Theatres across the country are streaming free performances you can watch from the comfort of your classroom. Here’s a round-up of 22 places you can watch shows online for free and how to support learning with their free teaching resources and educational activities.
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The School Trip Community’s goal is to make school trips as accessible as possible. During this challenging time, we’re continuing to find new ways to help teachers like you still connect with venues and help you bring school trips into the classroom.
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- Actors of Dionysus
- Almeida Theatre
- Bush Theatre
- Cirque du Soleil
- Disney’s The Lion King
- Donmar Warehouse
- Frantic Assembly
- Gate Theatre
- Gecko
- Hamilton
- Jacksons Lane
- Kiln Theatre
- Little Angel Theatre
- Matilda The Musical
- National Theatre
- Royal Albert Hall
- Royal Shakespeare Company
- Shakespeare’s Globe
- Shrek The Musical
- Swinging The Lens
- The Old Vic
- Young Vic
Actors of Dionysus
Actors of Dionysus (aod) are one of the UK’s leading theatre companies in the field of Ancient Greek drama. Their productions have been seen by over 750,000 people in theatres and arts festivals across the UK and Europe.
You can now stream their full production of Lysistrata online for free!
What’s on offer:
- Free Online Productions
Suitable for: KS5
Subject links: Classics, Drama, English
Dates available: Ongoing
Watch aod’s production of Lysistrata.
Read more about the work of aod.
Almeida Theatre
The Almeida Theatre are offering schools exclusive access to recordings of their productions of Mike Bartlett’s Albion, and Rebecca Frecknall’s production of The Duchess of Malfi.
They’ve also made their teaching resources of past productions available for you to download and use for free.
What’s on offer:
- Free Online Productions
- Teaching Resources
Suitable for: KS4, KS5
Subject links: Drama, English
Dates available: Ongoing
Find out more about Almeida Theatre’s recordings for schools.
Bush Theatre
Bush Theatre has launched a series of Monday Monologues. The series brings new work from some of the most exciting UK and Irish writers, including Travis Alabanza, Natasha Brown, Shaun Dunne, Sophie Ellerby and Tristan Fynn-Aiduenu.
Written and recorded during the lockdown, the monologues will be released fortnightly and will be available to watch for the next 12 months. The films are free to watch on their YouTube channel.
What’s on offer:
- Free Online Productions
Suitable for: Dependent on the monologue. See their website for details.
Subject links: Drama, English
Dates available: Ongoing, with a new performance every two weeks.
View the Bush Theatre’s Monday Monologues.
Cirque du Soleil
Enjoy the magical, world-renowned performances of Cirque du Soleil from the comfort of your home with #CirqueConnect. Take a front-row seat and enjoy moments from their awe-inspiring performances.
What’s on offer:
- Educational Videos
- Free Online Productions
Suitable for: KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5
Subject links: Dance, Drama, English
Dates available: Ongoing
Watch Cirque du Soleil’s #CirqueConnect Performances.
Disney’s The Lion King
The Lion King’s ‘Getting Ready to Roar’ documentary gives a unique insight into the intense backstage preparation of the show. The film is perfect for students interested in backstage roles. The documentary is accompanied by supporting education packs for KS3 and KS4.
What’s on offer:
- Educational Videos
- Teaching Resources
Suitable for: KS3, KS4, KS5
Subject links: Drama, English
Dates available: Ongoing
Watch Disney’s The Lion Getting Ready to Roar Documentary.
Donmar Warehouse
You can watch past Donmar Warehouse productions through the National Theatre Collection. You can watch Coriolanus and King Lear – all for free!
What’s on offer:
- Free Online Productions
- Teaching Resources
Suitable for: KS3, KS4, KS5
Subject links: Drama, English
Dates available: Ongoing
Find out more about the National Theatre Collection.
Frantic Assembly
Take a look behind the scenes of the Frantic Method with their new Frantic Digital teaching resource hub. The hub shares insights into the creative and rehearsal process. Also practical, creative tasks and fun, production-related warm-ups.
The site shares educational videos, teaching ideas and resources from past Frantic Assembly productions. Current content includes activities from Beautiful Burnout, Othello and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.
What’s on offer:
- Educational Videos
- Teaching Resources
Suitable for: KS3, KS4, KS5
Subject links: Drama, English
Dates available: Ongoing
View Frantic Assembly’s Frantic Digital Hub.
Gate Theatre
Watch the critically acclaimed Gate Theatre production of The Unknown Island.
What’s on offer:
- Free Online Productions
Suitable for:
- KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5
Subject links: Drama, English
Dates available: Ongoing
Watch the Gate Theatre’s The Unknown Island.
Gecko
Award-winning and internationally-acclaimed physical theatre company, Gecko, have made their production of The Time of Your Life available to watch for free.
You can also join their Teacher Facebook Group for free resources and videos to accompany the production.
What’s on offer:
- Online Productions
Suitable for: KS4, KS5
Subject links: Drama, English
Dates available: Ongoing
Watch Gecko’s The Time of Your Life.
Join Gecko’s Facebook Teacher Facebook Group.
Find out more about Gecko.
Hamilton
The smash-hit Broadway production of Hamilton is streaming on Disney+. If you and your students have an account, they can watch this full-length, stage performance as part of the subscription. For those that do not yet have an account, there is a 7-day free trial available for new users.
What’s on offer:
- Online Productions
Suitable for: KS4, KS5
Subject links: Dance, Drama, English, History, Music, Politics
Dates available: Ongoing
Learn more about Disney+.
Jacksons Lane
A series of mini-films featuring some of Jacksons Lane’s favourite supported artists. Artists will be posting a demonstration of what they do, followed by a simple, short exercise.
