Video

WOS TV: Top Theatre Video Picks – 10 Jun 2009

| London's West End |

10 June 2009

The Whatsonstage.com Television channel is a rapidly expanding archive of theatre-related video content. We’re regularly adding show trailers, first night reports, event promos, interviews, video diaries, behind-the-scenes footage and other special features.

These fortnightly round-ups provide a sample of some of the best theatre videos from around the web, all handpicked by our video correspondent David Grewcock.

You can access lots more footage – and our archive of “video picks” round-ups – via the Whatsonstage.com Television channel. If you’ve seen something you think is worth a watch for theatregoers, please email us the clip or a link to it.
Thanks for watching!

Tony-tastic – As you no doubt know, the Brits stormed the Tony Awards in New York this week, with big wins for Billy Elliot (ten in total – a record for a British musical), The Norman Conquests, Matthew Warchus and Angela Lansbury amongst others. We’ve got other Tony-related video clips on the site (for Billy Elliot, click here, for The Norman Conquests, click here), but we thought it worth another look at the Tonys’ glitzy opening sequence, which includes performances from stars including Elton John, Stockard Channing, Liza Minnelli and Dolly Parton. However many Tonys the Brits claim, it’s clear we can still learn a thing or two from the Yanks when it comes to awards ceremonies.

Good heavens what a show! – Now officially opened at the London Palladium, Sister Act is raising the roof to standing ovations every night. We’ve already shared first night coverage from our partners at Reelkandi (See 1st Night TV, 4 Jun 2009), but we couldn’t resist showing you two more heavenly highlights featuring this divine new musical comedy. Have a look at the first night footage from the official Sister Act website as well as a sneaky peek at our TV editor Ian Miller’s film from our Whatsonstage.com Outing to the show during previews.

Terrifying 20th Year – One of the most gripping nights to be had in the West End, The Woman in Black celebrated its 20th anniversary performance on Saturday 6 June 2009. Robin Herford’s landmark production of Susan Hill’s spine-tingler has become a true legend of the London theatre world. Expect the unexpected – and if you’re rattled by ghost stories, best go with a friend.

Watch This Space 2009 – The National Theatre’s hugely popular outdoor season of work kicks off on 1 July 2009 and looks set to rival previous years on all fronts, providing the weather holds out of course. Most of the entertainment is free and there’s something for pretty much everyone. Following a sell-out run at the National last year, Poland’s foremost outdoor theatre company Teatr Biuro Podró¿y, now celebrating its 20th anniversary, returns with its breathtaking staging of a Shakespearean tragedy featuring armies on motorbikes, witches on stilts and a spectacular burning castle. Watch the trailer, fight for a riverside spot!

Back for the Summer – After returning from a slightly less than exciting summer vacation, the Avenue Q folk are firmly settled into their new home at the Gielgud Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue. Currently starring Daniel Boys and Julie Atherton, the all-singing, all-dancing, part-puppet, part-human audience-pleaser continues into its third year. Take a look as Princeton, Kate Monster and friends prepare for their summer break, which turns out to be bit of a downer with little purpose, no college spring break and scant chance of a visit from Canadian girlfriends.