A Waste of Shame: The Mystery of Shakespeare and His Sonnets 18 years old

A mystery in Shakespeare's sonnets is explored.

A Waste of Shame: The Mystery of Shakespeare and His Sonnets

In 1609, William Shakespeare published a collection of 154 sonnets, creating what is arguably the greatest lyric sequence in English literature - and at the center of this masterpiece lies a mystery that has endured for centuries. What are the identities of “the young man” and “the dark lady” to whom all but two of the sonnets allude? This moving performance brings to life the gritty reality of Shakespeare’s England, bits of the Bard’s plays and poems, and the consummate poet and dramatist himself as it exposes these personages unseen but so keenly felt in Shakespeare’s sonnets and in his life. Rupert Graves, Tom Sturridge, Indira Varma, Anna Chancellor, and Zoë Wanamaker star. Contains mature themes and explicit language. Some content may be objectionable. Produced by the Open University.

Credits

A Waste of Shame: The Mystery of Shakespeare and His Sonnets Cast

Name Character
Tom Sturridge He was 19, now 38 years old as William Herbert
Christopher Fairbank He was 52, now 70 years old as Physician
Nicholas Rowe He was 39, now 57 years old as Richard Burbage
Tom Hiddleston He was 24, now 43 years old as John Hall
Indira Varma She was 32, now 50 years old as Lucie "The dark lady"
Zoë Wanamaker She was 56, now 74 years old as Countess of Pembroke
Anna Chancellor She was 40, now 58 years old as Anne Hathaway
Tom Mison He was 23, now 41 years old as Young Blood
Rupert Graves He was 42, now 60 years old as William Shakespeare
Andrew Tiernan He was 39, now 58 years old as Ben Jonson
Alan Williams He was 75, 84 years old when he died as George Wilkin
Nicky Henson He was 60, 74 years old when he died as John Shakespeare

A Waste of Shame: The Mystery of Shakespeare and His Sonnets Crew

Name Department
John McKay as Director. He was 66 (now 84) years old Directing
A Waste of Shame: The Mystery of Shakespeare and His Sonnets poster
A Waste of Shame: The Mystery of Shakespeare and His Sonnets (18 years)

A mystery in Shakespeare's sonnets is explored.

  • Release day: Tuesday, November 22, 2005
  • Runtime: 86 minutes