Digital theatre was a grim necessity – it mustn’t become the ‘new normal’
A digital revolution has been forced on theatres in the last 10 months – when they re-open, they need to rescue the art-form’s raison d’être
28 January 2021 • 6:00am
Alone together: Ria Jones in Sunset Boulevard, one of the few digital successes of 2020
Credit: Marc Brenner
We all know that theatre is under threat. No art-form has felt the ravages of Covid so acutely, with playhouses closed (a false start in the autumn aside) and job losses across the industry in the tens of thousands. With no end in sight, it was only natural that the sector, which has always proved resilient in the face of catastrophe, would seek new ways to generate revenue and engage audiences.
A comedy stage and screen legend, Henry was last on stage in
King Hedley II at Theatre Royal Stratford East. He was also meant to have appeared in a 2020 National show –
Richard Pryor on Fire – but the pandemic has sadly scuppered plans for now. He also has an unspecified role.
Peter Mullan
Trainspotting,
My Name Is Joe and more. Some may recognise him as the menacing Yaxley from the
Harry Potter films. He cut his teeth on stage as part of the left-wing theatre movement that emerged during Thatcher s time in office.
Lloyd Owen
Early in his career Owen worked extensively with Cheek by Jowl, with other credits including