hamlet (British National Theatre, 1989)
Richard III (British National Theatre, 1990)
Richard II (Gainsborough Studios Theatre, 2000)
Coriolanus (Gainsborough Studios Theatre, 2000)
King Lear (Almeida Theatre, 2002)
Love’s Labour’s Lost (Royal Shakespeare Company, 2008) as Holofernes
Hamlet (Royal Shakespeare Company, 2008) as Polonius
All’s Well That Ends Well (National Theatre, 2009) as King of France
Richard II (Royal Shakespeare Company, 2013) as Duke of York
Henry IV Part 2 (Royal Shakespeare Company, 2014) as Justice Shallow

Hugh Quarshie (Captain Panaka)

Appeared in:

A Midsummer Night’s Dream (TV movie, 1981) as Philostrate
The Winter’s Tale (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1981) as Cleomenes
Titus Andronicus (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1981) as Aaron
The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1981) as Outlaw
Henry IV Part 1 (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1982) as Hotspur/ Vernon
Titus Andronicus (TV movie, 1985) as Aaron
Romeo and Juliet (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1986) as Tybalt
Macbeth (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1986) as Banquo
Hamlet (British National Theatre, 1989)
Shakespeare: The Animated Tales- Julius Caesar (TV mini-series, 1994) as Cassius
Julius Caesar (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1995) as Mark Antony
Othello (Royal Shakespeare Company, 2015) as Othello

Brian Blessed (Boss Nass)

Appeared in:

Hamlet (National Theatre, 1977)
Julius Caesar (National Theatre, 1977)
Richard III (National Theatre, 1977)
Measure for Measure (National Theatre, 1977)
Macbeth (National Theatre, 1978)
Richard III (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1984) as Lord Hastings
Hamlet (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1984) as Claudius
Henry V (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1984) as Duke of Exeter
Henry V (1989) as Duke Thomas Beaufort of Exeter
Much Ado About Nothing (1993) as Antonio
Macbeth (1997) as Edward the Confessor
King Lear (1999) as King Lear
As You Like It (2006) as Duke Senior/ Duke Frederick

Christopher Lee (Count Dooku)

Appeared in:

Julius Caesar (1970) as Artemidorus

Jimmy Smits (Senator Bail Organa)

Appeared in:

Othello (Colorado Shakespeare Festival, 1984) as Othello
Twelfth Night (Delacorte Theater, 2002) as Orsino

Rose Byrne (Dorme)

Appeared in:

Wicker Park (2004) as Alex

*This movie is inspired by A Midsummer Night’s Dream!

Ayesha Dharker (Queen Jamillia)

Appeared in:

Othello (Royal Shakespeare Company, 2015) as Emelia

What parallels do you notice in Star Wars movies and Shakespeare’s plays? Share some examples with us!

Tomorrow, we will focus on the cast of the brand new movie, The Force Awakens!

Shakespeare at the Movies- Star Wars Episodes IV to VI

The Star Wars series is back to delight and inspire a new generation of fans with The Force Awakens, opening on Friday! Star Wars is embedded in our popular culture, and has even been turned into a book series of Shakespearean retellings! There are many parallels between the stores in Star Wars and Shakespeare’s plays, so it is no wonder that so many seasoned Shakespearean actors have been involved with the series over the years!

The first instalment of the Shakespeare at the Movies- Star Wars series will focus on the original trilogy, from Episode IV- A New Hope, through Episode VI- Return of the Jedi. Check back tomorrow for the prequels!

Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia)

Appeared in:

A Midsummer Night’s Rave (2002) as Mia’s Mom

Peter Cushing (Grand Moff Tarkin)

Appeared in:

Macbeth (USA Summer Stock, 1941) as Banquo
Hamlet (1948) as Osric
Richard III (Old Vic Tour, 1948) as Duke of Clarence and Cardinal Bouchier
Antony and Cleopatra (Laurence Olivier’s Festival Season London West End, 1951) as Alexas/Diomedes

Alec Guinness (Obi Wan Kenobi)

Appeared in:

Hamlet (New Theatre, 1934) as Osric
As You Like It (Old Vic Theatre Company, 1936) as Le Beau/ William
Romeo and Juliet (Old Vic Theatre Company, 1936) as Sampson/ Apothecary
Macbeth (Old Vic Theatre Company, 1936) as Macbeth
Hamlet (Old Vic Theatre Company, 1936) as Reynaldo, Player Queen and Osric
As You Like It (Old Vic Theatre Company, 1936)
Love’s Labour’s Lost (Old Vic Theatre Company, 1936) as Boyet
Twelfth Night (Old Vic Theatre Company, 1936)
Richard III (John Gielgud Company, 1937) as Aumerle/ The Groom
Hamlet (Old Vic Theatre Company, 1937) as Reynaldo/ Osric
Henry V (Old Vic Theatre Company, 1937) as Exeter
Hamlet (Old Vic Theatre Company, 1938) as Hamlet
Romeo and Juliet (Scottish Theatre Festival, 1939) as Romeo
The Tempest (Old Vic Theatre Company, 1940) as Ferdinand
King Lear (Old Vic Theatre Company, 1946) as Fool
Richard III (Old Vic Theatre Company, 1947) as Richard III
Coriolanus (Old Vic Theatre Company, 1948) as Menenius Agrippa
Twelfth Night (Old Vic Theatre Company, 1948) as Director
Hamlet (New Theatre, 1951) as Hamlet
Hamlet (New Theatre, 1951) as Director
Richard III (Stratford Festival, 1953)
All’s Well That Ends Well (Stratford Festival, 1953) as King
The Merchant of Venice (Chichester Festival, 1984)

David Prowse (Darth Vader)

Appeared in:

As You Like It (TV movie, 1978) as Charles

James Earl Jones (Darth Vader’s voice)

Appeared in:

Othello (Ramsdell Theatre, 1955) as Othello
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Stage Production, 1961) as Oberon
The Merchant of Venice (Delacorte Theatre, 1963) as Prince of Morocco
The Winter’s Tale (Delacorte Theatre, 1963) as Camillo
Othello (Martinique Theatre, 1963) as Othello
Coriolanus (Delacorte Theatre, 1965) as Junius Brutus
Troilus and Cressida (Delacorte Theatre, 1965) as Ajax
Hamlet (Delacorte Theatre, 1972) as Claudius
King Lear (Delacorte Theatre, 1973) as King Lear
Othello (Winter Garden Theatre, 1982) as Othello
Much Ado About Nothing (London’s West End, 2013) as Benedick

Garrick Hagon (Biggs)

Appeared in:

Macbeth (Derby Playhouse, 1977)
Hamlet (Royal National Theatre, 1990)
Richard III (Royal National Theatre, 1990)

Jack Klaff (John D.)

Appeared in:

Merchant of Venice. Lorenzo. 1971 South African Broadcasting Corporation
Much Ado About Nothing. Borachio. 1971-1973 State Theatres Johannesburg. Pretoria
Henry V. Chorus. 1971-1973. Tours around Johannesburg including Soweto
Henry V. HenryV. 1971-1973. Tours around Johannesburg including Soweto
Richard II. Richard II. 1971-1973. Tours around Johannesburg including Soweto
Taming of the Shrew. Petruchio. 1971-1973 Tours around Johannesburg
including Soweto
Macbeth. Macbeth. 1972. Cape Town.
As You Like It Orlando. 1973. Kwazulu Natal Tour
Antony and Cleopatra. Antony. 1974. Bristol Old Vic
Macbeth. Witch. 1975. Bristol Old Vic
Merchant of Venice. 1976 Bristol Old Vic
The Tempest. Bosun. Sebastian. 1976 Oxford Playhouse
Henry VI. Bastard of Orleans. Duke of Clarence. 1977 – 1978. Royal
Shakespeare Company
As You Like It. Charles the Wrestler. 1977 to 1978 Royal Shakespeare Company
Troilus and Cressida. Diomedes. 1979 Bristol Old Vic
Julius Caesar. 1980 Riverside Studios
Othello. Iago. 1990 Bristol Old Vic
Macbeth. Macbeth. 1990. Birmingham Rep
A Midsummer Night’s Theseus/Oberon. 1996 Southern Shakespeare Festival
Florida US
Hamlet. Polonius. 1997. Birmingham Rep
Hamlet Claudius. 2005. John Russell Brown Company
Twelfth Night. Sir Toby Belch. 2005. John Russell Brown Company
A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Bottom. 2019. Aquila Tour, U.S.
Richard II. John of Gaunt. Gardiner. Carlisle. Duchess of York. 2018
and 2019. Rose Theatre Kingston; Rose Theatre London
Devising a Shakespeare Show, Shakespeare Plays Jazz with Shakespeare
Scholar Pauline Kiernan

