Heathers: The Musical
How very! The sour bubblegum musical inspired by the cult 80s teen movie was filmed during its residency at London’s Other Palace, where they offer karaoke nights and “freeze your brain” cocktails. Make your own slushie and sing along on the sofa as Veronica and JD do some damage. On Icon Film Channel.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
The mighty US dance company is one of the main draws at this summer’s Edinburgh international festival where they will present two programmes. Head to YouTube for a full performance from Lincoln Center in New York in 2015, comprising Wayne McGregor’s Chroma, Ronald K Brown’s Grace, Robert Battle’s Takademe and, of course, Ailey’s signature piece, Revelations.
Stray Dogs
An executioner longs to become a healer in Theo Chester’s debut play which asks what you would risk to build a better world. Tommo Fowler’s recent production at Theatre503 in London is available to stream for one month from 2 May – but tickets must be bought before 7.30pm that day.
The Silence and the Noise
The rural touring company Pentabus remains committed to making new plays available for free online. Tom Powell’s two-hander, also staged at Vault festival this year, is a county lines drama in which a drug runner meets the daughter of an addict. Streaming until 31 May. Read the review.
A Man for All Time
This four-part, two-hour masterclass on Shakespeare is hosted by director Trevor Nunn, who discusses key moments in the playwright’s life and also stages scenes from the plays, performed by a cast including Judi Dench (as Prospero) and Roger Allam (as Henry V). From MarqueeTV.
‘Master Harold’… and the Boys
Choreographer Shelley Maxwell is having a moment with The Secret Life of Bees at the Almeida. Her movement direction adds heart to Athol Fugard’s tale about the ballroom dreams of two tea-room employees (played by Lucian Msamati and Hammed Animashaun in this 2019 production). From National Theatre at Home.
Elaine Stritch at Liberty
New additions to BroadwayHD’s archive include Othello with Willard White, the celebratory Irish concert Meeting at the Crossroads and an evening with the indomitable Elaine Stritch. Filmed at London’s Old Vic in 2002, it finds the star holding court with showbiz anecdotes and hits including The Ladies Who Lunch.
Panti Bliss: High Heels in Low Places
“Gender discombobulist” Panti Bliss returns to the stage at Soho theatre in London this month with a new show, If These Wigs Could Talk. You can stream Bliss’s 2017 hit, which is smart, poignant and passionate in turn, as the Irish drag queen leads a highly personal journey through pride and prejudice.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Forty years after the choreographer’s death, here is a chance to see George Balanchine’s full-length Shakespearean ballet, performed at the Paris Opera in 2017 with stunning sets and costumes by Christian Lacroix. It’s available on the new streaming service POP (Paris Opera Play).
Nicht Schlafen
Alain Platel’s nightmarish dance-theatre production from 2016 leaves you as ragged as the backcloth that hangs behind the bare-chested dancers from Les Ballets C de la B, who are lost in wrack and ruin to the sound of Mahler. A grimly compelling study of destruction. Available from Arte.
