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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle
Matthew Caines

#LoveTheatre day – live

A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Noel Coward Theatre
Sheridan Smith and David Walliams in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Noel Coward Theatre. Photograph: Johan Persson/Johan Persson

Jazz-hands at the ready because the #Showtime hashtag has officially started, which means this live-blog sadly has to come to an end. Follow the conversation on Twitter to ensure you don’t miss a thing.

It’s been a fascinating day of insights, images, tips and tweets, so thanks to everyone for reading, responding and emailing in.

#LoveTheatre day was meant to be a celebration of theatre and that’s exactly what it was. Let’s ensure the conversation doesn’t end there, so we can continue to raise the profile of the incredible work being done by theatres, both nationally and locally.

Sign-up to the Culture Professionals Network as a member (for free) here and follow us on Twitter @GdnCulturePros.

Thanks for reading!

Updated

Some obligatory in-the-mirror #Showtime shots for you…

No conversation about #Showtime would be complete without talking about the digital platforms and technologies changing the way we consume theatre.

The National Theatre’s NT Live project is one such example. Launched in June 2009, the broadcast service brings National Theatre productions live from the London stage to cinemas across the UK and around the world. More than 2.7 million people have watched NT productions this way since the programme’s inception. Research from Nesta about the project found that it was more likely, not less likely, to make people go to the theatre.

NT Live paved the way for other live-streaming programmes, services and non-live cinema showings of British theatre. The Globe theatre also recently launched Globe Player, a service that allows users to stream and/or download more than 50 of the theatre’s productions onto their computers and mobile devices.

There are also interesting things happening in the way work is created and presented. Bertie Watkins, director of CoLab Theatre, spoke to the network about using augmented reality and geolocation to take an immersive spy story to the next level.

The reason I came up with the Fifth Column was because of monetary confinements and using tech meant I could do it. Technology is making shows possible that could never be imagined before. It’s truly crossing that boundary between live performance and gaming.

#Showtime

The final sub-hashtag of #LoveTheatre day gives those who can’t make it to a theatre the chance to sit in the “virtual stalls” to experience the a performance, or several, via Twitter. For example, the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield (@crucibletheatre) will be live-tweeting a performance of Queen Coal.

In the meantime, some food for thought form theatre-maker and artist Sabrina Mahfouz, who earlier this year gave us five things theatre can learn from the restaurant world. She embraced the kitchen heat for her latest play, Chef, and found not a single Gordon Ramsay-style rant in sight.

Checking that everyone is clear, explaining things as best you can and being up-front about expectations are simple – but often forgotten – ways to make sure the dish is alright on the night.

Chopping board
Knives out. Photograph: Getty Images

What you see on the stage is only a small part of what goes on behind the scenes. This film from the England National Opera of the inside workings of the London Coliseum explains how productions come to the stage from the moment they are chosen right through to the first night.

#LoveTheatre

For those of you just joining and wondering what all this #LoveTheatre fuss is about, the 24-hour Twitter event will see theatres from across the UK and beyond share tweets, videos, vines, images and insights via the #LoveTheatre hashtag to provide some insight into how our cultural institutions are run.

The project – thought up and run in partnership by Twitter UK, CultureThemes and the Guardian Culture Pros Network – is open to everyone.

Why are we doing this? In a time of deep funding cuts, imbalances in funding and company closures, this initiative presents an opportunity for theatres to shout about the great work they do, reach wider audiences and make contacts and collaborate with other venues and stage companies from across the world. We want the day to drive active engagement throughout the theatre community in the lead up to the busy festive season.

For a good spot of background reading, take a look at today’s feature on theatre in the UK and why we must love it or lose it.

Cultureband has made Radiohole’s Whatever, Heaven Allows available for free in full HD on their channel, for a limited time in celebration of #LoveTheatre day. Check it out below.

Shakespeare’s Globe (@The_Globe) has been bloody brilliant at revealing what goes on backstage today…

Home Manchester has just tweeted a brilliant show report following a particular performance of Romeo & Juliet:

During the fight between Romeo and Paris (at gunpoint) Mr Bajaj slipped and fell into the water at the top end of the pool. Mr Felton had got him out of the water by the time [the company stage manager] CSM arrived (he actually stated to Mr Felton whilst in the water: ‘I can’t swim’). On arrival, Mr Bajaj said he was okay to CSM. He decided that he had died by drowning so there was no subsequent fight between them as originally staged. CSM walked away and scene continued. However, the gun was now on the bottom of the pool so Mr Felton jumped into the pool to retrieve it. All fine after.

Updated

Playhouse pooches

Not one to be biased towards felines, check out these resident theatre dogs…

Pinter paws

Plenty of playhouses have a resident moggy. They’re not just useful as mousers, but also keep up company spirits and make the odd appearance on stage.

Here are some of our favourite theatre cats from a gallery we ran in April…

Little Angel theatre cat
Harry, the resident cat at Little Angel theatre in Islington.