What’s on offer:
- Educational Videos
Suitable for: KS3, KS4, KS5
Subject links: Dance, Drama, English
Dates available: Ongoing
Watch Jacksons Lane’s JL Shorts
Kiln Theatre
Kiln Theatre’s ‘Kiln Insight’ is a new programme of ways to learn more about, and get involved in their work. The programme includes exclusive interviews, webinars and filmed content – all accessible for free.
What’s on offer:
- Educational Videos
- Teaching Resources
Suitable for: KS4, KS5
Subject links: Drama, English
Dates available: Ongoing
Learn more about the Kiln Theatre’s Activities & Resources.
Little Angel Theatre
Little Angel Theatre is a home for puppetry. Since its doors first opened in 1961 the theatre has been dedicated to creating and sharing inspiring stories. Puppetry is at the heart of this innovative theatre, from igniting the imaginations of the youngest minds to equipping tomorrow’s puppeteers with the tools they need to succeed.
Since March 2020, Little Angel Theatre has created a host of free activity guides and video stories to help keep children entertained.
All can be accessed for free on their YouTube channel and enjoyed by children of all ages.
What’s on offer:
- Educational Videos
- Online Performances
Suitable for: EYFS, KS1, KS2, KS3 (though can be enjoyed by all ages)
Subject links: Art & Design, Drama, English
Explore Little Angel Theatre’s Educational Videos & Online Performances.
Matilda The Musical
Get an in-depth insight into how to create a hit West End musical with the show’s creators Tim Minchin and Dennis Kelly. Their teaching resources, educational videos and interactive games and activities cover character, plot, music & lyrics, dialogue and writing.
What’s on offer:
- Educational Games
- Educational Videos
- Interactive Activities
- Teaching Resources
Suitable for: KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5
Subject links: Drama, English
Dates available: Ongoing
See all of the Matilda The Musical Teaching Resources.
National Theatre
The National Theatre offers a wealth of free online productions, teaching resources, educational videos, insights and activities.
You can sign up (for free is a UK state school) to the National Theatre Collection and get access to 29 productions – all accompanied by free teaching resources.
Highlights include One Man, Two Guvnors (starring James Corden), Frankenstein (starring Benedict Cumberbatch) and A Streetcar Named Desire (starring Gillian Anderson).
What’s on offer:
- Educational Videos
- Free Online Productions
- Teaching Resources
Suitable for: KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5
Subject links: Dance, Drama, English, Music
Dates available: Ongoing
Read more about the National Theatre Education Offering.
Read more about the National Theatre Collection.
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Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall created a series of exclusive online sessions. All shows are still available to stream for free and include performances from top names in the music industry.
What’s on offer:
- Free Online Productions
Suitable for: KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5
Subject links: Drama, Music
Dates available: Ongoing
View all of the Royal Albert Hall’s Sessions.
Royal Shakespeare Company
The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) has loads of resources, educational videos and activities that you can use in the classroom for free.
Studying a particular text? Use their Learning Zone to find resources for specific plays. You’ll find key facts, key scenes, pictures from past productions, videos of actors and directors working on and performing the plays and find out about all the main characters and how they relate to each other.
The RSC is also broadcasting productions, for free, for schools. Currently showing is Michael Morpurgo’s Tales from Shakespeare available to use for remote learning until 6 May 2022.
What’s on offer:
- Educational Videos
- Online Performances
- Teaching Resources
Suitable for: KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5
Subject links: Drama, English
Dates available: Ongoing
Find out more about the RSC’s Educational Offering.
Take a look at the RSC’s Learning Zone.
Find out more about the RSC’s School Broadcasts.
Shakespeare’s Globe
Take a look at Shakespeare’s Globe’s ‘Teach Shakespeare’ site. The hub offers hundreds of free learning resources, educational videos and activities to bring Shakespeare to life.
What’s on offer:
- Educational Videos
- Facts, Insights & Trivia
- Online Performances
- Teaching Resources
Suitable for: KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5
Subject links: Art & Design, Drama, English, History
Dates available: Ongoing
See all of Shakespeare’s Globe’s Free Education Resources.
Shrek The Musical
The greatest fairy tale never told comes to life in this colourful, song-filled, Tony Award-winning Broadway production based on the hit movie.
Shrek The Musical is free to stream as part of a Netflix subscription.
What’s on offer:
- Online Performances
Suitable for: KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5
Subject links: Drama, English
Dates available: Ongoing
Watch Shrek The Musical on Netflix.
Swinging The Lens
Stream the full production of Swinging The Lens’ Richard II – the Bard’s great Play of England. Enjoy the critically acclaimed first all women of colour Shakespeare on a UK stage – from the 2019 Globe Season.
What’s on offer:
- Online Performances
Suitable for: KS3, KS4, KS5
Subject links: Drama, English
Dates available: Ongoing
Watch Swinging The Len’s Richard II
The Old Vic
The Old Vic has launched a new education hub providing resources for teachers, students, parents and young creatives. The new hub includes behind-the-scenes insights, careers advice, education packs, educational videos, online workshops and guides.
What’s on offer:
- Career Advice
- Educational Videos
- Online Workshops
- Teaching Resources
Suitable for: Upper KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5
Subject links: Art & Design, Citizenship, Drama, English, Music, PSHE
Dates available: Ongoing
Read more about The Old Vic’s Education Hub.
Young Vic
You can watch past Young Vic productions through the National Theatre Collection. You can watch A Streetcar Named Desire, A View from the Bridge, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Yerma – all for free!
What’s on offer:
- Free Online Productions
- Teaching Resources
Suitable for: KS3, KS4, KS5
Subject links: Drama, English
Dates available: Ongoing
Find out more about the National Theatre Collection.
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