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A YouTuber and professional actor has raised almost $100,000 (£82,000) for charity in three days by reading the complete works of Shakespeare live online.

PhilosophyTube founder Olly Thorne, 26, began his ambitious fundraising feat on Friday, admitting it would be “gruelling and take several days.”

Taking place 24 hours a day, the “Shakespeare marathon” has so far featured full renditions of favourites including Macbeth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Merchant of Venice, with other big titles still to come.

Olly’s current aim is to hit $100,000 in donations, which will go to emotional support charity Samaritans.

He told the Standard: “As someone who’s struggled with mental health issues, I wanted to use my platform to raise money for a cause I care about.

“Samaritans saved my life when I was considering suicide, so I wanted to give something back.”

The actor and self-styled “renegade philosopher” has broadcast each reading on live streaming platform Twitch, which is more commonly favoured by professional video game players.

“I didn’t think people would be so interested since Twitch is more for gamers, but the response so far has been amazing.”

The 26-year-old raised more than $93,608 (around £75,000) by Monday evening, with 13 hours to go until the end of the challenge.

“I thought we’d raise between $2,000 and $5,000 – nothing on this scale,” he said, explaining that the platform operates in dollars, which is why the amount is not shown in his native currency.

The best Shakespeare film adaptations 9 show all The best Shakespeare film adaptations 1/9 Romeo + Juliet Baz Luhrmann brings his signature cinematic flair to this pitch-perfect adaptation of Shakespeare's arguably most famous play. Claire Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio play the doomed lovers in the story, which is relocated to modern day Verona Beach, New York. Rather than talk down to its audience or compromise on the integrity of the original play, the film had the confidence to stick to Shakespeare’s dialogue and celebrate the text in all its wonder. 2/9 10 Things I Hate About You You might not have realised when this cherished romcom came out in 1999 but 10 Things I Hate About You is inspired by Shakespeare’s comedy The Taming of the Shrew. Heath Ledger gives one of the standout performances of his tragically short career alongside Julia Stiles, creating one of the most memorable on-screen romances of the decade. 3/9 The Tragedy of Macbeth (1971) This 1971 adaptation from controversial director Roman Polanski is a reverential take on one of Shakespeare’s best-known plays. It stars Jon Finch, Francesca Annis and a young Martin Shaw and also features an eerie score from the prog rock group Third Ear Band. Everything from the dirt and grime of the unforgiving Scottish highlands to the splashes of blood and heat of the witches’ cauldron feels real. This is as palpable an experience you’re ever likely to get from a Shakespeare adaptation. 4/9 Lion King While not specifically a Shakespeare adaptation, Disney classic the Lion King draws heavily on the story of Hamlet. After his father dies in suspicious circumstances, young prince Simba must take back the throne from his conniving uncle - sound familiar? It’s a kids’ classic and a fresh interpretation of the play, even if Mufasa’s death scene remains the most heart-wrenching moment Disney have ever put to screen. 5/9 Macbeth (2015) This stylish and visually arresting film from director Justin Kurzel became one of the most high-profile Shakespeare adaptations of recent times when it was released in 2016 and it didn’t disappoint. Marion Cotillard and Michael Fassbender are a dream pairing and both give intense performances throughout this formiddable adaptation. 6/9 Hamlet (1996) With a hefty running time of 4 hours and 20 minutes, Kenneth Branagh’s Hamlet might not be not the most accessible, but it’s one of the most reverential film versions of a Shakespeare play in recent times. Branagh leads an incredible cast, with Kate Winslet, Judi Dench, Robin Williams, Jack Lemmon, Timothy Spall and Derek Jacobi amongst the players. Ken Dodd, who sadly passed away at the age of 90, also appears as Yorick. 7/9 The Tempest Helen Mirren stars alongside Felicity Jones, Ben Whishaw and Russell Brand in this 2010 film, which sees the gender of Mirren’s lead role Prospero switched and renamed Prospera. The acclaimed play, one of the last ever written by Shakespeare, is brought to life by director Julie Taymore who directed the hugely successful stage musical The Lion King. The film divided critics on release but is worth seeking out for its strong performances and remarkable visuals. 8/9 Hamlet (1948) Master thespian Laurence Olivier delivers an iconic performance in the classic 1948 film adaptation of Hamlet, which remains one of the most revered Shakespeare film adaptations of all time. Olivier is in imperious form throughout the movie, which came to influence and inform every performance of the prodigious central role thereafter. 9/9 West Side Story The excellent Romeo and Juliet adaptation West Side Story moved the tragic romance to 50s New York, shining a light on attitudes to immigration in the US. The Montagues and Capulets became rival gangs the Jets and the Sharks, with the star-crossed lovers at the centre of the film escalating tensions between the white and Puerto Rican groups. Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim’s soundtrack is timeless too, with numbers like Somewhere, America and Maria representing some of the most stunning songs ever put to film. 1/9 Romeo + Juliet Baz Luhrmann brings his signature cinematic flair to this pitch-perfect adaptation of Shakespeare's arguably most famous play. Claire Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio play the doomed lovers in the story, which is relocated to modern day Verona Beach, New York. Rather than talk down to its audience or compromise on the integrity of the original play, the film had the confidence to stick to Shakespeare’s dialogue and celebrate the text in all its wonder. 2/9 10 Things I Hate About You You might not have realised when this cherished romcom came out in 1999 but 10 Things I Hate About You is inspired by Shakespeare’s comedy The Taming of the Shrew. Heath Ledger gives one of the standout performances of his tragically short career alongside Julia Stiles, creating one of the most memorable on-screen romances of the decade. 3/9 The Tragedy of Macbeth (1971) This 1971 adaptation from controversial director Roman Polanski is a reverential take on one of Shakespeare’s best-known plays. It stars Jon Finch, Francesca Annis and a young Martin Shaw and also features an eerie score from the prog rock group Third Ear Band. Everything from the dirt and grime of the unforgiving Scottish highlands to the splashes of blood and heat of the witches’ cauldron feels real. This is as palpable an experience you’re ever likely to get from a Shakespeare adaptation. 4/9 Lion King While not specifically a Shakespeare adaptation, Disney classic the Lion King draws heavily on the story of Hamlet. After his father dies in suspicious circumstances, young prince Simba must take back the throne from his conniving uncle - sound familiar? It’s a kids’ classic and a fresh interpretation of the play, even if Mufasa’s death scene remains the most heart-wrenching moment Disney have ever put to screen. 5/9 Macbeth (2015) This stylish and visually arresting film from director Justin Kurzel became one of the most high-profile Shakespeare adaptations of recent times when it was released in 2016 and it didn’t disappoint. Marion Cotillard and Michael Fassbender are a dream pairing and both give intense performances throughout this formiddable adaptation. 6/9 Hamlet (1996) With a hefty running time of 4 hours and 20 minutes, Kenneth Branagh’s Hamlet might not be not the most accessible, but it’s one of the most reverential film versions of a Shakespeare play in recent times. Branagh leads an incredible cast, with Kate Winslet, Judi Dench, Robin Williams, Jack Lemmon, Timothy Spall and Derek Jacobi amongst the players. Ken Dodd, who sadly passed away at the age of 90, also appears as Yorick. 7/9 The Tempest Helen Mirren stars alongside Felicity Jones, Ben Whishaw and Russell Brand in this 2010 film, which sees the gender of Mirren’s lead role Prospero switched and renamed Prospera. The acclaimed play, one of the last ever written by Shakespeare, is brought to life by director Julie Taymore who directed the hugely successful stage musical The Lion King. The film divided critics on release but is worth seeking out for its strong performances and remarkable visuals. 8/9 Hamlet (1948) Master thespian Laurence Olivier delivers an iconic performance in the classic 1948 film adaptation of Hamlet, which remains one of the most revered Shakespeare film adaptations of all time. Olivier is in imperious form throughout the movie, which came to influence and inform every performance of the prodigious central role thereafter. 9/9 West Side Story The excellent Romeo and Juliet adaptation West Side Story moved the tragic romance to 50s New York, shining a light on attitudes to immigration in the US. The Montagues and Capulets became rival gangs the Jets and the Sharks, with the star-crossed lovers at the centre of the film escalating tensions between the white and Puerto Rican groups. Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim’s soundtrack is timeless too, with numbers like Somewhere, America and Maria representing some of the most stunning songs ever put to film.

