On Monday 11 May, Indigo Associate Director Kerry Radden was at the National Theatre for the launch of our filmed theatre research report.
The National Theatre wanted to understand the interplay of filmed theatre and in-person attendance, exploring how audiences feel and behave. We conducted a survey with over 5,500 audience members responses, plus in-depth interviews with both audiences and industry stakeholders.
The findings of our research caught national attention, with coverage in The Guardian, The Stage, Arts Professional and WhatsOnStage. The findings showed that filmed theatre:
- Increases overall engagement with theatre: 60% audiences said cinema broadcasts and streaming theatre productions enabled them to consume more theatre; and 69% said they discovered productions they may not have considered attending before
- Is highly unlikely to replace live theatre and impact in-person attendance: for 89% of respondents, live theatre remains the clear preference
- Plays a role in democratising access to theatre: over 50% of under-35s reported that they had streamed theatre in the last 12 months, with further evidence that filmed theatre helps remove barriers to attendance for many others, especially those with access requirements.
To find out more about the research and findings, you can download the full report from the National Theatre's website below.