Is a World Of Streaming Causing Our Theatres To Drown?

 By Tom Murray, Kingdown School

The theatre, a venue historically associated with spectacular scenes of showbiz and magnificent musical numbers, but what about now? Theatres have always been a place of wonder and intrigue, however in this new age of social media, Netflix and Amazon, is the theatre relevant anymore?

Recently, a large number of students (from schools across Wiltshire) packed out the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton to witness a spectacular showing of J.B Priestley’s; An Inspector Calls. The performance was enthralling and captivating, it dazzled and excited many in the audience as well as leaving the viewer on the edge of their seat with the mesmeric use of special effects. However, this experience still posed the question, could you experience this at home? The answer to said question appears to be one of great discussion and interest, Bethany Turner (who attended the play) had this to say on the matter, “The magic of a theatre is something not many places or streaming platforms can replicate, my experience today was special and it’s something that will remain with me for a long time.”

As so many teenagers are growing up with outrageous feats of Hollywood magic on their screens so often, how can a theatre really compare? Although it is magical to experience a musical with stunning renditions of your favourite songs, is it worth leaving your house and paying a lot of money for? On one hand, the theatre can provoke so many special emotions inside someone when witnessing a show of extraordinary quality and enjoyment, however on the other hand, you could easily argue the same for so many movies and blockbuster television series that exist on high-end streaming services. In the end, it all comes down to the person. If you are someone who enjoys the unique atmosphere and soft cushioned, velvet seats then the theatre may well be for you. Furthermore, if you happen to be someone who is more than capable of enjoying a piece of cinematic brilliance from the comfort of your own home then these streaming services and paid subscriptions offer an excellent alternative from the theatre.