National Theatre season of free streams bows out - here's what's coming up

Its shows have kept millions entertained during lockdown – and the National Theatre’s series of streamed plays looks to be going out on a high.

Established in April to bring culture and entertainment to audiences around the world during these extraordinary times, National Theatre at Home has so far seen ten productions streamed via the NT’s YouTube channel, with more than 12 million views to date.

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The productions will be broadcast each Thursday at 7pm for free and will then be available on demand for seven days.

The 2016 archive recording of Lorraine Hansberry’s drama Les Blancs, will be streamed on July 2. Directed by Yaël Farber, this powerful play confronts the hope and tragedy of revolution when a family and a post-colonial African nation fall apart under the pressure to determine their own identity. The cast includes Danny Sapani (Medea, Black Panther, Killing Eve), Siân Phillips (People, Clash of the Titans) and Tunji Kasim (Network, Antony & Cleopatra).

Carrie Cracknell’s critically-acclaimed production The Deep Blue Sea, will be streamed on July 9. This devastating masterpiece by Terence Rattigan sees Helen McCrory (Medea, Peaky Blinders) playing one of the greatest female roles in contemporary drama. Filmed live from the Lyttelton Theatre in 2016, The Deep Blue Sea tells the story of a woman’s tempestuous affair with a former RAF pilot and the breakdown of her marriage to a High Court judge.

A scene from Amadeus with Lucian Msamati (centre) as Antonio Salieri (photo: Marc Brenner)A scene from Amadeus with Lucian Msamati (centre) as Antonio Salieri (photo: Marc Brenner)
A scene from Amadeus with Lucian Msamati (centre) as Antonio Salieri (photo: Marc Brenner)

The 2016 National Theatre production of Peter Shaffer’s Amadeus will be streamed on July 16. This drama, which first appeared on the National Theatre stage in 1979 and was later turned into an Oscar winning film, follows rowdy young musical prodigy Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart played by Adam Gillen (Fresh Meat, Benidorm). Awestruck by Mozart’s genius, Court Composer Antonio Salieri, played by Lucian Msamati (His Dark Materials, Master Harold and The Boys), has the power to promote his talent or destroy it. Seized by obsessive jealousy he begins a war with Mozart, with music and, ultimately, with God. Michael Longhurst’s acclaimed production features live orchestral accompaniment by Southbank Sinfonia.

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Each title will also feature additional content alongside the production available on the NT’s YouTube channel for audiences to engage further with the work.

Executive director and joint chief executive Lisa Burger said: “During what has been such an isolating time for many people right across the world it has been wonderful to be able to share these productions with both new and existing audiences, and to have the opportunity to showcase the exceptional creative talent working in our industry.

“The support we and our partner organisations have received, not only in terms of donations, but through messages of thanks, has been so encouraging.

“We’re delighted to be able to bring these final titles to audiences around the world for free and we look forward to announcing the next stage of our NT at Home programming in due course.”

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The final National Theatre at Home Quiz will be available from 7pm on Monday 29 June with Ben Power, Adam Godley, Ben Miles, Simon Russell Beale, Tamsin Greig, Julie Walters, Adrian Lester and Meera Syal posing the questions on topics including the Lehman Brothers, entertainment and general knowledge.The quiz is available via the NT’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.

Viewers wishing to make a donation to support the theatre’s work can visit nationaltheatre.org.uk for more information.

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