Asked why he chose the Bard as his fundraising muse, the drama school graduate said it was all to do with what it means to be human.

“I remember Judi Dench once saying ‘Shakespeare features every human emotion’ – or words to that effect.

“So I thought, if I act in every one of Shakespeare’s plays, I’ll have at least touched on a bit of everything.”

Olly has performed multiple roles in each play for the past three days, with only brief breaks in between.

But he has been joined by a number of eager participants, who have read other parts alongside him.

“I invited people on Twitter and my YouTube channel to message me if they wanted to join in and they have done. People from all over have stepped up.”

American actress Mara Wilson, best known for her leading roles as a child star in Matilda and Mrs Doubtfire, is among those to have lent their voices to the cause.

She took the iconic role of Lady Macbeth on Sunday night, he said.

The Royal Shakespeare Company has tweeted its support to Olly, calling his endeavours an "amazing achievement".

Samaritans said it was thrilled by his contribution, tweeting: The brilliant Olly @PhilosophyTube has been reading the complete works of Shakespeare round the clock to raise money for Samaritans, so we can be there for more people when they need us.

“He started on Friday and he’s still going. What a guy!”

Olly, who is originally from Newcastle but now lives in London, has more than 100,000 followers on Twitter and 483,000 on YouTube.

He said a 57-hour Donkey Kong stream by his friend Harry Brewis – and endorsed by US congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez – inspired his innovative fundraising attempt.

“Harry raised more than $340,000 (£278,000) for British transgender chairty Mermaids by Twitch-streaming himself gaming non-stop, I wanted to emulate that in my own way.

“Last month I did a YouTube video all about the philosophy of mind and mental health last month, and it got such a great reception.

“I realised I should try to do something similar again, but this time help others by raising money for a cause that really does save lives.”