David Farnor | On 18, Dec 2020

The Shows Must Go On will go on again this weekend, as the YouTube channel officially returns on Friday night to stream recordings of musical productions for free worldwide.

The initiative, which began with Andrew Lloyd Webber shows, is operated by Universal, which will offer videos for free online every Friday night, kicking off at 7pm BST and then available on-demand for 48 hours afterwards.

Previous musicals have included Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Phantom of the Opera and Love Never Dies (plus Andrew’s flop By Jeeves), not to mention Cats, Hairspray Live!, The Wiz Live! and Peter Pan starring Christopher Walken.

Fans are encouraged to donate to charities rather than pay for the video, such as the Actors’ Benevolent Fund, which supports actors and stage managers experiencing hardship.

On Friday 25th September, the YouTube channel returned with Fame. Now, after a second chance to catch the 25th anniversary production of Phantom of the Opera, the 2012 production of Jeff Wayne’s The War of The Worlds, and now, it’s lined up a whole season of Tony Award winners, kicking off with An American in Paris and continuing this weekend with Kinky Boots.

For the full line-up and to watch, look below, or visit the YouTube channel.

Looking for more theatre to stream? You can see our full guide to streaming plays online here – or head this way for our ongoing stay-at-home culture festival QuaranstreamFest.

 

The Shows Must Go On – Schedule

Kinky Boots – 18th December

Start time: 7pm
Starring: Matt Henry, Killian Donnelly

Based on the 2005 British film, Cyndi Lauper and Harvey Fierstein’s musical follows Charlie, a factory owner struggling to save his family business. Lola is a fabulous entertainer with a wildly exciting idea. With a little compassion and a lot of understanding, this unexpected pair learns to embrace their differences and create a line of sturdy stilettos unlike any the world has ever seen.

 

The Shows Must Go On – Past streams

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (2000) – 17th July

Start time: 7pm
Starring: Donny Osmond, Joan Collins, Richard Attenborough

An adaptation of the hit Lloyd-Webber stage musical based on the Old Testament story of Joseph (Donny Osmond) the youngest son of Jacob (Richard Attenborough) tells of his betrayal by his jealous brothers and of his being sold into slavery.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (2000) – 3rd April

Start time: 7pm
Starring: Donny Osmond, Joan Collins, Richard Attenborough

An adaptation of the hit Lloyd-Webber stage musical based on the Old Testament story of Joseph (Donny Osmond) the youngest son of Jacob (Richard Attenborough) tells of his betrayal by his jealous brothers and of his being sold into slavery.

Jesus Chris Superstar – 10th April

Start time: 7pm
Starring: Tim Minchin, Melanie C, Ben Forster, Chris Moyles

Celebrating 40 years since it first opened in London’s West End, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical traces the last seven days of Jesus Christ’s life.

Phantom of the Opera – 17th April

Start time: 7pm
Starring: Ramin Karimloo, Sierra Boggess, Hadley Fraser

The 25th anniversary production of this stone-cold stage classic was recorded back in 2011 at the Royal Albert Hall. Due to rights restrictions, this will only be available on-demand for 24 hours in the UK and 48 hours in all other countries.

Love Never Dies – 24th April

Start time: 7pm
Starring: Ben Lewis, Anna O’Byrne

The legend returns with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sequel to The Phantom of The Opera, starring Ben Lewis as The Phantom and Anna O’Byrne as Christine. Available for 48 hours globally.

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Royal Albert Hall Celebration – 1st May

Start time: 7pm
Starring: Elaine Paige, Glenn Close, Sarah Brightman, Antonio Banderas, Michael Ball

Andrew Lloyd’s 50th birthday celebration, from 1998, is a celebratory tribute to the his musical compositions, all performed live at the Royal Albert Hall. Expect hits from Starlight Express, Evita, Cats, Phantom of the Opera, Jesus Christ Superstar and more.
Available for 48 hours globally.

By Jeeves – 8th May

Start time: 7pm
Starring: Martin Jarvis, John Scherer, Donna Lynne Champlin, Tom Ford

Alan Ayckbourn and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical comedy extravaganza, By Jeeves! Inspired by the works of P. G. Wodehouse, the musical debuted in 1975 at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London, before closing one month later. The result? Andrew’s favourite flop, and a rare chance to see his disaster musical thanks to a TV movie filmed in 2001.

Cats – 15th May

Start time: 7pm
Starring: Elaine Page

Based on TS Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, the show introduces us to the world of Jellicle cats, who all join together for one night to decide which one of them will ascend to the Heaviside Layer and come back to a new life. Before the much-derided film adaptation was released in 2019, a recording was made of the original stage show back in 1998.

