The coronavirus outbreak has hit the arts sector hard causing theatres to shut and productions to be cancelled.
However, anyone missing out on live performances has been given a lifeline by the National Theatre which is using its valuable archive to show popular plays for free on YouTube.
The organisation’s productions are usually filmed for its National Theatre Live scheme which normally involves shows being screened in cinemas on a ‘one night only’ basis. These have been watched by six-and-a-half million viewers worldwide.
Every Thursday at 7pm people can stream selected performances for a week on the official NT YouTube channel. The broadcasts began on 2nd April with One Man Two Guvnors, starring James Corden and written by Richard Bean, who adapted a 1743 Italian comedy called Servant of Two Masters.
Some of the other plays due to be shown are:
Thursday 9th April, Jane Eyre by Sally Cookson
Thursday 16th April, Treasure Island by Bryony Lavery
Thursday 23rd April, Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
The free plays will run through until May, with more titles to be announced in due course.
There will also be a selection of Questions & Answers with the cast and creative teams of the shows.
In addition to this, the National Theatre has also released a new collection for schools, colleges and universities that features productions from other venues such as the Young Vic, the Donmar Warehouse and the Bridge Theatre. Teachers will be able to give login details to pupils who can access material at home to use in their studies.
While the streaming initiative is free, the NT is welcoming donations, which it says will help it weather the ‘huge financial impact’ of closing its premises on London’s South Bank.
You can visit www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/nt-at-home to find out more information.
