Our regular What’s On section during Lockdown compiled by our Artistic Director Craig Morrow.

This week we’ve some more classics from National Theatre, Royal Opera House and Metropolitan Opera, alongside a wonderful adaptation of Angela Carter’s Wise Children. You can explore previous weeks’ highlights here.

BBC PERFORMANCE LIVE – WISE CHILDREN

The BBC’s Performance Live series, available on BBC iPlayer, is home to a recording of Emma Rice’s adaptation of Angela Carter’s last novel Wise Children, about twins from a dysfunctional family who pursue a career performing as showgirls

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Rice is no stranger to Angela Carter’s work, having adapted Nights at the Circus in 2006 for Kneehigh Theatre Company. The magical realism of Carter, along with her strong feminist voice, and ability to enthuse dark narratives with warmth, make them the perfect creative pairing.

Rice’s direction is always highly theatrical, delving deep into ensemble storytelling to lend an epic quality to her productions, but Wise Children, like her previous shows, always makes sure it maintains a sense of silliness, an awareness that the whole conceit is one big joke and we’re all in on it together.

Loved by audiences and critics since its premiere in 2019, Wise Children is an unapologetic celebration of the highs and lows that come from choosing to experience life to the full, come what may. [/expand]

THE SHOWS MUST GO ON!

This week’s musical extravaganza is Alan Ayckbourn and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical comedy, By Jeeves! Inspired by the works of P. G. Wodehouse. Available online from Friday 8 May at 7pm for 48 hours.

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A flop on it’s first run back in 1975 but subsequently re-written, this lesser known work by Lloyd Webber is now a charmingly silly musical that is sure to put a smile on your face. It is as much a homage to the musical works of Noel Coward as it is to the exploits of the foolish Bertie Wooster and his quick-witted deadpan butler Jeeves, and that’s no bad thing! Great fun!

The Shows Must Go On! streamings are all free but viewers are encouraged to make a donation to a number of charities including NHS Charities Together [/expand]

ROYAL OPERA HOUSE – OUR HOUSE TO YOUR HOUSE

The Royal Opera House is home to both the Royal Opera and Royal Ballet companies, and its online streaming schedule makes the most of these prestigious companies’ back catalogue, all available via YouTube.

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Already Available – Così fan tutte by Royal Opera
Already Available – The Metamorphosis by Royal Ballet
Already Available – Gloriana by Royal Opera
Already Available – The Winter’s Tale by Royal Ballet
Available from Friday 8 May 7pm – La Traviata by Royal Opera

Directed by former Artistic Director of National Theatre Richard Eyre, this week’s production of La Traviata is a naturalistic exploration of Verdi’s masterpiece by Royal Opera offers a highly intimate experience, with superb performances from stars Renée Fleming and Joseph Calleja. [/expand]

NATIONAL THEATRE – AT HOME

The National Theatre were one of the first arts organisations to regularly live cast their productions, with the NT Live brand becoming a familiar sight in cinemas over the past decade, so no wonder that they should be one of the first to announce a regular programme of performance online during Lockdown.

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We’ve already had some great shows online and they are regularly updating the programme every Thursday, with a new show that stays up for one week.

From Thursday 7 May 7pm – Antony & Cleopatra

Ralph Fiennes and Sophie Okonedo star in Shakespeare’s great tragedy of politics, passion and power, where the self-deluded lovers drag their empires into war, unable to escape the intoxicated fantasies of their own desires. Available from 7 May until 14 May. [/expand]

METROPOLITAN OPERA

Another great opportunity for opera fans. Every day the Met is streaming a different presentation from the company’s Live in HD series free on their website.

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With a back catalogue of fourteen years’ worth of performances available from popular classics to lesser-known works there’s bound to be something that will capture your imagination.

For weekly listings visit their website here. [/expand]