The Sound of Music – 22nd May

Start time: 7pm
Starring: Carrie Underwood

The Rodgers and Hammerstein’s timeless musical classic. Available for 48 hours in the UK. Due to rights restrictions, this show won’t be available in the US, LATAM and Asia.

Hairspray Live! – 29th May

Start time: 7pm
Starring: Kristin Chenoweth, Harvey Fierstein, Ariana Grande, Derek Hough, Jennifer Hudson, Martin Short

Hairspray Live! tells the inspiring story of Tracy Turnblad, a plump teen in 1962 Baltimore who wins a spot on a local TV dance program and ignites a campaign to integrate the show. The three-hour live event is directed by Kenny Leon and features choreography from Jerry Mitchell. Available for 48 hours.

The Wiz Live! – 12th June

Start time: 7pm
Starring: Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige, Uzo Aduba

The show brings the wonderful world of Oz to life like never before, featuring a star-studded cast of performers and the awe-inspiring Cirque du Soleil Theatrical. Whisked away from home by a tornado, young Dorothy finds herself transported to the magical Land of Oz, where she sets off on a quest to meet the powerful Wizard and find her way back home. Crossing paths with enchanting friends and wicked foes, Dorothy’s journey is a timeless tale about friendship, courage and learning to believe in oneself.

Peter Pan – 19th June

Start time: 7pm
Starring: Christopher Walken

Christopher Walken dusts off his tap-dancing shoes to portray Captain Hook in this musical version of the classic tale.

The Sound of Music Live! – 26th June

Start time: 7pm
Starring: Carrie Underwood

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s timeless musical classic returns.

Michael Flatley Celtic Tiger – 3rd July

Start time: 7pm
Starring: Michael Flatley

The international dancing master returns with another stage performance, taking as his subject the history and spirit of Ireland and its long traditions of music and dance.

Fame – 25th September

Based on the 1980 phenomenal pop culture film, Fame The Musical is the international smash hit sensation following the lives of students at New York’s High School For The Performing Arts as they navigate their way through the highs and lows, the romances and the heartbreaks and the ultimate elation of life. This is the recording of the 30th anniversary tour from the Peacock Theatre in London’s West End.

Start time: 7pm
Starring: Keith Jack, Jorgie Porter, Mica Paris

Michael Ball Concert – 2nd October

Start time: 7pm
Starring: Michael Ball

Celebrate Michael Ball’s legendary career on the West End stage with the full performance of his Past & Present show live from the Royal Albert Hall, with show-stopping hits including Gethsemane (Jesus Christ Superstar), Empty Chairs At Empty Tables (Les Miserables) and Love Changes Everything (Aspects of Love).

The Phantom of the Opera – 9th October

Start time: 7pm
Starring: Ramin Karimloo, Sierra Boggess, Hadley Fraser

To celebrate the 34th anniversary of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical, the 2011 production recorded at the Royal Albert Hall is being streamed once more.

Note: This is available in the UK for 24 hours only.

Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds – 23rd October

Start time: 7pm
Starring: Liam Neeson, Jason Donovan, Marti Pellow, Ricky Wilson

This full stage adaptation of H.G. Wells’ alien invasion novel was recorded live at London’s O2 arena in 2012 with no fewer than 23 cameras. It includes Liam Neeson in advanced 3D holography, Jason Donovan, Kaiser Chiefs’ Ricky Wilson, Wet Wet Wet’s Marti Pellow, Jettblack’s Will Stapleton and Wicked’s Kerry Ellis, plus the symphonic ULLAdubULLA Strings conducted by Jeff Wayne and a 35-foot tall Martian Fighting Machine firing Heat Ray flames over the audience.

The 2012 performance was in loving memory of the late Michael Falzon, who played The Artilleryman when The War of The Worlds toured Australia and New Zealand in 2007, and the NASA Controller in across the UK and Europe from 2010 to 2012.

From Here to Eternity – 6th November

Start time: 7pm
Written by: Tim Rice

Pearl Harbor, 1941, where the girls sing “don’cha like Hawaii”, the men of G Company sing the blues, and where even on an army base, love and desire are never very far away. Adapted from one of the greatest novels of the 20th century, this is a tale of illicit love and army life, translated into a breath-taking, romantic and excitingly original show.

Note: This is available in the UK for 48 hours only.

An American in Paris – 27th November

Jerry Mulligan is an American GI striving to make it as a painter in a city suddenly bursting with hope and possibility. Following a chance encounter with a beautiful young dancer named Lise, the streets of Paris become the backdrop to a sensuous, modern romance of art, friendship and love in the aftermath of war.

Inspired by the Oscar-winning film, this Tony Award winner tells the impassioned story of discovering love in the City of Light. Features such George and Ira Gershwin classics as ‘S Wonderful and I Got Rhythm.

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