10 Shows to stream
1 THEATRE
Lungs, Old Vic, London, streaming June 26 to July 4
Claire Foy and Matt Smith perform a socially distanced version of Duncan Macmillan’s comical and emotional play about a couple wrestling with life’s biggest dilemmas, live from the Old Vic. Each performance of Lungs will be available for up to 1,000 people per night with some matinees, replicating its usual audience capacity size. Tickets will be priced as they are in the auditorium from £10 to £65 and, while all ‘seats’ offer the same view from the comfort of your own home, the theatre is asking audiences to give what they can to help support the venue. Where to watch: oldvictheatre. com/whats-on/2020/lungs-incamera
2 THEATRE
Made in India, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, streaming June 16 to 30
This powerful play about motherhood is centred on the commercial surrogacy industry in India. Before a change in legislation in 2016, shortly before the show premiered in Coventry in 2017, India had come to be regarded as the world’s “surrogacy hub”, with local women acting as paid surrogates for hopeful parents from around the world. The play tells the story of three women who meet in a surrogacy clinic in Gujarat - Londoner Eva (Gina Isaac), who is pursuing her last chance at being a mother; village girl Aditi (Ulrika Krishnamurti), who is seeking a lifeline out of poverty; and Dr Gupta (Syreeta Kumar), for who this is just another transaction. Where to watch: Theatre company Tamasha’s YouTube channel
3 MUSICAL The King and I, London Palladium, streaming now
With almost more great songs than the King of Siam has wives (and he’s tied the knot many times over), Bartlett Sher’s interpretation of Rodgers’ and Hammerstein’s Tony Award-winning classic from the golden age of musicals is a triumphant revival. A fullscale orchestra plays one of the finest scores ever written - including songs such as I Whistle a Happy Tune, Getting to Know You, Hello Young Lovers, Something Wonderful and Shall We Dance. The production is hosted online by theatre training company Stagecoach and costs £4.99 to rent. Where to watch: stagecoachathome.com/products/theking-and-i-from-the-londonpalladium
4 MUSIC Tiny Changes fundraiser, June 20 and 21
Tim Burgess, Bill RyderJones and the Scottish
Chamber Orchestra are among the acts performing for Tiny Changes, a Scottish mental health charity set up in memory of much-loved musician Scott Hutchison with a focus on children and young people. Where to watch: www. facebook.com/pg/TinyChanges/ about/?ref=page_internal
FAMILY 5 Jazz for Kids - Charlie Bates, Royal Albert Hall, June 20, 2pm
Albert’s Band’s jazz pianist Charlie Bates will deliver an exclusive set from his home as part of the Royal Albert Home sessions. Charlie will entertain with improvisation and original jazz music, which will be sure to get the whole family foot-tapping along. Where to watch: royalalberthall. com
6 THEATRE Declan, The Actors Centre, London, streaming June 19 to 28
Set in a Wiltshire suburb, Declan is a contemporary ghost story, exploring isolation, fear of the outside world and the distance between two friends. As Jimbo recalls the disappearance of his best friend Declan, he is plagued by ghosts of the past, present and future. With the scent of Declan thick in the air, this is a story of magic realism and total obsession. Where to watch: www. actorscentre.co.uk
7 FAMILY
Noah and the Peacock, Nottingham Playhouse, streaming June 19 to 21
A brand-new play performed live over Zoom, Noah and the Peacock promises a theatrical animal adventure. The actors will be performing directly from their homes to yours - and viewers also get to become the star of the show by dressing up as one of Noah’s animals. The play tells of Peacock and Peahen. Peacock is extremely pompous and all he can talk about is his beautiful feathers. Peahen, on the other hand, is much more modest and longs to make friends with the other animals. When the pair hear news that a huge flood is on the way, Peacock refuses to leave the roost and risk ruining his perfect plumage in the rain. So, with no other choice, Peahen sets off on a journey through the dark forest and along the great blue river. As all the animals must go twoby-two, will Peahen make it onto the ark alone? It’s a chance to experience live theatre in a new way - and have lots of fun while doing so. Where to watch: nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk
CABARET 8
The Contagion Cabaret, The Theatre, Chipping Norton, streaming from June 18
Chipping Norton Theatre, working alongside researchers, academics and medical professionals from Oxford University, are creating a new online performance that takes the long view on the current pandemic. Killer germs, superbugs and pestilential plagues have long fascinated writers and musicians. Join a cast of actors, scientists and literary researchers for a witty, moving and entertaining take on the crisis of the moment. Where to watch: chippingnortontheatre.com
9 THEATRE
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shakespeare’s Globe, streaming until June 28
Shakespeare put some of his most dazzling dramatic poetry at the service of this teasing, glittering, comical and remarkably inventive play, whose seriousness is only fleetingly glimpsed beneath its dreamlike surface. Where to watch: Shakespeare’s Globe channel on YouTube
10 CIRCUS Cirque du Soleil, streaming now
It’s the most famous circus in the world – and now audiences can enjoy the remakable spectacle online at home. Its YouTube channel features various videos including full shows, showcases of particular skills, such as contortionism, singalong specials and plenty more besides. There are chances to go behind the curtain, too, with viewers able to discover how its spectacular shows are made and to get to know some of its star performers. Where to watch: https:// www.youtube.com/ watch?v=T7oybmMuUqs