Steven Berkoff: Shakespeare's Heroes and Villains

Folger Shakespeare Library: Shakespeare Unlimited

Since the 1990s, playwright and actor Steven Berkoff has been traveling the world performing a one-actor show called "Shakespeare’s Villains." It’s fitting, coming from the actor perhaps best known for playing Beverly Hills Cop’s Victor Maitland, that Berkoff promotes the show’s examination of Iago, Shylock, Richard III, the Macbeths, and others as “A Master Class in Evil.” Now, Berkoff has made a film of his performance. With additional material from "Henry V," it’s called "Shakespeare’s Heroes and Villains." We invited Steven Berkoff in to give us his thoughts on what Shakespeare’s villains have in common and why they hold such an enduring appeal. Berkoff is interviewed by Barbara Bogaev. From the "Shakespeare Unlimited" podcast series. Published September 4, 2018. © Folger Shakespeare Library. All rights reserved. This podcast episode, “I Am Alone the Villain of the Earth,” was produced by Richard Paul. Garland Scott is the associate producer. It was edited by Gail Kern Paster and Esther Ferington. Ben Lauer is the web producer.