We are now in the last quarter of 2020, and largely still have no idea how when theatres will be able to re-open or what conditions they will be under. So, we now need to seriously consider different options for our dance, theatre, and opera viewing! Some companies and theatres are still streaming performances online (the Royal Opera House is doing a fall season of From Our House to Yours). However, it is lovely to have variety. Marquee TV is a streaming service for dance, theatre, and opera, and is the answer for our arts streaming!
I have not been paid in any way or asked to promote Marquee TV, but I wanted to share it as I do think that many of you lovely followers would enjoy it. For the month of September 2020, if you sign up for the annual pass, you can get it for half price. I will delve into the specifics further below!
What is Marquee TV?
Very simply, Marquee TV is an online streaming service for the performing arts. You can watch it through your browser, or on an Android or iOS app with a subscription. There is ballet, contemporary dance, theatre, opera, and documentaries. As of September 2020, you can be logged in on 10 different devices, and have 3 separate streams at the same time.
Marquee TV Catalogue
Marquee has a good sized catalogue. It isn’t a Netflix sized catalogue, but if you are used to going to the theatre monthly, you would have more than enough to choose from. There are several notable ballet companies with productions streaming, including the Royal Ballet, the Bolshoi, the Royal Swedish Ballet, and the American Ballet Theatre. Even though I do have a 30 show collection from the Royal Ballet on DVD, I love that I can now see a different cast!
And although I largely signed up for Marquee for the ballet, there are also many theatre and opera companies, as well. There are several performances from the Royal Shakespeare Company, and I plan on streaming Macbeth in October for Halloween! It is a great way to “try out” different art forms without a huge financial commitment. (I will be watching some opera to give it more of a try myself.) And in case you are more of a documentary person, they also have several related documentaries that you can stream.
Marquee TV Pricing
As I said above, if you sign up in September 2020, you can get a full year of subscription at half price. (If you are reading this post later, I would recommend checking with them, as there are often different deals!) As of January 2021 you can get a 7 day free trial, and then a year’s subscription for $83.99 CAD ($11.99 CAD/month). If I only watch one or two shows a month, I will still have gotten more than my money’s worth. I wouldn’t compare it to normal streaming services, because it is very niche. It has an excellent catalogue for what it is, and new performances and shows are being added consistently. If you don’t want to sign up for a full year, you can also do weekly and monthly subscriptions, but there is not a deal on that right now. (Typically, the deal/promo is on the longer subscription lengths.)
What Will I Be Watching on Marquee TV?
I don’t think it is a surprise to anyone that I have several different ballets that I plan on watching. I am so thrilled that I am finally able to see things from the Royal Swedish Ballet, because I don’t know that I will have many opportunities to see the company in person. I’m rather excited to watch their production of A Midsummer’s Night Dream– it is a unique and involved staging for a ballet.
I have also never been able to catch a production of Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon (based on the 18th century French novel, Manon Lescaut). The storyline, following the Chevalier des Grieux, and his lover, Manon Lescaut, is fascinating, and the costumes look amazing.
As You Like It is one of my favourite Shakespearean plays, and produced at the Globe Theatre, no less! There is nothing like a comedy to bring Shakespeare to life (sorry not sorry, I am on #TeamComedy).
Online Culture Options
Some companies and theatres are offering their own streaming options. You can buy tickets to different Royal Opera House performances (usually to raise money for the ROH while the theatres are closed). You can rent and buy different performances on The Globe Player if Shakespeare is your thing. Pacific Northwest Ballet is doing an online season that anyone can subscribe to, and the Metropolitan Opera is also still doing free streams. (As I mentioned before, the ROH is back to alternating ballet and opera premieres for free, as well.)
You can find my post on Online Cultural Resources here!
I really appreciate that Marquee TV has different options, all in one place. My plan is to watch one to two productions a month, and make the most of it. (Yes, I will be watching The Nutcracker in December…)
Have you signed up for Marquee TV yet? If yes, what are you watching?
Cheers,
The Historian
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