An outgoing theatre chief has urged stage producers to ‘learn from TikTok‘ and increase the speed of scene changes – as to not bore a Gen Z audience with a diminished attention span.
Rufus Norris, the artistic director of the Royal National Theatre, said young people want the story to ‘move on’ without having to sit through agonisingly slow scene changes.
‘In the old days you might see long scene changes with stage managers moving bits of furniture,’ he told The Times. ‘You won’t see that any more. There is a move towards dynamism in storytelling.’
Despite Gen Z’s need for speed, Norris insisted that there is still an appetite for longer shows.
‘Shakespeare still brings in those audiences,’ he said.
Artistic Director of the National Theatre Rufus Norris has urged producers to learn from TikTok
A production of Small Island staged at the National Theatre in 2022
Norris, who will step down after his tenth season at the Royal National Theatre, called for theatres to ‘utilise the mediums’ that younger generations use such as live streaming.
British director Jamie Lloyd is known for redefining theatre and incorporating modern elements into his productions.
This year he staged a groundbreaking version of Romeo and Juliet starring Spider-Man actor Tom Holland as the ill-fated hero.
The Hollywood heartthrob had to use his Spidey senses again as he was sent onto the roof of the theatre during the show and filmed by an army of drones.Â
Live footage was then beamed into the theatre below.
Jamie Lloyd also used camera’s during his Olivier-award winning production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard – which is headed to Broadway.
The actors were followed around onstage by large cameras and live close-ups of their faces were projected onto a gigantic back-screen.Â
Although Nicole Scherzinger, formerly of The Pussycat Dolls, played the starring role of Norma Desmond, it was newcomer Tom Francis’s live-streamed rendition of the title song Sunset Boulevard that stole the show.
Francis marched down the Strand singing his heart out in full view of passers-by as he was broadcast live into the Savoy Theatre.
He then did the same at this year’s The Royal Albert Hall on the night he won the coveted Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical.
Spider-Man Actor Tom Holland (left) played Romeo alongside Francesca Amewudah-Rivers’ (right) Juliet
During the show, Holland was filmed on the roof of the theatre
Tom Francis (left) and Nicole Scherzinger (right) with their Olivier Awards for Best Actor and Actress in a Musical
During Jamie Lloyd’s production of Sunset Boulevard, Francis (pictured) marched down the Strand singing as his performance was live-streamed into the Savoy Theatre
Other theatre producers have used technology to their advantage when casting new young talent for their shows.
The casting team at award-winning musical Dear Evan Hansen used the video platform to open calls for their UK touring production.
Their aim was to ‘democratise the process’ and give those without a Drama school background or an agent the chance to be seen.
At the time Ed Lindeman, Head of Entertainment for TikTok UK and Ireland said: ‘Dear Evan Hansen is already a huge hit with the TikTok community, with thousands of people sharing creations using the much-loved soundtrack.
‘We are delighted that the producers have recognised this and are now turning to TikTok to uncover up-and-coming talent for the touring show.
‘At TikTok, we’re committed to supporting theatre and the creative industries. TikTok is a platform where creativity is discovered, and emerging talent can really thrive; we can’t wait to see who will be found!’
While only two per cent of the 2,000 people that used TikTok to apply were invited to audition, it was Sonny Monaghan who was the chosen one.Â
He will play the understudy of the leading role Evan Hansen.
The National Theatre themselves teamed up with TikTok to help ‘young people around the UK to develop creative skills and fall in love with theatre’.
The year-long partnership will point teenagers in the direction of the National Theatre’s apprenticeships and programmes with the aim of pointing them in the direction of a career in the creative industry.
Rufus Norris (pictured with Camilla in 2022) has called for faster scene changes in an effort to engage younger audiences
TikTok partnered with the National Theatre to point young people towards careers in the creative industry
Following Rufus Norris (left), Indhu Rubasingham (right) will become the Royal National Theatre’s seventh, and first female, chief
Olenka Hodge, Social impact lead, TikTok EMEA said: ‘This partnership with the National Theatre is all about bridging the gap between young people and the creative industries, providing access to the amazing variety of roles that make theatre possible, from technical production through to on stage performance and digital expertise.
‘We hope that, together with The National Theatre, we can continue to inspire the next generation of British talent and forge new pathways into the industry.’
Following Norris, Indhu Rubasingham will become the Royal National Theatre’s seventh, and first female, chief.
Born in Sheffield to Sri-Lankan parents, Ms Rubasingham said: ‘It’s a huge honour to be appointed Director of the National Theatre – for me, this is the best job in the world.
‘I am thrilled to be following in the footsteps of Rufus, and I look forward to working closely with him from next year as I plan my first season.’
