Friday, January 25, 2013
Winning ways to put backstage in the spotlight
Backstage whispers - The Stage: Unfortunately, most of these videos consist of shaky, badly lit shots of dancers gurning at the camera and showing off their favourite costume. These videos are more of an embarrassment than an accurate picture of the skill it takes to present a show, night after night.
So, for those of us who have reservations about giving away the secrets that produce the magic that audiences pay to see, the idea that the Royal Opera House was going to embark on ten hours of live streaming of its activities was greeted with mixed feelings.
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3 comments:
I'm always really excited when I read about innovative ideas like this one; I think reaching out to the public and showing what goes into a production can be just as important as putting on the show. I know this is a cliche, but so many of us were that excited kid that got to take a glimpse at what theater really is like, eventually leading us to where we are today. I've written on this topic before, I think about the article on the Lion King backstage exhibit. The way I see it, people today are constantly expecting to know more, learn the tricks and shortcuts and understand how things work, hence the emergence of so many backstage tours, programs, exhibits, etc. The Royal Opera House's project sounds terrific, and I think one of the best initiatives I've heard of when it comes to sharing theater with audiences.
I agree with Camille. I like the idea of showing what we do to the public. It makes theater more excessable to the audience and gets more people to see the magic behind theater. I wish I was exposed to it earlier. I feel like it is the same effect that happens when something goes wrong in a show and the audience loves it. It sets their experience apart and makes them feel special.
I think this is a really great idea, but I'm surprised that people would want to watch this screening. Someone told me that they loved to see theatrical productions because it is so magical. The audience never knows how things happen, and they don't have to worry about it. They just come to be entertained. Here, all of the "magic" is exposed. I don't know if this takes the wonder out of theatre for people. As for me, however, I find it more interesting behind stage than onstage. I wish the screening was entirely live, though. The thing that most people don't know about theatre is that so many things go wrong and it can be very stressful behind stage. But it is nice that the backstage is starting to get some recognition.
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