06

Watching (and re-watching) this highly-nuanced introduction to the poet/playwright makes me long to go back to Stratford –upon-Avon, William Shakespeare’s birthplace. I also remember buying tiny book versions of a number of his works from the cute shop nearby – when I had the chance to go over slightly over a decade ago. Oh boy, how do you even decide which ones to buy, especially when literature and performing arts are something you really enjoy? Anyway, the best part of the play? The fact that it is a one-man-show. Simon Callow, the English actor-theatre director, delivers both the narration and quotes almost perfectly, with a good pace, supported by his plummy accent. I felt as if I was watching it live at the physical venue, joining in the audience clapping – that’s how much energy Callow projects to make it as human and as real as possible. Once again, I had vibes from a production by London’s National Theatre.

I must admit that I had picked up more than just vocabulary or language-related nuances. So, you can definitely learn something from this 1-hour and 30-minute show.

This time, alongside the usual format of hosting shows on ‘The Shows Must Go On’ channel for 48 hours over the weekend, The Shakespeare Series will be broadcast for seven days – four of Shakespeare’s works will be uploaded in full every week.

I’m waiting for the next few shows – it’s hard to pick which one is my favourite though.