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William Shakespeare Headshot

William Shakespeare

Date of Death: April 23, 1616 (52)

Birth Place: Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, ENGLAND

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[West End, 2022]
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[New York, 2019]
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[West End, 2015]
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[Off-Broadway, 2014]
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Awards and Nominations

Drama League Awards - 2016 - Outstanding Revival of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Play

William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream

Olivier Awards - 2008 - Best Revival

William ShakespeareMacbeth


winner
Olivier Awards - 2005 - Best Revival

William ShakespeareHamlet

Olivier Awards - 2005 - Best Revival

William ShakespeareAll's Well That Ends Well


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Olivier Awards - 2003 - Best Revival

William ShakespeareTwelfth Night

Olivier Awards - 2003 - Best Revival

William ShakespeareTwelfth Night

Helen Hayes Awards - 2001 - Outstanding Resident Play

ShakespeareTheatre Country Wife


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Olivier Awards - 1995 - Best Revival of a Play or Comedy

William ShakespeareAs You Like It

Olivier Awards - 1994 - Best Revival of a Play or Comedy

William ShakespeareThe Winter's Tale

Olivier Awards - 1992 - Best Revival of a Play or Comedy

William ShakespeareThe Comedy Of Errors


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Olivier Awards - 1991 - Best Revival of a Play or Comedy

William ShakespearePericles

Olivier Awards - 1987 - Comedy of the Year

William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream

Olivier Awards - 1987 - Comedy of the Year

William ShakespeareTwelfth Night

Olivier Awards - 1985 - Comedy of the Year

William ShakespeareLove's Labours Lost

Videos

News


DOUBT And More Set for The Hanover Theatre Repertory's Fifth Anniversary Season
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 15, 2025

The Hanover Theatre Repertory has announced its 2025-2026 season, available for the first time as a subscription package. In celebrating its fifth anniversary, THT Rep continues to engage audiences with dynamic takes on classics, modern-classics and classics-inspired new works.
Cast and Creative Team Set For William Shakespeare's THE TRAGEDY OF CORIOLANUS at Nocturne Theater
by Stephi Wild - Apr 14, 2025

Nocturne Theater has announced the cast and creative team for William Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Coriolanus, performing at Dixon Place beginning this month.
Review: DR. SEUSS CAT IN THE HAT at Arkansas Museum Of Fine Arts
by Theresa Bertram - Apr 14, 2025

What did our critic think of DR. SEUSS CAT IN THE HAT at Arkansas Museum Of Fine Arts?
Interview: 'I Feel Stupidly Lucky to Be Back Here': Eleanor Worthington-Cox on Playing Hero in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING at Royal Shakespeare Theatre
by Kat Mokrynski - Apr 14, 2025

Director Michael Longhurst is bringing a new production of William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, this time placing the work in the world of football. The production stars Freema Agyeman as Beatrice and Nick Blood as Benedick, two old rivals whose teammates are determined to get them together. 
Ncuti Gatwa and Edward Bluemel Will Lead BORN WITH TEETH at Wyndham's Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Apr 11, 2025

Born With Teeth will make its West End premiere, featuring Ncuti Gatwa as Christopher Marlowe and Edward Bluemel as William Shakespeare. Learn more about the show here!
Review: & JULIET at the Aronoff Center
by Ana-Brit Asplen - Apr 11, 2025

The first national Broadway tour of & Juliet exemplifies an unmatched energy that keeps its audiences invested, rivaling the NYC Broadway company in quality. Rachel Simone Webb is a supernova as Juliet Capulet.
Patrick Ball Will Lead HAMLET at The Mark Taper Forum
by Stephi Wild - Apr 10, 2025

Center Theatre Group presents the premiere of a new, Hitchcockian noir take on Hamlet by William Shakespeare, from director Robert O'Hara. Learn more here!
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN & More Set For Chicago Shakespeare Theater's 2025/26 Season Lineup
by Joshua Wright - Apr 9, 2025

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) Artistic Director Edward Hall and Executive Director Kimberly Motes have announced the 2025/26 season lineup. The season includes 12 productions across CST’s three stages, with two world premieres, three North American premieres, and six Shakespeare and Shakespeare-adjacent productions.
Deaf West Theatre's ELEPHANT SHOES and More Set for Two River Theater 25-26 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 9, 2025

