Looking to Stream Some Good Theatre? We've Got Some Suggestions
Karolina Stolarczyk
What’s happening this week? Most of us are now longing, probably more than ever, for theatre, cinema and other cultural events. Since it will be quite a while until such things will be available again, we’ve decided to provide you with a weekly programme full of cultural highlights happening online. Some shows/exhibitions are available for a very short time, some are obtainable for longer periods, so always be sure to check out the dates.
National Theatre at home:
-A Streetcar Named Desire with Gillian Anderson, the critically acclaimed Young Vic production of Tennessee Williams' classic play. Anderson’s Blanche DuBois is absolutely exquisite and she keeps viewers on the edge of their seat. It’s definitely one of my NTL all time favorites!
Until 28th May.
https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/nt-at-home-a-streetcar-named-desire
-This House, James Graham’s play about the workings of British politics, great for fans of productions covering the backstage relationship between the Tory and Labour parties in the UK. And if that doesn’t convince you, its director said in the interview that he worked on the scrip as if it was a Star Wars-type prequel to modern parliamentary circumstances, which sounds really intriguing.
From 7pm 28th May until 4 June.
https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/nt-at-home-this-house
Shakespeare’s Globe:
No matter the time, it’s always a good idea to reach for Shakespeare, whether you are a theatre novice or its long-term connoisseur. Currently, the best place to experience the ultimate master’s plays – Globe Theatre – invites us to watch those classics:
-The Winter’s tale
Available until 31st May.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nscB0yEWSgY
-Macbeth
Available until UK secondary schools reopen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFwHmgA9nno&feature=emb_title
Bristol Old Vic: Messiah, an acclaimed, powerful dramatisation of Handel’s profound masterpiece. It’s an adaptation that can be placed somewhere between theatre and opera, and it should definitely catch an eye of classical music devotees.
Available since 29th May for a week.
https://bristololdvic.org.uk/whats-on/messiah
The Shows Must Go On: Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music stream with Carrie Underwood. There’s no need to introduce this title, right? Nothing beats the classic version with Julie Andrews, but it’s great to give a watch to other adaptations as well, because the story of a nun and Von Trapp family is the one to catch your heart.
From 22nd May 7pm BST, available for 48 hours.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qgg2ceoj8Ug
NBC: Bombshell in Concert Special and Smash Reunion, a one-night-only, never-seen and sold-out live performance, announced by The Actors Fund. An absolute surprise and must-see stream for NBC’s Smash (which is a drama about the creation of a fictional Broadway musical which tells the story of Marilyn Monroe’s life) and biopic musical fans.
https://people.com/tv/bombshell-in-concert-smash-reunion-livestream/
Royal Opera House: Anastasia, ballet. Definitely not and old-time classic, but an intriguing exception, where pop culture and a not-so-ancient myth combines with world’s finest ballet. We all heard of Anastasia Romanov and perhaps seen the 1997 animation or the recent Broadway production – now let’s see her dance.
Available until 29th May.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Tu8P0V6BDE
Opera North: Bernstein’s Trouble in Tahiti, as it says on the Opera North website: ,,Like his most famous musicals, Trouble in Tahiti combines Bernstein’s genius for melodic invention and heartfelt emotion with the distinctively American sound of Hollywood and Broadway’’ – do we need to add anything? Plus, it’s a relatively short play (less than an hour), so it’s a great way to ease off during the day without the need to reserve almost three hours for a viewing.
Available until 1st June.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxv0xjld2BA&feature=emb_title
Opéra national de Paris: Picasso and Dance, exhibition. The only suggestion on this list that isn’t a stream, but it’s definitely worth checking out nonetheless: Opéra national invites you to discover Picasso’s connection to dance (which is, after all, very much connected to the theatre) in this wonderful visual journey.
https://www.operadeparis.fr/en/visits/exhibitions/picasso-and-dance