Share
Much Ado About Shakespeare
Behind the scenes of Troilus and Cressida
•
The Telegraph's Ben Lawrence goes behind the scenes of the RSC's new production of Troilus and Cressida.
This is one of Shakespeare's most complex and fascinating plays, a version of events leading up to the death of Hector in the Trojan War, and raising issues about self-image and self-worth, the disappointment of love and the frailty of human nature. This new production, with music by acclaimed percussionist Evelyn Glennie, has a 50/50 gender split.
Ben talks to Gregory Doran, Artistic Director of the RSC, and to the two actors playing its title characters, Gavin Fowler and Amber James.
More episodes
View all episodes
Wealth and power in Timon of Athens
22:31|In the final episode of the series, Ben Lawrence chairs a discussion with Simon Godwin and Dr Sarah Dustagheer about what Timon of Athens says about our current credit culture and how its cynical tone reflects the troubled state of early 17th-century England. For more, visit www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-shakespeare-company/Behind the Scenes of Timon of Athens
26:50|In this penultimate episode of the series, Ben Lawrence goes behind the scenes of the RSC's new production of Shakespeare's biting satire and talks to its star, Kathryn Hunter. For more, visit www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-shakespeare-company/Troilus and Cressida - Fear and Loathing in Ancient Troy
26:53|Troilus and Cressida is a problem play in more ways than one. Its tone veers wildly between comedy and tragedy and there are no easy resolutions. But it is also a dazzling work with Shakespeare being more truthful and cynical about the human condition than at any other stage in his career. In this episode, Ben Lawrence returns to the play. He is in conversation with Gregory Doran, artistic director of the RSC, who also directs the new production at Stratford upon Avon (which runs from October 12 to November 17), and with the academic and writer James Shapiro whose long list of acclaimed works includes William Shakespeare: 1606, and the Year of Lear.The Merry Wives of Windsor - is Shakespeare funny?
24:48|Ben Lawrence talks to director Fiona Laird and Professor Helen Barr of Oxford University about the problems of producing Shakespearean comedy for a 21st-century audience.Behind the scenes of The Merry Wives of Windsor
26:37|In this episode, Ben Lawrence heads to Stratford-upon-Avon to catch up with director Fiona Laird and actresses Rebecca Lacey and Beth Cordingly for a radical new production, inspired by The Only Way Is Essex, of Shakespeare's knockabout farce.
Does Shakespeare silence women?
32:25|In this edition, Claire Allfree questions the role of women in Shakespeare and whether he gives them a voice. Does descending into madness make victims of Ophelia and Lady Macbeth? Why do Queen Anne and Princess Katherine go silent as soon as they are married? And what on earth should 21st-century audiences make of Katherina in The Taming of the Shrew? Joining Claire in the discussion are acclaimed actors Sylvestra le Touzel and Debbie Korley, and director Nancy Meckler.Baz Luhrmann takes on Romeo and Juliet
16:30|Ben Lawrence talks to Telegraph film critic Tim Robey about Baz Luhrmann's 1996 film version of Romeo and Juliet - one of the greatest big-screen adaptations of Shakespeare. Discover more at www.telegraph.co.uk and www.rsc.org.uk/podcast Music fully licensed at www.epidemicsound.comRomeo and Juliet Round Table Discussion
23:24|Ben Lawrence chairs a debate about the nature of violence in Romeo and Juliet. Discover more at www.telegraph.co.uk and www.rsc.org.uk/podcasts Music fully licensed at www.epidemicsound.com