'THE MECHANICS CINEMA'

Films - Every Monday
1:30PM

in the Birkbeck Suite

Members | Free
Visitors | £3

 

NOVEMBER 2026

 

MONDAY FILMS AT 1.30PM

 

2nd November - Shakespeare in Love – 123 min
 

Starring Joseph Fiennes, Gwyneth Paltrow and Judi Dench, Shakespeare in Love imagines a young William Shakespeare struggling with writer’s block until he meets Viola, a spirited noblewoman with a passion for the theatre. Their forbidden romance inspires his writing, but duty and convention threaten their happiness. Filled with humour, romance and the bustle
of Elizabethan London, this Oscar-winning film offers a charming and imaginative story behind the creation of Romeo and Juliet.
 

9th November - Much Ado About Nothing (1993)

– 111 min
 

Starring Kenneth Branagh, Emma Thompson and Denzel Washington, Much Ado About
Nothing brings Shakespeare’s romantic comedy to life against the beautiful backdrop of the
Tuscan countryside. Sharp-tongued Beatrice and confirmed bachelor Benedick trade witty
insults while their friends plot to bring them together. Meanwhile, young lovers Claudio and Hero find their happiness threatened by deception. Filled with romance, mischief and memorable performances, this lively adaptation is a delightful tale of love and
misunderstandings.
 

16th November - Macbeth (2015) – 113 min
 

Starring Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard and David Thewlis, Macbeth brings Shakespeare’s powerful tragedy to life against the dramatic landscapes of Scotland. When three witches predict that Macbeth will become king, ambition takes hold. Encouraged by his wife, he sets out on a ruthless path towards the throne, with devastating consequences.
Rich in atmosphere and striking imagery, this gripping adaptation explores power, betrayal
and guilt as a celebrated warrior becomes consumed by his desire to rule.
 

23rd November - Hamlet – 126 min
 

Starring Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal and Emily Watson, Hamlet is a moving adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s bestselling novel. The film imagines the family life of William Shakespeare and his wife Agnes as they face the devastating loss of their young son. Exploring love, grief and the bonds that hold a family together, it draws a poignant connection between their private tragedy and the creation of Hamlet. Beautifully filmed and deeply emotional, this powerful drama offers a different perspective on the man behind the famous plays.
 

30th November - All Is True – 101 min
 

Starring Kenneth Branagh, Judi Dench and Ian McKellen, All Is True imagines William Shakespeare’s final years after the Globe Theatre is destroyed by fire. Returning to Stratford-upon-Avon, he finds himself facing strained family relationships, old regrets
and the lasting grief of losing his son Hamnet. Away from the acclaim of the London stage, he must reconnect with the wife and daughters he has often neglected. Thoughtful and moving, this beautifully acted drama provides a fitting conclusion to our
Shakespeare-themed month.