David Farnor | On 03, Jun 2020

The Bristol Old Vic theatre is bringing back its production of Messiah for free online.

Exploring the dramatic heart of Handel’s composition, the production is a dramatisation of the piece that turns it into a stage show. First performed in 2017, it presented Messiah as Handel controversially intended – performed for the people in a theatre, rather than in a sacred space.

It picks up after the death of a messianic leader, which has left his bereaved community of followers struggling with conflict, doubt and the shaking of faith that this has awoken.

The production, captured and edited by CinemaLive, is directed by Tom Morris (War Horse, Touching the Void) and performed by one of Europe’s most celebrated Baroque orchestras, The English Concert, under their Artistic Director Harry Bicket.

The two-hour play is available on YouTube or free until 6pm on Friday 5th June. The Bristol Old Vic will then be teaming up with London’s Old Vic Theatre to stream a recording of A Monster Calls from Friday 5th June – read more here. They follow the National Theatre at Home’s streaming of the Bristol Old Vic’s 2014 production of Jane Eyre in April.

Add to Watchlist