Meeting Shakespeare (2012)

Observational documentary film on the creation of Jonathan Bate's stage play 'Being Shakespeare' (a.k.a. 'The Man from Stratford') featuring Simon Callow, directed by Michael House. Shot in the U.K. from 2009 to 2012. Actor/Writer Simon Callow, world renowned for his mastery of the 'One-Person Play' (or 'Living Biographies') teamed up in 2008 with Shakespearean scholar Jonathan Bate to create an all new stage show celebrating and exploring the life and work of William Shakespeare. After 3 years of writing, re-writing and touring, the play 'Being Shakespeare' opened to rave reviews in London's west-end. This film follows the plays creation from its first writing sessions, pitching to producers, rehearsals, early test performances, initial 2010 UK tour (from Plymouth to Edinburgh) all the way to its success in the West-End. An observational documentary film on the reality of creating a play in today's theatre world. Interviews and commentary from Callow and Bate combined with loads of 'in process' footage provide an idea of what the plays subject William Shakespeare actually did - create theatre.