Theatre in the Time of Corona, Latest Edition

13 Jun Theatre in the Time of Corona, Latest Edition

The following is the latest installment of Carol Tambor’s spot-on newsletter about dramatic happenings available for streaming. Below is up-to-the-minute news about what’s available.  To subscribe directly, email SpeakingofTheatre.org.

Start spreading the news: National Theatre Live has announced its summer program, available on National Theatre At Home. And coming up on June 15, a benefit performance, New York’s Red Bull Theatre is presenting an effervescent production, live-streamed, of “The Government Inspector.” Read the New York Times Critic’s Pick review here. Then sign up for a delightful evening.

June 18th: “Small Island,” an adaptation of Andrea Levy’s Orange Prize-winning novel, being streamed to coincide with Windrush Day– the U.K.’s recent recognition of the extensive Caribbean migration seventy years ago.  The Guardian review and others  were  unanimously rapturous!

June 25th: “A Midsummer’s Night Dream,” the Bridge Theatre’s 2019 production, directed by Olivier and Tony  Awards-winning Nicholas Hytner. Read the New York Times’ review and decide for yourself if you don’t actually need to see another production of this perhaps too-often presented play. (You do!)

July 2nd: Lorraine Hansberry, best known for “A Raisin in the Sun,” left drafts of  “Les Blancs,” behind when she died at 34; it was then assembled by her husband. This production is directed by Yael Farber (winner of my Award for “Miss Julie”.) Here’s the Guardian review which will ensure you don’t miss this.

July 9th: Terrence Rattigan’s devastating “The Deep Blue Sea,” directed by the young, celebrated Carrie Cracknell.  The Guardian review highlights Helen McCrory’s powerful portrayal of Hester. You will not forget this performance, nor the play!

July 16th: Peter Shaffer’s iconic “Amadeus,” first presented in 1979, is accompanied by Southbank Sinfonia in Michael Longhurst’s highly acclaimed production. He gives the music as much  focus as the text, to startling effect. Don’t miss!

Not to be overlooked, July 8- 14th, the Old Vic will stream their production of Joe Penhall’s “Mood Music,” starring Ben Chaplin. It’s a moving depiction of an older music mogul taking full credit for a younger, female singer/songwriter’s work. “I can feel my fury and frustration rise, just remembering it,” said Tambor. Please read The Guardian review, then note the dates.

While on  Old Vic’s YouTube site, please look at “The Greatest Wealth.” There’s a video for each decade of the history of the U.K.’s beloved National Health Service, since the 1940s.

See Signature Theatre’s offering of Anna Deavere Smith’s “Twilight: Los Angeles.” This exploration of the aftermath of the Rodney King killing will feel as if it were written in response to today’s events, although first seen in 1994.  You may be interested in the archived New York Times review of that premiere.