Clive Revill (The Emperor)

Appeared in:

The Comedy of Errors (Old Vic School Theatre, 1951)
Measure for Measure (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1956) as Barnardine
The Merchant of Venice (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1956) as Prince of Arragon
Love’s Labour’s Lost (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1956) as Costard
Hamlet (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1956) as Player 1
King John (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1957) as Lymoges
The Tempest (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1957) as Trinculo
Julius Caesar (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1957) as Artemidorus
Cymbeline (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1957) as Cloten
Julius Caesar (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1957) as Octavius Caesar

Julian Glover (General Veers)

Appeared in:

Julius Caesar (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1957) as Varro
Cymbeline (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1957) as Gaoler
Hamlet (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1958) as Sacristan
Pericles (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1958) as Fisherman 1
Romeo and Juliet (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1958) as Gregory
Much Ado About Nothing (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1958) as Conrade
Hamlet (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1958) as Bernardo
Othello (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1959) as Montano
King Lear (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1959) as Duke of Albany
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1959) as Snug
Antony and Cleopatra (1972) as Proculeius
Coriolanus (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1977) as Tullus Aufidius
Henry VI, Part 1 (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1977) as Earl of Warwick
Henry VI, Part 2 (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1977) as Earl of Warwick
Henry IV Part 1 (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1991) as Henry IV
Henry IV Part 2 (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1991) as Henry IV
Romeo and Juliet (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1991) as Escalus
Friar Lawrence (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1995) as Friar Lawrence
Julius Caesar (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1995) as Caius Cassius
Macbeth (Albery Theatre, 2002) as Duncan/ Porter

Sebastian Shaw (Anakin Skywalker)

Appeared in:

The Merchant of Venice (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1926) as Bassanio
The Merry Wives of Windsor (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1926) as Fenton
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1926) as Demetrius
Romeo and Juliet (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1926) as Romeo
Henry IV Part 2 (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1926) as Prince Henry
Julius Caesar (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1926) as Lucillius/ Metellus Cimber
The Tempest (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1926) as Ferdinand
Richard II (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1926) as Sir Henry Green
Julius Caesar (TV movie, 1938) as Marcus Brutus
Macbeth (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1967) as Duncan
Romeo and Juliet (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1967) as Friar Laurence
All’s Well That Ends Well (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1967) as King of France
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1968) as Quince
All’s Well That Ends Well (TV movie, 1968) as King of France
King Lear (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1968) as Earl of Gloucester
Troilus and Cressida (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1968) as Ulysses
Much Ado About Nothing (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1968) as Leonato
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1969) as Quince
Hamlet (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1970) as Polonius
The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1970) as Sir Eglamour
Measure for Measure (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1970) as Vincentino
Love’s Labour’s Lost (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1973) as Boyet
Richard II (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1973) as Duke of York
Cymbeline (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1974) as Cymbeline
Henry V (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1984) as Bishop Ely/ Charles VI
Hamlet (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1984) as Clown
The Merchant of Venice (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1984) as Tubal

Michael Pennington (Moff Jorjerrod)

Appeared in:

