YOUR GUIDE TO THIS WEEK IN CULTURE
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Art & Events Dance & Physical Festivals Music Theatre ThisWeek In London
Three To Stream 12-18 May: Upcoming Events, Upcoming Theatre, Already Online, Interesting Online Cultural Options
By TW Editorial | Published on Friday 8 May 2020
We’re still recommending great culture online while London’s venues remain closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Many of these online shows are free to access but with options to make donations. If you can afford to support the performers and producers behind this entertainment that would be brilliant.
THREE UPCOMING EVENTS
Comedy Without Borders | Komedia | 14 May
A charity showcase of comedians from around the world, many of whom are tried and tested TW faves, delivered digitally via Komedia Live’s YouTube channel, so hurrah! The line up includes Anuvab Pal from India, Ari Eldjarn from Iceland, Conrad Koch from South Africa, Francesco De Carlo from Italy, Igor Meerson from Russia, and more. Tune in here at 8pm on Thursday.
Sea Shambles | Royal Albert Hall | 17 May (pictured)
You’ll all definitely be aware of the Stay At Home Festival from Cosmic Shambles, especially as we tipped it at the start of lockdown and you’ve probably been partaking of it lots. You may also be aware that the Cosmic Shambles Network’s planned ‘Sea Shambles’ show was due to happen at Royal Albert Hall this month and was cancelled. The good news is that it will, kinda, go ahead, only, as you might expect, in virtual form. Details here.
Also Festival | 15-17 May
And now for a big festival – in that it involves lots of different things all happening over the course of the next weekend – and all happening, naturellement, online. If you’ve partaken of Also events before you’ll know that – it being an “ideas festival” – you can expect a wide range of stuff, under the subtitles Talks, Food, Wellness, Comedy, Music and Experiences. See the line up and buy tickets here.
THREE UPCOMING THEATRICAL THINGS
So, This Is What Happened | Omnibus Theatre | 12 May (pictured)
It’s a special digital version of this venue’s regular storytelling night. I suppose that’s not, therefore, strictly theatre. Though I think I can argue that storytelling is theatrical and therefore for its inclusion in this section. Six people tell true stories, this time with guests including Faye Dixon, Dele Ogun, Karen Schumacher and Danny Scheinmann. Click here for info.
Midnight Your Time | Donmar Warehouse | from 13 May
“Every Thursday, Judy tries to talk to her daughter online. Judy calls from Islington; her daughter is in Palestine”. Presented by Donmar Warehouse, this play by Adam Brace was written for its performer, the brilliant Diana Quick, and recorded via webcam in the actor’s home during lockdown. It will premiere online this Wednesday at 7.30pm and be available for seven days. Head to the Donmar YouTube channel at the correct time (or thereafter).
The House Never Wins Virtual Tour | Kill The Cat Theatre | 12-23 May
“A new interactive game theatre piece that you can play from the comfort of your own home – exploring the climate crisis, self-isolation and gambling with the planet’s future”, is exactly Kill The Cat Theatre’s explanation of what this is and I think that will do. Sounds great, click here for info and to register.
THREE THINGS ALREADY ONLINE
It Is Easy To Be Dead | Finborough Theatre
More theatrical stuff now, but this time it’s stuff you don’t have to put a reminder in your calendar for, because it’s already online so you can just click and consume ASAP. The first is this recording of a performance of the very critically acclaimed and much award-nominated ‘It Is Easy To Be Dead’, which premiered at the Finborough in 2016 and subsequently transferred to Trafalgar Studios. See it here.
Jane Eyre | Blackeyed Theatre | 10-17 May (pictured)
Next up is Blackeyed Theatre’s production of ‘Jane Eyre’, which actually isn’t online at the time of writing but will be by the time you read this. Do take advantage quickly though, as it’s only going to be available to view until Sunday 17 May. The company were scheduled to complete a tour during this lockdown period, but obviously couldn’t continue. More info and how to watch here.
Ripples | National Theatre Wales | Until 16 May
“Eight strangers join an online rehab group to confront, revisit and replay the traumas of their past. How can they re-connect with themselves and each other in a world so disconnected? ‘Ripples’ compassionately explores what leads us to seek help”. You also need to see this one from National Theatre Wales fairly quickly, as it’s available until Saturday 16 May and is well worth the watch. Info and links here.
THREE MORE INTERESTING ONLINE CULTURAL OPTIONS
Music From St Martin In The Fields
By calling this section ‘interesting’ I don’t mean to imply that all the other tipped shows and events aren’t interesting – I was just looking for a word to tie together three fairly disparate things that I really wanted to recommend. Starting with online content from St Martin In The Fields, where they are posting regular choral music recordings and podcasts. While you are there, please consider making a donation: their valuable work supporting the vulnerable and homeless is more important than ever right now.
A Look Back At Amici | Amici Dance Theatre Company | 18 – 23 May (pictured)
The brilliant Amic Dance Theatre Company celebrate their fortieth this year, but were sadly forced to abandon their anniversary show because of COVID-19. Instead, they are going to stream recordings of six of their most renowned performances starting next Monday. Each one goes out at 7.30pm via YouTube, see this page here for a list, with info and links.
Ethical Matters: No Visible Bruises – What We Don’t Know About Domestic Violence Can Kill Us | Conway Hall | 18 May
You may remember that Conway Hall, whilst forced to cancel many events, is presenting some via online means, and this is one of them. It’s on a particularly important topic, in my opinion, and one that is in many ways ignored and misunderstood. It sounds like this talk by Rachel Louise Snyder will get very much to the heart of the matter. See this page here.
