All this week, you can find a free premiere each night from Ross McGregor’s Talking Gods series of new plays on the website of theatre company Arrows & Traps, who specialise in classic adaptations and historical new writing.
‘Strangers can share the most profound things’: OPEN MIC – Soho Theatre (Online review)
This is a curious show: announced as a semi-improvised production with audience participation, Open Mic is streamed live from the Soho Theatre’s Cabaret Space.
‘Feels very much of the here & now’: IN PLAIN SIGHT – Different Theatre (Online review)
In Plain Sight is a surreal piece which toys with the expectations of both a digital ‘theatre’ piece and the historical characters it depicts.
‘Uneasy watch, but a necessary one’: THE LESSON (Online review)
At slightly under 40 minutes, The Lesson has moments which are both hilarious and educational, as well as making the audience think about the truly shocking messages being discussed.
‘Colourful & bright tale’: JABALA & THE JINN – Belgrade Theatre, Coventry (Online review)
Jabala & The Jinn is a piece of drama which explores complex themes on growing up, honesty, and friendship.
‘A work of art in its own right’: FLAVOUR TEXT – Chronic Insanity (Online review)
Flavour Text is the fourth show in Chronic Insanity’s 12×12 project for 2021. A browser-based game in which clues are followed to solve a mystery, it follows previous shows Means of Production, 24, 23, 32 and Hairy Hands.
‘Viewpoints sorely needed’: HEAR ME ROAR – Burn Bright (Online review)
An excellent set of seven short plays made their debut on Monday night in a Zoom presentation called Hear Me Roar, produced by Burn Bright.
‘Deeply effective & emotionally engaging’: BKLYN THE MUSICAL – Lambert Jackson Productions (Online review)
BKLYN the Musical is assured, confident and dynamic, while staying true to its source material. I thoroughly enjoyed its innovation, cleverness and attention to detail.
‘The music is magical & the visuals impressive’: DREAM – Royal Shakespeare Company (Online review)
Dream, using motion capture of actors, animation, music and some audience interaction, is not an adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, but is inspired by the forest presented within it. It was originally planned as live experience by the Royal Shakespeare Company, but has now moved to online.
‘Never flags in its delivery or pace’: WHERE THE BUGABOO LIVES – Little Angel Theatre (Online review)
Where The Bugaboo Lives is the Little Angel’s first Zoom production, performed live. It joins the productions which have been available for free on their YouTube channel during theatre closure.
‘An innovative & imaginative piece’: CURSE OF THE CRACKLES – Shoreditch Town Hall (Online review)
The world premiere of “the great sonic adventure” Curse of the Crackles proves to be 45 minutes of utter fun. Find yourself a dark space or wear an eye mask, plug in your headphones, and interact when you like in this audio experience which brings all kinds of sounds to surround you in your living space.
‘The music is absolutely beautiful’: LOVE IN THE LOCKDOWN (Online review)
A web series from medieval music group The Telling, written and produced by their artistic director Clare Norburn; the third episode of Love in the Lockdown will land on YouTube on 23 March 2021.
‘A narrative that entertains & educates’: JINA & THE STEM SISTERS – HMDT Music (Online review)
Jina and the STEM Sisters is the story of young aspiring scientist Jina, who meets key women from the fields of Science, Tech, Engineering and Maths (STEM) as she tries to find her way home. Rachel Barnett-Jones writes a narrative that entertains and educates, with music by Jenny Gould.
‘Pulling back the layers’: BIRDS & BEES – Theatre Centre (Online review)
A production of the Theatre Centre, in association with Soho Theatre, Birds and Bees is an important new dramatic addition to the discussion around sexting, consent, and “revenge porn”.
‘A light touch & a dose of laughter’: FABLES AT THE KITCHEN TABLE – Stute Theatre (Online review)
Soph is a storyteller, sharing tales from Aesop’s Fables to a virtual audience of school groups on Zoom. Fables at the Kitchen Table is the latest show from Stute Theatre, aimed at children aged 3-7, and it is tremendous fun.
‘Intriguing piece’: 24, 23, 22 – Chronic Insanity (Online review)
24, 23, 22, the latest production from theatre whizzes Chronic Insanity runs about 48 minutes, and is viewed across two devices (computer and phone).
‘Not simply a journey through history’: The Road to Prominence / Break Free – Thespie (Online review)
Thespie has launched its newest concerts in celebration of Black musicians and composers, and of LGBTQIA+ performers. These are now available on demand, and their proceeds go to Black Lives Matter and Stonewall respectively.
‘A entertaining confection in the old Broadway style’: DADDY LONG LEGS – Boulevard Productions (Online theatre)
Daddy Long Legs is an entertaining confection in the old Broadway style, filmed before an audience at the Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin, and presented by Boulevard Productions.
‘Your chance to boogie in the stars’: HOTLINE – Tron Theatre (Online review)
A new audio experience from Tron Theatre and Produced Moon, Hotline is an interactive piece over the telephone, concerning a call to the Moon.
‘Each performance is well worth seeing’: SECRET SOCIETY OF LEADING LADIES – Barn Theatre (Online review)
The Secret Society of Leading Ladies is the latest initiative from the Barn Theatre and it gives you, the viewer, the power to create your own concert.