In 2011, hundreds of New York public-school students saw adapted versions of "Hamlet" and "The Comedy of Errors" at the Park Avenue Armory.

WSJ: Britain Exports a Double Bill

You'll recall from high school or college how Shakespeare frequently pushes the limits of comedy and tragedy, splicing farce into moments of calamity (the fool in King Lear, the clowns in Hamlet) and pulling back suddenly from near-fatal disaster in comedies (The Merchant of Venice, A Winter's Tale).

FORBES: Technology

In a speech to the London School of Economics, Sir Michael praised the BBC's comedy, factual and news outputs.

BBC: Sir Michael Lyons: BBC strong despite gaffes

The comedy star attended Donnington Junior School and won a scholarship to the City of Oxford High School for Boys, which is now Oxford University History Faculty building, in George Street.

BBC: Ronnie Barker