The Hollow Crown brings together four filmed adaptations of Shakespeare’s History Plays – Richard II, Henry IV parts 1 and 2, and Henry V. Starting in the year 1399, this continuous story of monarchy follows events during sixteen years of dynastic and political power play. Kings, with their families and followers, are threatened by rebellion and conflict. Directed by Thea Sharrock and starring Tom Hiddleston, Henry V is the second installment in the series, which will be shown on BBC 2 and BBC iPlayer.

The Hollow Crown brings together four filmed adaptations of Shakespeare’s History Plays – Richard II, Henry IV parts 1 and 2, and Henry V. Starting in the year 1399, this continuous story of monarchy follows events during sixteen years of dynastic and political power play. Kings, with their families and followers, are threatened by rebellion and conflict. Directed by Richard Eyre and starring Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Irons, and Simon Russell Beale, Henry IV – Part 2 is the third installment in the series, which will be shown on BBC 2 and BBC iPlayer.

The Hollow Crown brings together four filmed adaptations of Shakespeare’s History Plays – Richard II, Henry IV parts 1 and 2, and Henry V. Starting in the year 1399, this continuous story of monarchy follows events during sixteen years of dynastic and political power play. Kings, with their families and followers, are threatened by rebellion and conflict. Directed by Richard Eyre and starring Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Irons, and Simon Russell Beale, Henry IV – Part 1 is the second installment in the series, which will be shown on BBC 2 and BBC iPlayer.

The Hollow Crown brings together four filmed adaptations of Shakespeare’s History Plays – Richard II, Henry IV parts 1 and 2, and Henry V. Starting in the year 1399, this continuous story of monarchy follows events during sixteen years of dynastic and political power play. Kings, with their families and followers, are threatened by rebellion and conflict. Directed by Rupert Goold and starring Ben Whishaw and Patrick Stewart, Richard II is the first installment in the series, which will be shown on BBC 2 and BBC iPlayer.

The unique and much-loved Isango Ensemble from Cape Town kick proceedings off with a carnival interpretation of this great narrative poem. Isango have already enchanted audiences in the West End with their reimagining of The Mysteries – Yiimimangaliso and The Magic Flute – Impempe Yomlingo. They will bring the same modern African sensibility, brimming over with song and dance, to Shakespeare’s great story of seduction and loss of innocence. Playing at The Globe, London.

The dramatic festivities open with the group who have travelled furthest. Rawiri Paratene (star of Whale Rider) has assembled New Zealand’s best Maori actors for a production of Troilus and Cressida. In an exquisite translation by Te Haumihiata Mason, the production will incorporate many aspects of Maori culture; the haka (warrior dance) and waiata (song), especially created by the best composers and choreographers of Aotearoa. Ti hei mauriora! Playing at The Globe, London.

The Vakhtangov, on the Arbat, is at the heart of Moscow both geographically and theatrically. From humble beginnings in 1913, this company, which began in basements and front rooms, grew to inhabit one of Moscow’s most beautiful theatres. Always following the twin influences of Meyerhold and Stanislavsky, of spectacle and psychological truth, it has created many of Russia’s most respected productions. This is their first visit to the UK. Playing at The Globe, London.

An exuberant, African take on Shakespeare’s comedy of failed courtship, Bitter Pill bring their version of The Merry Wives of Windsor from Nairobi to London. Full of laughter and fun, this production, celebrating the wit and independence of urban African women, first played at the Harare International Festival of Arts in Zimbabwe, before travelling north to engage with the sun-soaked joys of the Swahili language. Playing at The Globe, London.

The National Theatre of Greece are no strangers to London: Dimitris Rondiris’ productions of Hamlet and Electra played at His Majesty’s Theatre in 1939, and the company was a regular in the World Theatre Seasons at Aldwych in the 1960s and 1970s. Like Pericles, they have finally returned – with twelve of Greece’s leading actors – to tell this story of wild wanderings around the Mediterranean basin, and their redemptive conclusion. Playing at The Globe, London.

Fresh from touring their radical Hamlet: The Clown Prince into the Hackney Empire, the Company Theatre return to London with a new interpretation of Twelfth Night for the Globe. Atul Kumar, their artistic director, is trained in the traditional Indian dance and martial art forms of Kathakali and Kalerippayattu, and is delighted to return to the UK with the company’s vibrant production of this comic classic. Playing at The Globe, London.