Hamlet (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1965) as Fortinbras
Timon of Athens (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1965) as Titus
Hamlet (1969) as Laertes
The Tempest (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1974) as Ferdinand
Measure for Measure (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1974) as Angelo
King Lear (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1976) as Edgar
Romeo and Juliet (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1976) as Mercutio
Troilus and Cressida (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1976) as Hector
The Winter’s Tale (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1976) as Time
Love’s Labour’s Lost (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1978) as Berowne
Measure for Measure (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1978) as Duke of Vienna
Love’s Labour’s Lost (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1978) as Dumaine
Hamlet (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1980) as Hamlet
Cymbeline (TV movie, 1982) as Posthumus
The Wars of the Roses- Richard II (TV series, 1990) as Richard II
The Wars of the Roses- Henry IV Part 1 (TV series, 1990) as Prince Henry of Wales
The Wars of the Roses- Richard III (TV series, 1990) as Duke of Buckingham
The Wars of the Roses- Henry VI (TV series, 1990) as Jack Cade/ Earl of Suffolk
Timon of Athens (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1999) as Timon of Athens
Venus and Adonis (Royal Shakespeare Company, 2004) as Narrator
Richard II (Royal Shakespeare Company, 2013) as John of Gaunt

Ian McDiarmid (The Emperor)

Appeared in:

Measure for Measure (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1974) as Elbow
The Tempest (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1974) as Trinculo
Much Ado About Nothing (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1976) as Don John
Macbeth (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1976) as Porter/ Ross
The Merchant of Venice (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1984) as Shylock

Kenneth Colley (Admiral Piett)

Appeared in:

Measure for Measure (TV movie, 1979) as Duke Vincentino
Much Ado About Nothing (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1979) as Benedick

What parallels do you notice in Star Wars movies and Shakespeare’s plays? Share some examples with us!

Shakespeare at the Movies- Spectre

Spectre is the 24th film in the James Bond series, and is being released this Friday. The film series has been around for 53 years, and many could argue that it is one of the most popular British cultural exports (Along with Shakespeare, of course!) Let’s take a look at the Spectre cast, and see how many have Shakespeare on their resumes!

Daniel Craig (James Bond)

Appeared in:

Macbeth (Royal National Theatre, 1993)
Pericles (Royal National Theatre, 1994)
Othello (New York Theatre Workshop, 2016) as Iago

Antony and Cleopatra (British National Theatre, 1987)
King Lear (British National Theatre, 1987)
Hamlet (British National Theatre, 1987)
Macbeth (British National Theatre, 1987)
Much Ado About Nothing (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1988) as Claudio
Henry VI (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1988) as Henry VI
Richard II (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1988) as Henry VI
King John (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1988) as Lewis the Dauphin
Cymbeline (British National Theatre, 1988)
The Tempest (British National Theatre, 1988)
The Winter’s Tale (British National Theatre, 1988)
Love’s Labour’s Lost (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1990) as Berowne
King Lear (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1990) as Edmond
Troilus and Cressida (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1990) as Troilus
Hamlet (Almeida Theatre, 1995) as Hamlet
Richard II (Almeida Theatre, 2000) as Richard II
Coriolanus (Almeida Theatre, 2000) as Coriolanus
Measure for Measure (British National Theatre, 2002)
Julius Caesar (International Tour, 2005) as Marc Anthony
Coriolanus (2011) as Coriolanus

Ben Whishaw (Q)

Appeared in:

The Hollow Crown- Richard II (TV mini series, 2012) as King Richard
Hamlet (Old Vic Theatre, 2004) as Hamlet

Andrew Scott (C)

Appeared in:

The Hollow Crown- Henry VI Part 2 (TV mini series, 2016) as King Louis XI of France

Rory Kinnear (Tanner)

Appeared in:

The Tempest (Theatre Royal, 2002) as Caliban
Cymbeline (Royal Shakespeare Company, 2003) as Caius Lucius
The Taming of the Shrew (Royal Shakespeare Company, 2003) as Tranio
Hamlet (Old Vic Theatre, 2004) as Laertes
Hamlet (National Theatre, 2010) as Hamlet
The Hollow Crown- Richard II (TV mini series, 2012) as Bolingbroke
Othello (National Theatre, 2013) as Iago

CONTEST- Win Tickets to a Toronto Screening of Romeo and Juliet!

