William Shakespeare was a Renaissance-era writer and actor, often referred to as England's national poet, the world's greatest dramatist, and the "Bard of Avon." Despite this widespread success, the writer's personal life (and death) remains a mystery that historians are still piecing together today. 

Much of what we know about Shakespeare comes from his published poems and plays. His first two published works-- "Venus and Adonis" (1593) and "The Rape of Lucrece" (1594)-- were narrative poems that contained over 1,000 lines each. These poems were dedicated to the Earl of Southampton, Henry Wriothesley, who granted him financial support to keep writing. Later, in 1954, Shakespeare joined a London acting company, originally called the Lord Chamberlain’s Men but renamed the King's Men, which inspired his playwriting.

Shakespeare went on to write 37 plays during his career, from tragedies like "Romeo & Juliet" and "Hamlet" to comedies like "Twelfth Night" and "A Midsummer Night’s Dream." The exact chronology of his plays is unknown and still debated by historians today, but it is generally accepted that the works were written between 1590 and 1613. The writer also published a poetry collection in 1609 consisting of 154 sonnets, including "Sonnet 18: Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?" though they are debated to have been written in the 1590s.

What can't be debated is the legacy Shakespeare has left behind, with his works still being widely read and performed hundreds of years after his death. Join us as we explore the best documentaries and performances that honor the life and legacy of the legendary poet and playwright.

Romeo & Juliet

In this 2021 performance of Shakespeare's most well-known tragedy, celebrity actors Josh O'Connor and Jessie Buckley star as the iconic star-crossed lovers. Intended to be a play, National Theatre director Simon Godwin transformed the performance into a film following COVID-19 restrictions. 

Watch the full film on Passport, or check out this clip of Act 2, Scene 5, in which the nurse (Deborah Findlay) informs Juliet (Jessie Buckley) that she will be married.

As You Like It

This performance of the hilarious Shakespearean comedy comes from Louisville's Central Park stage in 2019 during their 59th annual Kentucky Shakespeare Festival. The festival is beloved by the local community, serving as the longest-running free Shakespeare festival in the United States.

Watch the full performance below, featuring original songs from Louisville singer and songwriter Aaron Bibelhauser.

King Lear

Students from West Virginia University's (WVU) School of Theatre & Dance take the stage in this 2021 production of Shakespeare's five-act tragedy. The modern adaption includes a mixed-gender cast, with a female actress portraying King Lear.

Jerry McGonigle, professor of acting and directing at WVU, had no qualms about including a mixed-gender cast. He said, "There are many versions of "King Lear," and because of the timeless nature of Shakespeare’s plays, the director and designers get to create the world that surrounds the play. So I thought, why not create a world where the woman king and her inner circle are as powerful as any man and are equally respected and revered.”

Enjoy the full performance for free below.

Richard III

From Shakespeare's Greatest Hits: Shakespeare’s Greatest Hits presents Gabriella McKinley and a riveting performance of the monologue “No Fear” as Lady Anne from Shakespeare’s Richard III. Filmed in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, New York, this is one of nine episodes presented by WNED PBS and Shakespeare in Delaware Park, which highlights popular Shakespearean monologues filmed in iconic locations throughout Western New York.

Hamlet

From Shakespeare's Greatest Hits: In this episode of “Shakespeare’s Greatest Hits,” Lisa Ludwig performs “To be or not to be…” as Hamlet in the Japanese Garden of Frederick Law Olmsted’s Delaware Park in Buffalo, New York. This is one of nine episodes WNED PBS and Shakespeare in Delaware Park are filming, which highlights popular Shakespearean monologues filmed in iconic locations throughout Western New York.

Macbeth

From Shakespeare's Greatest Hits: In this episode of “Shakespeare’s Greatest Hits,” Todd Benzin offers an intense rendition of “Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow” one of the most famous soliloquies from Shakespeare’s tragedy, Macbeth. Filmed inside the iconic Central Terminal in Buffalo, NY, which is undergoing a massive renovation project, this is one of nine episodes WNED PBS is presenting with Shakespeare in Delaware Park.