David Farnor | On 20, Jul 2020

Andrew Scott is heading back to the Old Vic Theatre this summer for a live-streamed production of Three Kings.

The new play by Stephen Beresford was written for the Sherlock star. When Patrick is eight years old his absent father returns unexpectedly and in a brief but memorable encounter, sets him the challenge of The Three Kings. Years later – recalling that meeting, and the revelations that followed – Patrick traces the events of his father’s life – and takes us on a journey of grandiose plans, aching disappointments and audacious self delusion.

The play has been created especially for Old Vic: In Camera, the theatre’s new run of socially distanced online plays, which are broadcast to ticketholders via Zoom. As well as a creative experiment, the initiative is a crucial step for the Old Vic to be able earn money when all its usual channels of revenue have been entirely wiped out by the coronavirus lockdown.

The scratch performance will be streamed live directly from the Old Vic stage with the empty auditorium as a backdrop. It will run for five performances only at 7.30pm on Wednesday 29th to Saturday 1st August, with an additional 3.30pm matinee on the Saturday.

Tickets go on general sale to the public at 10am on Wednesday 22nd July, with one ticket required per household and tickets available for up to 1,000 people to watch per night, replicating the capacity of the usual theatre audience. Prices range from the Old Vic’s usual £10 to £65 to allow for a range of contributions from viewers – although each “seat” will have the same view.

It follows a similar production of Lungs, starring Matt Smith and Claire Foy.

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