All the Web's a Stage

Having just completed our first 24 hour web-streamed global event this weekend, it seems the world wide web is playing a greater and greater role in all sorts of 21st century theatre. For instance, the UK company Punchdrunk has teamed up with gaming company Hide & Seek, Hewlett-Packard research arm HP Labs and online design firm Seeper to create a "hybrid experience" between real and computer-generated worlds. Also, The Builders Association’s latest show, now playing at BAM, is a techgeek’s dream. Continuous City was developed over two years and tells the story of families trying to stay in touch as they journey around the world. It stages the internal experience of using social networks, video chats and blogs. By no means are The Internationalists setting a trend, but we’re certainly pleased to be a part of the adventure.

The Dream of a Global Wireless Web

In 2005, Martin Varsavsky, aiming to create a global wireless network, founded FON, a Madrid-based company that’s goal is to unlock the potential power of the social Internet. FON’s gamble is that Internet users will share a portion of their wireless connection with strangers in exchange for access to wireless hotspots controlled by others. Click here for the article about him and his current struggles to make it a reality.

Technological Takeover?

Lyn Gardner, theatre blogger for the 'Guardian Unlimited', raises the ever timely question, “Does contemporary theatre depend too much on technology? Has technology now become the show rather than servicing it?” She’s in the firm belief that tech is taking over. This in contrast to Robert Lepage’s ‘World Theatre Day’ message that says we all need to embrace technology as part of theatre’s natural evolution. (Funny enough, Gardner brings up Lepage’s Edinburgh Festival open night that had to be cancelled because of computer problems.)

No doubt, this question will continue to press upon the theatrical community as technology continues to advance. It’s not so much should we utilize the technology, but how can we best use it to our advantage? I think the both of them are correct. We do need to be open and accepting of new ideas and resources, but at the same time we need to make sure that the tools are serving the show. Theatre is primarily the relationship between the actor and the audience, and nothing should distract from or prevent that connection being made. Technology can either help or hinder our ability to tell the story and we shouldn’t lose sight of that.