Thursday, January 13, 2011
Hamlet, Frankenstein and Fela all due at the Guthrie, on high-def video
StarTribune.com: "Twenty bucks for a movie may seem like a lot, but it's cheap compared to flying to London to see the productions that are being shown at the Guthrie this winter and spring as part of the National Theatre Live series. The productions -- which despite the series name are not being show live -- are screened in high-def video in the Guthrie's proscenium theater
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3 comments:
It's cheaper, but not at all the same. While I have watched many videos of live theatre, it never is the same as the actual experience of going to a play. The humanism isn't there, and the very things that make it theatre - the sense of time, the inevitable interaction between actor and audience - can't be provided on a screen. I think this is an interesting project, and I might be interested in seeing some of these, but only with the knowledge that it does not replace seeing a show live.
Emily, I can see what you're saying. I had a lot of trouble watching Rent: Filmed Live on Broadway, even in a movie theatre, because of this lack of connection to the stage and to the rest of the audience. However, that was in a chain movie theatre in the suburbs of Chicago. The Guthrie is a full theatre, and since this is being billed as a special live event, it may draw a substantial audience to see it together. If this happens, I think the "collective audience experience" part of the deal will be greatly improved. Also remember that the cast will have an audience at the taping to react to, so they're not doing the show in a bubble. Nothing in the movie theatre can replace being there, though, I totally agree.
I agree with you this in no way replaces seeing live theatre, but I don't think that is the intention here. For so many, going to live theatre just isn't possible very often. For one, the price is substantially reduced if you see the video, which could be a huge incentive to choose it over the live theatre. Not to mention there are a lot of places that don't have an abundant theatre scene, so in order to see theatre in person some amount of substantial travel would be involved. I think streaming video of live performances is a great way to boost appreciation and interest for our art.
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