Why Musicals SHOULD be VIDEOTAPED — Page 11

"theatre needs to keep an open mind to how it develops within this new world order."

What egotistical blather! You're exactly like the eco-terrorists who, in their hubris, think the planet, which has gotten along without them for billions of years and will continue to spin for another billion, needs their puny input in order to survive. There's no point in continuing this discussion since it's quite apparent that you have no understanding or appreciation of theater whatsoever.


The Oracle at Delphi

Sure.

Then everyone will invite their friends over to see it which means that's less people who will see the show live...causing it to lose money.

Oh yea...REAL smart.

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I do think that there should be some kind of National Theatre Archive that records performances of theatres on and off broadway. It's bad enough that Lincoln Center never releases its performances on DVD. Hell, I think there was a point where I realised, "They never did release Contact on video." Another problem is that some people can't afford to go to the theatre. News flash: not everyone lives in New York. Now I know that there is nothing like a live theatre experience. But what happens when a show you wanna see closes. That's what happened with me and Brooklyn. Yes, I like that show. I had to borrow a bootleg DVD from a friend of mine. Because of circumstances beyond anyone's control, I can no longer borrow that DVD. I'm just lucky I found a copy on Google. And most shows are lucky enough to get the libretto released. I'm sorry, but the more videotaped musicals the better. It's a great introduction to the theatre as well.

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I don't think it will ever happen, but as someone who lives in the Midwest and has never even been to NYC (trust me, I'd kill to go,) I would really like it. For instance, I saw the PBS broadcast of The Light in the Piazza, but when the tour comes around here I'm still going to see it. I think for true theatre lovers, the argument is untrue, because we enjoy the experience more than anything. And most people who aren't true theatre lovers wouldn't to watch such a video in the first place.

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"I'm sorry not everyone lives in New York. I love going to Disney World but I can't afford going to Florida whenever I want. So should Disney come and build a park where I live?"

WEAK analogy.

No...it is. Theme parks are there, and they stay there. And even though they have temporary attractions that may pop up once in a while, the chance of anyone being obsessed enough to want to go there for all the silly temporary attractions is slim to none.

Theatre comes and goes quickly, and there are many people who want to see it but can't get their hands on it. Ifluential shows disappear eventually, innovative productions, brilliant performances....you can't compare that to a freakin' theme park.

That's your opinion. Don't state it as fact because you look ridiculous.

If people can't come to see the show...then they wait for it to close. That's when a video can be released so they can view it.

Or, if a video is released while the show is running, it should be released on some sort of "OnDemand" program where you must pay a fee each time it is viewed so the cast, creative team, and producers get compensated.

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Foanatic....Some good comments there. So you are FOR the idea but the specifics you would like to fine-tune.

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I'm not necessarily "for" the idea.

But if it happens, that's how I think it should be run.

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But I'm saying that it wouldn't affect tourists because tourists aren't likely to watch the videos of it in the first place. They're not necessarily musical fans; they like the experience more than the show.

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But when LION KING came to my attention I was all over it...WHY? because I knew the story, and I'd seen the video before hand.

Yes, you'd seen the animated Disney movie which wasn't taking any profit away from the actors/creative team. You did NOT see a video of the Broadway production.

Had you seen a video of MAMMA MIA, you could have only seen one of the Broadway/West End production and you probably would have had no need to go see the show live since you'd seen a video of practically the same thing.

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People haven't exactly stopped going to movies since the Home Entertainment industry was born. In my lifetime with cable, VHS, DVD and now HD formats available. Before that, everyone was even more worried when television first came along. They thought THAT would kill the movie business. It didn't. Adjustments had to be made in how films were presented, and granted you will NEVER see the attendance records set by Gone With the Wind again. Not ever. The world changed after WWII, and television entered the living rooms. But you'll never see 35-cent ticket prices again either.

People go to movies now because they like the experience, just as you say above (about theatre).

Why would anyone think people would stop going to live theatre if they could see a video of it in their homes? Not only do the get the "experience" and social benefits of going to a theatre, they get the LIVE actors, not a recording of them. Plus you get the advantage of exposing the idea of live theatre to a much wider audience with video. Educating them about "what's out there." So many don't even know.

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Thanks "So What..I Sing".....what a great name...nothing else matters when you sing, I'm with you on that ! And thanks for seeing the wood through the trees. It has been people like you who have helped me build up the concept and keep going. It's a HUGE concept and it will have major repercussions and much competition.

The negative views expressed here (if you ignore the shallow insults from Delphi and occassionally Foatani), are always interesting to dig deeper as I really have to wonder what their fear is ? An idea they haven't thought of ? The UK Theatre Network taking over the world of theatre ? Bootlegging ? Diminishing returns for their production ? Do they think that Hollywood will take over Broadway ?

In the meantime, if you have ITunes you can download the most recent filming to get a flavour of where USTheater.TV and UKTheatre.TV are heading.

1. Red carpet Bafta awards where the stars talk about theatre
2. The Launch party of the new National Theatre of Scotland with interviews with the Artistic Director and other actors
3. A preview of Hamlet in Manchester with discussions with some of the cast and scenes in rehearsal.

Currently being edited:-
1. Interviews with the cast of Guys and Dolls
2. A guide to Shakespeare's Complete Works for visitors
3. A preview programme on the Royal National Theatre
4. Abbey Fest - what's on at this South London festival
5. 24:7 - what's on at this Manchester festival
6. Edinburgh Fringe - what's on and previews.
- includes Love Labours Won, Rob Roy The Musical, Everyone Should Have a Gun - 20 other performances being scheduled.

I'm also happy to collaborate and work with performers in the US and I'm having discussions with interested parties who can work with this model in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington DC and LA (to start of with).
UK Theatre Network takes over the world - LIVE on IPOD

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