Time for another contest! We are giving away 3 sets of passes to a Toronto screening of The Royal Ballet’s production of Romeo and Juliet on Saturday, October 31, 2015, courtesy of our friends at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema! Check below for details on how to enter!

The Royal Ballet: ROMEO AND JULIET

Event details: Kenneth MacMillan’s poignant setting of Sergey Prokofiev’s classic score draws out the emotional and psychological intensity of Shakespeare’s tragic tale of two star-crossed lovers.Romeo and Juliet contains three passionate pas de deux: the lovers’ first meeting, the famous balcony scene and the devastating final tragedy. Juliet is one of the most coveted of all ballerina roles, and as MacMillan’s ballet enters its 50th year it resonates as deeply with audiences today as when it was first seen half a century ago.

Performed live at the Royal Opera House. Includes two 10-minute intermissions.

SAT, OCT 31 – 3:00 PM

Tickets: http://ow.ly/Tv7Jq

HOW TO ENTER

To win, all you have to do is send an e-mail to jenny@shakespeareinaction.org, and include your name, contact information, and your favourite quote from the play!

Contest is open to all residents of Ontario, and will close at 11:59PM on Wednesday, October 28, 2015. Winners will be randomly selected and notified by phone or e-mail.

CONTEST- Win tickets to a Toronto screening of Antony and Cleopatra!

Great news, Shakespeare fans! Our friends from Bloor Hot Docs Cinema have given us 3 sets of passes to give away for their upcoming screening of the Shakespeare’s Globe production of Antony and Cleopatra! The screening will take place on Saturday, October 24 at 11:30AM in Toronto. See details on how to enter below!

Shakespeare on Screen: ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA

Event details: Virtue and vice, transcendent love and realpolitik combine in Antony and Cleopatra, Shakespeare’s greatest exploration of the conflicting claims of sex and power, all expressed in a tragic poetry of breathtaking beauty and magnificence. Cleopatra, the alluring and fascinatingly ambiguous Queen of Egypt, has bewitched the great Mark Antony, soldier, campaigner and now one of the three rulers of the Roman Empire. When Antony quarrels with his fellow leaders and throws in his lot with Cleopatra, his infatuation threatens to split the Empire in two.

Recorded live at Shakespeare’s Globe. Includes two 10-minute intermissions.

SAT, OCT 24 – 11:30 AM

Tickets: http://ow.ly/Tv7d1

HOW TO ENTER

To win, all you have to do is send an e-mail to jenny@shakespeareinaction.org, and include your name, contact information, and your favourite quote from the play!

Contest is open to all residents of Ontario, and will close at 11:59PM on Wednesday, October 21, 2015. Winners will be randomly selected and notified by phone or e-mail.

Bloor Hot Docs Presents: Shakespeare on Screen!

Our friends at Bloor Hot Docs Cinema in Toronto are excited to bring Shakespeare to the big screen this month! Check out the details below, and get your tickets today!

Shakespeare on Screen: ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA

Recorded live at Shakespeare’s Globe. Includes two 10-minute intermissions.

SAT, OCT 24 – 11:30 AM

Tickets: http://ow.ly/Tv7d1

The Royal Ballet: ROMEO AND JULIET

Performed live at the Royal Opera House. Includes two 10-minute intermissions.

SAT, OCT 31 – 3:00 PM

Tickets: http://ow.ly/Tv7Jq

Shakespeare at the Movies (and on Television!) Emmys 2015 Edition

The 67th Annual Primtetime Emmys happened a couple of weekends ago, and many actors were honoured with a statue for their work in television over the last year. I know it’s a bit late, but many of the nominees are seasoned Shakespearean actors, so I had to share a list of their work with all of you!

