Shakespeare Solos

Shakespeare Solos: watch the second set of films

Leading actors perform key Shakespeare speeches in videos that capture the tragedy, comedy, romance and magic of his plays

Watch the first six films in the series

Joanna Lumley, Twelfth Night

‘I left no ring with her’

Joanna Lumley plays Viola in Twelfth Night. Viola, disguised as a page, wonders why Olivia has sent her a ring – and whether Olivia has fallen in love with her.

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David Threlfall, The Tempest

‘Our revels now are ended’

David Threlfall speaks Prospero’s lines in which the sorcerer contemplates the end of life – and the playwright, perhaps, considers the end of his career.

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Daniel Mays, Macbeth

‘Is this a dagger which I see before me?’

Daniel Mays speaks Macbeth’s lines from act II, scene 1. As Macbeth waits for the bell to signal the time for him to murder Duncan, he has a vision of a dagger.

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Samuel West, Henry V

‘Upon the king’

Samuel West speaks Henry V’s soliloquy from act IV, scene 1. On the night before battle, Henry reflects upon the public’s expectations of the king.

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Sacha Dhawan, All’s Well That Ends Well

‘Are you meditating on virginity?’

Sacha Dhawan delivers Parolles’s lines from the first scene of All’s Well That Ends Well. Parolles urges Helena to consider the importance of losing one’s virginity.

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Camille O’Sullivan, King John

‘Thou art not holy’

Camille O’Sullivan plays Constance in King John. Constance laments the loss of her son, Arthur, but disputes the suggestion that she has gone mad.

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