NEWS: Samsung helps bring Digital Theatre into your home

For the past three years, media production company Digital Theatre has been bringing London’s theatre to wherever you are in the form of a high-definition digital recording, a theatrical experience for less than the price of a restricted view seat at most West End theatres (online rentals are from £6.99).

Founders Robert Delamere and Tom Shaw have now taken the company forward in an unprecedented leap which will surely lead the fledging company onto bigger and better things: launching an app in conjunction with Samsung. Consumers with a Samsung Smart TV will be able to watch Digital Theatre’s back catalogue of filmed hit productions which include West End hit All My Sons starring David Suchet, Much Ado About Nothing with David Tennant and Catherine Tate and Liverpool Everyman Theatre’s production of Macbeth featuring David Morrisey.

The app, which has been developed in conjunction with London-based digital content specialists SNAP, will mean that the current DT customer database of 25,000 active users worldwide will grow into something more substantial. This can only benefit the user as more theatres and producers come on board with Digital Theatre’s partnership scheme.

“The launch opens up a world of theatre to the public, allowing people to choose what they want to see, when they want to see it. The drama of the performance is intensified through the picture and sound quality, creating an incredibly immersive experience for the viewer,” says Laili Parikh, Strategic Content Manager for TV at Samsung UK.

Some might argue that filmed theatre cannot replicate the same atmosphere as sitting in the stalls even with the very best quality sound and picture, but Delamere and Shaw’s background in theatre production, plus their tight working partnership with the productions’ directors and producers over the course of an eight to 10 week process, means that Digital Theatre will get you as close to the actual event as possible.

Alongside the launch of the app, the company has redesigned its website and is working with its partners to launch onto other platforms including smartphones and tablets. They will also be following in National Theatre Live’s footsteps by broadcasting content in regional cinemas.

Sales and Marketing Manager, Andrew Girvan, said “it’s our ambition that in the not-so-distant future you should be able to watch Digital Theatre’s content on almost all internet-based technology. Your only decision then is, how big do you want to watch it?”

With further announcements due in the next few months, the future certainly looks bright for Digital Theatre.

For more information, visit digitaltheatre.com.

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