Theatres create first online programmes of new work in response to Covid-19

Brian Cox is among stars appearing in digital productions commissioned by the UK’s swiftly adapting arts venues, written by playwrights in isolationThe National Theatre of Scotland (NTS) and Home in Manchester are among the first theatres to commission major online programmes of work in response to the coronavirus, as theatres around the UK face months of closure caused by the outbreak. The commissions signal how arts venues are swiftly adapting in order to continue bringing new work to audiences.Brian Cox, Alan Cumming, Adura Onashile and Cora Bissett will all star in short digital artworks “created from isolation” for the NTS’s Scenes for Survival season, launched in association with BBC Scotland and BBC Arts’ Culture in Quarantine project. Jackie Wylie, artistic director of NTS, said that Scotland has “always turned to our storytellers to offer connectivity, solace and joy. We want to bring audiences together online despite our collective isolation.” The writers Jenni Fagan, Val McDermid and Ian Rankin will contribute to the season of work, which will offer new stories as well as reworking classic ones. The programme will be available to view for free online. “Stories are what bring us together and hold us together,” said McDermid. “There will be an ‘afterwards’ and our stories will prepare us for that.” Continue reading…
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