Top arts and culture experiences you can have at home
As we play our part in supporting the NHS by staying at home, we know that plenty of us are cooped up in front of the TV bingeing box sets. From Netflix’s ‘Tiger King’ to ITV’s gripping Who Wants to be a Millionaire drama ‘Quiz’, we’ve not been short of options for an evening on the sofa.
In addition to a raft of great TV to watch, there are also a wide variety of arts and cultural experiences that you can have at home. So, for those looking to take in a little culture during your time in lockdown, we’ve rounded up some of the finest arts experiences you can access online.
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The Shows Must Go On
Every Friday evening from 7pm, one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic productions will be available to stream for 48 hours on The Shows Must Go On YouTube channel. Having already aired Donny Osmond’s rendition of Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat and Tim Minchin’s Jesus Christ Superstar, this Friday (17th April) will see The Phantom of the Opera take to the screens.
Find out more and subscribe to the YouTube channel, here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdmPjhKMaXNNeCr1FjuMvag
National Theatre at Home
At a time when people aren’t able to visit National Theatre venues, it has chosen to open up its NT Live platform and air a number of its iconic shows, for free, on its YouTube channel.
Running between 16th April and 23rd April, National Theatre at Home: Treasure Island, brings this thrilling story of murder, money and mutiny from the National Theatre stage into your living room. Expect award-winning actors and a few familiar faces.
Find out more: https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/nt-at-home-treasure-island
BBC Culture in Quarantine
The BBC has launched a dedicated platform for cultural content that features a wealth of special commissions from museum tours and musical performances to theatre and dance workshops.
There’s plenty to get through, with some impressive collaborations and new commissions dedicated to the Culture in Quarantine platform.
Find out more: https://www.bbc.co.uk/arts
I Want My Hat Back
If you’re after something for the kids, London’s Little Angel Theatre is streaming its adaptation of Jon Klassen’s picture book ‘I Want My Hat Back’. Aimed at children between three and six years old, the shares the joy of puppetry and was filmed at home by director Ian Nicholson.
Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBJmp1c3XIQ
Northern Ballet
If it’s ballet you’re after – or even some living room yoga from world-leading ballet dancers – then the Northern Ballet’s ‘pay as you feel’ digital season is the one for you. Featuring full-length ballet performances including ‘1984’ and ‘Little Red Riding Hood’, as well as Q&As, yoga sessions and workouts from world-class performers, Northern Ballet is asking for a donation in support of its free content.
Find out more: https://northernballet.com/pay-as-you-feel-season
Virtual Museum Tours
If you’re an avid explorer of museums and struggling to get your fix, then we have great news. Some of the world’s most iconic museums, including the British Museum, Guggenheim and Musee d’Orsay, are offering free virtual tours where you can view their collections, find out more about individual pieces, hear expert insight and take a walking tour through the venues.
View the full list of museums, here: https://www.timeout.com/travel/virtual-museum-tours
OperaVision
If you know your bass from your baritone, or your cadenza from your contralto, then you’re likely on the lookout for some opera to experience at home. Perfect for testing out the surround sound system (and the tolerance of your neighbours), OperaVision is home to a wealth of performances from across Europe and beyond. This ‘Netflix of opera’ boasts high-quality, subtitled performances direct from the stage.
Find out more: https://operavision.eu/en/library/%C3%93peras
Sadler’s Wells Theatre
If it’s dance you’re after, London’s Sadler’s Wells theatre is running a ‘Digital Stage’ with full-length performances and workshops to watch online. It is releases performances on a weekly basis, with each being available to watch for seven days. Launching this Friday (17th April) at 7.30pm, ‘The Thread’ see the theatre’s Associate Artist Russell Maliphant collaborating with Oscar-winning composer Vangelis for this performance.
See all performances, here: https://www.sadlerswells.com/whats-on/2020/digital-stage/
One World: Together at Home
Being described as the ‘Live Aid’ of the coronavirus crisis, Global Citizen’s ‘One World: Together at Home’ sees some of the world’s biggest stars coming together for a one-of-its-kind performance streamed directly to your TV. Organised by non-other than Lady Gaga and raising money to support frontline healthcare workers and the WHO, artists including Alicia Keys, Celine Dion, Elton John, Stevie Wonder and Taylor Swift will be performing from their homes directly to yours.
It all begins on Saturday evening (18th April) and a special version will air on BBC One at 7.15pm on Sunday 19th April.
Find out more: https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/connect/togetherathome/
Mercury Theatre: Cinderella
If panto season feels like it was too long ago or is too far away, then here’s some light relief that you can enjoy in your ‘jamas. Colchester’s Mercury Theatre is streaming its Cinderella pantomime, for free, on its YouTube channel. Oh, yes it is.
Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9cWnz6uGLM
Secret Cinema’s Secret Sofa
Secret Cinema’s immersive movie events would usually see hundreds of people coming together to engage in an interactive cinema experience, with music, special effects and guests dressed as their favourite characters. During the lockdown, the organisers have transformed the experience into a sofa-friendly event that promises all the same immersion and interactivity.
To get involved, you sign up to its weekly newsletter. Then, on a Tuesday, instructions will arrive containing the film you’ll be watching, how to get involved, and suggestions for fancy dress and music. Then, on Friday evenings at 7.30pm, the whole community starts the film together for an evening of small screen entertainment like no other.
Find out more: https://www.secretcinema.org/secret-sofa
