The legend of some people carries on forever, centuries after their passing on. No truer statement can be said about poet, playwright and actor William Shakespeare. His stories continue to be re-told, re-adapted and re-dramatised in every corner of the world.

Bristol Old Vic with Handspring Puppet Company presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream from the creators of The Tony Award-Winning hit War Horse, at The Broad Stage on April 3, 2014  Pic/AFP

It is also perhaps one of the most fascinating aspects of Shakespeare’s plays that they have almost always seemed to resonate with the times in which they are read. Some of the phrases he coined have become part of our everyday language. His characters like Romeo, Hamlet and Lady Macbeth have cultural meaning attached to them.