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Streaming This Weekend: comedies, classic opera + contemporary dance

This weekend, there's new digital theatre resources to explore from Soho Theatre, Royal Opera House, Sadler's Wells, Crazy Coqs, and more. Stream a hilarious comedy about working from home, plus a cabaret-inspired production of Carmen, a digital adaptation of a play based on the true, tragic story of a struggling circus, or watch a tribute concert dedicated to the legendary American soprano, Jessye Norman.

We've added some new musical theatre concerts, including a livestream with Rachel Tucker and John Owen-Jones, as well as an in-person show in London next week starring Maria Friedman. There's also new spectacular excerpts from Cirque du Soleil shows, a filmed performance about the history of Mexican-US immigration, plus a virtual play about a young multiracial orphan growing up in 1950s San Francisco.

Here are our top picks of theatre to stream this weekend:

The Boss of it All - Livestream (18-20 Sep)

This hit adaptation of Lars Von Trier’s cult film is given a full digital makeover in an outrageous comedy led by Josie Lawrence and Ross Armstrong. For 5 live performances only you can switch on, sit back and zoom into the cut-throat world of work-from-home politics in a play that asks if leadership is ever any more than a performance.

The Royal Opera perform Bizet's Carmen in Barrie Kosky's cabaret-inspired production, broadcast online as part of their #OurHouseToYourHouse series

Elephant's Graveyard - Filmed Performance (17-19 Sep)

George Brant's Elephant's Graveyard tells the tragic, true story of a struggling circus and a tiny town in Tennessee, whose collision resulted in the only known lynching of an elephant. This exciting new production is presented digitally by The Production Exchange, with all proceeds going directly to support the charity.

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde - Livestream (18 Sep)

Watch a fully staged, live-streamed performance of Blackeyed Theatre's gripping production. This thrilling adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s dark psychological fantasy immerses you in the myth and mystery of 19th century London’s fog-bound streets where love, betrayal and murder lurk at every chilling twist and turn.

Grand Finale - Filmed Performance (available until 25 Sep)

In this Sadler’s Wells x Hofesh Shechter Company collaboration, take a closer look at the visceral, ground-breaking work of associate artist Hofesh Shechter, featuring the critically acclaimed Grand Finale. Part gig, part dance and part theatre, this bold work is a vision of a dystopian world in freefall that is both bleak and beautiful. 

Discover more than 1500 digital resources on Thespie.

As the live entertainment industry begins to recover from months of closure, lockdown has given us all the chance to recognise just how important arts and culture are for entertainment, creativity, education and personal wellbeing. For many, having digital access to the arts has provided a vital escape during a time where theatre and entertainment venues across the world have remained closed. With this refreshed momentum and demand for digital resources, Sky Arts – the UK’s only channel dedicated to arts and culture – will be made available as a free service from 17 September. By embarking on an ambitious programme of activity to support the arts during this vital time for the cultural sector, Sky Arts will put artists, creatives and public participation centre stage on this new UK-wide channel, available on Freeview channel 11 (Freesat channel 147).

“There’s never been a stronger need or demand for the arts, nor a more important time to champion and celebrate creativity. That’s why we’re throwing open the doors to make Sky Arts free for everyone with our renewed focus and mission to increase accessibility and participation across the arts.” 

- Philip Edgar-Jones (Director, Sky Arts)

Sky Art’s decision to become a free-to-air service includes a new selection of original programming, as well as further partnerships with artists and arts organisations. Additionally, to support new talent, Sky Arts will also be providing bursaries of up to £30,000 to help support emerging artists. 

The exciting new schedule celebrates a diversity of music, culture and performance, with the following programmes due to air in the next few weeks:

Sky Arts Late, a new late-night, feature-length monthly arts and culture show, with Tim Marlow hosting alongside a cast of leading and new voices from across the arts. Featuring original perspectives, topical debate, critical discussion, and performance, the first edition of this lively and provocative series will assess the importance of culture in the nation’s recovery from COVID-19 and how it is reshaping creativity.

English National Opera’s Drive & Live, in partnership with the ENO, Sky Arts will film and broadcast the ENO’s much-anticipated return to live performance in September with a drive-in, super-sized, and socially-distanced production of La Bohème at London’s Alexandra Palace.

