31 December, 2020 â By Lucy Popescu
Imelda Staunton in Looking a Lot Like Christmas. Photo: Marc Brenner
DESPITE the depressing Covid restrictions on live theatre, there are some wonderful online treats to see in the New Year and beyond.
The Donmar Warehouseâs celebratory Looking a Lot Like Christmas, filmed in St Paulâs in the heart of Covent Garden, affectionately known as The Actorsâ Church, is glorious to watch. An hour of musical numbers, sketches and seasonal poetry, starring Jim Carter, Minnie Driver, Inua Ellams, Imelda Staunton, Giles Terera and others, the concert is available to stream online until January 5. Itâs free but donations to the Donmar are welcome. Visit:
10 most loved films and popular plays themed on Christmas promise to bring in festive cheer
Take a trip to the North Pole or watch how a little girl can change the heart of a Grinch and while at it, stop to laugh with pantomime artiste Dick Whittington. December 24, 2020 11:54:22 am
The Christmas Chronicles is streaming on Netflix.
This time it’s not a “White Christmas” nor even a social, festive one. What we have instead is “an indoor, quiet Christmas”, courtesy the pandemic. But don’t lose heart, to bring you some cheer are a list of popular films and plays you can watch over the long Christmas weekend.
We Need A Little Christmas Filmed at The Actors Church
December 20, 2020 Last updated:
December 20, 2020
Like many churches, St Paul’s Covent Garden is broadcasting their services on Zoom. The church is therefore decked out for the festive period, though I have no idea how much of the seasonal backdrops that can be seen during the show were brought in especially for this recording. The video quality here is on a par with other material on the Stream Theatre platform, and the finished product is a briskly-paced over-before-you-know-it affair, with Simon Callow CBE and Dame Maureen Lipman providing some spoken word in amongst all the songs. Callow’s near-encyclopaedic knowledge of the life and works of Charles Dickens allowed him to select something other than
The Story of Christmas
Since 1978, the Story of Christmas carol concerts have annually raised funds in aid of disadvantaged children and the homeless. This year, readings come from Olivia Colman, Dame Judi Dench, Captain Sir Tom Moore and plenty of other famous faces and while the pre-recorded show will be available to watch free on YouTube, donations are encouraged.
Free, available now,
Virtual carols from the Alzheimer’s Society
Scouting for Girls are among those putting on quite the show for the Alzheimer’s Society, while there’ll also be a performance from Paul Harvey, a composer and former music teacher who has dementia. Carey Mulligan hosts, with guests including Sir Trevor McDonald. The night is free, but donations will directly support those who live with Alzheimer’s, as well as their families.