Culture Writer, Molly Schoenfeld, explores the lockdown trend for archived and new performances to made available digitally and discusses the consequences if this continues
‘All the world’s a…’ steaming platform it seems. The closure of performance venues due to Covid-19 means that, in order to keep the stage alive, artistic practices are being staged, performed and broadcast digitally. Whilst getting the best seat in the house every night, often free of charge and without travelling on the hellish M25, may sound wonderful, this digital phase of theatre carries the potential to damage the future of the stage forever.
So, what is on offer to watch online? Firstly, there are some more traditional theatre performances. The National Theatre has an amazing line-up of performances issued for streaming on Thursdays at 7pm, then available for 7 days afterwards. Recently, there has been the 2014 version of A Streetcar Named Desire, starring Gillian Anderson. From June, The Old Vic will be streaming a host of shows, including A Monster Calls directed by Sally Cookson. Shakespeare’s Globe are streaming many plays by the bard, including the 2020 one-act version of Macbeth. The Donmar Warehouse is also streaming Coriolanus, starring Tom Hiddleston, so if you want to see Loki covered in blood whilst reciting verse, you know where to go.
When, inevitably, you become sick of iambic pentameter, there are more modern performances to watch online. Theatre-wise, reunite yourself with the flawed yet loveable Fleabag by watching Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s performance of her successful monologue. All profits go towards charities, including ‘Acting for Others’ which supports theatre workers during these difficult times. Furthermore, Claire Foy and Matt Smith will be starring in a socially distanced version of the successful 2019 play Lungs with an online audience capacity of 1,000.
Additionally, various ballets are available for streaming. The Royal Opera House is making favourite shows available online. For instance, The Cellist is free to watch on YouTube, starring Lauren Cuthbertson as the renowned cellist Jacqueline du Pré and Matthew Ball as her conductor. Sadler Wells is also debuting movement pieces which use modern technology: Hussein Chalayan’s Gravity Fatigue uses digital animation to accompany modern dance choreography.
Other performances available include Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Pulitzer prize-winning musical Hamilton starring the original Broadway cast: musical theatre nerds will be screaming, be warned. Hamilton was initially meant to be released for cinema in 2021 but will now be run on the Disney+ streaming service from 3 July. RuPaul’s Drag Race refuses to be affected by ‘Miss Rona’ and the season 12 finale is going virtual – ‘halleloo!’ – using fantastic special effects and video chat to create a spectacular show.
Interestingly, digital streaming of productions is by no means a new practice. For many years, local theatres have been streaming shows from large city theatres. The audience still have to pay for tickets, but they are much cheaper than tickets to the live performance. The difference now is that many online performances are free to watch from your own home. Whilst some may argue that theatres should have released their archives of recordings long ago, it appears that the hoarding of these recordings is perfectly justified according to the following reasoning.
…the availability of performance recordings for free will make theatre available to a much wider audience, irrespective of viewers’ differing socio-economic backgrounds
On the one hand, the availability of performance recordings for free will make theatre available to a much wider audience, irrespective of viewers’ differing socio-economic backgrounds. The opportunity to see world-famous plays in your pyjamas is definitely one to take advantage of. The severe financial issues caused for theatres by Covid-19 also means that an appreciation of the stage has to be maintained in order to ensure its survival. The release of performance recordings may well achieve this, the serving as reminders of all the theatre has to offer, perhaps encouraging financial donations. Importantly, streaming of live performances helps to keep some theatre-workers in employment.
Yet, there is a danger that these recordings could have long-term negative consequences for theatres. Whilst the release of recordings may be a good PR exercise in the current situation (with the need to maintain an interest in performance venues during their closure), there is a danger that theatre companies could be wrongly seen as merely streaming services rather than important artistic centres if this practice continues. Furthermore, actors often depend on the pulse of a live audience. Recording plays with an empty audience could lead to less emotive and genuine performances. For the audience itself, streaming performances onto the television with the click of a button completely removes the thrill of watching a live performance and might remove the incentive to pay to see such performances in the future.
There is a danger that theatre companies could be wrongly seen as merely streaming services rather than important artistic centres if this practice continues
Therefore, do take advantage of this opportunity and enjoy the wonders of the theatre from your sofa, but do not remember the grim circumstances under which they are being released. This digital streaming of performances is only a desperate attempt by theatre companies to maintain some interest in their productions. Do not be tricked into thinking that the release of recordings is an indicator of the strength and resilience of the theatre-industry: The National Theatre has said it is currently losing £5 million a month and Shakespeare’s Globe claims it will collapse without government aid.
Crucial to every recording are not only the actors onstage, but the costume designers, lighting technicians, orchestra, writers, ushers, sound specialists who all need to be supported during this pandemic. The ease of streaming performances into homes could detach viewers from the tricky and fragile situation theatres currently face. If you can, do make a donation either directly to theatre companies, or theatre charities. To conclude, when you are singing along to ‘My Shot’ or gazing into Tom Hiddleston’s eyes through your screen, buy that theatre ticket when the venues reopen and life goes back to some normality.
More from culture in lockdown:
Ballet Live Streams – The Professionals Making Ballet Available to All
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