Key Takeaways:
- The incoming director of the Bristol Old Vic, Rebecca Dawson, believes that casting big stars in stage productions is necessary to compete with streaming services for people’s time and money.
- Theatre is facing an "undeniably challenging" moment due to the Covid pandemic, austerity, and cost of living pressures.
- Dawson emphasizes the importance of ensuring that celebrity castings are the right choice for a production, rather than just relying on their fame.
- The theatre industry needs to diversify its revenue streams to survive, including relying on pantomime productions and big-name castings to pull in audiences.
- Dawson argues that increasing public subsidy for the theatre and arts is necessary, despite the challenges faced by the UK government.
Introduction to the Challenges Facing Theatre
Theatre is facing an "undeniably challenging" moment, according to Rebecca Dawson, the incoming director of the Bristol Old Vic. With the Covid pandemic, austerity, and cost of living pressures, the industry is struggling to compete with streaming services for people’s time and money. As Dawson prepares to take on her new role, she acknowledges the need for theatres to adapt and find new ways to attract audiences. One strategy that has been employed by some theatres is casting big stars in stage productions. While this can be an effective way to draw in crowds, Dawson emphasizes the importance of ensuring that these castings are the right choice for the production, rather than just relying on the celebrity’s fame.
The Role of Celebrity Castings in Theatre
The debate over the casting of film and TV stars for the stage has been ongoing, with some arguing that it is "killing" the industry. However, Dawson believes that big-name castings can be beneficial as long as they are done thoughtfully. She notes that pantomime productions, for example, often rely on big-name castings to pull in audiences, and that this can be a effective way to attract new viewers to the theatre. Additionally, Dawson suggests that big stars can bring credibility to a production, which can be particularly important in the face of competition from digital competitors like Netflix. However, she also emphasizes that the quality of the production is paramount, and that the casting of a celebrity should not be the sole reason for a production’s success.
The Importance of Diversifying Revenue Streams
Dawson believes that the theatre industry needs to diversify its revenue streams in order to survive. This can include relying on pantomime productions, big-name castings, and other strategies to attract audiences. She notes that larger commercial theatres have realized that a starry lead in a play can help them predict the demand for the show, and that this can be an effective way to bring in revenue. However, she also emphasizes the importance of ensuring that productions are of high quality, and that the casting of a celebrity is not just a gimmick. By diversifying its revenue streams and focusing on quality productions, the theatre industry can better compete with streaming services and other forms of entertainment.
The Need for Public Subsidy
Despite the challenges faced by the UK government, Dawson argues that increasing public subsidy for the theatre and arts is necessary. She notes that Arts Council England grants have been at a standstill since 2012, which in real terms equates to a near 50% cut. This reduction in funding has had a significant impact on the theatre industry, and Dawson believes that increased public subsidy is necessary to support the arts. She argues that the arts are a vital part of society, and that they can add significant value to communities. By providing funding for the theatre and arts, the government can help to support the industry and ensure its continued success.
The Resilience of the Theatre Industry
Despite the challenges facing the theatre industry, Dawson is optimistic about its future. She notes that the arts are incredibly resilient, and that they have a long history of responding to challenging circumstances in creative and innovative ways. She believes that the theatre industry will continue to adapt and evolve, and that it will find new ways to attract audiences and produce high-quality productions. With the right support and funding, Dawson is confident that the theatre industry will thrive, and that it will continue to play an important role in society. As she takes on her new role at the Bristol Old Vic, Dawson is excited to be a part of this process, and to help shape the future of the theatre industry.