Two River Theater has revealed its 2025/2026 Season. The season will commence in September with the World Premiere of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Links, stylishly reimagined by Director Darko Tresnjak See the full season lineup here!
ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS and More Set for A Noise Within's 2025-26 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 9, 2025

A Noise Within will present its “Songs from the Volcano” 2025-26 season of six classic plays. Launching the season in September is British playwright Richard Bean’s Tony Award-winning One Man, Two Guvnors. Learn more about the season here!
Connecticut Repertory Theatre's MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING Begins This Month
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 9, 2025

Connecticut Repertory Theatre rounds out its 2024-2025 season with William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. The play previews April 24 and runs April 25 – May 4 in the Nafe Katter Theatre on the UConn Storrs campus. 
Video: Inside Rehearsals With the Cast of ROMEO & JULIET
by Michael Major - Apr 8, 2025

You won’t want to miss this production of William Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet from Hartford Stage Artistic Director, Melia Bensussen (The Winter’s Tale, Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, All My Sons, Simona’s Search). Watch the video!
Canadian Stage Sets 2025-26 Season Featuring World and Canadian Premieres & More
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 7, 2025

Canadian Stage has unveiled the organization’s 25.26 season, marked by an exhilarating program of hotly anticipated Canadian Premieres, World Premieres of new Canadian plays, the return of beloved Canadian icons, and more.
Photos: HAMLET at The Gamm Theatre
by Emmy Rice - Apr 6, 2025

William Shakespeare's Hamlet is now open at The Gamm Theatre. It is running through April 27 and is directed by Tony Estrella. See below for photos of the production! 
Skylight Theatre Co. PLAY ON SHAKESPEARE Takes On THE WINTER'S TALE In April
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 5, 2025

Skylight Theatre Company premieres Tracy Young's modern verse translation of William Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale opening at Skylight Theatre on Thursday, April 24 at 8:00pm (with previews on April 18, 19, and 23) running through Saturday, June 14, 2025.
Musical Comedian Kyle Gordon Releases Sophmore Album 'Kyle Gordon Is Wonderful'
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 4, 2025

Musical virtuoso comedian Kyle Gordon has released his sophomore album, Kyle Gordon Is Wonderful, out now. The album is a masterful blend of musical homage and sharp-witted satire. Listen to it here!
Eddie Izzard's HAMLET Extends Seattle Run
by Stephi Wild - Apr 4, 2025

Due to popular demand, Eddie Izzard's solo performance of Shakespeare's Hamlet has been extended by one week at Seattle Rep's Leo K. Theatre. Learn more about the show here!
THE WINTER'S TALE Comes to Skylight Theatre Co This Month
by Stephi Wild - Apr 3, 2025

Skylight Theatre Company will premiere Tracy Young's modern verse translation of William Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale opening at Skylight Theatre. Learn more here!
Oklahoma Shakespeare to Present THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED) [REVISED] [AGAIN]
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 2, 2025

Oklahoma Shakespeare will present THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED) [REVISED] [AGAIN] by Adam Long, Jess Singer, & Jess Winfield; 37 plays, 97 minutes, 3 actors!
How to Read Plays Online for Free
by Sidney Paterra - Mar 29, 2025

Sometimes you want to dive into a great play without making a trip to the library—and luckily, you don’t have to. Whether you're a student, a performer, or just a fan of theatre, there are plenty of places online where you can read full scripts for free from the comfort of home.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has William Shakespeare written?

