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Shakespeare auditions for his own existence in 5 minutes of pure puppet chaos.
TMDB
73
IMDb
73

Next (1990)

Meta-theatricalWhimsically pretentiousBritish charm overload

Overview

Animation

William Shakespeare, without saying a word, gives a quick run through of all his plays in a very special audition.

Flag of GBGB
Content warning
short filmpuppetsclaymationhamlet
Legacy and mortalityThe weight of creative expectationPerformance as identity

Standout Aspects

Acting

Roger Rees's silent reactions carry an entire emotional arc.

Practical Effects

Claymation Shakespeare has more range than most live actors.

Writing

Condensing 37 plays into visual gags is genuinely genius.

Best for:Solo: When you need to feel culturally accomplished in under 6 minutes.·Rewatch: Catch which plays you missed—there are 37 and he's MOVING.
Barry JC Purves

Director

Barry JC Purves

ReleasedNov 28, 1990
Runtime5m
StatusReleased

Vibe

Pacefast
Intensitymedium
Tonemixed
Feelmedium
BFI
Aardman

Top Cast

Roger Rees

Roger Rees

Peter (voice)

Barry JC Purves

Barry JC Purves

Will (voice)

Ask about Next

Opens AI chat

Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Trivia

Barry JC Purves animated this solo over four months, manipulating Shakespeare's puppet thousands of times.

Cultural

The title refers to actors' dreaded audition phrase—cruel irony for history's most successful playwright begging for work.

YouTube

Next (1989) - extract | Barry Purves for Aardman Animation

Next (1989) - extract | Barry Purves for Aardman Animation

Gallery

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