It's not the holidays without some theatre! Where to stream your festive faves

The Nutcracker, A Christmas Carol — 'tis the season for taking in a show, and COVID can't squash your favourite tradition. Sure, the actual theatres are closed, but all those big annual Christmas-y spectaculars? They're going online. And if Nana's spent the last nine months perfecting her Zoom game, the whole fam can (virtually) watch together. Before you plan a big night in, consider these streaming options.

So many Scrooges

Until you've watched an old crank getting scared straight by ghosts — well, it's not really Christmas, is it? Neptune Theatre's annual presentation of Dickens' A Christmas Carol is now playing (to Dec. 27), and the Halifax company's made the classic tale available in both video and audiobook formats. (It's $15 for each show via their streaming platform Neptune At Home.) 

Toronto's Soulpepper has an audiobook production, too ($8.99), but the main event is a live-streamed cast reunion on Dec. 17. Donations (PWYC) benefit the Fred Victor Regent Park Food Security Program. 

In Edmonton, the Citadel Theatre's rejigged its long-running production especially for on-demand video (Dec. 15-31, tickets start at $36.75). This one's set in the '40s (as in the 1940s, not the 19th century equivalent), and there's a soundtrack of era-appropriate tunes to match. Local? Add some snacks to your purchase for an extra charge. Alas, a free Christmas goose is not part of the offer, but tasty goodies are available for pick-up and delivery. Theatre Calgary's launching an all-new video production, too. Their A Christmas Carol can be viewed on demand Dec. 11-31 ($25).

For a simpler approach, listen to play readings from Ontario's Theatre Orangeville between Dec. 4-Jan. 3 ($25). The Belfry Theatre in Victoria is also going that route, but their free live streamed production is a one-night-only event (Dec. 23). For a shot of old-school Canadian celebrity, Christopher Plummer narrates A Nantucket Christmas Carol for White Heron Theatre Company (which is, conveniently, based in Nantucket, Mass.). Find it on podcast platforms Dec. 15, or join their live "watch party" on Dec. 14 for an advance listen (tickets start at $25 US).

There's A Christmas Carol with live puppetry (Manual Cinema to Dec. 20, starting at $15 US); A Christmas Carol in drag (Blue Jeans Theatre, Dec. 16-23, $25 suggested).

But the most hyped show in digital Christendom has got to be this one, an adaptation from writer Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child). Timezone differences be damned, it's broadcast live from the (empty) Old Vic Theatre in London (Dec. 12-24, tickets start at 40 pounds). Keira Knightley's stalker from Love, Actually (Andrew Lincoln) plays the one and only Scrooge.

Plays that aren't A Christmas Carol

On the traditional front, there's a live radio play of It's a Wonderful Life (Lunchbox Theatre and Vertigo Theatre, Dec. 15-24, $20). And on the traditional media front, the Grinch (as played by Glee's Matthew Morrison) is coming to TV. A spangly West End stage production will be broadcast from London's Troubadour Theatre Dec. 9. Find Dr. Seuss' The Grinch Musical! on NBC. 

If your favourite Christmas movies are rom-coms, squeeze some theatre between repeat viewings of The Holiday. The Twelve Dates of Christmas is on at The Arts Club to Jan. 3. (Video on demand is $19 or join a scheduled watch party for $35). Or watch a live play reading of The Christmas Tree, performed by a different artist couple each night (to Dec. 19, starting at $25). 

The Nutcracker? Sweet

It seems every ballet company on the planet is pivot-ball-changing to video. But if you want to limit your sugar-plum vision to Canada, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet presents a special digital adaptation of The Nutcracker Suite on Dec. 23, 26, 27 ($30). The choreography's been tweaked (physical distancing!) and the sets aren't as opulent, but a little holiday magic is still guaranteed. 

Or stream The Nutcracker on Screen, a 2008 recording from The National Ballet of Canada. It's available through the Cineplex Store to Jan. 2 ($29.99).

Pandemic pantos

For a not-so-quiet night in, let the kiddies scream through a virtual pantomime. The Cultch in Vancouver presents Panto Come Home! (Dec. 17-27, starting at $35). For locals, expect a sort of greatest-hits extravaganza. The production features tunes from East Van Panto's past hits, and take note of the showtimes, 'cause this one's live. 

Toronto's annual Ross Petty holiday show is going online, too. There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays is a Christmas-y riff on The Wizard of Oz. Watch it on demand Dec. 19 and 20 ($35).

Operatic options

For Messiah/Complex, Against the Grain Theatre has stitched performances from around the country into a cinematic feat of "vocal distancing" (their cute term). Free to stream, it premieres with a watch party Dec. 13. There is, of course, nothing stopping you from "Hallelujah-ing" over that particular recording, but there's a whole other production tailored for wannabe choristers: Tafelmusik's annual Sing-Along Messiah is now Sing-Along Messiah on Screen, and it goes live on YouTube Dec. 17. At Vancouver Opera, Amahl and the Night Visitors is a family-friendly Christmas story about a poor shepherd boy who's visited by the Magi. Premiering Dec. 12, you'll need a subscription to Vancouver Opera Online to watch it. 

A variety of variety shows

Jiminy Christmas, everyone's doing a cabaret this season. If you're craving an evening (or morning or afternoon) full of songs and stories, Vancouver's Gateway Theatre presents the showtune-heavy Home for the Holidays (Dec. 19-Jan. 1, $25). Also beaming out of Vancouver, Firehall Arts Centre's Solstice Greetings is a variety show with a twist — the stories are written by kids, but performed by pros (Dec. 21-27, $16). Comfort and Joy: The Holiday Show streams free from the Grand Theatre in London, Ont., on Dec. 22. All is Bright, the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre's holiday cabaret, is another free streaming treat (Dec. 19-31), as is this offering from the U.K.: Looking a Lot Like Christmas: A Donmar Festival Concert, which features a cavalcade of British stars including Imelda Staunton, Jim Carter and Minnie Driver (Dec. 16 on YouTube).

And if all else fails ...

Make your own entertainment. Boca del Lupo in Vancouver is selling a slickly designed package called Plays2Perform@Home. An order gets you four scripts (in four different genres) from Canadian notables including Karen Hines and Hiro Kanagawa ($30).