We all appreciate the chance to go to the theatre more often. There are some wonderful venues around the country and some really superb drama companies whose interpretations of old classics and brand new material are well worth seeing. However, the theatre is something most people like to experience in good company and this makes […]

Live music is just something that I’ve come to expect when going to the theatre, but this could become a thing of the past. With all businesses, including the theatre having to look at their budgets during these credit crunch times, could the orchestra be the first to go?

The Lowry in Salford opted to put on a production of the Wizard of Oz without the use of a live orchestra and instead had the actors singing to a backing track. Cellist Adrian Bradbury who went to see this particular production was horrified; so much so that he sued the theatre stating that ‘without the orchestra or MD, a performance of The Wizard of Oz is best described as karaoke’. Astonishingly, Bradbury won his case and the Lowry was forced to refund the cost of the ticket along with Bradbury’s legal costs. Although this only amounted to £194.50 it surely sets a precedent for other theatres out there who might have been wanting to adopt the same approach. It seems that for the meantime live music is here to stay but are backing tracks such a bad idea, especially for smaller theatres?