David Farnor | On 23, Apr 2021

With Friday 23rd April marking the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, there’s never been a better time to boot up the internet and see one of his plays performed. While there are more film adaptations of his work in heaven and earth than you can dream of, there’s something about Shakespeare on stage that remains special. Fortunately, even in a time of quarantine, digital theatre is far from rare. You can now rent and buy recordings of a huge variety of theatre plays online to watch in your living room – and Shakespeare is no exception.

Here’s a guide to the theatre productions of his plays that you can stream online:

National Theatre at Home

National Theatre at Home< has a range of theatre plays available to rent for £7.99 - or stream as part of a £9.99 monthly subscription. For more information, visit www.ntathome.com

Julius Caesar

Caesar returns in triumph to Rome and the people pour out of their homes to celebrate his victory. Alarmed by his popularity and growing power, a small group plot to bring him down. After his assassination, civil war erupts on the streets of the capital. The audience surrounds the action in this dynamic promenade staging of Julius Caesar with a cast including Ben Whishaw, Michelle Fairley, David Calder and David Morrissey.

Coriolanus

When an old adversary threatens Rome, the city calls once more on its hero and defender: Coriolanus. But he has enemies at home too. Tom Hiddleston plays the arrogant and fearsome general Coriolanus, in Shakespeare’s searing tragedy of political manipulation and revenge.

Othello

Furious about being overlooked for promotion, Iago plots to take revenge against his General, Othello. In this acclaimed production of Shakespeare’s timeless tale of envy and brutal revenge, Adrian Lester plays Othello and Rory Kinnear is the duplicitous Iago.
 

Sky Arts

Sky Arts broadcasts an array of plays from the National Theatre, RSC and more. It is available on Freeview 11, Freesat 147, or on-demand for Sky customers. Don’t have Sky? You can also stream it live and on-demand legally on NOW, for £9.99 a month, with no contract and a 7-day free trial. For the latest Sky TV packages and prices, click the button below.

Romeo & Juliet

This intimate, inventive production of Shakespeare’s timeless romance, filmed at the National Theatre during lockdown, captures the thrilling immediacy of connection. It is available until 3rd May 2021.

 

BBC iPlayer

The Winter’s Tale

The RSC production of The Winter’s Tale was scheduled to run in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Summer 2020 and then go on tour, but was postponed due to the pandemic. This film adaptation of Shakespeare’s play, directed by Erica Whyman, will air on 25th April at 7pm on BBC Four and then be available on BBC iPlayer.

 

Digital Theatre

DigitalTheatre.com has a range of theatre plays recorded around the UK available to rent for £7.99 – or stream as part of a £9.99 monthly subscription. For more information, visit www.digitaltheatre.com

 

Marquee TV

Marquee TV is subscription platform that offers culture on-demand, serving up a collection of dance, opera, theatre, music and documentaries from around the world. Partners include the Globe Theatre and the RSC, with a subscription costing £8.99 a month. Of particular note is Phyllida Lloyd’s all-female, prison-set trilogy of history plays.

 

Globe Player

Globe Player brings plays from Shakespeare’s Globe in London to your living room, including the theatre’s ambitious Globe to Globe season, which saw the Bard’s plays performed in a range of languages by troupes from around the world. For more information, visit www.globeplayer.tv

All’s Well That Ends Well

Watch online: English / Gujarati

Henry VI: Part 1

Watch online: English / Mexican Spanish

Macbeth

Watch online: Polish / English

Richard III

Watch online: Mandarin

Titus Andronicus

Watch online: Cantonese

The Merchant of Venice

Watch online: Hebrew

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