Here are a few #AskATheatre career questions we’ve already tackled on site:

What tips do you have for an aspiring theatre producer?

Read this advice piece from China Plate’s Ed Collier and Paul Warwick on theatre production. Brush up on your Excel skills, treat the budget as a piece of art and be patient, they advise.

Any career tips for an aspiring backstage theatre professional?

We’ve got you covered in this piece on theatre careers. From production to wig and puppet making, seven theatre pros share their tips on how to kickstart your dream stage career.

How can I make a second run a success?

Start by reexamining the score, wrote conductor Tim Murray for us in August.

Any fundraising tips?

Consider fundraising a creative process and don’t fear the pros, says rookie Kate Romano, who went from £2,000 to over £100,000.

Any social media tips for an aspiring theatre marketer?

Read our expert advice features on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Tumblr and Instagram.

We took advantage of #AskATheatre to find out what one top tip a venue would give to a young theatre professional who wants to work for them.

An impressive image from The Théâtre National de Strasbourg, which just goes to show the scale of how much work goes on behind the scenes…

We ask a lot of questions of theatres on the Culture Pros Network as part of Arts head, our interview series with some of the most influential and inspiring people heading up our arts and culture organisations. Previous theatre interviewees have included Action Hero’s Gemma Paintin, Eclipse Theatre’s Dawn Walton and North Country Theatre’s Nobby Dimon.

One particular highlight was this interview with Purni Morell, artistic director of Unicorn theatre, who quite neatly summed up the personal relationship we have with theatre:

I have a friend who says there are two problems in this world – and only two: one is how you live with other people; the other is how you live with yourself. What I like about theatre is that it’s the meeting point of those two problems.

#AskATheatre

At 3pm we kick off the next sub-hashtag of the day: #AskATheatre, which offers an opportunity for theatre lovers and aspiring theatre-makers to hear first-hand from the individuals and groups that make the magic happen.

We’ll hear from cast, crew, orchestral members and more in a quick-fire series of Q&A sessions.

Got a question? Follow #AskATheatre on Twitter…

Theatres at risk: nine venues facing destruction

In September, the Theatres Trust added eight new arts venues to its Theatre Buildings at Risk register for 2014, which featured 33 buildings in all, many in extreme disrepair and at risk of demolition.

A prime example is the the Grade II* Brighton Hippodrome, for which the local council has approved demolition and redevelopment plans to create a cinema multiplex and restaurant. Designed by Frank Matcham, the theatre is of national significance as one of only three remaining Victorian circus theatres in the UK.

Unless the developers reconsider their scheme, the theatre will be lost forever, which makes it vital that days like #LoveTheatre happen to help raise awareness of local theatres.

Brighton Hippodrome
The Brighton Hippodrome. Photograph: The Theatres Trust

Updated

Mya Gosling, who runs the Good Tickle Brain blog, drew this neat #LoveTheatre comic to commemorate the day.

#LoveTheatre comic

Are you a “foss standard white” or a “foss white fine” kind of snow-person?

Some more #LoveTheatre facts we’ve learned:

  • There are 792 pixel LEDs in the set of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time (@curiousonstage)
  • Cartoonist Ronald Searle played the Ghost in a pastiche of Hamlet while prisoner-of-war in Changi Prison (@V_and_A)
  • The velvet auditorium curtain at the Royal Opera House weighs 2.5 tonnes, about the same as a family car (@RoyalOperaHouse)

WhatsOnStage has just reminded us of an incredibly moving story from 2012, which really brings home the power of theatre.

In the performance notes from a production of Harold and the Purple Crayon by Seattle Children’s Theatre, a stage manager had this to say:

It was generally agreed by all that the show was ‘kind of rough’ (tech wise). But after the show we learned that there was a five-year-old autistic child in the house. He had never spoken. But as the lights went down, he began to talk. In full sentences. He called the teacher by name. She had no idea he even knew her name.

He was engaged in the show – at one point commenting to the teacher that if there is a dragon then there will be fire. And there was fire. He talked throughout the full show. When the lights came back up, he quit talking and returned to his world.

So yes, I could list all the things that [went] wrong today but that is not what this show is about. And that little boy certainly didn’t see those things as he sat talking in the dark theatre watching Harold and his Purple Crayon.

Updated

Prague Youth Theatre offers this lovely little insight from a five-year-old student who, when asked why they love theatre, replied:

Because I can say ‘poop’ and people will laugh.

If that doesn’t sum up what #LoveTheatre is all about, I don’t now what will.

Updated

A great quote shared by the Olivier Awards Twitter team (@OlivierAwards):

Theatres are curious places, magician’s trick-boxes where the golden memories of dramatic triumphs linger like nostalgic ghosts, and where the unexplainable, the fantastic, the tragic, the comic and the absurd are routine occurrences on and off the stage

EA Bucchianeri

Another insightful video from the National Theatre. Here, sound designer and composer Alma Kelliher discusses her creative process, her work on The Elephantom and why sound should be arranged like a musical score.

Updated

A really strong piece here from UK Theatre’s executive director, David Brownlee:

Theatre in the UK: love it or lose it

British theatre is a thriving, internationally successful sector, but cuts and diminishing coffers are cause for concern

In 2014, theatre continues to be one of a few industries where the UK still leads the world, creating challenging, innovative an excellent work for a huge domestic audience and for export all around the world … but scratch the surface and there are serious causes for concern.

It’s certainly worth a read, not least to hear about all the incredible work theatres do with adults, young people and children – all, of course, at risk if local authorities, the unsung heroes of arts funding for decades, continue to be squeezed.

UK Theatre is responsible for the excellent My Theatre Matters campaign, so sign up and join the thousands of others who have already told their local councillors how they value their local authority’s investment in their local venue.

More brilliance, this time from The Royal Opera House.

We give you ballet in super slow motion…

Theatre fans are sharing and revealing that precise #LoveTheatre moment of a show. Here’s the Guardian’s Lyn Gardner:

Ever wondered how a ruff is prepared? Well wonder no more because Shakespeare’s Globe has got you covered; apparently, the ruffs are washed, steamed and then “poked” with a hot poker, which gives them that stiff, starchy hold.

A fantastic #BackStage video from the National Theatre on what happens in the hours, days, weeks and months leading up to a production.

#LoveTheatre? We do…

Why not go #BackStage for our Off the Page series of microplays. The Guardian and Royal Court have teamed up to present the stage series, which sees our writers unite with some of theatre’s most important playwrights and directors.

Here’s director Carrie Cracknell and social affairs writer Amelia Gentleman on how they worked with Laura Wade and Jack Monroe to cook up the first play (which you can view below).

Britain Isn’t Eating

Things we’ve learned from the #BackStage hashtag:

  • It’s a legal requirement to demonstrate that the safety curtain works at every performance (@SavoyTheatreLdn)
  • It takes 18 months to prepare for a panto (@Imagine_Theatre)
  • Every night, more than 124 different pairs of boots are worn in War Horse (@WarHorseOnStage)

Also, sewing…

Updated

We’ve headed backstage many a time on the Culture Pros Network…

In this interview from October, 23-year-old technical touring manager Ari Levy spoke about bringing silent disco technology to the stage and breaking into the technical side of theatre.

Earlier that month, we also interviewed Paul Kaynes, creative programmes director at Birmingham Hippodrome. He spoke about the organisation’s Plus programme, a #BackStage project that impacts thousand of people by offering free performances and outreach opportunities for disabled audiences, schools and locals. Here’s what he said about it:

We start with the audience: who we want to reach this year, how people responded to programmes last time and the kinds of engagement we created. We also want to have some fun; the artistic personality of the theatre is about music, dance and entertainment. It’s important we embody that spirit.

Brrrr, it’s chilly outside, but you’re welcome to warm up with one of these coats from Matilda, The Musical:

Christopher Hampson, artistic director of Scottish Ballet, also tweeted this #BackStage pic of some food props … who’s hungry?

Here’s a great #BackStage Vine from The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time team. Even the animals need a pre-performance snack to keep them energised!

#BackStage

The first sub-hashtag of the day offers a chance for theatre lovers and audiences to see what goes on behind the scenes of our beloved cultural institutions. It’s also a perfect opportunity to put the spotlight on the unsung heroes of the stage: prop teams, producers, stage managers, technicians, arts marketers and so on.

Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats; today’s show will be starting in 15 minutes…

While the main #LoveTheatre hashtag will be active throughout the day to guide general conversation, there will also be three sub-hashtags to highlight specific themes:

• #BackStage (10am-12pm) will offer audiences and other arts professionals a glimpse into how a production comes together in the weeks and months leading up to the big night.

• #AskATheatre (3-5pm) will offer a unique opportunity for theatre aficionados and aspiring actors to hear first-hand from the individuals and groups that make the magic happen.

• #Showtime (7-10pm) will give those who can’t make it to a theatre the chance to sit in the “virtual stalls” to experience the a performance, or several, via Twitter.

If counting down the days to Christmas isn’t enough, we on the Guardian Culture Professionals Network have also been counting down the days to #LoveTheatre day, which is today! While mince pies will be optional, sharing your love for the stage will be mandatory. So whether you’re an artist, practitioner, producer, funder or fan, get involved on Twitter via the #LoveTheatre hashtag and the three sub-hashtag events taking place throughout the day (more on those soon).

The 24-hour event will see theatres from across the UK and beyond share tweets, videos, vines, images and insights via the #LoveTheatre hashtag to provide some insight into how our cultural institutions are run.

Why are we doing this? In a time of deep funding cuts, imbalances in funding and company closures, this initiative presents an opportunity for theatres to shout about the great work they do, reach wider audiences and make contacts and collaborate with other venues and stage companies from across the world. We want the day to drive active engagement throughout the theatre community in the lead up to the busy festive season.

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