William Shakespeare has written 108 shows including Romeo and Juliet (Source Material), Hamlet (Playwright), King Henry IV, Part I (Playwright), King John (Playwright), The Merchant of Venice (Playwright), King Richard II (Playwright), Romeo and Juliet (Playwright), The Taming of the Shrew (Playwright), Love Is My Sin (Source Material), Othello (Playwright), As You Like It (Playwright), The Merry Wives of Windsor (Playwright), The Winter's Tale (Playwright), King Henry VIII (Playwright), King Henry V (Playwright), King Henry IV, Part II (Playwright), Antony and Cleopatra (Playwright), King Richard III (Playwright), The Tempest (Playwright), Shylock (Playwright), Troilus and Cressida (Playwright), Coriolanus (Playwright), The Boys from Syracuse (Source Material), Kiss Me, Kate (Source Material), Love's Labour's Lost (Playwright), Lovers, Villians & Fools of Shakespeare (Playwright), Macbeth (Playwright), Ages of Man (Playwright), The White Rose and the Red (Source Material), Maggie May (Playwright), Babes in the Wood (Source Material), Love and Let Love (Source Material), Henry IV Part 1 (Playwright), Henry IV Part 2 (Playwright), The Chronicles of King Henry VI, Part 1 (Playwright), The Chronicles of King Henry VI, Part 2 (Playwright), Sensations (Source Material), Two Gentlemen of Verona (Source Material), Two Gentlemen of Verona (Source Material), Measure for Measure (Playwright), The Frogs (Lyricist), Music Is (Source Material), Henry IV, Part 1 (Playwright), Puck and the Magic Flower (Source Material), Shakespeare's Cabaret (Lyricist), Oh, Brother! (Source Material), With Love and Laughter (Material), All's Well that Ends Well (Playwright), Love's Labour's Lost (Playwright), Much Ado About Nothing (Playwright), Cyrano de Bergerac / Much Ado About Nothing (Playwright), Sweet Will (Lyricist), Standup Shakespeare (Lyricist), Shylock (Source Material), The Comedy of Errors (Playwright), Julius Caesar (Playwright), Coriolanus (Playwright), Titus Andronicus (Playwright), The Tragedy of Richard III (Playwright), Henry IV Part I (Playwright), Henry IV Part II (Playwright), The Comedy of Errors (Playwright), Love's Labor's Lost (Playwright), Timon of Athens (Playwright), The Tragedy of Richard II (Playwright), The Merry Wives of Windsor (Playwright), The Merchant of Venice (Playwright), Henry VI (Playwright), Troilus and Cressida (Playwright), A Midsummer Night's Dream (Playwright), Henry V (Playwright), Henry VI Part I: The Edged Sword (Playwright), Henry VI: Part II: Black Storm (Playwright), Two Gentlemen of Verona (Playwright), Henry VIII (Playwright), R & J (Playwright), Macbeth (Playwright), Twelfth Night (Playwright), Cymbeline (Playwright), Pericles (Playwright), Twelfth Night (Playwright), The Taming of the Shrew (Playwright), Romeo and Juliet (Source Material), The Donkey Show: A Midsummer Night's Disco (Source Material), Hamlet (Playwright), King John (Playwright), The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged) (Source Material), Othello (Playwright), A Celtic Christmas (Material), Romeo and Bernadette (Source Material), The Two Noble Kinsmen (Playwright), Henry IV (Playwright), King Lear (Playwright), Othello (Playwright), Lone Star Love (Source Material), Lone Star Love (Source Material), Julius Caesar (Playwright), Fools In Love (Source Material), Desperate Measures (Source Material), The Wooster Group Hamlet (Playwright), Cymbeline (Playwright), Macbeth (Playwright), Shogun Macbeth (Playwright), Double Falsehood (Playwright), King and Country: Shakespeare's Great Cycle of Kings (Playwright), The Stowaway (Source Material), Mac Beth (Playwright), The Tempest (Playwright).

What awards has William Shakespeare been nominated for?

William Shakespeare has been nominated for several awards throughout his career. Some of the notable nominations include: - Outstanding Revival of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Play (Drama League Awards) for A Midsummer Night's Dream - Best Revival (Olivier Awards) for Macbeth - Best Revival (Olivier Awards) for Hamlet - Best Revival (Olivier Awards) for All's Well That Ends Well - Best Revival (Olivier Awards) for Twelfth Night - Outstanding Resident Play (Helen Hayes Awards) for Theatre Country Wife - Best Revival of a Play or Comedy (Olivier Awards) for As You Like It - Best Revival of a Play or Comedy (Olivier Awards) for The Winter's Tale - Best Revival of a Play or Comedy (Olivier Awards) for The Comedy Of Errors - Best Revival of a Play or Comedy (Olivier Awards) for Pericles - Comedy of the Year (Olivier Awards) for A Midsummer Night's Dream - Comedy of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Twelfth Night - Comedy of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Love's Labours Lost These nominations highlight the recognition and acclaim that Shakespeare's works have received in the theater industry.

What awards has William Shakespeare won?

William Shakespeare has won several awards for his works. Some of the notable awards include Best Revival at the Olivier Awards for his plays Hamlet, Twelfth Night, As You Like It, and Pericles. These awards recognize the outstanding revivals of Shakespeare's plays in the theater industry. Shakespeare's works continue to be celebrated and honored for their timeless storytelling and enduring impact on the world of theater.

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