What does Shakespeare mean to us today ? Public figures from all walks of life talk about the piece of Shakespeare that inspires them most.The pieces are read by well known actors. These short features to be broadcast across Radio 3 and Radio 4 in May 2012. Each one is 2-3 minutes duration.
Radio Drama at 90 Julius Caesar
The first radio drama, a scene from Julius Caesar, was broadcast 90 years ago. Now performed by Harriet Walter and Jenny Jules from Phyllida Lloyd's all-female Donmar Warehouse production. Introduced by Jeremy Mortimer
2/16/2013 • 11 minutes, 43 seconds
Andrew Marr
Broadcaster Andrew Marr chooses a speech from King Lear (Act 5 Scene 3) as the piece of Shakespeare that has inspired him most. Reader: David Warner.
5/22/2012 • 2 minutes, 51 seconds
Shami Chakrabarti
Lawyer Shami Chakrabarti chooses Isabella's speech from Measure for Measure (Act 2 Scene 2) as the piece of Shakespeare that inspired her most. Reader: Hattie Morahan.
5/22/2012 • 2 minutes, 6 seconds
Michael Portillo
Broadcaster Michael Portillo chooses a speech from Troilus and Cressida (Act 3 Scene 3) as the piece of Shakespeare that has inspired him most. Reader Don Warrington.
5/21/2012 • 2 minutes, 44 seconds
Gyles Brandreth
Broadcaster Gyles Brandreth chooses a speech from King Lear (Act 5 Scene 3) as the piece of Shakespeare that inspires him most. Reader: David Warner.
5/21/2012 • 2 minutes, 54 seconds
Martha Kearney
Broadcaster Martha Kearney chooses an Oberon speech from A Midsummer Night's Dream (Act 2 Scene 1) as the piece of Shakespeare that has inspired her most. Reader: Don Warrington.
5/21/2012 • 2 minutes, 32 seconds
Jonathan Dimbleby
Broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby chooses a speech from Cymbeline as the piece of Shakespeare that inspires him most. Performed by Rory Kinnear and Don Gilet.
5/21/2012 • 2 minutes, 41 seconds
Neil MacGregor
British Museum Director Neil MacGregor chooses the opening Chorus from Henry V as the piece of Shakespeare that has inspired him most. Reader: Rory Kinnear.
5/21/2012 • 2 minutes, 41 seconds
Melvyn Bragg
Broadcaster Melvyn Bragg chooses a speech from King Lear (Act 3 Scene 2) as the piece of Shakeseare that has inspired him most. Reader: David Warner.
5/21/2012 • 2 minutes, 26 seconds
Charles Hazelwood
Conductor Charles Hazelwood chooses a scene from Richard the Third (Act 1 Sc 4)as the piece of Shakespeare which has inspired him most. Performed by Rory Kinnear and Don Gilet. Broadcast on Radio 3.
5/19/2012 • 2 minutes, 43 seconds
Jim Al-Khalili
Scientist Jim Al-Khalili chooses Edmund's speech from King Lear (Act 1 Scene 2) as the piece of Shakespeare that has inspired him most. Reader: Rory Kinnear.
5/19/2012 • 2 minutes, 37 seconds
Kwame Kwei Armah
Playwright Kwame Kwei Armah chooses a speech from Othello (Act 1 Sc 3)as the piece of Shakespeare which has inspired him most. Peformed by Don Warrington. Broadcast on Radio 3.
5/18/2012 • 2 minutes, 27 seconds
Paul Whitehouse
Comedian Paul Whitehouse chooses a speech from King Lear (Act 1 Sc 5) as the piece of Shakespeare which has influenced him most. Peformed by David Warner. Broadcast on Radio 4.
5/18/2012 • 2 minutes, 32 seconds
Chris Patten
Chris Patten chooses a speech from Coriolanus (Act 5 Sc 4) as the piece of Shakespeare which has inspired him most. Performed by Rory Kinnear. Broadcast on Radio 3.
5/18/2012 • 2 minutes, 34 seconds
Alexandra Harris
Academic and writer Alexandra Harris chooses a speech from A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Act 5 Sc 1) as the piece of Shakespeare which has inspired her most. Performed by Chiwetel Ejiofor. Broadcast on Radio 3.
