David Farnor | On 15, Jul 2021

Several new productions have been added to National Theatre at Home this week, including titles from Michaela Coel, Ivo van Hove and Rufus Norris.

Chewing Gum Dreams is the semi-autobiographical, one-woman play written and performed by Michaela Coel (I May Destroy You). The production was filmed for the National Theatre Archive in April 2014 and this is the first time this recording has been released for the public to stream. The play went on to become a television series on E4 in 2015, for which Coel would win two BAFTAs.

The Young Vic’s 2014 production of A View from the Bridge saw visionary Ivo Van Hove direct Mark Strong and Nicola Walker in Arthur Miller’s dark and passionate play. The critically acclaimed production won three Olivier Awards and transferred to the West End and Broadway. National Theatre Live filmed the production in the West End in 2015 and it becomes available on demand for the first time today.

Everyman, a new adaptation by Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy from the 15th-century morality play, was directed by Rufus Norris in 2015 in his first production as Director of the National Theatre and filmed live in the Olivier theatre with Chiwetel Ejiofor as Everyman.

The releases follow the National Theatre’s partnership with Amazon Prime Video to release a number of high-profile productions exclusively – including Danny Boyle’s 2011 production of Frankenstein, starring Jonny Lee Miller and Benedict Cumberbatch, and Sonia Friedman Productions’ Hamlet, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, alongside Fleabag and Ian McKellen on Stage.

Emma Keith, Director of Digital Media at the National Theatre, said: “It’s fantastic to be able to make more of these impactful and enchanting productions available for audiences around the world to enjoy. I’m delighted to be able to showcase some important productions in our recent theatre history, such as Michaela Coel’s Chewing Gum Dreamswhich went onto become the BAFTA-winning television series, Benedict Cumberbatch’s Hamlet which was the fastest selling ticket in history, Chiwetel Ejiofor commanding the Olivier stage in Rufus Norris’ first production as National Theatre Director and Ivo van Hove’s seminal A View from the Bridge at the Young Vic… This is a very exciting month of titles on National Theatre at Home! I’m thrilled that we also have 15 productions available with audio-description to support blind and partially sighted audiences, as well as captions for every production. As we now reach seven months of the streaming platform, with new productions added monthly, it’s brilliant to see such a varied range of curated titles so there’s truly something for everybody to enjoy.”

National Theatre at Home costs £9.99 a month or £99.99 a year, with individual titles available to rent from £5.99 to £8.99.

Add to Watchlist