Broadway Blog - Stage to Screen

Cinematical.com has a new piece up about how "movie theaters aren't just for movies anymore" which talks about the streaming of theatrical events (so far the theatre is all in the UK, though we've got opera here), like those staged at the Traverse theater, London's National Theatre (the biggest streamers thus far) and the upcoming King Lear at Donmar Warehouse. They raise an interesting question about taking the idea one step further, allowing audiences at home to stream a plethora of live and taped productions, including the ability to switch between camera angles to follow a particular performer, track or view. I think that with the ever-increasing ability with even basic home theater equipment to replicate many movie theatre features without many movie theatre headaches... that it's simply another logical next step. The only question is how long before someone tries this. Personally, I'm waiting for 3D as well.  

The writer also points out:

"That being said, imagine the possibilities. One would no longer have to be in the big cities to see leading actors and celebrities take the stage. Though satellite theater would remove the once-in-a-lifetime immediacy of the affair, it would also open up the art to a bigger and more widespread audience."

I don't think there's anything that can or will ever replace the feeling of the LIVE experience of seeing theatre with an audience but, I would LOVE to see EVERYTHING filmed if the unions can agree to an economic model that will benefit all. If done right, this would indeed increase the audience and accessibility of Theatre Worldwide and as we've seen with film adaptions of shows like Chicago, Mamma Mia! and Phantom -- they've only helped (and not hurt) their on stage counterparts. More please!