LIVE broadcasts are not the same as a night at the opera, but they are giving local audiences a chance to be part of the action.

From world-class ballet to sold-out London shows, live theatre broadcasts are becoming more and more popular in Worcestershire.

Research carried out during the National Theatre’s inauguraul NT Live season - which saw four highly-anticipated London plays broadcast at cinemas and independant theatres all over the UK - has shown that the satalitte screenings appeal to “lower income audiences” and fit nicely with the government’s desire to see more culture thriving outside of the capital city.

Emma Bangham, programming manager at Number 8 Community Arts Centre in Pershore believes they offer something that’s unlike cinema or a live show.

“A lot of people have said that it’s a totally new experience,” she said.

“It’s not the same as being at the theatre, but it’s nothing like a film. There are close ups of the actors and you still get the atmosphere of it being live. A lot of people applaud just like they do at theatre.”

Both Number 8 in Pershore High Street and the Malvern Theatres will be showing a full season of NT Live productions, including Nicholas Hytner’s critically-acclaimed production of Hamlet on Thursday, December 9.

Fred Moroni, marketing manager at Malvern, said: "Live broadcasts are a wonderfully inclusive way of enabling people across the country to take part in the capital's theatre scene.

“Rory Kinnear's Hamlet and Derek Jacobi's King Lear are particularly highly anticpated performances that people may not otherwise be able to see, be it due to limited ticket availability or busy schedules.

“And I think for people to be able to watch the Bolshoi's Nutcracker screened in Malvern just days before Christmas is particularly exciting.”

As well as live drama, theatres are screening top-end opera. Live from the MET at the Malvern Theatres will see brand new productions of Verdi's Don Carlo and Wagner’s Die Walkure shown locally, while Tsarina's Slippers performed by the Royal Opera and the Royal Ballet will be screened at the Vue cinema in Worcester on Monday, November 15 and Tuesday, November 16.

For more information on any of the shows and to book call Malvern Theatres on 01684 899227, Number 8 on 01386 555488 or visit myvue.co.uk for Vue.


Worcester News recommendeds...

  • Hamlet at Malvern Theatres and Number 8 on Thursday, December 9. The National’s acclaimed prodcution starring Rory Kinnear.
  • The Nutcracker at Malvern Theatres on Sunday, December 19. The Bolshoi Ballet production will be screened live from Moscow.
  • Verdi’s Don Carlo at Malvern Theatres on Saturday, December 11. Live from the Metropolitan Opera in New York, this brand new production stars Roberto Alagna and Simon Keenlyside.
  • King Lear at Malvern Theatres and Number 8 on Thursday, February 3. Michael Grange’s production starring Derek Jacobi is broadcast live from the Donmar Warehouse in London.