True West

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.

Measure for Measure

Guidance 14+ • 2h 27m

Shakespeare’s tale of power and punishment is relocated to 1900s Vienna where a young nun is compromised by a corrupt official in this provocative production from the Royal Shakespeare Company. Captured live in Stratford-upon-avon in 2019, RSC Artistic Director Gregory Doran explores the parallels between 20th-century Vienna and the modern day #MeToo movement. Production photography by Helen Maybanks

Othello

All Ages • 2h 59m

One of his most heartbreaking tragedies, Shakespeare’s tale of love, jealousy and deceit is brought to life in this ground-breaking production from the Royal Shakespeare Company. Captured live in Stratford-upon-Avon, Iqbal Khan’s adaptation was the first at the RSC to cast a Black actor, Lucian Msamati, in the role of Iago.

The Merchant of Venice

All Ages • 2h 8m

One of his most complex and problematic plays, Shakespeare’s tale of money, prejudice and justice is brought to life in this modernised production from the Royal Shakespeare Company. Captured live in Stratford-upon-Avon, Polly Findlay’s visually compelling adaptation is set in reflective gold and casts Palestinian actor Makram J. Khoury as Jewish moneylender Shylock.

The Nutcracker

All Ages • 1h 48m

This all-time ballet favourite reaches its 25th anniversary in Peter Wright's glorious production.When one of her Christmas presents comes to life, Young Clara is swept into a fantasy adventure where she meets an exquisite Sugar Plum Fairy, a chivalrous Prince and the mysterious Drosselmeyer amongst a whole host of classic characters, performed by the world-renowned Royal Ballet.

Berlioz: Roméo et Juliette

All Ages • 1h 36m

In this groundbreaking take on William Shakespeare’s bittersweet tragedy, Hector Berlioz combines the playwright’s influence with all the musical drama of Ludwig van Beethoven’s symphonies. The Bard proved to be one of the enduring influences on Berlioz throughout his life. The composer described his first encounter with Shakespeare’s work as a ‘thunderbolt’ that changed his life – and musical imagination – forever.

King Lear

All Ages • 2h 36m

“How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child!” Shakespeare’s epic tragedy is brought vividly to life in this Stratford Festival production, in which madness descends with brutal ferocity as kingdoms and families are irrevocably divided. Filmed live at the festival in 2015, Colm Feore stars as the ageing king while Sara Farb takes on the role of his banished daughter, Cordelia.

The Adventures of Pericles

All Ages • 2h 21m

A rare gem from Shakespeare's canon, The Adventures of Pericles is given a new lease of life by Stratford Festival. Set sail with the Bard's forgotten hero, as he suffers through shipwreck, loss, intrigue, fatherhood and much more on his epic journey. The versatile Evan Buliung takes on the eponymous role, transforming and evolving before our eyes, while Deborah Hay achieves triple-threat status by performing all three major women in Pericles' life.

DV8 - The Cost of Living

Guidance 15+ • 35m

Stuck in a faded seaside town, street performers David (David Toole) and Eddie (Eddie Kay) struggle to find work and romance. Choreographed and directed by Lloyd Newson, this multi-award-winning film from 2004 explores how we value ourselves and others through dialogue and DV8 Physical Theatre's distinctive movement style.

A Place for We

Guidance 12+ • 2h 14m

Set in Brixton, Archie Maddocks’ timely play charts the changing face of London’s communities over three generations, reflecting on life since the Windrush scandal. Captured live at the Park Theatre in 2021, this production, directed by Talawa’s Artistic Director Michael Buffong, was awarded an Offie for Best Performance Ensemble in 2022.