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Shakespeare Plays Season 1 Episodes
Season 1 Episode Guide
40 Episodes 1978 - 1985
Episode 1
Romeo and Juliet
Sun, Dec 3, 1978 180 mins
Star-crossed lovers "Romeo and Juliet" are portrayed by Patrick Ryecart and Rebecca Saire in a BBC production. Nurse: Celia Johnson. Capulet: Michael Hordern. Chorus: John Gielgud. Friar Lawrence: Joseph O'Conor. Mercutio: Anthony Andrews. Tybalt: Alan Rickman. Prince Escalus: Laurence Naismith. Lady Capulet: Jacqueline Hill. Paris: Christopher Northey.
Episode 2
King Richard II
Sun, Dec 10, 1978 180 mins
"King Richard II," the English king whose decision to exile his cousin and seize his inheritance cost Richard his crown. John of Gaunt: John Gielgud. Bolingbroke: Jon Finch. York: Charles Gary. Duchess of York: Wendy Hiller. Mowbray: Richard Owens. Queen: Janet Maw. Northumberland: David Swift. Duchess of Gloucester: Mary Morris. Percy: Jeremy Bulloch. Aumerle: Charles Keating.
Episode 3
As You Like It
Sun, Dec 17, 1978 150 mins
"As You Like It," a comedy about the love-struck denizens of Arden Forest, who live carefree and careless of time. Rosalind: Helen Mirren. Orlando: Brian Stirner. Celia: Angharad Rees. Touchstone: James Bolam. Jaques: Richard Pasco. Oliver: Clive Francis. Duke Frederick: Richard Easton.
Episode 4
Julius Caesar
Sun, Feb 11, 1979 180 mins
"Julius Caesar." Shakespeare's tragedy about politics in ancient Rome, in which Caesar is the victim of a conspiracy led by the honorable Brutus (Richard Pasco). Antony: Keith Michell. Cassius: David Collings. Portia: Virginia McKenna. Casca: Sam Dastor. Calpurnia: Elizabeth Spriggs. Flavius: Jon Laurimore. Marullus: John Sterland.
Episode 5
Measure for Measure
Sun, Feb 18, 1979 180 mins
"Measure for Measure," a 1604 comedy that heads for tragedy when Duke Vincentio puts his overzealous deputy in charge in his absence. Isabella: Kate Nelligan. Claudio: Christopher Strauli. Lucio: John McEnery. Ecalus: Kevin Stoney. Mistress Overdone: Adrienne Corri.
Episode 6
King Henry VIII
Sun, Feb 25, 1979 180 mins
"Henry VIII," the bard's last play, concerns the king and the "falling stars" of his court. Katharine: Claire Bloom. Anne Bullen: Barbara Kellermann. Duke of Buckingham: Julian Glover. Cardinal Wolsey: Timothy West. Cranmer: Ronald Pickup. Norfolk: Jeremy Kemp. Abergavenny: David Rintoul.
Episode 7
King Henry IV, Part 1
Sun, Dec 9, 1979 150 mins
Part 1 of "Henry IV," Shakespeare's chronicle of the troubled reign (1399-1413) of Richard II's usurper, who risks being dethroned himself by rebellious nobles. Henry is already disgraced by his profligate son Prince Hal and his companion, the roguish Sir John Falstaff (Anthony Quayle). Henry: Jon Finch. Hal: David Gwillim. Hotspur: Tim Pigott-Smith. Lady Percy: Michele Dotrice. Poins: Jack Galloway. Mortimer: Robert Morris. Northumberland: Bruce Purchase. Glendower: Richard Owens.
Episode 8
King Henry IV, Part 2
Sun, Dec 16, 1979 150 mins
Part 2 of "Henry IV" relates how the crown passes to Prince Hal (David Gwillim) from his dying father, much to the regret of Falstaff (Anthony Quayle), who loses a companion as he gains a new king. Lord Chief Justice: Ralph Michael. Doll Tearsheet: Frances Cuka. Mistress Quickly: Brenda Bruce. Prince John: Rob Edwards. Lord Bardolph: John Humphry. Northumberland: Bruce Purchase. Scroop: David Neal. Page: John Fowler. Bardolph: Gordon Gostelow.
