West End theatres have been closed for the best part of a year. Although audiences can’t flock to London to enjoy the latest theatre openings, theatre streams have now become more popular than ever. Theatregoers are now making their own West End experiences from home with the wide selection of shows available, and we’ve got you covered for the theatre shows to watch indoors.
Here’s a list of all the London shows and regional productions that are streaming online now. For this list, we’ve included all streaming productions that are premiering online, listed in alphabetical order.
Where can I stream theatre shows?
Prior to when theatres closed in March, there were limited services available, purely dedicated to streaming West End and Broadway shows. Now, there’s a plethora of streaming websites, collectively housing thousands of options out there for audience members of all age. Here’s just a few theatre streaming recommendations.
- National Theatre at Home: Throughout 2020, the National Theatre had millions of viewers glued to their computer screens, watching acclaimed productions from recent years. In December 2020, the National Theatre then launched National Theatre at Home, a dedicated service to NT Live shows. So far, there’s over a dozen shows, including Amadeus, Medea, and Yerma. Watch National Theatre at Home shows here.
- Globe Player: Sadly, we can’t visit Shakespeare’s Globe right now. However, audiences can still get the best of the Bard thanks to Globe Player. As well as streaming Shakespeare plays, there’s interviews with British actors like Judi Dench and Tom Hiddleston to whet your appetitie.
- Netflix: Yes, the worldwide streaming service has enough theatre content to get you through a million lockdowns (hopefully that’s not the case). New releases drop monthly too, with recent films including Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and The Prom.
When can I stream theatre shows?
It’s important to note that all productions have different ways in which you can watch them. Here’s some handy tips to make sure you understand the key differences between “streamed theatre” and “livestreams”.
- A livestreamed theatre production is a performance that is taking place live when you are watching. Livestreamed theatre typically takes place at a specific time, where audiences can book a time slot, instead of watching on demand.
- Some productions are filmed ahead of time and are typically available to watch on demand when released, making them a piece of streamed theatre. In the time that production is available, audiences can press play whenever they wish, instead of being limited to specific showtimes.
- Some theatre streams have a specific time which you have to watch by, in order to see the full production. If you’re wanting to watch a show on its final day, you’ll need to make sure you start tuning in a couple of hours before the posted end time, so you watch the entire show.
- If watching on a service like BroadwayHD or National Theatre at Home, you can decide whether to rent a specific show for a few days at a time, or be able to stream the production unlimited times.
Can I watch theatre on television?
Yes! Although viewers are restricted to watching theatre performances at specific times, there’s lots of opportunities to enjoy the best of British theatre throughout the week. Sky Arts have also made all programmes free to view for all audiences, sharing theatre for everyone. As part of their broadcasting schedule, there’s regular repeats of shows including Les Miserables, The Sound of Music and Jesus Christ Superstar, as well as the upcoming National Theatre Romeo and Juliet film.
London streaming theatre shows available to watch
Closer Than Ever
A new revival of musical revue Closer Than Ever will premiere virtually this autumn. Richard Maltby, Jr. and David Shire's piece explores how individuals fall in love with one another, and the different steps that love takes. Casting includes Kerry Lee, Dalton Harris, Lee Mead and Grace Mouat, with streaming dates to be confirmed.
Available from 23 September.
Roles We'll Never Play
After performances at the Vaudeville Theatre earlier in 2021, enjoy Roles We'll Never Play on screen. The show sees West End stars take on songs from roles they typically wouldn't be cast in. Actors taking part include Alice Fearn, Nicole Raquel Dennis, Jodie Steele and Sam Tutty.
Available from 24 September.
After a summer engagement at the Vaudeville Theatre, the Donmar Warehous will stream all four casts in Constellations. The pairs included Sheila Atim and Ivanno Jeremiah, Peter Capaldi and Zoë Wanamaker, Omari Douglas and Russell Tovey, and Anna Maxwell Martin and Chris O’Dowd.
Available from October.
Lady Chatterley's Lover
When Lady Chatterley's Lover was published, critics scathed D. H. Lawrence's text as a scandalous erotica. Now, it's a musical. After a limited engagement at the Shaftesbury Theatre this summer, see Lady Chatterley's Lover re-energised for a new audience.
Available from 15 October - 21 November.
Cush Jumbo and Adrian Dunbar will star in a new adaptation of Hamlet at the Young Vic this autumn. As part of Hamlet's limited run, audiences from around the world will be able to livestream the production. The livestreaming option is part of artistic director Kwame Kwei-Armah's committment to making every future Young Vic show accesible online. Hamlet tickets at the Young Vic are like gold dust, and you won't want to miss it online.
Available from 28 - 30 October.
Regional streaming theatre shows available to watch
Going The Distance
Inspired by the heroic efforts of theatre groups up and down the country, Henry Filloux-Bennett and Yasmeen Khan's world premiere is celebratory theatre at its finest. Not much is known about the world premiere, but press material states: "Get ready for a brand new comedy about a little theatre with a huge challenge."
Available from 4 - 17 October.
Photo credit: Man being filmed for theatre stream (Photo by Matthew Ball on Unsplash)
