Bill

Failing to make it as a lute player in a band called Mortal Coil, young Bill Shakespeare (a chirpy Mathew Baynton) heads for London to write plays, befriend Queen Elizabeth (Helen McCrory) and foil a Spanish plot to invade England. At least that's how the gang behind CBBC's Horrible Histories tells it. There's no tragedy here; as bard biography, it's more fun than Shakespeare in Love, with a constant stream of slapstick gags and sometimes fruity jokes that wouldn't be out of place in a panto.

Bill' set for U.S. event cinema release via Fathom

BBC Worldwide North America and Fathom Events are partnering to commemorate the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death with the U.S. theatrical release of origins comedy, Bill.

DVD review: Bill

An irreverent Shakespearean romp, not just for kids.

Mathew Baynton interview

Mathew Baynton on making Bill, the cheeky charm of Horrible Histories - and the disconcerting effects of his own success.

Monty Python And The Holy Grail vs Bill

The director of Bill, Richard Bracewell, exclusively writes for us on the influence of Monty Python And The Holy Grail.

'Bill' movie review

If you haven't seen Bill yet, go see it. If you have seen Bill, go see it again. You know you want to.

Interview: cast of Bill

Featuring the BAFTA Award-winning lead cast of CBBC's Horrible Histories and Sky1's Yonderland, new movie Bill tells the story of what really happened during Shakespeare's 'Lost Years'.

Bill, film review

Elizabethan-era comedy yields as many laughs as it does groans.

Review: Bill (PG) ****

All the world's a stage and all the men and women are delightfully demented players.

Review: Bill

It's all utterly daft and cheerful, with lots of silly jokes -- 'People will remember the name Shakespeare 20 years from now,' declares Bill, feistily -- that might well fly over the head of its target audience, but will be lapped up by their parents alongside. Good, innocent fun.