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Theatre shows to watch online at home from Cirque du Soleil to National Theatre at Home and the RSC

Want a break from TV shows and to step into a world of wonder?

Here are the latest live theatre and performance shows to watch the comfort of your own home:

Cirque du Soleil's Amaluna
Cirque du Soleil's Amaluna

Cirque du Soleil

CirqueConnect has launched weekly sessions of wonder for all ages to enjoy at home during lockdown and social distancing. Cirque du Soleil is staging 60-minute online rendezvous featuring some of the most awe-inspiring moments from its world-famous shows on its new digital content hub, CirqueConnect.

You can sign up for free to be transported to the creative and imaginary world filled with amazing feats without leaving home.

The special 60-minute programmes include the latest by Cirque du Soleil Amaluna, VOLTA and Bazzar taking fans of all ages into its dreamlike universe

"The mission of Cirque du Soleil has always been to provide unique and awe-inspiring experiences. Our shows give our fans a chance to escape into fantasy and imaginary worlds through our stories and unique characters," said Sheila Morin, chief marketing and experience officer. "Now, more than ever, we need to continue to provide wonderment, even from afar, straight into your homes."

The CirqueConnect content hub is filled with footage from Cirque du Soleil various multimedia offerings. To sign up and watch go to cirquedusoleil.com/club-cirque

Cirque du Soleil Amaluna
Cirque du Soleil Amaluna

National Theatre At Home

The National Theatre is giving people access to live theatre for audiences staying at home on its YouTube channel on Thursdays.

Bryony Lavery’s adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island will be screened on Thursday, April 16, and Twelfth Night on Thursday, April 23, featuring Tamsin Greig as Malvolia.

National Theatre Live's Twelfth Night, with Tamsin Greig (right) Picture: Marc Brenner
National Theatre Live's Twelfth Night, with Tamsin Greig (right) Picture: Marc Brenner

Treasure Island starts on a dark and stormy night. The stars are out. Jim, the inn-keeper’s granddaughter, opens the door to a terrifying stranger. At the old sailor’s feet sits a huge sea-chest, full of secrets. Jim invites him in – and her dangerous voyage begins.

National Theatre Live's Treasure Island Picture: Johan Persson
National Theatre Live's Treasure Island Picture: Johan Persson

The National Theatre Live's mission is to make world class theatre that’s entertaining, challenging and inspiring – and to make it for everyone, to reach the widest possible audience and to be as inclusive, diverse and national as possible. Further titles are set to be announced should lockdown continue. To find out more go to nationaltheatre.org.uk.

Royal Shakespeare Company

The RSC may currently be closed but 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 17 shows and weekly Saturday premieres. Productions available to watch include Antony and Cleopatra, Coriolanus, Hamlet, Othello, Richard II and The Tempest.

Artistic director Gregory Doran said: “Shakespeare speaks to us unlike any other writer, and this partnership with Marquee will enable everyone to enjoy his work, bringing us together virtually at a time when many of us will be apart.”

Watch and sign up at rsc.org.uk

Hamlet by the RSC (2016) Picture: Manuel Harlan
Hamlet by the RSC (2016) Picture: Manuel Harlan

Shakespeare's Globe

Six productions will be available to watch for free on the theatre’s Globe Player which will rotate every two weeks. You can see Hamlet (2018), Romeo & Juliet (2009), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2013), The Winter's Tale (2018), The Two Noble Kinsmen (2018) and The Merry Wives of Windsor (2019).

The Globe Player will also host all 37 Complete Walk short films for free, made to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, with an all-star cast shot on location in the real setting of each plot. Also hosted for free will be all 34 Globe to Globe titles filmed at the Globe to Globe festival of 2012, bringing together artists talking about plays on the Globe stage.

It is also aiming to continue its 27-year tradition of Shakespeare Walks held for Shakespeare's birthday on April 23, this year with Ashford-born Mark Rylance.

Visit shakespearesglobe.com and for the Globe Player go to globeplayer.tv/

Sadler's Wells

London’s most famous dance theatre has opened up its substantial digital vaults on its streaming platform Digital Stage.

There will be full-length dance performances and workshops online, and performances coming up include a new version of Wilkie Branson’s dance for camera installation TOM, which would have formed part of Sadler’s Wells’ Digital Edition in April.

There will also be free online activities for people to dance along to at home, with family dance workshops for two to six-year-olds curated by Cherie Coleman, and older audiences.

Find out more at sadlerswells.com/whats-on/2020/digital-stage/

London Palladium

The film of The Wind in the Willows production was made at the London Palladium in 2017 and is now available to stream online for free while theatres are closed.

Go to willowsmusical.com and click Play Video.

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