National Theatre Study Finds Streaming Boosts Live Theatre Attendance

New research commissioned by the National Theatre and conducted by the agency Indigo reveals that filmed theatre via services like NT Live and NT at Home does not discourage in-person attendance but instead makes audiences more adventurous. The study, based on an 11-day online survey of roughly 5,500 UK respondents, found that 93% of those who watched filmed theatre also attended live performances. In-person attendance remains the clear preference at 89%. Filmed theatre skews younger, with over half of under-35s streaming theatre in the past year, and increases access for disabled audiences (20% of home viewers vs. 15% in-person). Key benefits cited include convenience, the ability to discover new performances, and lower financial risk. National Theatre director Indhu Rubasingham presented the findings on Monday, noting that the initiatives are core to the organization's mission. Industry figures like Tom Powis of Wessex Grove and director Justin Martin highlighted that filmed theatre extends the life of productions and allows for artistic innovation, such as close-ups that reveal performance nuance. Martin and playwright Suzie Miller plan a third legal drama to complete a streamable trilogy. Prima Facie has reached 1.5 million cinema viewers since 2022, while Inter Alia has been seen by over 450,000 people worldwide via NT Live, more than seven times its live audience.