Coming live to a device near you

The show must go on, and Wellington performers are paving the way for a new normal; getting shows to audiences via livestream.

Many performances are cancelled amid regulations around coronavirus, leaving artists out of pocket, and audiences out in the cold.

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO) has suspended its scheduled concerts around the country until May.

In their place, the NZSO is partnering with RNZ to livestream performances online for free.

People can watch live via their smart TV, phone, tablet or computer, with the first performance taking place tomorrow with Johann Sebastian Bach’s Goldberg Variations.

A recording of the performance will be available later on YouTube.

NZSO interim chief executive Peter Biggs said during extraordinary times, music became even more important in bringing people together and in lifting spirits.

The orchestra was buoyed by messages of support from Kiwis after suspending concert activity. ‘‘We knew we had to bring music to them in another way,’’ Biggs said.

Due to Wellington City Council’s decision at the weekend to close its venues, the show could no longer be performed at the Michael Fowler Centre as planned.

The NZSO was in the process of securing a new venue in Wellington to livestream from, and could be viewed from 7.30pm tomorrow at nzso.co.nz/live and later at youtube.com/ nzsymphonyorchestra.

Last Friday, Bats theatre pioneered a new normal by livestreaming Hugo Grrrl’s performance of Princess Boy Wonder online to 162 devices on InPlayer.

For $15, audiences could enjoy the cabaret performance live from home, with ticketholders granted immediate access and the option available for others to purchase access.

Bats programme director Nick Zwart said