Following the success of the live broadcast of Romantics Anonymous, watched by more than 20,000 people worldwide, Wise Children today announce their plan to offer live broadcast events as part of all future programming. The online format that they trailblazed for Romantics Anonymous was so successful that the company believe they will continue working in this way, long into the future.
A revival of The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk will be directed by Emma Rice in a co-production with Kneehigh and Bristol Old Vic, with further details to be announced soon.
Last month, following theatre closures and the cancellation of the US tour of Romantics Anonymous as a result of Covid-19, Wise Children adapted to the new world by broadcasting Romantics Anonymous live from the Bristol Old Vic. Implementing a Covid-secure procedure borrowed from the TV and Film industry, the company formed a bubble and were able to perform the show in its original form – singing, dancing and even kissing!
Using a radical new live broadcast system, and collaborating with 34 theatres across the world, Wise Children were able to offer affordable tickets and reach a global audience, selling almost 12,000 tickets for the production’s limited 5-day run. In addition, the project provided work for 38 freelance theatre makers, a group that represent 70% of the theatre industry.
Artistic Director of Wise Children, Emma Rice today said, “Over the last few months, Wise Children have learnt things we never thought we’d need to know, with the core team taking on new roles ranging from Covid Safety Officer to Camera Operator. This was our chance to ensure that ‘the show will go on’, by doing what we do best: dreaming, daring, innovating, collaborating, creating and inspiring – even in the face of a global pandemic.
This new way of working allows us to reach people across the globe and our aim as Wise Children is now to continue to offer live broadcasts of our shows – even after we return to ‘normal’. This de-stabilising time has impacted our industry in many ways, but the accessibility and availability of dynamic and engaging theatre should, and must, continue. Not in spite of COVID but because of it, stories must continue to be shared and our diverse community celebrated. With this in mind, I can’t wait for The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk to land in the homes of our audience wherever they are on the planet. It really is a brave new world.”
