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Published by BBC Radio 4
Public figures talk about the piece of Shakespeare that inspires them most.The pieces are read by well known actors. From BBC Radio 4
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The first radio drama, a scene from Julius Caesar, was broadcast 90 years ago. Now performed by Harriet Walter and Jenny Jules from Phyllida Lloyd's all-female Donmar Warehouse production. Introduced by Jeremy Mortimer
Broadcaster Andrew Marr chooses a speech from King Lear (Act 5 Scene 3) as the piece of Shakespeare that has inspired him most. Reader: David Warner.
Lawyer Shami Chakrabarti chooses Isabella's speech from Measure for Measure (Act 2 Scene 2) as the piece of Shakespeare that inspired her most. Reader: Hattie Morahan.
Broadcaster Michael Portillo chooses a speech from Troilus and Cressida (Act 3 Scene 3) as the piece of Shakespeare that has inspired him most. Reader Don Warrington.
Broadcaster Gyles Brandreth chooses a speech from King Lear (Act 5 Scene 3) as the piece of Shakespeare that inspires him most. Reader: David Warner.
Broadcaster Martha Kearney chooses an Oberon speech from A Midsummer Night's Dream (Act 2 Scene 1) as the piece of Shakespeare that has inspired her most. Reader: Don Warrington.
Broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby chooses a speech from Cymbeline as the piece of Shakespeare that inspires him most. Performed by Rory Kinnear and Don Gilet.
British Museum Director Neil MacGregor chooses the opening Chorus from Henry V as the piece of Shakespeare that has inspired him most. Reader: Rory Kinnear.
Broadcaster Melvyn Bragg chooses a speech from King Lear (Act 3 Scene 2) as the piece of Shakeseare that has inspired him most. Reader: David Warner.
Conductor Charles Hazelwood chooses a scene from Richard the Third (Act 1 Sc 4)as the piece of Shakespeare which has inspired him most. Performed by Rory Kinnear and Don Gilet. Broadcast on Radio 3.
Scientist Jim Al-Khalili chooses Edmund's speech from King Lear (Act 1 Scene 2) as the piece of Shakespeare that has inspired him most. Reader: Rory Kinnear.
Playwright Kwame Kwei Armah chooses a speech from Othello (Act 1 Sc 3)as the piece of Shakespeare which has inspired him most. Peformed by Don Warrington. Broadcast on Radio 3.
Comedian Paul Whitehouse chooses a speech from King Lear (Act 1 Sc 5) as the piece of Shakespeare which has influenced him most. Peformed by David Warner. Broadcast on Radio 4.
Chris Patten chooses a speech from Coriolanus (Act 5 Sc 4) as the piece of Shakespeare which has inspired him most. Performed by Rory Kinnear. Broadcast on Radio 3.
Academic and writer Alexandra Harris chooses a speech from A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Act 5 Sc 1) as the piece of Shakespeare which has inspired her most. Performed by Chiwetel Ejiofor. Broadcast on Radio 3.
Writer and actor Stephen Fry chooses Mistress Quickly's speech from Henry V (Act 2 Sc 3)on the death of Falstaff as the piece of Shakespeare that has influenced him most. Performed by Hattie Morahan. Broadcast on Radio 4.
Musician Jools Holland chooses a passage from Henry IV Part 2 (Act 5 Sc 5)as the piece of Shakespeare which inspires him most. Performed by David Warner and John Heffernan. Broadcast on Radio 3.
Pianist Stephen Hough chooses ‘Once More Unto the Breach’ from Henry V (Act 3 Sc 1) as the piece of Shakespeare which inspires him most. Performed by Chiwetel Ejiofor. Broadcast on Radio 3.
Poet Benjamin Zephaniah chooses the final speech from A Midsummer Night's Dream as the piece of Shakespeare that inspires him most. Reader: Chiwetel Ejiofor.
Novelist Margaret Drabble chooses Titania’s speech from A Midsummer Night's Dream (Act 2 Sc 1) as the piece of Shakespeare which has inspired her most.Performed by Hattie Morahan. Broadcast on Radio 3.
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Observed September 20, 2026.
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