Live theatre broadcasts

[yaaylucy]

Posted: 9/11/14 at 4:35pm

Hi, I'm studying a post grad theatre production course and am hoping to write an essay about live theatre broadcasts and how they have and may effect the profession. I was just wondering if anybody knew what the first company or show ever to do a live broadcast was? I know the national started doing them in 2009 but I can't find if they were the first or if it was done before?
Also if anyone could give me the names of some shows outside of the national theatre / ROH / RSC that have been a part of a live broadcast that would also be really helpful :)

[ggersten]

Posted: 9/11/14 at 5:51pm

You need to be more specific. There have been live broadcasts of plays/musicals for decades - especially in the early days of television. Those ween't broadcasts of an ongoing show - but were still live theatre broadcasts. The Mary Martin "Peter Pan" being a prime example. If you mean a live broadcast of a show from a theatre, in the US, "Live from Lincoln Center" has aired many plays and musicals over the years from the theatre of an ongoing or just about to close show. Several shows have been taped "live" and then broadcast on American Playhouse or Great Performances - not all were in front of "live" theatre audiences, however, but were specially staged for television.

[WickedGinger]

Posted: 9/12/14 at 8:40am

I believe live broadcasts can only help the industry. It brings the theatre to a larger audience and demonstrates what amazing talent there is treading the boards. It also gives people the opporuntity to see West End that would under normal circumstances not have the capacity or funds to visit London.