Bill

The original members of TV's Horrible Histories make a promising feature debut with this ribald period romp. Set in the time of the "Terrible Tudors", the story follows the restless "Bill" Shakespeare (Mathew Baynton) as he leaves his family in Stratford to make his fortune penning plays in London. But this writing lark is harder than it seems, and our Bard-in-waiting somehow finds himself drawn into a plot by Philip II of Spain to kill Good Queen Bess. CBBC's Bafta-winning Horrible Histories show has entertained - and even educated - the nation's youth with its irreverent blend of gruesome truths and yucky facts. But shorn of its quick-fire sketch format, this film lacks that zinger-a-minute vitality and sorely misses the anachronistic songs that were such a highlight of the series. That said, the production works wonders with its modest budget, while the Pythonesque spirit of tomfoolery is hard to resist. Among the hard-working cast put to work in multiple roles, Simon Farnaby stands out as the foppish Earl of Croydon, while Helen McCrory cameos as a hilariously grotesque Elizabeth I.