The Importance of Being Earnest

Funny Girl

2h 21m

Based on the life and career of Broadway star Fanny Brice (a role made famous by Barbra Streisand) and her tempestuous relationship with entrepreneur Nick Arnstein, this classic musical is brought vibrantly to life in a career-defining performance from Sheridan Smith. Captured by Digital Theatre live at Manchester’s Palace Theatre, this critically acclaimed production features a host of iconic musical numbers including ‘People’, ‘I’m the Greatest Star’ and ‘Don’t Rain On My Parade’."

Decadence

Guidance 12+ • 1h 22m

Steven Berkoff and Joan Collins star in this 1994 film about two couples indulging in sexual relations: Steve, a wealthy husband who’s having an affair with posh socialite Helen, and Sybil, Steve’s wife, who is sleeping with a private eye hired to kill her husband. Based on Berkoff’s original stage play, this satirical study of 1980’s Thatcherite Britain explores the divide between the upper and working classes, utilising poetic language, physicality and camera techniques to paint a damaging portrait of high society. Contains strong language, adult themes, and content that some viewers may find offensive."

The Blue Bird (Journey)

Guidance 12+ • 2h 50m

Two children embark on a whirlwind adventure to find the Blue Bird of happiness in part one of Boris Yukhananov's epic trilogy, based on Maurice Maeterlinck’s mystical play. Captured by the Stanislavsky Electrotheatre in Moscow and presented in partnership with Stage Russia HD, this visually compelling production features the reminiscences of Russian actors Vladimir Korenev and Aleftina Konstantinova, and experiments with various theatrical traditions including Japanese Noh theatre.

The Seagull

12+ • 3h 26m

Anton Chekhov’s first of four major plays dramatises the romantic and artistic conflicts between its four main characters: Boris Trigorin, a well-known writer, the ingenue Nina, the fading actress Irina Arkadina, and her son, the would-be playwright Konstantin Tréplev. This production is performed in Russian with English subtitles and was captured live by Stage Russia HD at the Satirikon Theatre in Moscow. Directed by Yury Butusov, one of the foremost directors in contemporary Russian theatre, this frenetic interpretation delves deep into the throes of artistic creation and the anguish of the artist who struggles to find a language of his own.

The Merry Wives of Windsor

Guidance 14+ • 2h 26m

Shakespeare's tale of love and jealousy is relocated to Essex as two merry wives seek revenge on Sir John Falstaff in this contemporary Royal Shakespeare Company production. Captured live in Stratford-upon-Avon, Fiona Laird's RSC debut with Lez Brotherston's bold and colourful set design transports this much-loved comedy into the 21st century. Production photography by Manual Harlan

Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique

All Ages • 1h 41m

Featuring the acclaimed mezzo-soprano Karen Cargill, this triple header includes Hector Berlioz' Waverley overture, Les nuits d'été and Symphonie fantastique. Valery Gergiev showcases his opulent interpretation of Berlioz' landmark piece Symphonie fantastique, the story of an artist’s ‘hopeless love’, complete with waltzes, witches and a hallucinogenic nightmare.

Coriolanus

2h 44m

Thought to be his final tragedy, Shakespeare’s tale of political manoeuvring and maternal love is brought to life in this modernised production from the Royal Shakespeare Company. Captured live in Stratford-upon-Avon, Angus Jackson’s blood-soaked adaptation questions where authority should lie, while the various power players engage in hand-to-hand combat across the stage. Production photography by Helen Maybanks

Titus Andronicus

All Ages • 2h 51m

Thought to be his first tragedy, Shakespeare’s tale of family, betrayal and revenge is brought to bloody life in this modern-dress production from the Royal Shakespeare Company. Captured live in Stratford-upon-Avon, Blanche McIntyre’s striking adaptation is a study into the nature of grief and violence, as street fights and lootings mark Rome’s desperate descent into anarchy. Production photography by Helen Maybanks

Frankenstein

Guidance 12+ • 2h 16m

Geneva, 1816. Dr Frankenstein obsesses over and becomes haunted by the creation of life. Mary Shelley’s landmark novel is beautifully retold by Blackeyed Theatre’s versatile cast and impressive puppetry in this production from 2022.

Clowns

Guidance 13+ • 28m

Commissioned by the BBC and captured live at Battersea Arts Centre in 2018, Clowns is a bold and sarcastic commentary on society's ever-growing indifference to violence. Directed, choreographed and composed by Hofesh Shechter, this macabre comedy features ten world-class dancers and a striking percussive score, inviting viewers to ponder how far we will go in the name of entertainment.