David Oyelowo (Nightingale)

Appeared in:

Antony and Cleopatra (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1999) as Decretas
Antony and Cleopatra (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1999) as Menacrates
Richard III (Royal Shakespeare Company, 2001) as Ghost of Henry VI
Henry VI Part 1 (Royal Shakespeare Company, 2000) as Henry VI
Henry VI Part 2 (Royal Shakespeare Company, 2000) as Henry VI
Henry VI Part 3 (Royal Shakespeare Company, 2000) as Henry VI
As You Like It (2006) as Orlando De Boys

Mark Rylance (Wolf Hall)

Appeared in:

The Tempest (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1982) as Ariel
The Taming of the Shrew (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1982) Lucentio, Player
Antony and Cleopatra (British National Theatre, 1987)
King Lear (British National Theatre, 1987)
Hamlet (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1988) as Hamlet
Antony and Cleopatra (British National Theatre, 1988)
Cymbeline (British National Theatre, 1988)
The Tempest (British National Theatre, 1988)
The Winter’s Tale (British National Theatre, 1988)
Romeo and Juliet (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1989) as Romeo
Macbeth (Greenwich Theatre, 1995) as Macbeth
The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, 1996) as Proteus
The Merchant of Venice (Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, 1998) as Bassanio
Antony and Cleopatra (Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, 1999) as Cleopatra
Hamlet (Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, 2000) as Hamlet
Romeo and Juliet (British National Theatre, 2000)
Cymbeline (Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, 2001) as Posthumus/ Cloten
Twelfth Night (Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, 2001) as Olivia
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (British National Theatre, 2001)
The Winter’s Tale (British National Theatre, 2001)
Hamlet (British National Theatre, 2001)
Richard II (Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, 2003) as Richard II
Measure for Measure (Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, 2004) as Vincentio
The Tempest (Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, 2005) as Prospero/Stephano/Sebastian/Alonso
Anonymous (2011) as Condell
Much Ado About Nothing (The Old Vic, 2013)

Jessica Lange (American Horror Story: Freak Show)

Appeared in:

Titus (1999) as Tamora

Frances McDormand (Olive Kitteridge)

Appeared in:

Twelfth Night (Alliance Theatre, 1982)

Emma Thompson (Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street (Live From Lincoln Center))

Appeared in:

Henry V (1989) as Princess Katherine de Valois
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (International Tour, 1990) as Helena
King Lear (International Tour, 1990) as The Fool
Much Ado About Nothing (1993) as Beatrice

Kevin Spacey (House of Cards)

Appeared in:

Richard II (Old Vic Theatre, 2005) as Richard II

Jon Hamm (Mad Men)

Appeared in:

Timon of Athens (Sacred Fools Theatre Company, 1998) as Flavius

Liev Schreiber (Ray Donovan)

Appeared in:

Cymbeline (Shakespeare in the Park, 1998) as Iachimo
Macbeth (Joseph Papp Public Theater, 1998) as Banquo
Hamlet (2000) as Laertes
Henry V (Shakespeare in Central Park, 2003) as Henry V

Amy Poehler (Parks And Recreation)

Appeared in:

Hamlet 2 (2008) as Cricket Feldstein

Claire Danes (Homeland)

Appeared in:

Romeo + Juliet (1996) as Juliet

Keegan-Michael Key (Key & Peele)

Appeared in:

The Second City’s Romeo and Juliet Musical: The People vs. Friar Laurence, the Man Who Killed Romeo and Juliet (Second City, 2004) as Romeo

Ty Burrell (Modern Family)

Appeared in:

Macbeth (Music Box Theater, 2004) as Lennox
Richard III (The Public Theatre, 2004) as Buckingham

Jim Carter (Downton Abbey)

Appeared in:

Shakespeare: The Animated Tales- Julius Caesar (TV mini-series, 1994) as Mark Antony
Richard III (1995) as Lord William Hastings
Shakespeare in Love (1998) as Ralph Bashford

Peter Dinklage (Game Of Thrones)

Appeared in:

Richard III (Public Theatre, 2004) as Richard III

Alan Cumming (The Good Wife)

Appeared in:

