Upstart Crow Season 1 Episode 1 1. Star Crossed Lovers

Upstart Crow is a British sitcom created by Ben Elton that follows the life of William Shakespeare. The show spans over two seasons and contains a total of twelve episodes. In the first episode titled "Star Crossed Lovers", we are introduced to the main character, Shakespeare (David Mitchell), and his relationships with his family and colleagues.

The episode starts with Shakespeare waking up next to his wife, Anne Hathaway (Liza Tarbuck), and getting ready for work. Shakespeare is a struggling playwright in London and is in search of his big break. He heads to the Globe Theatre where he pitches his newest play to his friend and colleague, Kit Marlowe (Tim Downie). Kit is skeptical about the play and advises Shakespeare to stick to writing comedies. However, Shakespeare is determined to write a drama.

Meanwhile, Shakespeare's daughter, Susanna (Helen Monks), is in love with a young man named Will Kemp (Dominic Coleman). Will is a part of Shakespeare's theatre company and plays the role of the fool in their plays. Susanna and Will plan to elope, but are caught by Shakespeare and Anne. This leads to a heated argument between Shakespeare and Susanna, with Anne trying to diffuse the situation.

As Shakespeare struggles with his writing and family matters, his father, John Shakespeare (Harry Enfield), pays him a visit. John is a bumbling, old man who is struggling with his failing glove-making business. He is in search of a new career and looks to Shakespeare for guidance. Shakespeare, however, is preoccupied with his own problems and dismisses his father's ideas.

As the episode progresses, Shakespeare is visited by his rival playwright, Robert Greene (Mark Heap), who is jealous of Shakespeare's success and popularity. He challenges Shakespeare to write a play that can rival his own. The challenge motivates Shakespeare to write his new play, Romeo and Juliet.

The episode comes to a close with the premiere of Romeo and Juliet. The play receives a mixed reaction from the audience, with some enjoying it and others finding it too dramatic. However, Shakespeare is proud of his work and sees it as a step towards greatness.

Overall, the first episode of Upstart Crow is a humorous introduction to William Shakespeare's world. It sets up the storyline for the rest of the season and introduces us to the colorful cast of characters that surround Shakespeare. The show combines historical accuracy with modern humor, making it an entertaining watch for both Shakespeare fans and casual viewers.