Culture Stream, a new aggregated content platform for arts and theatre in the UK, has been launched to bring shows to people while theatres and concert halls are closed due to Covid-19.
The platform shares hyperlinks to free online publicly available materials as part of an industry-wide effort to provide cultural offerings to audiences at home while arts venues are shuttered.
Culture Stream is split up into several sections, including musicals, plays, dance & entertainment, and children.
Theatres across the UK closed their doors on March 17 after Prime Minister Boris Johnson advised members of the public to “avoid pubs, clubs, theatres and other such social venues”. A full lockdown of non-essential public venues was then enforced on March 23.
Culture Stream is currently listing the National Theatre’s One Man Two Guvnors with James Corden, and Shows Must Go On’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.
The National Theatre announced earlier this week that it would be streaming several iconic plays on YouTube every Thursday.
A National Theatre spokesperson said: “During this unprecedented time which has seen the closure of theatres, cinemas and schools, the National Theatre announces a new initiative National Theatre at Home providing access to content online to serve audiences in their homes.
“Audiences around the world can stream NT Live productions for free via YouTube, and students and teachers have access to the National Theatre Collection at home.”
Meanwhile, a Manchester-based livestream service called United We Stream is set to launch this weekend.
The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has teamed up with local and national partners to broadcast a selection of entertainment.
Access is free though viewers are encouraged to make donations to help support Manchester’s night-time economy, cultural organisations and charities, which have suffered due to the live events blackout cause by the Covid-19 crisis.
Ticketmaster and Live Nation will promote United We Stream through their social channels.
Sacha Lord, night time economy adviser for GMCA and who has put the service together, said, according to Music Week: “I want to keep our vibrant music and entertainment scene active. It was only last Sunday that we asked acts, artists and DJs to come forward and play their part in United We Stream.
“I am absolutely overwhelmed by the response and also by the enthusiasm and diversity of the talent we have lined up. The programme will be announced each and every week and we’ve tried to make sure that there’s something for almost everyone.
“As a city-region, we are known as 24 Hour Party People. In the spirit of this, I’m delighted that our home grown global DJs Solardo have stepped forward to give back to the city and to help support the grass roots venues they started out their DJ careers in. As an example of how we should all be acting and as an example of social isolation, for the launch, it has been agreed that just one of Solardo will be appearing!”
United We Stream launches the service tonight (Friday) with one half of global house music act Solardo, followed on Saturday by Radio XS DJ Gareth Brooks.
Image: DenP Images
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