Watermans

Digital success throughout lockdown

It’s been a looooong year for all of us. In the arts sector, perhaps longer still with many organisations closed for over 12 months Arts and culture enrich lives, bring people together and help us make sense of the world, so it’s been especially difficult for many of us not to have that outlet during the pandemic. Although Watermans was able to open for a few short months last year, we’ve also been exploring and piloting new digital ways to engage with our audiences: those that don’t feel comfortable coming to a venue yet; those that are shielding, those that find it hard to get out of the house even in ‘normal times’ and also the many who enjoy the new possibilities that digital offers. Now running for a year, our No Ticket Required film club is, I think, here to stay. Every fortnight, film lovers come together on Zoom to discuss an eclectic range of films, hosted by our resident cinephile Jon Davies, often joined by a special guest. We’ve had Amy and Senna director Asif Kapadia, film experts from the BFI and Institut Francais, and actor Sudha Bhuchar. Doing it by Zoom makes it easier to attend, easier to get high-profile guest speakers from further afield, and to be flexible in responding to world events with relevant films. Some have described it as ‘a lifeline’ during lockdown, so we know it’s relieving loneliness and isolation too. It’s a format we’re really excited about and, judging by the numbers coming along, so is our audience! We’ve also commissioned two new online children’s theatre shows: Myths and Adventures from Ancient Greece (which has already been watched over 12,000 times on YouTube!) and, launching on 7 April, Dinosaurs and All That Rubbish, an adaptation of Michael Foreman’s much-loved 1972 book by the brilliant company Roustabout. Dinosaurs and All That Rubbish is a great fun adventure taking in space travel and dinosaurs (what’s not to like!), while also delivering a relevant and empowering environmental message. We’re delighted it will be seen by far

Dinosaurs and All That Rubbih more children than it ever would in a theatre, and be accessible for all children regardless of their income, so long as they can get onto YouTube! As well as theatre, workshops have worked brilliantly in the digital space, and for families with disabled children they can be a godsend. We’ve run holiday and after-school creative workshops for them throughout the pandemic. Many parents have commented how, at the best of times, it’s difficult to get out of the house, so online workshops really help them to have fun with their kids without some of the stress of getting to a venue. It’s a great illustration of the positive impact digital arts can have in real lives. Watch the premiere of Dinosaurs and All that Rubbish on YouTube at 6pm on Wednesday 7 April, for free.