Well, here we are aagin: Let’s not delve into how we got here, but we are. There is little cheer in these long, dark, cold nights, particularly when I can’t brighten them with a trip to the theatre, ballet or an art gallery. But yet again, I am turning to the online world and this time BBC4 is my cultural lifeline in lockdown 3.
BBC4 is a channel designed to ‘make you think’, with ‘programming that is intellectually and culturally enriching’ according to the Freeview site. With that in mind, here are some of my picks.
Please note that some programmes will be only on the iplayer for certain time frames, where possible, I will say how long they are remaining on the channel at the time of writing this post
Feeling Christmassy still? For the next couple of weeks, gorge yourself on some of the festive content such as Simon Callow’s one-man Christmas Carol or the Snow Queen ballet, performed by The Scottish Ballet. For some music, travel through 2000 years of music and how its reflected the idea of the nativity with A Christmas History of Sacred Music.
Back to ballet (always my favourite), Matthew Bourne’s excellent, award-winning Red Shoes is performed from Sadler’s Wells, and you have until December to watch this! For even more ballet treats, tune into the Royal Ballet All Star gala, which pretty much does what it says on the tin: A chance to see excerpts from all the favourites from some of the best choreographers and dancers in the business.
I am very much a newbie to opera, having (shamefully) only watched my first opera (via Youtube) very recently. And surprise! I loved it! Therefore, the Royal Opera All Stars is all part of my opera education.
Taking me back to my A Level theatre studies, Uncle Vanya also appears until December 2021. Uncle Vanya opened a year ago in the Harold Pinter Theatre, and of course, the pandemic closed it. Working with social distancing the company has released this film / theatre hybrid. The website states this is a ‘must-see event for our times’.
Lastly, I’ve enjoyed the cultural icons series, which is only on for another fortnight. Reminisce, feel cosy (or is it hygge this days?!) with childhood favourites Raymond Briggs, Michael Bond and my 20s heroine, Bridget Jones.
I hope this helps your culture void, and let me know where you are getting your cultural fix!
