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4. Grief and The Globe

Episode 4 of 5

William's young son Hamnet dies, a new theatre is built at Southwark and King James goes to Macbeth. Read by Toby Stephens.

Shakespeare returned to Stratford because his only son Hamnet dies.

A new theatre is completed on Bankside. Queen Elizabeth's death in 1603 meant Shakespeare's company is renamed the King's Men.

In 1606, the King of Denmark came to visit his daughter Queen Anne and King James. They go to see Macbeth at the theatre. King James had a preoccupation with witchcraft....

A reconstruction of the life, work and era of William Shakespeare.

Written by Stephen Greenblatt and abridged by Miranda Davies

Read by Toby Stephens.

Excerpts read by:

Alice Hart
John Rowe

Producer: Emma Harding

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2004.

15 minutes

Last on

Fri 20 Dec 202403:30
BBC Radio 4 Extra

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3. A Fair Youth

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5. The Fading Pageant

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  • Thu 25 Jun 200914:15
    BBC Radio 7
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    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Thu 18 Apr 201314:45
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
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    BBC Radio 4 Extra
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    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Fri 20 Dec 202403:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra