Student Blog: The Importance of Making Musical Theatre More Accessible

Not everyone can afford to go to the theatre. Whether it be because of the prizes of the tickets or that, geographically speaking, you may have to travel far, it is a considerably exclusive form of art. In my case, as I live in Switzerland, I have to travel to the city of Zürich to see a musical, which is a 3 hours ride or an expensive train journey.

By making theatre more accessible through pro-shots by example, we allow people to experience it almost firsthand. Filming shows does not mean that people will not still buy tickets to see it in person. The live experience is always richer and different from seeing the show at home. We may want to see a particular company or a particular actor. Also, it is a way to find out about plays that we may not know about yet. It is less engaging to stream a pro-shot from our couch than buying tickets to a theatre. By filming musicals professionally, we additionally reduce the number of bootlegs. Logically, a video in HD is more enjoyable than a shaky recording. Bootlegs are also proof that despite being able to see the show online, we still go see it on stage. It also lets the show live past its closing. If a pro-shot is filmed at the end of its run, we will be able to see it again. More accessibility through recordings is not synonymous with the end of live theatre.

Movies based on existing musicals can also be a solution when done correctly. It also allows the show to exist beyond the stage and be perhaps more appealing to a broader audience. One of my personal favourites is probably The Sound Of Music. Maybe I am biased because of the childhood crush I had for Captain Von Trapp, but it is just so good. On the other end of the spectrum, some movies completely missed the note, no pun intended. I have to admit that I did not like the movie Cats. On stage, it is pretty good, but those CGI cats still haunt my nights.

This year, many musicals movies are coming out. First In The Heights, then later this year Dear Evan Hansen, Everybody's Talking About Jamie, West Side Story and Tick, Tick... Boom!, there is plenty of choices. I am particularly thrilled to be able to share my favourites musicals with my friends in a form that they may be more receptive and used to.

During the pandemic, with everything closed, it became even more evident that we need to find a way to have easier access to theatre. When Hamilton came out, it was amazing to see a performance like that from our living room. I think that more of these would do good for the industry. We can learn lessons from the whole situation and try to better the industry.

In conclusion, we can do so much better in term of accessibility. From the tickets prizes to making more professional recordings, there are tons of solutions possible. I wish from Broadway to be less exclusive and more open. I hope that, in the future, I will be able to see a play live without having to sell one of my organs on the black market or to travel to another continent.