On the day of Shakespeare’s death (and birth possibly), what are you favourite Shakespeare-influenced Doctor Who stories?
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I’ve only completed two of the stories on this list: A Groatsworth of Wit (don’t like it), and The Shakespeare Code (don’t like it).
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The Kingmaker of course is fantastic, and The Trials of Tara is very silly and a lot of fun.
I really enjoyed The Shakespeare Notebooks. Some excellent stories in there. Academic Notes still gives me shivers!
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I know I’ve said it before but The Kingmaker is my favorite Big Finish story (largely because of Perimem moments that I’m kinda insane about but also because I think Nev Fountain is firing on all cylinders for it and it’s just a great time all around). Was really happy to have Nicola and Nev sign a copy of it for me at Gally One this year and am looking forward to adding Peter’s signature next year.
Aside from that the only one I’ve seen is The Shakespeare Code, which is unfortunately probably the worst aged episode of NuWho (and was pretty mid to begin with). I’ve got it at 1.5 stars right now but I do think that if I were to watch it again I might drop it to 0.5, especially after last week. Though it is funnier if you watch it with The Kingmaker in mind and know that “Shakespeare” is actually Richard III
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I’d give a solid 3.5/5 as a story (divorced from what we now know about it’s originator). I think on screen there is a lot to like in the production and performances and, yes, script.
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What’s wrong with The Shakespeare Code? I’ve been seeing a lot of critique on it recently, but I enjoyed it (four stars).
I also liked “As You Like It” from The Shakespeare Notebooks.
Three of the other stories I’ve completed on that trope list were duds to me.
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I think most of it is related to who wrote it and some slightly, looking back on it, iffy lines.
Like you, though, I think it’s a solid Doctor Who story.
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Chiming in to say I agree. It’s loads of fun.
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On a slightly different note - what are people’s favourite Shakespeare plays?
I’d have to rank A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Romeo and Juliet.
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Hamlet and Macbeth the Scottish play.
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Of that list, ugh, maybe Theatre of War? I don’t remember anything from The Shakespeare Notebooks, I just remember I didn’t particularly enjoy it. And that’s most of the list right there.
BTW, the Telos novella Nightdreamers is totally ripped from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Didn’t care for that book, but it does open the door to me answering delta’s question. I absolutely loved playing Oberon/Theseus in Midsummer’s, so that goes down as my favorite play.
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I shall add it to the trope!
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I’ve seen/read about three or four, but only one in recent years: A Midsummer’s Night Dream. I liked it. I can’t really comment on the others as I was too preoccupied with my own reading in English class to give a tailor’s cuss about Billy Shakes. I would like to become more familiar with his works, though.
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I’m a big fan of Twelth Night, A Winter’s Tale and The Tempest. Love the atmosphere of the latter two.
It’s a cliché to say Hamlet and Macbeth, but they really are very good!
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Much Ado for the comedies, Macbeth for the tragedies.
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Leaving aside plays I’ve actually performed, yeah, definitely more of a comedy enthusiast. If you can’t guess that from reading some of my posts, well, you probably haven’t reading my posts. I only have one serious bone in my body. Anyway…
Much Ado, a Comedy of Errors, As You Like It, stuff like that. Also really enjoyed Shakespeare in Love, but I digress.
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I’ve been lucky to see a couple, although never been to The Globe.
Macbeth when I was at school then a looooooooooong gap before any more of the Bard. Julius Caesar at the Bridge Theatre was incredible, being down amongst it all. Eye level with the actors.
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& I saw 2 versions of Hamlet within a couple months, Cush Jumbo at The Young Vic (rescheduled due to the pandemic) then Ian Mckellan at Windsor Theatre. I preferred Jumbo.
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Shakespeare, that national treasure we barely learn about at school here!
I haven’t seen any of his plays, but I’ve seen many movies inspired by his plays. There are probably s million takes on Romeo and Juliet, for instance, or Hamlet.
I recognise his greatness and influence but don’t feel very strongly about him.
I quite enjoy The Shakespeare Code, though.
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