How to get Your Theatre Fix During Social Distancing

So Friday was World Theatre Day and given that theatres across the globe are now closed, this could be seen as pretty bad timing.  However with the signature creative style of the wonderful people who work in the arts, whist the theatres are dark many have found new ways to reach audiences during this difficult time.  There are many shows now doing live streams of past shows, performance discussions and lots more so I thought I’d highlight some of my favourite ways to keep in touch with theatre during these difficult times and help support the creatives behind these fabulous shows.  Here are a few ways you can get your theatre fix during social distancing:

The National Theatre is live-streaming a show every Thursday

You are likely aware that the National Theatre frequently film their shows to stream into cinemas across the UK, because of this they have amazing high-quality recordings of most of their shows.  So from this Thursday (2nd of April), they will make one of their shows available to watch for 1 week each on their Youtube channel from 7 pm, starting with One Man, Two Guvnors and moving on to other classics including Treasure Island and Twelfth Night.

Hampstead Theatre is streaming a play every week

Hampstead Theatre was one of the first theatres to jump onto the idea of streaming its shows for free, starting off with streaming I and You staring Masie Willaims directly on their Instagram account and they now have another pay, Wild, being streamed directly on their website until the 5th of April.  There is no word on if there will be more after this so catch them while you can!

Discover the V&A Museums Theatre Archives

The V&A Museum has a great collection of theatre artefacts, and whilst you can’t currently go see them in person you can get a good insight to their collections by checking out the dedicated section on their website.

Check out TheatreVoice

TheatreVoice has a huge archive of theatre interviews featuring people from all your favourite shows.

Watch The Barn Theatre’s production of Henry V

Great if you want a Shakespeare fix, you can watch the full show on their Facebook page.

Watch huge Broadway shows with Broadway HD

This is a subscription service so there is a fee of $8.99 a month but the first week is free and there are hundreds of shows to pick from.

Or try the Westend version

Similar to Broadway HD, Digital Theatre Online streams shows from across the UK for £9.99 a month, or you can pay to rent a singular show.  it contains shows from big companies such as the RSC, The Old Vic and Shakespeare’s Globe with theatre, dance, opera and more.

Get deep into Shakespeare with The Globe

The Globe is possibly the best places in the world to see Shakespeare and now you can watch them in your home with the Globe Player.  There’s a large section and you can rent them for £4.99 a show, which is the same price as a standing ticket in the theatre itself.

Catch some great stand up

Go Faster Stripe has a great selection of one-person comedy shows you can pay to stream including a great Mark Thomas show about the NHS.

Leave a Light on events from the Theatre Cafe

The fabulous people over at the Theatre Cafe are running a series of streamed concerts from well known West End stars.

Watch a free performance of The Winter’s Tale

Cheek by Jowl’s production can be watched directly on their Youtube channel.

Watch Orange Tree Theatre’s production of Amsterdam

Which they are steaming directly on their website.

Get your dance fix with the BalletBoyz

They are streaming their latest show for free on their Facebook page.

Catch the memorable Memoirs of an Asian Football Casual 

It’s streaming for free directly through their website.

Edalia Day’s Too Pretty to Punch is available to download from the 31st of March to mark Trans Visibility Day

With several 5 star reviews, this is one not to be missed.

This is just some of the shows currently available, there are more shows, ideas and live streams appearing every day so make sure you follow all you favourite theatres on their social media pages and keep an eye out for what pops up.  Supporting theatre during social distancing, especially smaller theatres and independent performers, is now more important than ever.

How are you getting your theatre during social distancing?