We're delighted to present four new films of Michael Morpurgo's Tales From Shakespeare. The Tales for January 2022 are Hamlet, King Lear, The Taming of the Shrew and Henry V. Each Tale will be available from 10am each Friday then will be on demand for three months. The first film will be featured on this page from Friday 14 January, then come back each week for access to the next Tale.

Based on Michael Morpurgo's book Tales from Shakespeare, these films for schools introduce students to some of Shakespeare's best-loved plays. The stories are told by Michael and members of the RSC acting company.

Hamlet

This is an on-demand film and will be live until 5pm on Friday 15 April. The film is approximately 54 minutes long and you can watch it at your own pace or pause for in-class discussions. 

The link below will take you to Vimeo, where you can stream the film. If you need help setting up to watch the broadcast, please read our Technical Requirements. If you are still experiencing technical problems, you can contact our team at schoolsbroadcast@rsc.org.uk

Henry V

This is an on-demand film and will be live until 5pm on Friday 22 April. The film is approximately 53 minutes long and you can watch it at your own pace or pause for in-class discussions. 

The link below will take you to Vimeo, where you can stream the film. If you need help setting up to watch the broadcast, please read our Technical Requirements. If you are still experiencing technical problems, you can contact our team at schoolsbroadcast@rsc.org.uk

King Lear

This is an on-demand film and will be live until 5pm on Friday 29 April. The film is approximately 48 minutes long and you can watch it at your own pace or pause for in-class discussions. 

The link below will take you to Vimeo, where you can stream the film. If you need help setting up to watch the broadcast, please read our Technical Requirements. If you are still experiencing technical problems, you can contact our team at schoolsbroadcast@rsc.org.uk

The Taming Of The Shrew

This is an on-demand film and will be live until 5pm on Friday 6 May. The film is approximately 40 minutes long and you can watch it at your own pace or pause for in-class discussions. 

The link below will take you to Vimeo, where you can stream the full production. If you need help setting up to watch the broadcast, please read our Technical Requirements. If you are still experiencing technical problems, you can contact our team at schoolsbroadcast@rsc.org.uk

TEACHING RESOURCES

Writing Pack

We have created a writing pack to be used with your students after watching the Tales. The pack has also been designed to be used with any of Shakespeare’s plays. Each activity is broken down into easy steps, with resources included at the end of the pack. 

Download the PDF

Shakespeare and Literacy Resources

We also have other literacy resources created from previous Tales from Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Tempest which may able also be useful for work with your students. 

Shakespeare and Literacy Resources

Here, you can see videos of Michael answering questions from schools as part of the first Tales from Shakespeare event.

Other resources

 The following supporting resources will also help students who are exploring these plays:

• Shakespeare Learning Zone - a website including short quizzes and interactive introductions to Shakespeare's plays

• Activity Toolkits - a selection of toolkits, offering short 15 minute activities designed to be completed by Primary and Secondary pupils at home

• Homework Help - answers to some of your most asked questions, provided by RSC artists and alumni

• Play pages - see photos, videos and information about past productions of the four plays: Hamlet, King Lear, The Taming of the Shrew and Henry V