30 June 2016

 Some of Shakespeare's greatest masterpieces are now available online, for an initial period of 12 months, with six animated films, in Welsh, ready to be enjoyed on demand.

The colourful animated films are available for everyone to enjoy in the Welsh language on the S4C Education website and are particularly useful for students, studying the great playwright's work, and their teachers at schools and colleges in Wales.

The channel has made six short animated films available, including some of Shakespeare’s greatest plays: Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, The Tempest, Twelfth Night and A Midsummer Night's Dream.

The films were first produced in 1992 by S4C as part of an international co-production. Among the actors narrating the stories are that of the world-famous Welsh actor Sian Phillips. This collection of animated films is among the classics of the channel’s early years.

Now the films have been made available online to coincide with the year-long celebration marking the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death in 1616.

Sioned Wyn Roberts, S4C Commissioner, Children's and Young People's Content said; "Shakespeare's work is an integral part of the English Literature curriculum in schools across Wales and this year there is particular emphasis on his influence, with the 400th anniversary of his death. These short, colourful animated films in the Welsh language will help to introduce Shakespeare’s classic plays to pupils in a highly engaging way.

"Providing and supporting educational content is one of the channel’s long-term objectives. These animation films are classics and among the treasures of the S4C archive. So, during this special anniversary year to celebrate Shakespeare, we have brought them out of the archive to share with everyone on our website."

The films are available on demand on the S4C Education website. They can also be accessed via Hwb, the national digital learning platform, http://hwb.wales.gov.uk

From literacy and numeracy in the early years in the company of Cyw and friends, to documentaries and current affairs in peak-viewing hours, S4C has a full programme schedule useful to teachers. In addition to supporting the viewing of these programmes on demand online, ERA (The Educational Recording Agency) grants licences which enable teachers to record television programmes and use them in the classroom. (see www.era.org.uk)

Teachers can also request DVD copies of S4C programmes for educational purposes. For further information, please contact the S4C Viewers' Hotline, s4c.cymru/contact

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Editor’s notes: For further information about the ERA licences, go to www.era.org.uk