A BBC Radio 3 full-cast drama by Stephen Wakelam on a period in the life of Shakespeare, 'The Pattern of Painful Adventures', originally broadcast in the 'Drama on 3' slot on 23 November 2008 and repeated on 25 April 2010. Business is going well, but the playwright urgently needs a collaborator for his latest play. His daughter is getting married. His brother has a sick child and is in need of a job. It is 1607 and Shakespeare's life is at a turning point. Starring Antony Sher as William Shakespeare, Will Keen as Jack Robinson and Stephen Critchlow as John Marston. Also included amongst the cast are Chris Pavlo, Helen Longworth, John Rowe, Robert Lonsdale and Joseph Kloska. Produced and directed by Jeremy Mortimer.
Sophisticated wit and intense emotion, religious fervour and erotic sensuality, delight in life's pleasures and fascination with death, are all to be found in the paradoxical poetry of John Donne. One of the foremost metaphysical poets, Donne's ingenious metaphors and inspired use of language has earned him affection and reverence in near equal measure to Shakespeare. This collection of his finest poetry showcases the diverse range of his work, and includes Death Be Not Proud, A Hymn to God the Father, For Whom the Bell Tolls, Go Catch a Falling Star, The Flea and To His Mistress Going to Bed.
