Kafka's Monkey

The Crucible

Guidance 12+ • 3h 19m

Arthur Miller’s The Crucible is a partially fictionalised telling of the Salem witch trials of 1692/3. Accusations of witchcraft following a game played by the daughters of a Massachusetts village spiral out of control and many must choose between their reputations and their integrity. This production, captured by Digital Theatre live at London’s Old Vic theatre, was directed by Yaël Farber, starred Richard Armitage as John Proctor and enjoyed a sold-out run, receiving widespread critical acclaim.

Eugene Onegin

All Ages • 3h 18m

A foolish decision leads to a series of tragic events as young Tatyana is left heartbroken by the eponymous hero. Created and directed by the renowned Rimas Tuminas, this magical reimagining of Alexander Pushkin’s verse novel combines elements of intense silences and spellbinding visuals, expressing the pain of unrequited love and the regret of past mistakes. This production was captured by Stage Russia HD at the Vakhtangov Theatre in Moscow.

Antony and Cleopatra

Guidance 12+ • 3h 4m

One of his longest plays, Shakespeare’s interpretation of the Antony and Cleopatra story is brought to vivid life in this period-dress production from the Royal Shakespeare Company. Captured live in Stratford-upon-Avon, this adaptation won critical acclaim for the two actors in the eponymous roles, and saw the battle at sea played out using toy ships. Production photography by Helen Maybanks

King Lear

All Ages • 2h 32m

Yury Butusov's award-winning reimagining of King Lear tells of how the destruction of a family, a country, and the collapse of an individual are all connected. Captured by Stage Russia HD at the Satirikon Theatre in Moscow in 2018, this production is performed in Russian with English subtitles and stars four-time Golden Mask Award-winning actor Konstantin Raikin as Lear. This imaginative adaptation of Shakespeare’s tragedy includes an insightful introduction by Michael Earley, Professor of Drama and Theatre at Lasalle College of the Arts in Singapore who comments on the scenography, the performances and thematic elements in the play.

Hamlet

Guidance All Ages • 3h 4m

Captured in the round at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre, this production of Shakespeare's classic tragedy boldly reimagines gender across the characters. Maxine Peake, a leading British talent, stars as the first UK female Hamlet on a major stage for 35 years. The production continues director Sarah Frankcom’s work at the REM, now lauded as the UK’s ‘first mainstream feminist theatre.’

As You Like It

All Ages • 2h 26m

When Rosalind falls in love with Orlando, her usurping uncle banishes her from court. Disguised as a boy she seeks out her father in the Forest of Arden, where mystery, melancholy and marriage become rife. Featuring cross-dressing, slapstick and poetry, Thea Sharrock's 2009 production for Shakespeare's Globe brings to life the most playful elements of Shakespeare's pastoral romance.

Last Train to Nibroc

All Ages • 1h 20m

In the winter of 1940, Raleigh and May are forced to share a seat on a crowded train headed east, only to discover a mutual attraction that will change their lives forever. The first part of Arlene Hutton’s Nibroc Trilogy was captured by Cinevative at the Rubicon Theatre Company in California. Directed by award-winning Katharine Farmer, this poignant production follows the relationship between May and Raleigh in Kentucky at the height of the Second World War.

Love's Labour's Lost

All Ages • 2h 42m

Shakespeare’s comedy of comradery and courtship is given a new lease of life in this 2015 Stratford Festival production, in which four young men swear off women for three years, only to face unexpected consequences.

Cinderella

Guidance All Ages • 1h 50m

Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella is a thrilling and evocative reimagining of the classic fairy tale, following Cinderella's fleeting yet enchanting romance with a charismatic RAF pilot amid the tumult of wartime London during the Blitz. Celebrated for his visionary storytelling, Bourne crafts an unforgettable tale of passion and courage with Olivier Award-winning costumes and stage design by Lez Brotherston, and Prokofiev's magnificent score performed by a specially commissioned 60-piece orchestra. Cinderella was captured live at Sadler’s Wells Theatre in 2018.

Wise Children

Guidance 15+ • 2h 17m

Directed by Emma Rice, Wise Children follows Nora and Dora Chance – twin chorus girls with colourful pasts – celebrating their 75th birthday and reflecting on their family and careers in this extravagant tale of theatrical joy and pain. Captured live at York Theatre Royal in 2019, Angela Carter’s last novel comes to life in this unique and musical adaptation full of Shakespeare, scandal, and mischief.