Watching Shakespeare during Coronavirus

The number of coronavirus cases has been increasing exponentially throughout the world. We are in fear of a second wave. Even Shakespeare’s Globe in London has made the difficult decision to close its doors. During this time of isolation, we need to keep sharing stories and experiencing theatre. Here is an updated list of ways to watch Shakespeare during coronavirus. If you have any additions to this list, we invite you to email or Facebook message us.

            1) From July 16 - 24 on Tuesday through Sunday evenings, Gallery Players are putting on a live virtual production of Hamlet. Tickets for this production require registration, but are free.

2) The Barn Theatre's At Home Full Performance of Henry V is available for livestream on Youtube.

3) The University of Texas "Shakespeare at Winedale" program has completed two live Zoom performances of Shakespeare's plays so far. The recordings are available at Facebook links, to both Midsummer on Midsummer's Night and an hour-long Shakespeare's Birthday festival featuring scenes, speeches, and songs.

4) Amazon Prime includes multiple free Shakespeare movies, including performances of King Lear (starring Anthony Hopkins, Emma Thompson, and Emily Watson from 2018), Much Ado About Nothing (starring Richard Briers, Kate Beckinsale, and Imelda Staunton from 1993), Macbeth (starring Patrick Stewart, Kate Fleetwood, and Michael Feast from 2011) Henry V (starring Kenneth Branagh, Simon Shepherd, and Derek Jacobi from 1989), BBC Television Shakespeare: Macbeth (starring Nicol Williamson, Jane Lapotaire, and Brenda Bruce from 1983) and BBC Television Shakespeare: Taming of the Shrew (starring Sarah Badel and John Cleese 1980).3) The Stratford Festival allows for livestream of their forum lectures.

            5) The Stratford Festival allows for livestream of their forum lectures.

            6) Patrick Stewart posts his reading of a new Shakespearean sonnet everyday on his Facebook page.


            7) Shakespeare's Globe has made many of their productions available online for free! Visit their Facebook page or website to learn more. Their full 2020 production of Macbeth is currently on Youtube for livestream.

            8) Red Bull Theatre has a calendar of their upcoming RemarkaBULL Podversations, podcasts featuring famous Shakespearean actors as they discuss certain Shakespearean characters, scenes, and plays. The podcasts air on Mondays at 7:30PM ET, but previous podcasts are available for streaming anytime.

            9) Internet users across the world are participating in the Royal Shakespeare Company and Folger Shakespeare Library's #ShareYourShakespeare challenge on Instagram and TikTok. More information about the viral hashtag can be found here. The Public Theater also offers a virtual Shakespeare  challenge, #BraveNewShakespeare. The Public Theater posts new weekly challenges on their website every Sunday at 10AM ET. Users can participate on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Wishing you health and happiness in this time of illness and risk.

© 2020 by The Green-Eyed Blogger