The best plays and West End shows you can stream at home
A year ago the idea of being simultaneously in the bath and also at the theatre was but a mere pipe dream. Now, it's a very present reality, with more and more theatres releasing recordings of hit plays and shows online for us to stream during assorted lockdowns.
This year has been tough on theatres and the arts: much of the entertainment world has been forced to adapt to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, with ongoing uncertainty having a particularly detrimental effect on theatres and other arts venues.
If, like us, you have missed the theatre this year, it's time to turn your living room into a temporary one. Charge your housemate for tiny ice cream tubs, shuffle awkwardly past the knees of family members sitting on the sofa, and definitely run to the loo as soon as the interval starts to skip the queues. To make all that a lot easier, we've compiled a list of some of the best plays and show you can stream at home, from pantos and musicals to Shakespeare. Just don't forget to kick your wine over under your seat.
Death of England: Delroy at The National Theatre
This powerful production opened on November 4th and sadly closed again the same night as the UK went back into lockdown. So it's good news that the opening night performance was filmed, and will be aired for free on The National Theatre's YouTube channel for 24 hours. The funny, hard-hitting play follows Michael Balogun, a Black working class man confronting his relationship with Britain.
Dates: 7pm Nov 27th 2020 (available for 24 hours)
Where to watch: YouTube
A Christmas Carol at The Old Vic
It's the classic Christmas tale featuring mega A-listers Andrew Lincoln as Scrooge and streaming live into our living rooms for roughly two weeks during December. Bah, humbug.
Dates: 12th December - 24th December 2020.
Where to watch: On Zoom through The Old Vic website.
Flying Lovers of Vitebsk at Bristol Old Vic
After rave reviews in the summer this Bristol Old Vic production is due to return to theatres and stream live in December.
The official synopsis says, "Partners in life and on canvas, Marc and Bella Chagall are immortalised as the picture of romance. But whilst on canvas they flew, in life, they walked through some of the most devastating times in history. Daniel Jamieson’s The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk traces this young couple as they navigate the Pogroms, the Russian Revolution, and each other.
Dates: Live from 3rd - 5th December or on demand from 11th Dec.
Where to watch: Bristol Old Vic website.
Cinderella at Mercury Theatre
It's panto season, and there's is absolutely nothing to stop you from enjoying the annual and never changed gimmicks from the comfort of your living room, especially when Colchester's Mercury Theatre lasts years Cinderella this December.
Dates: 19th December 2020.
Where to watch: Via link from Mercury Theatre.
Sleeping Beauty at The Brindley Theatre
Before you wonder why there are two pantos on this list ask yourself if you have ever left a panto in a bad mood?
This production is peak panto, with Benidorm's Crissy Rock starring as the fairy godmother. Plus a portion of the proceeds from Cheshire's Brindley Theatre's production of Sleeping Beauty go to help struggling artists and closed theatres this Christmas, as well as MENCAP, Great Ormond Street and Cancer Research UK.
Dates: 14th December 2020 - 3rd January 2021.
Where to watch: Via link from The Original Panto Company.
King Gong at The Comedy Store
This brutal open mic night sees budding new comics invited on stage to try and entertain the audience for three full minutes, and it's back for free this month.
Dates: 27th November 2020.
Where to watch: Via Facebook or on demand from The Comedy Store.
The Last Five Years at The Southwark Playhouse
This hit musical (that's right, musical) returns to London with a dramatic re-staging perfect for digital streaming.
According to the official synopsis says, "The Last Five Years is an emotionally powerful and intimate show about two New Yorkers who fall in and out of love over the course of five years.The musical’s unconventional structure unfolds as Cathy tells her story in reverse, from the end of their turbulent relationship, whilst Jamie tells his story chronologically from the spark of their initial meeting. The two characters meet only once, at their wedding in the middle of the show."
Dates: 26th - 29th November 2020.
Where to watch: Via Stream Theatre.
Cirque du Soleil
This year Cirque du Soleil launched their online hub, which means you can watch hour-long specials with pre-recorded performances (without the constant relentless fear that someone might fall) plus behind the scenes content, including stage make-up tutorials and rehearsal clips.
Dates: Ongoing.
Where to watch: Circue du Soleil Connect.
English National Ballet
The English National Ballet is offering three day rentals of full-length performances on their website, including La Sylphide and Akram Khan's Giselle. This, my friends, is the definition of living room culture.
Dates: Ongoing.
Where to watch: On demand at The English National Ballet website.
Shelter's Carol Concert
Housing and homelessness charity Shelter are aiming to host the UK's biggest carol concert this December, filmed at St Martin-in-the-Fields Church and streaming for free into homes across the country to raise funds for families facing homelessness this Christmas. The concert will be hosted by Edith Bowman, with appearances from big names like Stephen Fry and Julie Walters.
Dates: 7pm 3rd December.
Where to watch: Shelter's website.
Emilia at The Vaudeville Theatre
Olivier award-winning production Emilia is available to stream online until early December, just choose the size of your donation starting from just £1.
The official synopsis reads, "400 years ago Emilia Bassano wanted her voice to be heard. It wasn’t. Could she have been the "Dark Lady" of Shakespeare’s sonnets? What of her own poems? Why was her story erased from history? Emilia and her sisters reach out to us across the centuries with passion, fury, laughter and song. Listen to them. Let them inspire and unite us."
Dates: Until 2nd December.
Where to watch: Online at Emilia Live.
Romeo & Juliet at The National Theatre
Telling the classic tale of star-cross'd lovers, this brand new filmed production stars Chernobyl's Jessie Buckley alongside The Crown's Josh O'Connor. It's been shot in the huge Lyttleton theatre, temporarily transformed into a film studio, and directed by National Theatre Live regular Simon Godwin, so you know you're in expert hands.
Dates: Spring 2021
Where to watch: Sky Arts and NOW TV.
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