Episode 9
King Henry V
Sun, Dec 23, 1979 180 mins
David Gwillim is "Henry V" in Shakespeare's chronicle of the English ruler's 1415 invasion of France, where Henry's outnumbered troops prepare for a fateful battle at Agincourt. Chorus: Alec McCowen. Williams: David Pinner. Fluellen: Tim Wylton. Dauphin: Keith Drinkel. Charles VI: Thorley Walters. Pistol: Bryan Pringle. Bardolph: Gordon Gostelow. Katherine: Jocelyne Boisseau. Alice: Anna Quayle. Boy: John Fowler. Queen Isabel: Pamela Ruddock.
Episode 10
Twelfth Night
Sun, Jan 6, 1980 150 mins
"Twelfth Night," the last of Shakespeare's romantic comedies, deals with the confusion that results when Duke Orsino employs a woman disguised as a man to help him win the hand of Lady Olivia (Sinead Cusack). Viola/Cesario: Felicity Kendal. Malvolio: Alec McCowen. Sir Toby Belch: Robert Hardy. Feste: Trevor Peacock. Maria: Annette Crosbie. Sebastian: Michael Thomas. Antonio: Maurice Roeves.
Episode 11
The Tempest
Wed, Feb 27, 1980 130 mins
"The Tempest" concerns shipwreck survivors stranded on an island ruled by the omnipotent Prospero (Michael Hordern). Ariel: David Dixon. Caliban: Warren Clarke. Miranda: Pippa Guard. Antonio: Derek Godfrey. Alonso: David Waller. Ferdinand: Christopher Guard. Sebastian: Alan Rowe. Gonzalo: John Nettleton. Stephano: Nigel Hawthorne. Trinculo: Andrew Sachs.
Episode 12
Hamlet
Wed, Feb 27, 1980 150 mins
Derek Jacobi plays "Hamlet" as an unpredictable and erratic Prince of Denmark who, while seeking to avenge his father's murder, mystifies friends and manipulates foes like a magician. Gertrude: Claire Bloom. Claudius: Patrick Stewart. Ophelia: Lalla Ward. Polonius: Eric Porter.
Episode 13
The Taming of the Shrew
Thu, Oct 23, 1980 90 mins
"The Taming of the Shrew": John Cleese as Petruchio and Sarah Badel as Katharina, the object of his matrimonial plans. Directed by Jonathan Miller.
Episode 14
The Merchant of Venice
Sun, Feb 17, 1980 90 mins
"The Merchant of Venice" is a romantic comedy darkened by Shylock, a moneylender who insists on taking flesh from a merchant who cannot pay his debt. Bassanio: John Nettles. Portia: Gemma Jones. Antonio: John Franklyn-Robbins. Jessica: Leslee Udwin. Lorenzo: Richard Morant.
Episode 15
All's Well That Ends Well
Sun, Jan 4, 1981 120 mins
"All's Well That Ends Well" is a "problem play" about an orphan and the snobbish nobleman she loves. King: Donald Sinden. Countess: Celia Johnson. Parolles: Peter Jeffrey. Lafeu: Michael Hordern. Widow: Rosemary Leach. Diana: Pippa Guard.
Episode 16
The Winter's Tale
Sun, Feb 8, 1981 120 mins
"The Winter's Tale" is a work focusing on the "bloody thoughts" of a jealous king whose suspicions lead him to imprison his wife (Anna Calder-Marshall), cast out his newborn daughter and force his best friend Polixenes (Robert Stevens) to flee. Perdita: Debbie Farrington. Florizel: Robin Kermode.
Episode 17
Timon of Athens
Thu, Apr 16, 1981 150 mins
Jonathan Pryce is "Timon of Athens," a profligate nobleman who becomes a misanthrope. Apemantus: Norman Rodway. Flavius: John Welsh. Lucius: Hugh Thomas.
Episode 18
Antony and Cleopatra
Fri, May 8, 1981 120 mins
Colin Blakely and Jane Lapotaire are "Antony and Cleopatra" in Shakespeare's account of the Roman general's love for the Queen of the Nile. Octavius: Ian Charleson. Enobarbus: Emrys James. Lepidus: Esmond Knight. Octavia: Lynn Farleigh.
