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PODCAST · fiction

My Own Shakespeare

by BBC Radio 4

Public figures talk about the piece of Shakespeare that inspires them most.The pieces are read by well known actors. From BBC Radio 4

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Episodes

  1. 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. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

  9. 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.

  10. 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.

  11. 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.

  12. 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.

  13. 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.

  14. 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.

  15. 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.

  16. 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.

  17. 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.

  18. 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.

  19. 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.

  20. 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.

  21. 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.

  22. 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.

  23. Hilary Mantel

    Novelist Hilary Mantel choses Mark Anthony’s speech from Julius Caesar (Act 3Sc 1) which was performed by Don Warrington.

  24. 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.

  25. 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.

  26. 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.

  27. Wendy Cope

    Poet Wendy Cope chooses Sonnet 29 as the piece of Shakespeare that inspired her most. Performed by Don Warrington.

  28. 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.

  29. 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.

  30. 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.

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Public figures talk about the piece of Shakespeare that inspires them most.The pieces are read by well known actors. From BBC Radio 4

HOSTED BY

BBC Radio 4

Produced by BBC

CATEGORIES

fiction drama education

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does My Own Shakespeare have?

My Own Shakespeare currently has 30 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is My Own Shakespeare about?

Public figures talk about the piece of Shakespeare that inspires them most.The pieces are read by well known actors. From BBC Radio 4

How often does My Own Shakespeare release new episodes?

My Own Shakespeare has 30 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to My Own Shakespeare?

You can listen to My Own Shakespeare on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts My Own Shakespeare?

My Own Shakespeare is created and hosted by BBC Radio 4.
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