British radio and television Shakespeare adaptations and broadcasts (1936–1975)

1. BBC begins regular television service in London

   Nov 2, 1936Labels: BBC Television, Alexandra Palace

   • BBC History
   • Encyclopaedia

2. Televised Macbeth scenes signal early TV ambition

   Mar 25, 1937Labels: Macbeth, BBC Television

   • BFI Screenonline
   • TV Adaptation

3. First known Shakespeare performed on BBC television

   May 14, 1937Labels: Twelfth Night, BBC Television

   • Twelfth Night
   • IMDb

4. BBC expands from extracts to full play productions

   Jan 1, 1939Labels: Twelfth Night, BBC Television

   • Twelfth Night
   • TV Adaptation

5. BBC Television Service closes during World War II

   Sep 1, 1939Labels: BBC Television, World War

   • BBC History
   • Britannica

6. First televised Hamlet airs in two live parts

   Dec 7, 1947Labels: Hamlet, BBC Television

   • BFI Screenonline

7. BBC broadcasts live television Othello

   Apr 23, 1950Labels: Othello, Sunday Night

   • Othello TV
   • BBC History

8. Serial format triumphs with An Age of Kings

   Apr 28, 1960Labels: An Age, BBC

   • An Age of
   • TV Adaptation

9. Spread of the Eagle extends BBC Shakespeare serials

   May 3, 1963Labels: The Spread, BBC

   • Spread of Eagle
   • Purcell EUP

10. Hamlet at Elsinore filmed on location for TV

    Apr 19, 1964Labels: Hamlet at, Kronborg Castle

    • Hamlet Elsinore
    • BFI Screenonline

11. BBC radio networks reorganized; Radio 3 begins

    Sep 30, 1967Labels: BBC Radio

    • BBC Radio 3
    • Guardian

12. Play of the Month commissions a TV Midsummer Night’s Dream

    Jan 1, 1971Labels: Play of, A Midsummer

    • ERA Archive
    • TV Adaptation

13. BBC announces plan for complete televised Shakespeare canon

    Jan 1, 1975Labels: BBC Television, BBC

    • TV Adaptation
    • BBC Genome