4. Early 20th Century

1920-1925

The director Robert Atkins presents all of Shakespeare’s plays included in the First Folio, except Cymbeline but with the addition of Pericles, at the Old Vic in London.

1923

At the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Barry Jackson presents a modern-dress production of Cymbeline.

1925-1930

Barry Jackson presents modern-dress productions of Hamlet, Macbeth, and The Taming of the Shrew in London.

1926

Shakespeare Memorial Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, destroyed by fire.

1930

The black actor and singer Paul Robeson appears as Othello at the Savoy Theatre, London. Desdemona is played by Peggy Ashcroft.

1932

In Stratford-upon-Avon, the rebuilt Shakespeare Memorial Theatre opens.

1934

John Gielgud appears in the title-role of Hamlet at the New Theatre (now the Albery Theatre) in London. The production is a great success and runs for 155 performances.

1938

Julius Caesar broadcast on television by the BBC. This is probably the first full-scale Shakespeare production seen in this new medium.

1944

Film of Henry V, directed by Laurence Olivier who also plays the title-role. The film moves from the stage of a recreated Globe to the outdoors and a large-scale re-enactment of the Battle of Agincourt.

Laurence Olivier as Chorus, 'O for a Muse of fire',
Listen  Henry V, Prologue, British Library Sound Archive, 1931

1948

Film of Hamlet, directed by Laurence Olivier who also plays the title-role. Unlike Olivier’s Henry V, his Hamlet is filmed in black and white.

Laurence Olivier as Hamlet, Stanley Holloway as the Gravedigger, 'How long hast thou been grave-maker',
Listen  Hamlet, Act 5, Scene 1, British Library Sound Archive, 1948