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Beautiful Thing

Guidance 12+ • 1h 54m

This 20th anniversary production of Jonathan Harvey’s play about two working class teenage boys falling in love on a South East London council estate was captured by Digital Theatre live at the Arts Theatre in London’s Leicester Square. It was directed by Nikolai Foster and starred Suranne Jones as Sandra, a single mother trying to make the best for her and her sensitive son, Jamie. The production received wide critical acclaim and was revived again two years later.

It's True, It's True, It's True

Guidance 16+ • 1h 14m

Centuries after it shook Renaissance Rome, the 1612 trial of Artemisia Gentileschi is dramatised in this award-winning verbatim production devised by Breach Theatre. Blurring the line between historical court transcripts and parody, this compelling, and at times visceral, feminist drama was captured at the Stone Nest, London in 2020.

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.

Smile Upon Us, Lord

All Ages • 2h 32m

Rimas Tuminas' adaptation of two novels by fellow Lithuanian, Grigory Kanovich, is a dreamy, ruminative, comedic road trip, centring around the parlous fortunes of Eastern European Jews at the start of the 20th century. This visually striking production was captured by Stage Russia HD at the Vakhtangov Theatre and is performed in Russian with English subtitles.

The Tempest

All Ages • 2h 24m

“My library was dukedom large enough.” Thought to be one of his final plays, Shakespeare’s tale of family, magic and revenge is brought to life in this visually striking production from the Royal Shakespeare Company. Captured live in Stratford-upon-Avon, this adaptation was created in collaboration with Intel and in association with The Imaginarium Studios, and featured the very first live motion capture performance in a major classical stage production. Production photography by Topher McGrillis

Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night’s Dream

All Ages • 1h 37m

Sir John Eliot Gardiner leads the London Symphony Orchestra, his Monteverdi Choir and three talented actors from the Guildhall School in Felix Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, performed as part of the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death. To mark the celebrations, Gardiner produced a special version of the work, featuring some cuts to the original movements, in order to focus ‘on the world of the fairies and the human lovers.’

La Traviata

All Ages • 2h 15m

Verdi’s best-loved work is performed by a star cast in a revival of Richard Eyre’s highly acclaimed 1994 production. Alfredo and the courtesan Violetta fall passionately in love. But Violetta is seriously ill and Alfredo’s father disapproves of their relationship – can their love overcome such obstacles?

Salome

12+ • 2h 19m

Steven Berkoff’s adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s lyrical drama tells the tale of the young Salome, who demands the head of an imprisoned prophet as a reward for dancing for her step-father Herod. Captured live at the Ginza Saison Theatre in Tokyo in 1992, this production stars Berkoff as Herod, the Tetrarch of Judea, who must decide whether to break his oath or give Salome everything she desires. Performed in slow-motion, this interpretation of the New Testament tale employs elements of mime and Kabuki to create a hypnotic, dream-like atmosphere. With a captivating ensemble dressed in monochrome, 1920s costume and a minimalist set design, Berkoff once again defies the conventions of naturalistic theatre with highly physical and stylised performances.

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.

Tell-Tale Heart & Silent Night

Guidance 12+ • 1h 13m

A dynamic double-bill, this production brings together two one-person performances written and performed by Steven Berkoff. Tell-Tale Heart is a unique interpretation of Edgar Allan Poe’s 19th Century horror story, while Silent Night considers the dark side of being alone at Christmas. Both productions feature bonus interviews with Berkoff, who looks back on his work.