Macbeth (Tron Theatre, 1985) as Malcom
As You Like It (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1989) as Courtier, Silvius
Hamlet (Royal National Theatre, 1990)
Richard III (Royal National Theatre, 1990)
Titus (1999) as Saturninus
The Tempest (2010) as Sebastian

Allison Janney (Mom)

Appeared in:

10 Things I Hate About You (1999) as Ms. Perky

Anna Chlumsky (Veep)

Appeared in:

Measure for Measure (Astoria Performing Arts Center, 2004) as Isabella

Christine Baranski (The Good Wife)

Appeared in:

A Midsummer Night’s Dream (TV movie, 1982) as Helena

Paul Giamatti (Inside Amy Schumer)

Appeared in:

Hamlet (Yale University Theater, 2013) as Hamlet
Romeo and Juliet (2013) as Friar Laurence

F. Murray Abraham (Homeland)

Appeared in:

Macbeth (Belasco Theatre, 1986) as Macbeth
The Merchant of Venice (Theatre for a New Audience, 2007) as Shylock

Reg E. Cathey (House of Cards)

Appeared in:

Macbeth (Theatre for a New Audience, 1999) as Banquo

Pablo Schreiber (Orange Is The New Black)

Appeared in:

Julius Caesar (New York Shakespeare Festival in Central Park, 2000)

Joan Cusack (Shameless)

Appread in:

A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Goodman Theatre, 1991)

Diana Rigg (Game Of Thrones)

Appeared in:

Coriolanus (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1959) as Roman Citizen
The Taming of the Shrew (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1960) as Wench
Troilus and Cressida (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1960) as Andromache
The Taming of the Shrew (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1961) as Bianca
The Comedy of Errors (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1962) as Adriana
Macbeth (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1962) as Lady Macduff
King Lear ((Royal Shakespeare Company, 1962) as Cordelia
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1962) as Helena
Twelfth Night (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1966) as Viola
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1968) as Helena
Julius Caesar (1970) as Portia
Macbeth (National Theatre, 1972) as Lady Macbeth
Richard II (National Theatre, 1972)
Measure for Measure (National Theatre, 1973)
Hamlet (National Theatre, 1974)
Julius Caesar (National Theatre, 1977)
King Lear (TV movie, 1983) as Regan
Richard II (National Theatre, 1995)
The Merry Wives of Windsor (National Theatre, 1995)
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (National Theatre, 2001)
The WInter’s Tale (National Theatre, 2001)
Hamlet (National Theatre, 2001)

Bill Murray (Olive Kitteridge)

Appeared in:

Hamlet (2000) as Polonius

19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards - Arrivals

Damian Lewis (Wolf Hall)

Appeared in:

Much Ado About Nothing (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1996) as Don John
Cymbeline (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1997) as Posthumus Leonatus
ShakespeaRE-Told- Much Ado About Nothing (TV mini-series, 2005) as Benedick
Romeo and Juliet (2013) as Lord Capulet

Angela Bassett (American Horror Story: Freak Show)

Appeared in:

Macbeth (Joseph Papp Public Theater, 1998) as Lady Macbeth

Did I miss someone? Which of these roles is your favourite? Leave a comment and let us know!

Shakespeare at the Movies- The Harry Potter Series! Part 5

Today, we want to wish Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY! They have inspired many of us in the SIA office to love reading and magic, and we look forward to celebrating today with fans everywhere! Now let’s have some cake!

While you are celebrating today, take a look at the final installment of our Shakespeare at the Movies- Harry Potter edition! This one will focus on the new characters introduced in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. To catch up on the rest of the Harry Potter movies, read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4!

