Shakespeare Collection

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Available to own on DVD

STUDIO: BBC

RELEASE DATE: 26 July 2007

STARRING: Jane Lapotaire, Colin Blakely

CATEGORY: Theatre

RATING: TBC

RRP DVD: $19.99

In this production Jane Lapotaire is gripping in the sensual role of Cleopatra, while Colin Blakely takes the part of love-tortured Mark Antony.

Mark Antony, one of the three rulers of the Roman Empire, commands the eastern Mediterranean. Despite his infatuation with Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, he has to return to Rome. As his fellow ruler Octavius schemes, Mark Antony rejoins Cleopatra and, driven by blind passion, they confront the mighty empire. Universal themes of ambition, power, love, friendship and deception – laced with a fascinating portrait of self-destructive passion – fuel Shakespeare’s romantic tragedy.


JULIUS CAESAR (SHAKESPEARE)

Available to own on DVD

STUDIO: BBC

RELEASE DATE: 26 July 2007

STARRING: Richard Pasco, Keith Michell, Virginia McKenna, David Collins

CATEGORY: Theatre

RATING: G

RRP DVD: $19.99

Shakespeare's greatest Roman tragedy breaks all conventional rules of drama, creating neither a clear-cut hero nor a villain. Director Herbert Wise, who also directed the great BBC dramas I Claudius and Elizabeth R, brilliantly conveys a world of personal and political conflict while allowing the play’s chilling supernatural undercurrent to emerge.

The crowds may have hailed Julius Caesar after his conquest of Pompey the Great, but there are other Romans who are alarmed at the power and authority the great dictator is assuming. Among them are a leading citizen, Cassius, and the respected Marcus Brutus, a friend of Caesar. The consequences of their actions will soon throw the Republic into violent and bitter turmoil.


MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (SHAKESPEARE)

Available to own on DVD

STUDIO: BBC

RELEASE DATE: 26 July 2007

STARRING: Robert Lindsay, Cherie Lunghi

CATEGORY: Theatre

RATING: TBC

RRP DVD: $19.99

This spirited production of one of Shakespeare’s great romantic comedies features some of the favourite names of British television. Robert Lindsay and Cherie Lunghi perfectly enact the sparring wit of Benedick and Beatrice, and in Dogberry and Verges – two of Shakespeare’s best-loved clowns – they are perfectly supported by Michael Elphick and Clive Dunn.

Homecoming warriors Claudio and Benedick turn their attentions to romance; but friends, family and lovers are all soon found wanting. Claudio quickly becomes engaged to Hero, while Benedick quips and quarrels his way into her cousin Beatrice’s heart. But when Claudio is tricked into jilting his fiancée, Benedick is forced to choose between friendship and love.


TWELTH NIGHT (SHAKESPEARE)

Available to own on DVD

STUDIO: BBC

RELEASE DATE: 26 July 2007

STARRING: Alex McGowen, Robert Hardy, Felicity Kendall, Robert Lindsay

CATEGORY: Theatre

RATING: TBC

RRP DVD: $19.99

The all-star cast, including Alex McGowen, Robert Hardy, Felicity Kendall and Robert Lindsay are superlative in their respective roles, and this production won great acclaim not only for its energy, but for its inclusion of the play’s often overlooked darker elements.

Viola and Sebastian are identical twins, separated by a shipwreck. Landing in Illyria, Viola disguises herself as her brother and goes into the service of the Duke Orsino. When the Duke sends her to help him woo the Lady Olivia, the obstacles of unrequited love, self deceit and mistaken identity soon lead an assortment of lovers on a merry dance. Perhaps the most popular of Shakespeare’s comedies, Twelfth Night considers the nature of love: true love, self-love and friendship.

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