Last year the National Theatre spent more time touring abroad than it did in the UK. Lyn Gardner examines the impact of NT Live and argues that it’s no substitute for live performance.
The National Theatre's annual report makes interesting reading, particularly for anyone interested in regional touring and the increasing contribution that NT Live makes to the National's coffers. At a time when theatre must face up to the distribution challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, NT Live has been ahead of the game. It's also making a growing income contribution to the NT bottom line: £6.7m in 2014, against £2.4m in 2013, making it the fastest growing area of operation (although costs remain high). Markets such as Asia that remain relatively untapped may yet substantially increase profits.
So everyone's a winner. Or are they? I've always been a supporter of NT Live, but the argument that it offers wider access to audiences across the UK only holds up as long as it doesn't dilute the NT's commitment to touring and, rather, that it fuels it. A further look at the figures for the 52 weeks ended 30 March 2014 shows that the NT undertook 33 weeks of touring in the UK and toured for 99 weeks abroad. If you live in Detroit, Jacksonville or Fort Lauderdale you could have seen more of the National Theatre than if you live in Wales, Northern Ireland or the north-east of England... Keep reading on The Guardian
The National Theatre's annual report makes interesting reading, particularly for anyone interested in regional touring and the increasing contribution that NT Live makes to the National's coffers. At a time when theatre must face up to the distribution challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, NT Live has been ahead of the game. It's also making a growing income contribution to the NT bottom line: £6.7m in 2014, against £2.4m in 2013, making it the fastest growing area of operation (although costs remain high). Markets such as Asia that remain relatively untapped may yet substantially increase profits.
So everyone's a winner. Or are they? I've always been a supporter of NT Live, but the argument that it offers wider access to audiences across the UK only holds up as long as it doesn't dilute the NT's commitment to touring and, rather, that it fuels it. A further look at the figures for the 52 weeks ended 30 March 2014 shows that the NT undertook 33 weeks of touring in the UK and toured for 99 weeks abroad. If you live in Detroit, Jacksonville or Fort Lauderdale you could have seen more of the National Theatre than if you live in Wales, Northern Ireland or the north-east of England... Keep reading on The Guardian