P/REVIEW: View From The Sofa 16

This week had the great news of £1.5 bn being offered by the Government to cultural organisations , including theatres . Though the devil will be in the detail and timing, let’s hope it’s a glimmer of light in the tunnel.

In the meantime there’s still much to revel in the coming weeks online.

One of the final offerings from NT@home from the National Theatre is gay playwright and former Brighton resident Terence Rattigan’s moving modern domestic drama The Deep Blue Sea, starring Helen McRory. It streams on YouTube from 7pm Thurs 9 July for a week. You can view it here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uw68DjwzexU

An all-star cast has been assembled to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Stephen Schwartz’s musical Godspell. Originally starring David Essex, it may seem folksy nowadays compared with J C Superstar, but it’s a cheerful piece. Cast includes Ruthie Henshall and Darren Day and it’s raising funds for 3 good causes – the Hope Mill Theatre, who present it, Acting for Others and the National Aids Trust. Tickets at www.hopemilltheatre.co.uk It streams on 27/8/9 August.

Songs For A New World stars Rachel John ( Hamilton) and the stunning Ramon Karimloo ( Phantom ) . It’s the first musical written by Jason Robert Brown, who went on to pen The Last Five Years, Parade and The Bridges of Madison County. It’s billed as being about love and life choices. It streams on 23/4/5 July . Tickets at £12.50 from lwtheatres.co.uk .

The longest running play in theatre history, Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap, is back at the St Martin’s Theatre. London from 23 October with approved social distancing. Tickets from uk.the-mousetrap.co.uk

The UK’s first drive-in drag show – Gals Aloud- Live At The Drive In – will be staged on 22 August for one night only. It stars Cheryl Hole , from RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, with Kitty Scott Claus, Ophelia Love, Lydia L’Scabies and Tayce. Tickets are an eye-watering £56 but I think that might be per vehicle – the publicity doesn’t make it clear. It’s in Edmonton at Meridian Water. Details: galsaloud.com

And finally this week, 27 ballet dancers from around the globe have come together virtually to present a special version of Swan Lake. The surprise is that it’s all assembled in isolation from their bathtubs ! Catch it on BBC iplayer.