Kwame Kwei-Armah: Theatre still vital
The artistic director of the Young Vic says theatres have to understand audiences and stay βcontinually validβ
The artistic director of the Young Vic theatre has told the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ that despite the challenges presented by technology and streaming services, the stage still offered audiences the unique experience of a βhuman being staring at another human being telling a facet of their storyβ.
Speaking to HARDtalkβs Stephen Sackur, Kame Kwei-Armah said the theatre remained vital. βThis is an art form that has existed since ancient Egypt, right up to todayβ, he said. But he also emphasised those running theatres had to engage audiences and βreach and find them and speak to them in a way that says βitβs worth you leaving your house to see a reflection of yourself in 3Dββ.
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 βpurely because theatre pays so little, and TV pays a lotβ.
Kwame Kwei-Armah has had a distinguished career as a playwright and director and has led the Young Vic theatre in London since 2018.