Photo from Pixabay
Cover Photo from Pixabay

In response to the need for social distancing, theatres all over the world have closed their doors for now. Fortunately, there are ways for us to enjoy top-tier performances through digital means while still doing our part to flatten the curve.

In a measure to contain the spread of COVID-19, several countries have been placed under lockdown or quarantine, with some even closing borders to limit the movement of citizens and visitors alike. Classes were suspended, travel restrictions were enforced, work from home measures were implemented, and mass gatherings were banned.

It has been emphasised that one of the best ways to help flatten the curve is to stay at home. And though such a mandate definitely has us missing the joys of the outside world, there is plenty we can do to stay productive and keep ourselves amused indoors. Other than Netflix marathons, online streaming has allowed us to watch opera and Broadway performances right from the comfort of our living rooms. In this time of quarantine, such performances have been made accessible by some of the most prestigious companies in the world—for free.

Broadway

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Photo by Marcus Herzberg from Pexels
Above Photo by Marcus Herzberg from Pexels

New York is one of several US states bearing the brunt of the Coronavirus, which means that the live staging of plays has been put on indefinite hold. In the meantime, theatre fans will be able to enjoy performances online through BroadwayHD (broadwayhd.com). Launched in 2015, the theatre streaming service is currently offering a seven-day free trial. Choose from a selection of nearly 300 productions, and enjoy singing along to numbers from Cats, The King and I, The Sound of Music, and Kinky Boots, among others, within the safety of your home.

The Metropolitan Opera

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Photo by Donald Tong from Pexels
Above Photo by Donald Tong from Pexels

“We’d like to provide some grand opera solace to opera lovers in these extraordinarily difficult times,” said Met General Manager Peter Gelb in a statement. Just a day after cancelling all performances through 31 March, the Met announced that it would be going the digital route through its Live in HD series. First to go online (16 March) was the 2010 staging of Bizet’s Carmen, conducted by Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin and starring Elīna Garanča in the titular role. Performances are uploaded nightly and will remain available for 20 hours on metopera.org.

Paris Opera

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Photo by Margerretta from Pexels
Above Photo by Margerretta from Pexels

Filling virtual seats in lieu of in-house ones during quarantine season, Paris Opera has begun streaming some of the finest performances from its archive. From 17 March to 3 May, opera enthusiasts can visit the Opera (operadeparis.fr) and Culturebox (france.tv/spectacles-et-culture) websites to stream. Each performance will be available for six days until the next one on the slate will take its place. The line-up opens with Manon and closes with Carmen. Also worth streaming are Don Giovanni (23 to 29 March) and Swan Lake (30 March to 5 April).

The 24 Hour Play Festival

A popular event held by theatre companies around the world—from student-run to Broadway—The 24 Hour Play Festival is a unique exercise for thespians and playwrights alike, where an original piece must be written and performed in the span of 24 hours. A surprise online staging of the event dubbed the Viral Monologues was done via Instagram, where a new monologue (each running from three to five minutes) premiered every 15 minutes throughout the 24-hour period. The slate of actors include David Cross, Hugh Dancy, and Patrick Wilson. Writers include Pulitzer Prize winner David Lindsay-Abaire and actor Jesse Eisenberg. Watch the archived monologues on instagram.com/24hourplays.

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