Shakespeare

There has been a long history of Shakespeare productions at the National Theatre, and the history of the creation of the National is inextricably linked with William Shakespeare. Effingham Wilson’s proposal for a national theatre was partly inspired by the purchase of Shakespeare’s Birthplace for the nation in 1847. In his 1848 Proposition for a National Theatre he set out a claim that a theatre, ‘a house for Shakespeare’, would be an important complement to the preservation of Shakespeare’s house. This collection of videos is from recent Shakespeare productions.

Beatrice and Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing

Simon Russell Beale and Zoë Wanamaker talk about playing Beatrice and Benedick in the 2007 production of Much Ado About Nothing.

Simon Russell Beale on the wedding scene in Much Ado About Nothing

Simon Russell Beale talks about one of the most impressive and complicated scenes written by Shakespeare.

Simon Russell Beale in conversation

Simon Russell Beale talks about his career including his role in Timon of Athens.

The Making of Timon: Timon the character

This film explores the character of Timon in William Shakespeare's Timon of Athens.

The Making of Timon - Behind the scenes

Creatives from the production talk about the process of Making Timon of Athens for the National Theatre.

The Making of Timon - Building the set

A timelapse of the fit up process for Timon of Athens in the Olivier Theatre at the National Theatre.

The Making of Timon - Staging the Play

The creative team behind Timon of Athens talk about their staging of the play.

Directing Act 2, Scene 4 of Twelfth Night

Nicholas Hytner delivers a workshop on how to direct a scene from Twelfth Night.

'O that this too too solid flesh...'

Rory Kinnear performs the first half of the soliloquy.

Creating Elsinore

Where is Elsinore? Why is Hamlet so often revisited? Discover more about the play and the space in which it takes place.

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