My Own Shakespeare

Scientist Jim Al-Khalili chooses Edmund's speech from King Lear (Act 1 Scene 2) as the piece of Shakespeare that has inspired him most. Reader: Rory Kinnear.

Playwright Kwame Kwei Armah chooses a speech from Othello (Act 1 Sc 3)as the piece of Shakespeare which has inspired him most. Peformed by Don Warrington. Broadcast on Radio 3.

Comedian Paul Whitehouse chooses a speech from King Lear (Act 1 Sc 5) as the piece of Shakespeare which has influenced him most. Peformed by David Warner. Broadcast on Radio 4.

Chris Patten chooses a speech from Coriolanus (Act 5 Sc 4) as the piece of Shakespeare which has inspired him most. Performed by Rory Kinnear. Broadcast on Radio 3.

Academic and writer Alexandra Harris chooses a speech from A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Act 5 Sc 1) as the piece of Shakespeare which has inspired her most. Performed by Chiwetel Ejiofor. Broadcast on Radio 3.

Writer and actor Stephen Fry chooses Mistress Quickly's speech from Henry V (Act 2 Sc 3)on the death of Falstaff as the piece of Shakespeare that has influenced him most. Performed by Hattie Morahan. Broadcast on Radio 4.

Musician Jools Holland chooses a passage from Henry IV Part 2 (Act 5 Sc 5)as the piece of Shakespeare which inspires him most. Performed by David Warner and John Heffernan. Broadcast on Radio 3.

Pianist Stephen Hough chooses ‘Once More Unto the Breach’ from Henry V (Act 3 Sc 1) as the piece of Shakespeare which inspires him most. Performed by Chiwetel Ejiofor. Broadcast on Radio 3.

Poet Benjamin Zephaniah chooses the final speech from A Midsummer Night's Dream as the piece of Shakespeare that inspires him most. Reader: Chiwetel Ejiofor.

Novelist Margaret Drabble chooses Titania’s speech from A Midsummer Night's Dream (Act 2 Sc 1) as the piece of Shakespeare which has inspired her most.Performed by Hattie Morahan. Broadcast on Radio 3.