Taken under his wing following roles in films like 1997’s Human Traffic, Harold Pinter cast Dyer in several of his plays, including No Man’s Land and The Homecoming. Now, 12 years after Pinter’s death, Danny takes a look back at his mentor’s work and the profound influence he had on his life.

No Masks from Theatre Royal Stratford East and Moonshine Features present a new work based on the real-life experiences and testimonies of key workers from East London. Weaved together with imagined narratives, written by artistic director Nadia Fall and Rebecca Lenkiewicz, No Masks will be a testament to the dedication of key workers during the COVID crisis as well as an exploration of our shared hopes and fears.

Following the first three episodes titled ‘Summer’ of The Third Day on Sky Atlantic, viewers will be invited to immerse themselves further into the world of The Third Day through a ground breaking theatrical event, live streamed on Sky Arts. ‘Autumn’, staged in a distorted world where all is not as it seems and featuring members of The Third Day cast including Jude Law, will follow the events of a single day in real time. Jude Law’s performance will be filmed in one single continuous tracking shot. For 10 hours, capturing events live and in one continuous take, this cinematic broadcast will invite viewers deeper into the mysterious and suspenseful world of The Third Day, and will blur and distort the lines between what’s real and what’s not. It is created by theatrical innovators Punchdrunk and directed by founder and artistic director of Punchdrunk, Felix Barrett.

A celebration of spoken word hosted by Benjamin Zephaniah, featuring some of the country’s leading spoken word performers who will be lighting up the mic with their lyrical creativity. The poets will perform in front of a live, committed audience of spoken word fans who are key to every performance. Each week Benjamin will open up the floor to give members of the audience the opportunity to spontaneously take part in the open mic section of the show.

Them/Us is an innovative double bill that celebrates a brand new collaboration from the company’s own critically acclaimed dancers and the Tony and Olivier Award-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon. The pieces are set to original scores by world-class composers and ask where we see ourselves in relation to the ‘other’.

While the new Sky Arts Freeview channel will be made free for everyone, the existing Sky Arts On Demand library of resources - with more than 2000 hours of shows - will remain exclusive to Sky and NOW TV Entertainment Pass customers.

Discover more about Sky Arts and see the upcoming schedule of programmes.

Yolanda Mercy is a London based writer and performer for stage, screen and audio. Having been involved in various young writer's programmes, she is passionate about telling relatable stories that incorporate comedy, spoken word, music and audience participation. Her award-winning play Quarter Life Crisis ran at the Edinburgh Fringe, toured the UK, and was adapted for radio with BBC Radio 1xtra. She also recently performed the show during lockdown as part of the Shedinburgh Festival and is looking forward to bringing it back to live audiences at the Bridge Theatre this autumn.

I first became interested in theatre through a scheme that allowed under 25 year olds to see shows for free. As part of that project, I saw a variety of shows in multiple venues across London. The venues I would visit had further opportunities to get involved, be it via writing programs or performance, which led me to more theatre work... and here I am about to perform Quarter Life Crisis at the Bridge Theatre in October.

What’s something that you've learned along the way that you use often?

I’d say to be curious. Curiosity can lead you to places that you may not expect. Explore, try new things, and see as many shows as you can (where possible) - this can be online or IRL or via audio. Always try to learn and remember that this learning is open to however you want to conduct it. Just play and be curious - there are no limits! 

Be curious. Curiosity can lead you to places that you may not expect.

What experiences have shaped who you are and how you work?


There are so many things. I have been so fortunate to observe, be involved in and work with a wide range of people. I always try to look at everything as a learning opportunity, which ultimately shapes and strengthens me as an artist.

I always try to look at everything as a learning opportunity, which ultimately shapes and strengthens me as an artist.

What advice do you have for people wanting to engage with the arts during this difficult time?

Most of us haven't experienced anything like this before, so I’d say do what’s best for you. Look after yourself and your mental health. Your well-being is so important! 
 

What kind of theatre would you love to see more of?

Theatre is currently undergoing a change. This change is happening in a number of ways, thus leading people to start thinking about ways to support artists. I’m hopeful for new outreach programs to help artists develop, which are yet to be shared over the coming months/year. 

Learn more about Yolanda's solo show Quarter Life Crisis at the Bridge Theatre.

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