Shakespeare: Thereby Hangs A Tale

A Celebration of the Swan of Avon presented by actor and broadcaster Sir Simon Russell Beale CBE.

A collection of programmes from the BBC archives inspired by and about the glover's son from Stratford. In true Shakespearian style, there will be comedy, tragedy and history:

* Great Lives – William Shakespeare

Matthew Parris, TV producer and novelist Daisy Goodwin and Shakespeare director Dominic Dromgoole discuss what we know, and don't know, about Will's life.(BBC Radio 4, 2011)

* Macbeth or Unlucky For Some

John Wells stars in a mini-Macbeth from the Edinburgh Festival of 1979. (BBC Radio 4, 1979)

* Lenny and Will

Comic-turned-Shakespearian Lenny Henry goes in search of the Bard in a programme which indirectly led to him playing Othello. With Dame Judi Dench and Sir Peter Hall.(BBC Radio 4, 2006)

* Mrs Shakespeare

Dramatisation of Robert Nye's raunchy novel inspired by Shakespeare's will: "Item: I gyve unto my wief my second best bed with the furniture." Stars Maggie Steed and Kenneth Cranham as William and Anne. (BBC Radio 4, 1998)

* Shakespeare Stories – Romeo & Juliet

Professor Carol Rutter explores Shakespeare's use of literary sources for his plots .(BBC Radio 4, 2005)

* Hark! (clip) attempts to uncover the sounds of Shakespeare's London. (BBC Radio 3, 2008)

* Desmond Olivier Dingle's Compleat Life and Works of William Shakespeare (BBC Radio 4, 1995)

Comedy featuring the National Theatre of Brent, which brings its 'unique' vision to Julius Caesar, with a little help from guest stars Juliet Stevenson and Harriet Walter.

Plus readings of Shakespeare's sonnets, enhanced with music and effects, featuring Sir Ian McKellen.

Producer: Nick St. George.

Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in April 2012.