Upstart Crow, episode 6 review

Farcically funny, but with a bittersweet twist.

Upstart Crow: is it too smart for its own good?

This is a comedy about Shakespeare, yes, but unless the viewer has an expansive knowledge of his work, the best bits are wasted.

How do you sneak a play about the assassination of an emperor past Elizabeth I, a monarch not known to favour entertainments involving the ending of heads of state? Enjoy what happens when Will decides to write a play about Julius Caesar, prompting dramatist and snake Robert Greene to label him a traitor.

Will writes Julius Caesar, having skim-read Plutarch on the privy "while awaiting the appearance of that shy turtle". Meanwhile, Ben Elton references Blackadder's "Bob" episode, as Kate auditions for a woman's role by pretending to be a hermaphrodite. All this and a Brexit gag, too.

David Mitchell interview

Upstart Crow's David Mitchell on Shakespeare - and watching Only Connect with his wife.

Mark Rylance ridiculed by upstarts

If he watches the BBC comedy series Upstart Crow this week he may well ask himself the same question.

Upstart Crow: Shakespeare sitcom is really educational

Making Shakespeare relevant for contemporary society is often the work of theatre directors, scholars and teachers. But this is what the comedian Ben Elton has tried to achieve in his BBC comedy Upstart Crow, the third series of which is soon to begin.

TV preview: Upstart Crow, Series Three, BBC2

David Mitchell returns as aspiring playwright/superstar William Shakespeare in Ben Elton's return-to-form sitcom. I say return-to-form with a couple of caveats.

Upstart Crow, series 3 episode 1 review

An astute way to reinvent our love for toilet humour.

Upstart Crow - TV review

Some gags could fall flat without the laughter of a studio audience.