Bill Nighy (Rufus Scrimgeour)

Appeared in:

A Midsummer Night’s Dream (British National Theatre, 1983)
Hamlet (British National Theatre, 1985)
King Lear (National Theatre, 1986)
Macbeth (British National Theatre, 1987)
Antony and Cleopatra (British National Theatre, 1987)
Macbeth (Royal National Theatre, 1993)
Pericles (Royal National Theatre, 1994)
Romeo and Juliet (Royal National Theatre, 2000)
Hamlet (Royal National Theatre, 2000)

Guy Henry (Pius Thicknesse)

Appeared in:

The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1991) as Thurio
Hamlet (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1992) as Osric
Love’s Labour’s Lost (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1993) as Longaville
The Merry Wives of Windsor (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1996) as Dr Caius
Henry VIII (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1996) as Lord Chamberlain
Twelfth Night (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1996) as Sir Andrew Augecheek
Cymbeline (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1997) as Cloten
Antony and Cleopatra (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1999) as Octavius Caesar
King John (Royal Shakespeare Company, 2001) as King John
Twelfth Night (Royal Shakespeare Company, 2001) as Malvolio
All’s Well That Ends Well (Royal Shakespeare Company, 2003) as Parolles

Ralph Ineson (Amycus Carrow)

Appeared in:

ShakespeaRe-Told- Macbeth (TV mini-series, 2005) as Barry

David Ryall (Elphias Doge)

Appeared in:

Much Ado About Nothing (TV movie, 1967) as Sexton
Macbeth (National Theatre, 1972)
Twelfth Night (Playhouse Theatre, 1991)
Richard II (National Theatre, 1995)
The Merry Wives of Windsor (National Theatre, 1995)
Happy Birthday Shakespeare (TV movie, 2000) as Dad
King Lear (Almeida Theatre, 2002)
Measure for Measure (National Theatre, 2002)

Rhys Ifans (Xenophilius Lovegood)

A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Open Air Theatre, 1992)
Richard II (Royal National Theatre, 1995)
The Merry Wives of Windsor (Royal National Theatre, 1995)
Shakespeare Shorts- Macbeth (TV Series, 1996) as Macbeth
Midsummer Dream (2005) as Lysander
Hamlet (Mold’s Theatre Clwyd)

Sophie Thompson (Mafalda Hopkirk)

Appeared in:

Hamlet (Renaissance Theatre Company, 1988) as Ophelia
As You Like It (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1989) as Rosalind
All’s Well That Ends Well (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1992)
Measure for Measure (Shakespeare’s Globe, 2004) as Isabella

Kate Fleetwood (Mary Cattermole)

Appeared in:

Twelfth Night (Oxford Stage Company, 1996) as Viola
Romeo and Juliet (Greenwich Theatre, 1998)
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Old Vic Theatre, 2003) as Helena
Love’s Labour’s Lost (National Theatre, 2003) as Rosaline
Othello (Theatre Royal, 2003) as Desdemona
Pericles (Royal Shakespeare Company, 2006) as Thaisa
The Winter’s Tale (Royal Shakespeare Company, 2006) as Hermione
Macbeth (Chichester Festival Theatre, 2007) as Lady Macbeth
Twelfth Night (Chichester Festival Theatre, 2007) as Olivia

Predstava ‘Hamleta’ u Mrdusi Donjoj (1974) as Joco/ Hamlet

Anonymous (2011) as Young Earl of Oxford

Much Ado About Nothing (TV movie, 1967) as Claudio
The Merchant of Venice (Northcott Theatre, 1967)
Julius Caesar (Riverside Studios Theatre, 1980)
The Two Gentlemen of Verona (TV movie, 1983) as Antonio
Richard III (TV movie, 1983) as Duke of Buckingham
The First Part of King Henry VI (TV movie, 1983) as Duke of Alencon
The Second Part of King Henry VI (TV movie, 1983) as John Hume/ Lieutenant
The Third Part of King Henry VI (TV movie, 1983) as Marquess of Montague

Ciarán Hinds (Aberforth Dumbledore)

Appeared in:

Troilus and Cressida (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1990) as Achilles
Two Shakespearean Actors (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1990) as Dion Boucicault
Richard III (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1992) as Richard III
Macbeth (Royal National Theatre, 1993)
King Lear (Royal National Theatre, 1997)
Othello (Royal National Theatre, 1997)
Hamlet (National Theatre, 2015) as Claudius