2016 is the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, and this seems to be a big deal in the UK. There’s been a wave of Shakespeare-related British films and TV programming, including two comedies: Bill, a 2015 feature film from the performers behind Horrible Histories; and Upstart Crow, a six-episode TV series. Let’s take a look at both!
Bill: The Feature Film
You may have heard of the British TV show Horrible Histories, a children’s show that turns history into comedy for edu-tainment. Well, the cast of that show, along with another called Yonderland, came out with a feature film last year about a young William Shakespeare. It’s set during the “lost years” of Shakepeare’s youth, during which he left Stratford-upon-Avon and rose to fame as a playwright in London.
The film itself is very much in the vein of Horrible Histories, with lots of family-friendly jokes and musical numbers. It was decently entertaining, although I only really laughed once … and I can’t remember which joke amused me!
The costumes were designed by Charlotte Morris, whose only real period-esque credit as designer is Merlin (2008-10) — although she was the assistant designer for Bleak House (2005), He Knew He Was Right (2004), and The Way We Live Now (2001). It’s very much an ensemble-comedy thing, with actors playing multiple parts, which means most characters get one costume throughout the film.
Upstart Crow: The TV Series
Upstart Crow is a one-off TV series starring one-half of comedic genius duo Mitchell and Webb, David Mitchell. It goes for more of the traditional view of Shakespeare than Bill, but it’s pretty amusing nonetheless. I admit, I’ve only watched the first episode, and I wasn’t terribly inspired to watch more. That’s not to say that it wasn’t amusing, just, that it didn’t feel terribly original? It felt very Blackadder, which is a good thing, except that Blackadder did it better!
The costumes were designed by Leah Archer, who also designed for two of the Mitchell & Webb TV series, and a bunch of other things I don’t recognize but look like comedies.
Have you seen Bill or Upstart Crow? Did they make you laugh?
Can i recommended that you watch the whole of Upstart Crow as it got a lot funnier later in tbe series. Yes it is rather Blackadder but it settles into a good pace as the episodes go on.
Okay, I’ll give it another go! Thanks!
I laughed a lot watching Upstart Crow. I’m happy that they announced a second series.
I had forgotten about Upstart Crow. I must hunt it down. Thanks for bringing it back to attention.
It’s unfortunate the guys from Horrible Histories aren’t spot on with the costumes. I know their budget is probably tiny, but I’d hoped for more from them. Heck, I’d love to hear your take on the accuracy of clothing in any of their typical Horrible History episodes! That being said, Horrible Histories is hilarious, and it often uses modern forms and song styles to teach history. Look up their awesome version of Charles Dickens singing like Morrissey/The Smiths or the heavy metal Luddite song [Lud-dite! Lud-dite! Lud-dite!!]…
I loved Upstart Crow. And up, it is a bit like Blackadder because it was also written by Ben Elton. It grew and accumulated and got funnier. And requires watching in the old fashioned way. I have gotten into the habit of having my tablet open and messing about online while things are on, and it doesn’t work – it’s too smart and too fast.