5/17/2012 • 2 minutes, 27 seconds
Stephen Fry
Writer and actor Stephen Fry chooses Mistress Quickly's speech from Henry V (Act 2 Sc 3)on the death of Falstaff as the piece of Shakespeare that has influenced him most. Performed by Hattie Morahan. Broadcast on Radio 4.
5/17/2012 • 2 minutes, 51 seconds
Jools Holland
Musician Jools Holland chooses a passage from Henry IV Part 2 (Act 5 Sc 5)as the piece of Shakespeare which inspires him most. Performed by David Warner and John Heffernan. Broadcast on Radio 3.
5/17/2012 • 2 minutes, 39 seconds
Stephen Hough
Pianist Stephen Hough chooses ‘Once More Unto the Breach’ from Henry V (Act 3 Sc 1) as the piece of Shakespeare which inspires him most. Performed by Chiwetel Ejiofor. Broadcast on Radio 3.
5/17/2012 • 2 minutes, 49 seconds
Benjamin Zephaniah
Poet Benjamin Zephaniah chooses the final speech from A Midsummer Night's Dream as the piece of Shakespeare that inspires him most. Reader: Chiwetel Ejiofor.
5/16/2012 • 2 minutes, 3 seconds
Margaret Drabble
Novelist Margaret Drabble chooses Titania’s speech from A Midsummer Night's Dream (Act 2 Sc 1) as the piece of Shakespeare which has inspired her most.Performed by Hattie Morahan. Broadcast on Radio 3.
5/16/2012 • 2 minutes, 45 seconds
Zoe Wanamaker
Actress Zoe Wanamaker chooses the opening Chorus from Henry V as the piece of Shakespeare which has inspired her most. Performed by Rory Kinnear. Broadcast on Radio 4.
5/16/2012 • 2 minutes, 47 seconds
Nicholas Hytner
Director of the National Theatre Nicholas Hytner chooses a scene from Henry IV Part 2 (Act 3 Sc 2)as the piece of Shakespeare which has inspired him most.Performed by David Warner and Gerard McDermott. Broadcast on Radio 3.
5/16/2012 • 2 minutes, 50 seconds
Hilary Mantel
Novelist Hilary Mantel choses Mark Anthony’s speech from Julius Caesar (Act 3Sc 1) which was performed by Don Warrington.
5/15/2012 • 2 minutes, 51 seconds
Rowan Williams
Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams chooses a speech from Macbeth (Act 3 Scene 2) as the piece of Shakespeare that has inspired him most. Reader: Chiwetel Ejiofor.
5/15/2012 • 3 minutes
Bettany Hughes
Historian Bettany Hughes chooses a moment from Twelfth Night (Act 4 Sc 2) as the piece of Shakespeare which inspires her most. With David Tennant, James Lailey and Rosie Cavaliero. Broadcast on Radio 3.
5/15/2012 • 2 minutes, 47 seconds
Jane Glover
Conductor Jane Glover chooses a passage from As You Like It (Act 5 Sc 2) as the piece of Shakespeare which has inspired her most. With Hattie Morahan, John Heffernan, Gerard McDermott and Susie Riddell. Broadcast on Radio 3.
5/15/2012 • 2 minutes, 49 seconds
Wendy Cope
Poet Wendy Cope chooses Sonnet 29 as the piece of Shakespeare that inspired her most. Performed by Don Warrington.
5/14/2012 • 2 minutes, 51 seconds
David Hare
Playwright David Hare chooses a speech from Macbeth (Act 3 Sc 1) as the piece of Shakespeare which has inspired him most. Reader: Chiwetel Ejiofor. Broadcast on Radio 3.
5/14/2012 • 2 minutes, 41 seconds
Gareth Malone
Choirmaster Gareth Malone chooses 'Once More unto the Breach..' from Henry V Act 3 Sc 1 as the piece of Shakespeare which inspires him most. Reader: Chiwetel Ejiofor. Broadcast on Radio 3.
5/14/2012 • 2 minutes, 33 seconds
Jeremy Hunt
Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt chooses Sonnet 29 as the piece of Shakespeare that inspires him most.Reader: Don Warrington. Broadcast on Radio 4.
