Can you tell us a bit about the backstory of The Theatre Channel? What brought you both together to launch this platform?
The Theatre Channel was born out of a shared love for theatre and a commitment to making it accessible to a global audience. Paul Morrissey and I both come from theatre backgrounds, and we saw firsthand how the industry was impacted by the pandemic. As theatre lovers, we wanted to create a platform that would support the industry in a new way, bridging the gap between live experiences and on-demand content. With The Theatre Channel, we aim to celebrate the magic of theatre while making it available to anyone, anywhere.
On-demand theatre experiences came to prominence as a response to the limitations that the pandemic placed on live theatre. Now that that’s behind us, it’s clear that digital experiences remain important for increasing accessibility. How is The Theatre Channel designed to reach wider audiences?
The Theatre Channel is designed with accessibility in mind. We offer a range of free content to ensure that theatre remains within reach, no matter someone’s financial situation or location. For those interested in premium content, our affordable Theatre Channel+ subscription unlocks exclusive shows, interviews, and concerts. We also made the platform easy to use on mobile devices, desktops, and apps, allowing audiences to engage with theatre from wherever they are. Our hope is that anyone interested in theatre, whether a new fan or a lifelong enthusiast, will feel welcome and connected.
Often the creatives behind the scenes of a musical theatre production can be overlooked – can you tell us about your mission to shine a light on these people?
Absolutely! At The Theatre Channel, we believe that the magic of theatre is created not only by the performers on stage but also by the incredible team behind the scenes—directors, lighting designers, writers, and countless others. Our interviews and features, like The Director’s Cut with Josie Rourke and Lighting Warhorse with Paule Constable, provide a platform for these talented individuals to share their insights and experiences. By highlighting their contributions, we hope to deepen our audience’s appreciation for all the elements that come together to create the theatre we love.
Watching on-demand at home is a different experience to watching a live show in a theatre audience. How is your content striking the balance between adapting for home viewers while still conjuring the magic of the theatre?
We’re very conscious of this balance. The Theatre Channel carefully curates content that brings the magic of live theatre to the screen while respecting the unique format of on-demand viewing. We work with creatives who understand how to capture the essence of live performance, so our audiences feel like they’re part of the experience. Exclusive concerts like My Fair Ladies and The West End Men: Unplugged are filmed in ways that bring intimacy and immediacy, allowing home viewers to feel a connection with the performers as if they were in the front row.
As well as West End and Broadway shows, The Theatre Channel also features Fringe content. Can you tell us more about this?
Our From the Fringe segment and our Partnership with Chewboy Productions is dedicated to supporting and showcasing emerging voices and lesser-known productions. Fringe theatre is where some of the most innovative and exciting work happens, and we want to help bring that to a wider audience. By featuring Fringe content, we give our viewers the chance to discover new talent and unique stories that they might not otherwise see. It’s important to us to celebrate the diversity and creativity that Fringe theatre brings to the stage.
If you had to pick a favourite among your content, which show would it be?
That’s a tough question! Each piece we feature has something special. However, My Fair Ladies holds a special place for us. It features an incredible lineup of female talent performing classic musical theatre songs, and it was one of our first exclusive concerts. The energy, emotion, and sheer talent of the performers make it a truly memorable experience. It encapsulates what we aim to achieve at The Theatre Channel—a unique blend of artistry and that undeniable theatre magic.