It was William Shakespeare’s 450th birthday this week, and to prove their love of all things chronological the team behind forthcoming Brit comedy BILL have published a new image of the young Bard.
Best known as the group behind Horrible Histories, this collective of versatile writer/comedians made a successful transfer to adult telly with Yonderland on Sky. Now they hope to take the big screen by storm with this fictionalized account of Shakespeare’s rise to the top.
Co-writer Laurence Rickard explains how the nebulous nature of the period lends itself to their flight of historical fancy:
“There’s this period where no-one is entirely sure what Shakespeare did… And it gives you great licence to play around. He’s done everything from contemporary dance to playing lute in a band. He’s never found his calling…”
Here’s that new pic:
Although any leap to the big screen from TV Land is a gamble, I have a hunch this lot will make it work. They possess that Python-esque quality of combining period detail with strong performances and an instinct for outright silliness, so I am looking forward to this one with bated (or at least rancid Elizabethan) breath.
Starring Matthew Baynton (The Wrong Mans) as Bill, the film of the same name is set to open in cinemas February.
Source: Empire
