Lights, camera, action: Titchfield Festival Theatre to stream their shows during lockdown

2021 may have started with theatres closed to the public, however for Titchfield Festival Theatre the new year is full of opportunity. In spite of the current restrictions, the theatre is expanding further its streaming of shows, ensuring that existing patrons and new audiences can still watch their favourite productions in the comfort of their own home.

Filming productions rather than performing on stage as a play or a musical show is an interesting new venture for one the UK’s largest community theatre groups. With every production now being streamed rather than performed live in their theatres, the cast have had to develop new aptitudes in acting technique, similar to those by actors in television programmes. To adhere to social distancing and keep everyone safe, only a few cast members are called together, with a maximum of two or three people at any point on stage.

Kevin Fraser, Artistic Director of Titchfield Festival Theatre, said, “We have been streaming our productions LIVE since we were allowed back into the theatre every Friday and Saturday when they were running. With this latest lockdown our theatres remain closed but now we film the shows, edit post-production and then stream them on the days they were scheduled to be performed live. Streaming is a recent phenomenon for us, but it is proving to be both fun and exciting. Our beautiful theatre is now an impressive film set, and all of the actors are having to learn new skills. For example, we film in very short scenes, often jumping from scene-to-scene. Another key difference is that an actor may perform in character with one particular emotion and have to show a completely different sentiment in another. It is not easy, but both the cast and crew are stepping up to the challenge.”

Currently showing is the comedy hit Up Pompeii, the stage version of the classic television series starring Frankie Howard as the much put-upon slave Lurcio.

This classic comedy show is full of doubles-entendres and risqué jokes, though it is all good clean fun. Live streaming of Up Pompeii is until Sunday 17 January, starting with a preamble at 6.30pm. The live show commences at 7.30pm. Details of how to watch the show are here.

TFT’s next production is Him & Me – The Tracy Hepburn story, a new play in two acts by Charly Armstrong & Dan Scott.

For more information on Titchfield Festival Theatre including booking tickets for forthcoming productions, please go to https://www.titchfieldfestivaltheatre.com/.