Cinema screenings are no substitute for live theatre report says

According to a report by the Society of London Theatre, audiences do not believe cinema screenings of theatre productions are a substitute for the real thing.

The report, published by SOLT, UK Theatre and Arts Council England, is the first piece of primary research into 'live-to-digital' work – taking a live production and transferring it onto a digital platform – and theatre audiences.

The study also found that whilst live-to-digital productions are becoming more prevalent, there has been a minimal impact on live theatre attendance as well as overall touring remaining stable, despite some organisations experiencing challenges. Some of these challenged cited include finances, skills, staffing and getting the rights to broadcast productions.

Overall, organisations said that live-to-digital had a positive impact, but 40 per cent of organisations yet to enter the live-to-digital market haven't done so because a "lack of understanding" is holding them back".

54 per cent of the 1,263 surveyed said they did not attend cinema events because they preferred live theatre, with a further 10 per cent simply weren't interested in event cinema. The study also found that people aged 45 to 64 are the most likely to attend event cinema, with 16 to 24 year olds as likely to attend as 65 to 74 year olds.

Today, the National Theatre announced that next year it will be broadcasting performances of Amadeus, Saint Joan and Hedda Gabler live to cinemas across the country, and says six million people worldwide have seen one of their broadcasts.