To Screen or Not to Screen : Living Theatre

Recently big name actors like Zoe Wanamaker and Shelia Hancock have voiced their concern about new GCSE Drama rules that will allow students to view and analyse digital theatre screenings instead of live performances. Now while projects like National Theatre Live are great for making theatre more accessible, they should not replace the experience of live theatre. With rising ticket prices and sold out shows then adding the expense of travelling to London, it can all be rather costly so yes sometimes, a trip to the cinema might be in order but more needs to be done to encourage accessibility to live theatre. There can be some good offers about but usually the quality of the experience is compromised or all together unattainable due to the high volume demand. Schools that are struggling with budgets already see the Arts as a target for cuts, and by implementing these new rules, it could give them another reason to get rid of these trips all together. Both forms have great ability to coexist in schools but only if digital is used to support further education of live theatre, not be a subsitute for it. So why do we still need live theatre ? Here are at least 3 main reasons why.

Future Creatives : Every writer, performer, director, producer and other creatives will have a similar story about what made them chose Theatre as their vocation. The story often starts with a little boy or girl mesmerised by the magic of live theatre and inspired to do the same.

Etiquette : I can't even begin to describe how important this is. Granted there will always be the odd nitwit that leaves their phone on loud, talks during a performance,  noisy chomping on crisps and sweets but overall it's where good manners in a young mind will florist and develop. It teaches you to listen and pay attention, to appreciate what others have to offer, to be respectful.

Human Connection : Oscar Wilde once said he regarded the  "theatre as the greatest of all art forms,  the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being.” and how right he was. This connection to the stage can have a profound impact on an individual through the sharing of stories, exloring relationships and seeing life brought to life in a way that speaks to all senses. We laugh, cry and much more because when a performance reaches the soul, we can be truly understood and understand others.

Support your local theatres, for inspired young minds
often return to the roost and give back to their communities creatively.  The Arts Industry according to statistics shared from GOV.UK earlier this year is worth almost £10 million per hour to the UK economy,  it's probably more and unfortunately still London centred but its still not to be sniffed at. So go on, help spread that wealth! Be mesmerised.

Hx