Shakespeare Solos

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.