A Blues for Nia

East

Guidance 16+ • 1h 53m

Steven Berkoff’s witty and brutal portrayal of growing up in London’s East End follows the lives of a working-class family through stories of sex, violence, dreams and desires. This 25th-anniversary production was captured live at the Vaudeville Theatre in London. With rich poetic language that parodies Shakespeare and an explosive physicality inspired by Berkoff's training with Jacques Lecoq, East vividly brings to life the struggles of each character using mime, movement, music and humour in this “elegy for the East End and all its energetic waste”.

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

Brown Widow

Guidance 12+ • 6m

10by10 is a project developed and produced by Eclipse Theatre - Britain's leading black-led national touring company. 10 writers. 10 cities. 10 films. Nottingham. Meet Gee: late 20s; body to die for. Join Gee in her Nottingham apartment as she tells us what's really on her mind.

Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring

All Ages • 1h 25m

The 'dazzling diamonds' of Anton Webern’s Six Orchestral Pieces and Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring open and conclude this tremendous programme, conducted by Sir Simon Rattle. Canadian soprano Barbara Hannigan brings her phenomenal coloratura voice to bear on three bravura arias from Ligeti’s opera Le grand macabre and three extracts featuring Marie, the doomed heroine of Alban Berg’s Wozzeck.

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.

Richard Armitage in Conversation

All Ages • 40m

Hosted by theatre critic Matt Wolf as a part of The Old Vic’s In Conversation series, actor Richard Armitage discusses his performance as protagonist John Proctor in director Yaël Farber’s critically acclaimed production of Arthur Miller’s seminal play. This exclusive interview was filmed live on stage during The Crucible’s final weeks at The Old Vic.

Timon of Athens

Guidance 12+ • 2h 10m

Shakespeare’s heartbreaking tale of a man whose compulsive generosity is taken for granted is reimagined in this Stratford Festival production. Filmed live at the festival in 2018, Joseph Ziegler stars as Timon, who is forced to make difficult decisions when he is abandoned before an upcoming attack on Athens.

Primo

Guidance 12+ • 1h 28m

Based on Primo Levi’s memoir, Antony Sher’s stage adaptation brings to life the author’s experiences in Auschwitz during World War II in a poignant, reflective monologue. This National Theatre production stars Sher under the direction of Richard Wilson.

DV8 - Dead Dreams of Monochrome Men

Guidance 18+ • 50m

Loosely based on the acts of serial killer Dennis Nilsen, this dance theatre piece by DV8 Physical Theatre explores the forces of societal homophobia and what drove Nilsen to kill for company. Created and performed by Lloyd Newson, Nigel Charnock, Russell Maliphant and Douglas Wright, this 1989 film is an emotionally raw look at lust and loneliness.

The Red Shoes

Guidance All Ages • 1h 36m

Matthew Bourne’s double Olivier award-winning ballet The Red Shoes tells a spellbinding tale of obsession, possession and one girl’s dream to be the greatest dancer in the world. Victoria Page lives to pursue artistic greatness as a dancer, but her ambitions become a battleground for the entangled relationships that drive her dreams. Based on Powell and Pressburger’s film of the same name, Matthew Bourne’s signature artistry creates a fresh, entrancing and heartbreaking adaptation, featuring Bernard Herrmann’s rich score. The Red Shoes was captured live at Sadler’s Wells Theatre in 2020.