Below, you’ll find links to theatre shows that you can enjoy at home. There’s a wide variety, including stage classics, ballets, musicals, and monologues. It’s a bumper crop this time because it’s festival season. Most of the shows are free to watch, but if you have some cash to spare, please consider donating to a theatre venue or company.
As if the above wasn’t enough, here’s another Edinburgh replacement. Shedinburgh Fringe Festival will feature Fringe stalwarts and newcomers from the theatre world (plus musicians and comedians) broadcasting an eclectic mix of shows live from their sheds. Tune in from Friday 14 August until Sat 5 Sep.
From one end of the country to the other, throughout August Plymouth Fringe Festival will be showcasing the best theatre that the South West has to offer. A whole host of plays are being performed live and will be available to watch until the end of the month.
You have until 7pm on Wednesday 12 August to enjoy this innovative take on Robert Louis Stevenson’s tale. The Victorian Gothic classic has been transformed into a ballet, with the action being told entirely through contemporary dance, movement, and music. Not suitable for younger viewers.
Formed over 60 years ago, this performance group are known as ambassadors of African American culture, having performed in 48 states and 71 countries. A three-part modern ballet, Love Stories features a hip-hop and Afrobeat soundtrack, plus songs by non-other than Stevie Wonder. Available until Thursday 13 August.
A young psychotherapist has just begun his first job, at the Institute for Extremely Normal Behaviour. Unfortunately, all his patients are characters from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. A dance extravaganza, it’s all set to modern musical styles, such as hip-hop and soul. Available until Friday 14 August.
Samuel Beckett’s work centres on a woman who is buried up to her waist and rants at her unseen husband. So, typical Beckett stuff, then. Possibly surprisingly, it was named by The Independent as one of the best plays of all time. Available from this Thursday 13 August.
On now is Handel’s telling of the story of Caesar and Cleopatra. The staging has been described as ‘Bollywood meets Baroque’, and the design nods to Britain’s colonial history. Available until Sunday 16 August – then it’s Brett Dean and Matthew Jocelyn’s recent operatic take on The Bard’s masterwork.
In the ruins of a garden in rural England, a woman searches for seeds of hope. Mike Bartlett’s Brexit allegory was named The Telegraph’s Play of the Year in 2017. It stars Victoria Hamilton and Daisy Edgar-Jones and is on BBC4 this Sunday 16 August at 10.10pm.
The hit musical’s fiftieth anniversary revival stars Ruthie Henshall and Darren Day. They are reprising their roles from a 1993 soundtrack recording. The cast will be filmed at their homes and digitally edited together. It’s streaming on Thursday 27, Friday 28 and Saturday 29 August. Tickets are £15.
This series of eight dramas showcases the talents of some of Northern Ireland’s best-known actors and writers. The five-minute theatrical pieces explore both the positive and negative aspects of social isolation. Stand-outs include a look at celebrating a wedding anniversary in lockdown.
A house speaks its truth in this metaphorical film poem written and performed by Hester Ullyart. It was recorded at a hotel and various homes in New Zealand, where she is currently in lockdown. The piece runs to 25mins and tickets are Pay What You Can.
- Words:
- A. James Simpkin
- Published on:
- Tue 11 Aug 2020
As this year’s event is cancelled, the organisation – which produces many Edinburgh Fringe shows – has launched its own online festival. It’s running now, and there’s already 19 short theatre shows to watch. There’s more arriving in the coming two Saturdays, plus there will also be some special live streams.