THE SHAKESPEARE ENIGMA
1 x 52'
William Shakespeare is the world's most famous literary figure - yet little is known about the man from Stratford-upon-Avon whose genius belies his humble upbringing. Many aspects of his life are legend rather
than fact. So what was he really like? Experts have been trying to uncover the truth for more than 200 years and doubts have emerged about whether Shakespeare actually wrote the plays, which bear his name.
The Shakespeare Enigma examines the cases of the four protagonists who it is claimed were responsible for the world's finest plays.
The orthodox case is presented by Professor Stanley Wells of the Shakespeare Birthplace
Trust. He argues that sufficient evidence has been handed down from the 16th and 17th centuries to prove that Shakespeare wrote the plays and those who don't believe it are "crackpots".
This year marks the 400th anniversary of the death of Queen Elizabeth I. The Shakespeare Enigma discusses the theory that the lawyer, philosopher and writer Francis Bacon was the
secret, illegitimate son of the woman known as the Virgin Queen. Francis Car expounds the explosive theory that he allegedly wrote the works of Shakespeare but because of the political
nature of some of the plays, his life would have been in danger if he had put his own name to them. This theory is supported, astonishingly, by the artistic director of Shakespeare's Globe in
London, Mark Rylance, whi gives his first television interview on the subject.
Author A D Wraight promotes the theory that Christopher Marlowe, a secret agent as well as a dramatist, faked his own death to avoid being tortured by the authorities for his atheist views. He fled abroad
and sent back plays that were published under the name William Shakespeare.
Two members of the de Vere Society discuss how the scandalous Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford, was the mysterious playwright who
adopted the name Shakespeare. They disagree with experts about the dating of the plays and claim they were written much earlier than we believe.
Viewers are left to make up their own mind about the author's true
identity. Although they are assured that the magic of Shakespeare will live on no matter who wrote the plays.
Producer: Steve Orme Productions
Availability: Worldwide all media.