BBC2 has confirmed that comedian David Mitchell will play William Shakespeare in Upstart Crow - a six-part series which will be part of the BBC Shakespeare Festival 2016 - a major season celebrating the bard 400 years after his death. Harry Enfield will play his father John.
In the series Will finds inspiration for Romeo from an unlikely source; mislays a nearly treasonous masterpiece; gets tricked into a very embarrassing pair of tights; has a spot of bother with the wife over some sonnets; meets three witches who predict great things for him and borrows some money on some rather unusual conditions.
The comedy is written by Ben Elton and also stars Paula Wilcox (Emmerdale) as Will’s mum, Liza Tarbuck (Linda Green, Mount Pleasant) as Anne Hathaway, Helen Monks (Raised by Wolves) as Will’s daughter Susannah, Gemma Whelan (Game of Thrones) as Kate, Mark Heap (Spaced, Friday Night Dinner) as Sir Robert Green, Will’s nemesis. Plus Steve Speirs (Big School) as Burbage, Tim Downie (Paddington, Toast of London) as Marlowe, Dominic Coleman (Peaky Blinders, Trollied) as Kempleton, Spencer Jones (Big Babies) as a member of Burbage’s company and Rob Rouse (Grownups) as Bottom.
Elton's last TV comedy was the much-slated The Wright Way, but the hope is that Upstart Crow will hark back to his classic work co-writing Blackadder. Commenting on the announcement Elton said: “I have tried very hard to think myself into Shakespeare’s creative world, writing only with a small chicken feather and not changing my underpants for a year.”
David Mitchell added: “I’m delighted to be playing England’s greatest bard at this difficult time for bards everywhere. You just try getting work as a bard these days. It’s virtually impossible.”
Upstart Crow is expected to be transmitted around April 23 - Shakespeare's birthday. The season also includes a version of A Midsummer Night's Dream featuring Maxine Peake, Matt Lucas, Bernard Cribbins, Elaine Paige and Richard Wilson.
Filming details have been announced as follows:
Date: Tuesday 12 January
Venue: The London Studios
Doors open: 6.15pm
Recording starts: 7pm
Apply for tickets here.
