Royal Court, London, online; Bristol Old Vic online
More than 60 writers and 200 freelancers get to work on the Royal Court’s inspired latest venture, while the Bible gets a Bristol twist
Forced to Zoom and stream, theatres are reacting to events in ways that may change what they do for ever. They have become first responders.
A vivid initiative shows how nimble they can be. Inspired by the Federal Theatre Project, set up after the Great Depression in America, which enabled unemployed theatre workers to produce politically engaged drama, the Royal Court is creating a Living Newspaper. Six online editions will involve more than 60 writers and 200-plus other freelancers – directors, designers, performers – who have been starved of income over the past 10 months.