Theatres around the world put productions online

As theatres across the UK make digital content available during the shutdown, British audiences can also view productions from other theatres around the world, some with English subtitles.

Richard III by Arno Declair

The Schaubühne in Berlin is to stream some of its world-class productions, from its early years through to the present day. The programme will be available from 5.30pm (UK time) until 11pm every day from today (31 March).

While some will be only in German, several will have English subtitles including productions by leading director Thomas Ostermeier: Hamlet in 2008, Richard III in 2015 (pictured) and Yasmina Reza’s Bella Figura in 2015.

Also with English subtitles will be Simon McBurney’s adaptation of Stefan Zweig’s Beware of Pity in 2015. Legendary productions by the theatre’s founder Peter Stein will also be available, albeit only in German, such as his 1980 version of Aeschylus’s Oresteia, Botho Strauss’s Big and Little in 1978 and Maxim Gorky’s Summerfolk in 1974. Visit their website for the full programme.

Every day before each recording is broadcast, the Schaubühne will publish short readings, improvisations, stories or songs at 5pm (UK time). Members of the theatre’s ensemble will also post video messages from their domestic isolation.

In Munich, the Kammerspiele has created a fourth space digitally, Kammer 4, for streaming different productions from its repertory for 24 hours from 5pm (UK time) each day, such as Thomas Melle’s translation of King Lear, directed by Stefan Pucher.

While the Kammerspiele offers performances of most of its productions with English surtitles, it is not clear yet whether English subtitles will be available for any of the broadcasts. Visit their website for the full programme. In Paris, the Théâtre du Châtelet is streaming free content such as its spectacular show, Parade, which was put together to celebrate its reopening last year. It is also streaming its hit production of Offenbach’s comic opera, La Belle Hélène, and posting videos from past performers such as actor Ryan Steele who was in An American in Paris. Visit their website for details.

We will continue to add to this list as we hear of other overseas theatres streaming content.