6 August 2025
Introducing 4 filmed performances from the two theatres of the historic Shakespeare’s Globe, including an epic bilingual (BSL and English) production of Antony & Cleopatra and an exploration of modern tyranny in Richard III, as well as intimate stagings of The Merchant of Venice and Othello in the candlelit Sam Wanamaker Playhouse.
This collection offers:
Antony and Cleopatra
For the first time in ten years, Antony and Cleopatra, Shakespeare’s colossal story of love, duty, and power unfolds in the Globe Theatre in an epic bilingual production using Spoken English and British Sign Language. This bilingual production is performed in two languages: British Sign Language (BSL) and Spoken English. Some scenes are performed only in BSL; some scenes are performed only in Spoken English; and some scenes feature both languages.
The Merchant of Venice
In a world where money turns the wheels, men call the shots, and your religion or race can open or close doors, some win and some lose. Unless the powerful few simply change the game to suit themselves. Looking at the story in a contemporary context, this ‘heart-wrenching’ (The Guardian) and ‘tremendously sensitive’ (The Stage) production asks us to confront and question our own prejudices in the here and now.
Othello
Sixteenth-century Venice becomes modern-day London, as Othello grapples with many of the same issues that successful Black people have faced for centuries. This is an Othello for our times. A confronting look at the destructive impact of institutional racism, toxic masculinity, and a justice system locked in a vicious cycle of self-fulfilling prophecy.
Richard III
Shakespeare’s Richard III unfolds in the Globe Theatre in a ‘hugely compelling’ (The Guardian) and ‘vibrant’ (The Telegraph) new production exploring modern tyranny afresh. Following generations of fighting, a fragile peace has been established, but Richard’s self-serving manipulation, disruption and ambition for the crown threatens the lives of everyone around him.
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