A Waste of Shame: The Mystery of Shakespeare and His Sonnets
“A mystery in Shakespeare's sonnets is explored.”
Storyline
In 1609, William Shakespeare published a collection of 154 sonnets, creating what is arguably the greatest lyric sequence in English literature - and at the center of this masterpiece lies a mystery that has endured for centuries. What are the identities of “the young man” and “the dark lady” to whom all but two of the sonnets allude? This moving performance brings to life the gritty reality of Shakespeare’s England, bits of the Bard’s plays and poems, and the consummate poet and dramatist himself as it exposes these personages unseen but so keenly felt in Shakespeare’s sonnets and in his life. Rupert Graves, Tom Sturridge, Indira Varma, Anna Chancellor, and Zoë Wanamaker star. Contains mature themes and explicit language. Some content may be objectionable. Produced by the Open University.
Cast & Crew
Rupert Graves
William Shakespeare
Lead
Tom Sturridge
William Herbert
Indira Varma
Lucie "The dark lady"
Zoë Wanamaker
Countess of Pembroke
Anna Chancellor
Anne Hathaway
Andrew Tiernan
Ben Jonson
Nicky Henson
John Shakespeare
Alan Williams
George Wilkin
What People Are Saying
“A staggering achievement of craft and ambition. John McKay's vision lands with breathtaking precision.”
“Every frame feels alive. A Waste of Shame: The Mystery of Shakespeare and His Sonnets is the rare release that takes its audience seriously.”
