Five of the best plays to watch at home in the coming days

1 THE WINTER’S TALE

Shakespeare’s Globe, streaming May 18 to 31

Shakespeare’s great play of the irrational and inexplicable, illustrating how uncontrollable emotions can range across gender, country, class and age. Its universe is full of monsters, gods and natural disasters with a colossal sweep that takes audiences from the stifling atmosphere of the Sicilian court to the unbuttoned joy of a Bohemian festival. Blanche McIntyre’s 2018 production was acclaimed by audiences and critics alike.

Where to watch: The Shakespeare’s Globe channel on YouTube

2 IT’S TRUE, IT’S TRUE, IT’S TRUE: ARTEMISIA ON TRIAL

Breach Theatre, streaming until May 17

A gripping dramatisation of the 1612 trial of Agostino Tassi for the rape of the young painter Artemisia Gentileschi. Based on surviving court transcripts, Breach Theatre’s award-winning show blends history, myth and contemporary commentary to ask how much has really changed in the past four centuries. This new film version, shot on location in a former chapel, was specially staged for TV and originally shown on BBC Four. The production contains nudity, descriptions of violence and sexual violence.

Where to watch: The Breach Theatre channel on YouTube

3 THE BEAST WILL RISE

Southwark Playhouse, streaming now

The Beast Will Rise is a series of 14 online monologues by Philip Ridley, released weekly. They’re all world premieres and they’re all performed by the original cast of The Beast of Blue Yonder, which was due to open in April.

Where to watch: southwarkplayhouse.co.uk

4 V&V

Omnibus Theatre, streaming now

V&V tells two stories: the iconic love story of literary treasure Virginia Woolf and esteemed socialite Vita Sackville-West; and a far newer story of Lottie from Tunbridge Wells and love cynic Mia. Through carefully crafted letters that are awaited with anticipation, Vita Sackville-West and Virginia Woolf begin an exquisite romance. Elsewhere, in the overwhelmingly tangled world of dating apps Mia and Lottie meet online. The production was filmed earlier this year.

Where to watch: The Omnibus Theatre channel on YouTube

5 THE TEMPEST

Shakespeare’s Globe, streaming until July

With a spirit of the supernatural, The Tempest is a story of forgiveness, generosity and enlightenments set on a remote and mysterious desert island. Roger Allam, Colin Morgan and Jessie Morgan star.

Where to watch: BBC iPlayer