Following news that the National Theatre has launched its much anticipated streaming service National Theatre At Home, John Chapman goes back to 2009 and NT Live’s very first live streamed production on cinema screens, Helen Mirren in Phèdre.
‘Combines bravura acting with a battery of visual effects’: GRIEF IS THE THING WITH FEATHERS – Barbican Theatre
Enda Walsh’s adaptation of Max Porter’s contemporary classic gets the big-stage treatment, starring Cillian Murphy. With mixed results.
THE ORESTEIA – Manchester
It’s pretty apt that the newest theatre in Manchester brings one of the first great works of theatre to its stage. The Oresteia, a Greek tragedy, is a trilogy which first saw the light of day back in 458 BC when it was performed in Athens at the Festival of the god Dionysus. This festival involved pitting poet against poet – a much grander version of the poetry slam competitions that we have today – needless to say Aeschylus’ The Oresteia was triumphant, taking home first-place.