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A powerful live performance can give you goosebumps. It can bring tears to your eyes and make you feel something deep in your soul. Have you ever experienced this?

Going to the theatre and opera is captivating, entertaining and inspiring. But if you can’t get hold of tickets or don’t fancy travelling up to London, another way to enjoy some of the best shows is with live screening events.

This year, Quarterhouse, Folkestone’s unique performing arts venue, is presenting live screenings of a variety of National Theatre and Royal Opera House productions alongside its regular line-up of music, film, dance and comedy.

So, what’s coming up in early 2022? Let’s take a look...

Royal Opera House Live: Romeo & Juliet

The perfect way to spend Valentine’s Day – delving into one of the most romantic stories of all time. Head down to Quarterhouse at 7.15pm on Monday, February 14 for a special live screening of the Royal Opera House’s Romeo and Juliet.

Since its premiere with the Royal Ballet in 1965, Kenneth MacMillan’s production has grown to establish itself as an internationally renowned modern ballet classic. Featuring nuanced, detailed choreography and evocative designs by Nicholas Georgiadis, it follows a family feud in Renaissance Verona that ultimately ends in tragedy for our two star-crossed lovers, Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet.

National Theatre Live: The Book of Dust – La Belle Sauvage

On Thursday, February 17, the Book of Dust – La Belle Sauvage is being broadcast live from London’s Bridge Theatre. Described as a “theatrical marvel”, this gripping adaptation of Philip Pullman’s fantasy novel comes from award-winning English director Nicholas Hytner.

The narrative centres around two young people and their daemons, with everything at stake, who find themselves at the heart of a terrifying manhunt. In their care is a tiny child called Lyra Belacqua, and in that child lies the fate of the future.

If you and the kids are fans of Pullman’s the Book of Dust and His Dark Materials trilogies, this production is the one for you!

Royal Opera House Live: Rigoletto

This special anniversary screening of Verdi’s Rigoletto on March 10, which celebrates 171 years since its premiere in 1851, is definitely an event for the calendar. The production is Oliver Mears’ debut as director of the Royal Opera. Verdi’s masterpiece is interpreted as a modern morality play that pits power against innocence, beauty against ugliness, in a pitiless world of luxurious decadence, corruption and social decay. It’s worth noting that this performance is sung in Italian but has English subtitles.

Royal Opera House Live: La Traviata

Wednesday, April 13 sees Quarterhouse Folkestone host a live screening of La Traviata, a spectacular opera set in 19th-century Paris – a contrast of glamour and superficiality, love and lust, and life and death. It tells the story of the tragic love between courtesan Violetta and Alfredo Germont. Richard Eyre’s production for the Royal Opera recently celebrated 25 years on the stage and this year returns with acclaimed opera star Pretty Yende in the role as Violetta. Take your seat, get comfortable and enjoy this beautiful performance that’s sung in Italian, with English subtitles.

Royal Opera House Live: Swan Lake

Swan Lake is a classic fairy tale that depicts the battle between good and evil, and the attempt of love to conquer all. If you haven’t seen it before, now is your chance. On May 19, Quarterhouse Folkestone is putting on a live screening of the Royal Ballet’s sumptuous production at the Royal Opera House. The magic of the lakes, forests and palaces is brought to life with glittering designs by John Macfarlane and a sublime score by Tchaikovsky. This production is a testament to the late choreographer Liam Scarlett’s abiding love of classicism and innate musicality, which shine through from start to finish.

Learn more about what’s on at Quarterhouse and book your tickets for any of these upcoming National Theatre and Royal Opera House live screenings here