A series of 13 programmes which tell the story of the theatre from its earliest beginnings to the present day. Written and presented by Ronald Harwood 5: A Muse of Fire The 'theatrical explosion' which produced one of the greatest playwrights the world has ever known-William Shakespeare. But the story of Shakespeare's theatre began a long time before he was born-in the streets of England 500 years ago. This episode is about bawdy entertainments that grew into poetic drama and, incidentally, gave rise to London's theatreland on the South Bank. Above all, it is about the power and the use of words.
Those taking part include
Jeremy Irons , Paul Rogers Sam Wanamaker Michael Langham
Peter Brook , Peter Hall Alan Jay Lerner
Ariane Mnouchkine
Michael Billington and members of the Royal Shakespeare Company
Film editor ANDREW PAGE
Executive producer RICHARD CAWSTON Produced by HARRY HASTINGS * Subtitles on Ceefax page 27