The best theatre to stream this month: Andrew Scott’s Vanya and an Othello with three Iagos
Vanya
Andrew Scott plays every role in Simon Stephens’ Olivier award-winning version of Uncle Vanya, ingeniously navigating the intimate encounter between Helena and Michael on his own. Filmed at the Duke of York’s theatre during a sold-out run in London last year, it has a “live premiere” on National Theatre at Home on 19 September.
People, Places & Things
NT at Home presents the recent revival of Duncan Macmillan’s addiction drama, starring Denise Gough, in a double bill with Vanya on 19 September. It’s a chance to see two of the West End’s most talked-about performances back-to-back.
[Title of Show]
Filmed in a rehearsal room at the London Coliseum during the 2020 lockdown, this 2004 meta musical by Jeff Bowen and Hunter Bell makes a backstage drama out of two unsung composers collaborating on a new show. It’s quirky fun with a fine quartet of actors: Marc Elliot, Tyrone Huntley, Lucie Jones and Jenna Russell. From BroadwayHD.
My Favorite Things
Last winter, Theatre Royal Drury Lane hosted a starry Rodgers and Hammerstein tribute to mark the 80th anniversary of Oklahoma! hitting Broadway. Now available from various streaming platforms, it features songs from South Pacific and The Sound of Music, too, with Audra McDonald delivering the concert’s title number.
Central Intelligence
Eloise Page joined the CIA when it was formed in 1947 and spent four decades working for the agency. Kim Cattrall gives us Page’s perspective in Radio 4’s 10-part audio drama, available on BBC Sounds from 13 September. Ed Harris and Johnny Flynn co-star.
More Than One Story
Cardboard Citizens, Black Apron Entertainment and the Big Issue present a series of short monologues upending stereotypes about homelessness. Sonali Bhattacharyya, Roy Williams, Naomi Westerman and Charlie Josephine are among the playwrights featured.
Othello
Iago is played by a trio of actors (Jeremy Neumark Jones, Orlando James and Michael C Fox, who also composes) in Sinéad Rushe’s pacy and truncated tragedy, filmed at Riverside Studios last autumn. On Original Online from 27 September (6 September if you’re a member).
The Varnishing Days
One of the most theatrical of standups, John Kearns recorded his touring show The Varnishing Days at London’s Royal Court. Available from Now, it finds the tonsure-favouring comedian reflecting on painting and parenthood in what the Guardian’s Brian Logan called “the finest set of his career so far”.
Anti-Racist Shakespeare
Alongside its catalogue of past productions on the Globeplayer, Shakespeare’s Globe presents a series of webinars that examine the Bard’s plays “through the lens of race and social justice”. Scholars, actors, playwrights and directors give their thoughts on plays from Romeo and Juliet to Henry VIII.
Qui Som?
Each summer, Arte.TV streams a premiere from the Avignon festival. For 2024, it’s a show by the Franco-Catalan circus company Baro d’Evel, who describe their creations as “ceremonies”. This one involves performers wading through a sea of plastic bottles and sets out to answer the question: “who are we?” Available until 5 October.
