Dido and Aeneas

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.

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.

Pieces of String

Guidance 12+ • 1h 48m

A new musical exploring three generations of one family, Pieces of String alternates between the 1940s and the present day, telling the story of a World War II soldier who returned with a secret that he would carry until the day he died. With haunting music and a very human story at its heart, this latest instalment from Perfect Pitch has been nominated for Best Musical Production at the UK Theatre Awards, with Gus Gowland also being nominated for Best Composer at the Stage Debut Awards. Developed by Perfect Pitch. Co-produced by the Mercury Theatre Colchester and TBO Productions. Production photography

King Lear

3h 1m

Considered one of his finest tragedies, Shakespeare’s tale of family, ageing and madness is brought to life in this critically acclaimed production from the Royal Shakespeare Company. Captured live in Stratford-upon-Avon, this adaptation emphasised the pagan setting, complete with ritual chanting, and cast 24 local Midlands men in the roles of Lear’s followers.

The Tempest

All Ages • 1h 43m

Phyllida Lloyd’s final instalment of the Donmar Shakespeare Trilogy concludes with an all-female version of The Tempest starring Harriet Walter as Prospero and music by British singer-songwriter Joan Armatrading. This captivating reimagining explores themes of freedom and justice in the context of a women’s prison. The Donmar Shakespeare Trilogy began in 2012 with Julius Caesar and was followed by Henry IV in 2014 and The Tempest in 2016. These critically acclaimed productions were captured live at Donmar Kings Cross and co-produced by the Donmar Warehouse and Illuminations.

Perfume

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. Middlesborough. Two young sons go to extraordinary lengths to help their mother. *Contains strong language and drug references

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.’

Coriolanus

Guidance All Ages • 2h 29m

Coriolanus traces the turbulent career of its eponymous hero, an arrogant Roman general who turns on the city after being exiled. Stratford Festival's distinctive production adapts Shakespeare's political allegory to explore modern democracy, particularly the connection between public opinion, freedom of speech and social media.

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.

John & Jen

Guidance 13+ • 1h 41m

Olivier Award nominee Rachel Tucker stars in this two-handed contemporary musical. As Jen grows up in the changing world of modern America, the country becomes more divided, and so does her family. Spanning two turbulent decades, Jen navigates shifting relationships with the two Johns in her life: her youngest brother, and her son. From Tony Award nominee Andrew Lippa and Tom Greenwald, John & Jen was captured live at Southwark Playhouse in 2021.