Episode 19
Othello
Sun, Oct 4, 1981 210 mins
"Othello," whose love for Desdemona is observed with special interest by the malicious Iago (Bob Hoskins). Emilia: Rosemary Leach. Cassio: David Yelland. Roderigo: Anthony Pedley.
Episode 20
Troilus and Cressida
Sat, Nov 7, 1981 180 mins
"Troilus and Cressida" are lovers separated during the Trojan War in a 1602 work that is part history, part tragedy---and an antiwar satire. Pandarus: Charles Gray. Hector: John Shrapnel. Achilles: Kenneth Haigh.
Episode 21
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Sun, Dec 13, 1981 90 mins
Lovers, fairies and workmen who fancy themselves thespians come together during "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in an Athenian forest. Robert Lindsay, Nicky Henson, Pippa Guard, Helen Mirren.
Episode 22
King Lear
Sun, Sep 19, 1982 180 mins
Michael Hordern portrays "King Lear," whose mistaken perception of his daughters' loyalties plunge Britain into war and sets the stage for the monarch's descent into madness. Cordelia: Brenda Blethyn. Kent: John Shrapnel. Regan: Penelope Wilton. Goneril: Gillian Barge. Edmund: Michael Kitchen. Fool: Frank Middlemass. Gloucester: Norman Rodway. Edgar: Anton Lesser.
Episode 23
Merry Wives of Windsor
Tue, Dec 28, 1982 180 mins
In "The Merry Wives of Windsor," Sir John Falstaff, whose ego is as inflated as his girth, makes advances to two married women (Judy Davis, Prunella Scales). Ford: Ben Kingsley. Page: Bryan Marshall. Mistress Quickly: Elizabeth Spriggs. Evans: Tenniel Evans. Caius: Michael Bryant. Shallow: Alan Bennett.
Episode 24
First Part of King Henry VI
Sun, Jan 2, 1983 90 mins
"The First Part of King Henry VI" launches a tetralogy spanning the 15th-century Wars of the Roses, which the young English monarch (Peter Benson) seems incapable of ending. Talbot: Trevor Peacock. Joan of Arc: Brenda Blethyn. Duke of Gloucester: David Burke. Bishop of Winchester: Frank Middlemass.
Episode 25
First Part of King Henry VI
Sun, Jan 2, 1983 90 mins
"The First Part of King Henry VI" concludes with the emergence of Suffolk as manipulator of the monarch (Peter Benson). Duke of York: Bernard Hill. Somerset: Brian Deacon. Bishop of Winchester: Frank Middlemass.
Episode 26
Second Part of King Henry VI
Sun, Jan 9, 1983 90 mins
"The Second Part of King Henry VI" opens with the monarch's disastrous marriage to Margaret of Anjou (Julia Foster) and a court conspiracy against Gloucester (David Burke). Henry: Peter Benson. Suffolk: Paul Chapman. Cardinal Beaufort: Frank Middlemass. York: Bernard Hill. Somerset: Brian Deacon.
Episode 27
Second Part of King Henry VI
Sun, Jan 9, 1983 120 mins
The Irish rebel Jack Cade leads an assault on London, and the Wars of the Roses begin in the conclusion of "The Second Part of King Henry VI." Suffolk: Paul Chapman. Margaret: Julia Foster. Lord Say: Derek Farr. Buckingham: David Daker. York: Bernard Hill. Warwick: Mark Wing-Davey.
Episode 28
Third Part of King Henry VI
Sun, Jan 16, 1983 120 mins
In the opening of "The Third Part of King Henry VI," the throne is usurped by York's son Edward. But his brother, the hunchbacked Richard, has his own ideas about "how to get the crown." Clifford: Oengus MacNamara. Margaret: Julia Foster. York: Bernard Hill. Warwick: Mark Wing-Davey.
Episode 29
Third Part of King Henry VI
Sun, Jan 16, 1983 90 mins
Fighting between Yorkist and Lancastrian factions continues in the conclusion of "The Third Part of King Henry VI." Margaret: Julia Foster. Richard: Ron Cook. Warwick: Mark Wing-Davey. Edward: Brian Protheroe. George: Paul Jesson.
