Kwame Kwei-Armah: Theatre still vital
The artistic director of the Young Vic says theatres have to understand audiences and stay 鈥榗ontinually valid鈥�
The artistic director of the Young Vic theatre has told the 麻豆社 that despite the challenges presented by technology and streaming services, the stage still offered audiences the unique experience of a 鈥榟uman being staring at another human being telling a facet of their story鈥�.
Speaking to HARDtalk鈥檚 Stephen Sackur, Kame Kwei-Armah said the theatre remained vital. 鈥楾his is an art form that has existed since ancient Egypt, right up to today鈥�, he said. But he also emphasised those running theatres had to engage audiences and 鈥榬each and find them and speak to them in a way that says 鈥渋t鈥檚 worth you leaving your house to see a reflection of yourself in 3D鈥濃��.
Recent research shows a decline in traditional media engagement as audiences turn to new on-demand services. Kwei-Armah said it was sometimes difficult to attract writers of a certain calibre to make work for the stage 鈥榩urely because theatre pays so little, and TV pays a lot鈥�.
Kwame Kwei-Armah has had a distinguished career as a playwright and director and has led the Young Vic theatre in London since 2018.
