Lockdown -Saturday, March 28

I've lost track of time! It's been a bit of a week. What with our laptop breaking and a complete change in routine and lifestyle it's been tough at times.

But also what's given me a few rays of joy are the ways in which people are reaching out to help others get through this incredibly difficult time.

The clapping the other night for all those working on the front line in the NHS was truly uplifting - all our street came out and we were shouting at each other from across our front lawns/yards.

On a personal level, a tweet I put out a couple of days ago about how I couldn't find sugar or eggs for my mum who can't get out because she is in the high risk group, garnered a level of response that left me truly overwhelmed. The generosity of spirit, togetherness, offers of help - wow, amazing and I was in tears for most of the morning. Everyone was so kind and when I told my mum, she was similarly touched.

Elsewhere for people like me who love live performances of any kind, finding out that organisations such as the Royal Opera House, National Theatre and RSC were going to stream some of their productions online via their YouTube channels. I have put the links below.

Stay safe and well

The RSC link:
Arts lovers can now sign up for a 30-day free* trial on Marquee TV, the performing arts streaming service with a catalogue of more than 400 dance, opera and theatre productions. There are currently 17 of our shows to stream, including Richard II and King Lear with David Tennant and Antony Sher in the title roles, respectively.  *Please note that you will be asked to enter your billing details, but you won't be charged until a month has lapsed (at which point you'll be notified that your trial is coming to an end).
As part of the BBC's plans to keep bringing arts to audiences during the Coronavirus pandemic, you will be able to watch six of our shows from the comfort of your own home between now and September. Further details of the broadcasts will be announced over the next few weeks.

The Royal Opera House

We are pleased to announce a FREE live programme of full-length productions to spread the joy of ballet and opera during these uncertain times. They will be broadcast via our Facebook and YouTube channels allowing you to enjoy them from the comfort of your own home. #OurHouseToYourHouse

Keep scrolling to view the full schedule...

Many thanks to our generous supporters, who make work like this possible. Click here if you want to join us, and them, in sharing our artforms whilst we are closed.    

Peter and the Wolf

BALLET

27 March 2020, 7pm GMT

This children's ballet, set to music by Prokofiev, is about a boy who isn't afraid of the big, bad wolf. It is performed by the Royal Ballet School.

Acis and Galatea

OPERA/BALLET

3 April 2020, 7pm BST  

A collaboration between the Royal Opera and Royal Ballet companies, created by Wayne McGregor and set to music by Handel. Based on Greek mythology, it tells the story of a mortal shepherd and a goddess' doomed love.

Così fan tutte

OPERA

10 April 2020, 7pm BST

This comedy by Mozart sees two men test their girlfriends' faithfulness. Their plan - to disguise themselves in order to try and seduce the other's lover. What could possibly go wrong?

The Metamorphosis

BALLET

17 April 2020, 7pm BST

A contemporary piece by Arthur Pita, created on Royal Ballet Principal Dancer, Edward Watson. It is based on the novella by Franz Kafka, about how one family reacts when their son wakes up, transformed into a monstrous insect.

From the National Theatre

From Thursday 2 April, a number of productions previously screened in cinemas globally as a part of National Theatre Live will be made available to watch via the National Theatre’s YouTube channel. The first production to be broadcast as part of NATIONAL THEATRE AT HOME will be Richard Bean’s One Man Two Guvnors featuring a Tony Award-winning performance from James Corden. Each production will be free and screened live every Thursday at 7.00pm GMT, it will then be available on demand for seven days. Alongside the streamed productions, NATIONAL THEATRE AT HOME will also feature accompanying interactive content such as Q&As with cast and creative teams and post-stream talks, with further details of this programme to be announced.

Working closely with YouTube, other productions streamed as part of NATIONAL THEATRE AT HOME include Sally Cookson’s stage adaptation of Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre on the 9th April, Bryony Lavery’s adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island on 16th April, and Twelfth Nighton the 23 April featuring Tamsin Greig as Malvolia in Shakespeare's classic comedy, with further titles to be announced.