Abstract

This paper discusses the 2011 pilot simulcast of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra from the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. The substance of the paper is based on the author’s interviews with David Sabel and his experiences in introducing simulcasts at the National Theatre in London; with Robert Marshall, foundation producer at Heritage Theatre documenting many of the Royal Shakespeare productions at the Globe Theatre and John Kotzas, CEO of Queensland Performing Arts Centre. This discussion is framed within the context of four major research reports published in 2011, all of which were engaged in investigations into the impact of digital technologies on the performing arts. These were the two reports from the National Theatre in London: NT Live, and Beyond Live, and two Australian reports: the AMPAG (Australian Major Performing Arts Group) Digital Scoping paper, and the sub-section report into ‘Audiences’ for the Australian Research Council’s project ‘Sustaining Culture’.