Episode 30
King Richard III
Sun, Jan 23, 1983 240 mins
Ron Cook is "King Richard III," the evil hunchback who plots to win the crown that rests on the head of Edward IV (Brian Protheroe). Buckingham: Michael Byrne. Hastings: David Daker. Anne: Zoe Wanamaker. Margaret: Julia Foster. Catesby: David Burke.
Episode 31
Cymbeline
Sun, Jul 10, 1983 180 mins
Richard Johnson portrays King "Cymbeline" and Helen Mirren is his crisis-ridden daughter Imogen in this "tragicomedy." Queen: Claire Bloom. Iachimo: Robert Lindsay. Cloten: Paul Jesson. Pisanio: John Kane.
Episode 32
Macbeth
Sat, Nov 5, 1983 150 mins
"Macbeth," the tragic tale of fatal prophecies and passions that tells of the "vaulting ambition" that led a Scottish general and his wife to murder their monarch Duncan (Mark Dignam). Banquo: Ian Hogg. Macduff: Tony Doyle. Witches: Brenda Bruce, Eileen Way, Anne Dyson. Malcolm: James Hazeldine.
Episode 33
The Comedy of Errors
Sat, Dec 24, 1983 120 mins
"The Comedy of Errors" erupts in the Greek city of Ephesus, where two visitors are mistaken for their identically named identical twins. Antipholus: Michael Kitchen. Dromio: Roger Daltrey. Aegeon: Cyril Cusack. Duke: Charles Gray. Adriana: Suzanne Bertish. Aemilia: Wendy Hiller.
Episode 34
Two Gentlemen of Verona
Tue, Dec 27, 1983 150 mins
The friendship between "The Two Gentlemen of Verona" seems doomed because they both love Silvia (Joanne Pearce). Proteus: Tyler Butterworth. Valentine: John Hudson. Julia: Tessa Peakejones. Launce: Tony Haygarth.
Episode 35
Coriolanus
Sat, Apr 21, 1984 150 mins
"Coriolanus," the tragedy about a Roman general who is named consul as a reward for his military victories, but whose contempt for the common man proves his downfall. Volumnia: Irene Worth. Menenius: Joss Ackland. Aufidius: Mike Gwilym.
Episode 36
King John
Sat, Nov 24, 1984 180 mins
The reign of "King John" is chronicled in this play (written in the 1590s), which contains memorable passages on patriotism and political expediency. Philip the Bastard: George Costigan. Constance: Claire Bloom. Queen Elinor: Mary Morris. Lewis, the Dauphin: Jonathan Coy.
Episode 37
Pericles, Prince of Tyre
Sat, Dec 8, 1984 180 mins
"Pericles, Prince of Tyre" (1609), whose odyssey begins when he learns of the incestuous relationship between a Syrian king and his daughter, forcing him to flee from the king's assassins. Cleon: Norman Rodway. Gower: Edward Petherbridge. Dionyza: Annette Crosbie. Marina: Amanda Redman.
Episode 38
Much Ado About Nothing
Sat, Dec 22, 1984 150 mins
"Much Ado About Nothing," the Bard's 1599 comedy, boasts two of his wittiest romantic combatants in the characters of Benedick (Robert Lindsay) and Beatrice (Cherie Lunghi). Claudio: Robert Reynolds. Hero: Katharine Levy. Don Pedro: Jon Finch. Don John: Vernon Dobtcheff. Leonato: Lee Montague. Dogberry: Michael Elphick. Margaret: Pamela Moiseiwitsch.
Episode 39
Love's Labours Lost
Sat, Jan 5, 1985 120 mins
The seven-year survey of the canon concludes with "Love's Labour's Lost," a comedy that director Elijah Moshinsky turns into a proto-sitcom with costumes suitable to Restoration comedy. King of Navarre: Jonathan Kent. Princess of France: Maureen Lipman. Berowne: Mike Gwilym. Longaville: Christopher Blake. Dumain: Geoffrey Burridge.
Episode 40
Titus Andronicus
Sat, Apr 27, 1985 180 mins
The Bard's first tragedy is a revenge drama about the fall of the warrior "Titus Andronicus," whose prisoner, the cunning Queen Tamora (Eileen Atkins), rises up against him. Lavinia: Anna Calder-Marshall. Aaron: Hugh Quarshie. Marcus: Edward Hardwicke. Lucius: Gavin Richards.