Northampton theatre launches digital platform for audiences at home

The theatres have estimated more than 40,000 tickets have been cancelled or postponed since lockdown started.

Royal & Derngate has launched 'Royal & Derngate at home', a digital platform packed with creative content for audiences to watch, join in with and share from their homes.

A mixture of free weekly workshops and resource packs are keeping over 200 people connected with live theatre skills workshops, videos, yoga and creative challenges specially designed to help all ages to feel less isolated.

It comes as the organisation, which earns close to 90% of its income through ticket sales and bar revenue, was shut overnight on 18th March with 85% of the venue's 230 employees now on furlough. It has since launched a new campaign called 'Bring Us Back Together' that encourages customers to book tickets for events later in the year, buy vouchers for gifts or become a year-long member.

Since lockdown, Royal & Derngate's creative learning team has transferred all of its work with young people and communities online through the theatre's at home platform. And, the team are continuing to work with the Northants Cultural Education Partnership, which is providing career and backstage insights, fun creative activities and resources for schools and families schooling at home.

The theatres have estimated more than 40,000 tickets have been cancelled or postponed since lockdown started and bosses are working towards re-opening the venue, which brings £28 million to the local economy every year, when government restrictions and health advice allows.

Meanwhile, the venue’s 'Our Stages at home' strand launched a brand new digital musical #ZoologicalSociety by Vikki Stone and Katie Mulgrew, which has been enjoyed by more than 100,000 people and is available to stream for free, alongside other content from their Made in Northampton programme.

Other areas of the site include Filmhouse at home, with Northampton Filmhouse’s weekly watch-along for audiences missing the shared experience of an auditorium, links to performances from their emerging performer’s scheme and back stage tours.

Royal & Derngate at home can be found by clicking here. The majority of the content on the site is free and being updated daily with new activities and watchable content.