As do Al Murray, Meera Syal and Sanjeev Bhaskar

Tim Minchin, Al Murray, Meera Syal and Sanjeev Bhaskar are joining the BBC’s celebrations  to mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death.

The comics are among those taking part in Shakespeare Live!, a televised celebration of the Bard’s work to be hosted by  David Tennant.

They join the previously announced cast of Dame Judi Dench, Sir Ian McKellen, Joseph Fiennes, English National Opera, Birmingham Royal Ballet and others

The  event will be staged at the Royal Shakespeare Company’s theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon and  broadcast live on BBC Two on  April 23 – the date of both Shakespeare’s birth and death.

It is is part of the BBC’s wide-ranging Shakespeare Festival 2016, with events and programming across its schedules.

 Also included are Upstart Crow, the new Ben Elton comedy starring  David Mitchell as Shakespeare with a cast that also includes Liza Tarbuck, Harry Enfield, Rob Rouse, Gemma Whelan, Tim Downie and Mark Heap.

And Philomena Cunk, Diane Morgan’s alter-ego from Charlie Brooker’s Wipe series, will be examining the playwright’s work and life in her own 30-minute special, also for BBC Two.

Published: 29 Feb 2016