“It’s not just that the performance can be seen worldwide. The key point is that everyone now has the best seat in the house. This represents a revolution which knocks on the head the old argument that theatre is an elitist medium aimed at the privileged few.” Michael Billington, The Guardian
At the Courtyard Playhouse Sponsorship Opportunity
NT Live is the National Theatre’s groundbreaking project to broadcast the best of British theatre live from the London stage to cinemas and theatres across the UK and internationally. And now it’s in the UAE! National Theatre Live launched in June 2009 and has since broadcast more than twenty productions live from the National Theatre, and on occasion other theatres in the UK and around the world. NTLive broadcasts have now been experienced by over 3.5 million people in more than 1,100 venues globally, including 550 in the UK alone. Though each live broadcast is filmed in front of a live audience in the theatre, cameras are carefully positioned throughout the auditorium to ensure that cinema audiences get the ‘best seat in the house’ view of each production. Satellites allow the productions to be broadcast live, without delay, to cinemas throughout the UK as well as Europe. Other venues view the broadcasts ‘as live’ according to their time zone, or at a later date. The Courtyard Playhouse is thrilled to be the first establishment in the region to become a part of the NTLive Programme. It is a fantastic opportunity to bring cutting-edge contemporary theatre, from the most talented international directors, actors and practitioners, to UAE audiences. With high definition clarity, five point surround sound and seated in our beautiful theatre, you will be completely immersed in the production. This will be an unforgettable experience - as close to the real thing as you can possibly get! Your company can be a part of this prestigious and groundbreaking initiative by sponsoring our first ever programme in 2015.
“The uptake has been so phenomenal that a broadcast can sometimes break even on UK box office alone.” David Sabel, National Theatre, Head of Digital
Our NT Live Spring Season 2015 Jan 29, 30 & 31 Frankenstein Mar 5, 6 & 7 Of Mice and Men Apr 2 & 3 Treasure Island May 7 & 8 Skylight Jun 11 & 12 The Hard Problem
Nick Dear’s adaptation of the novel by Mary Shelley, directed by Danny Boyle, starring Benedict Cumberbatch James Franco and Chris O’Dowd star in the hit Broadway production, directed by Anna Shapiro Robert Louis Stevenson’s story of murder, money and mutiny is brought to life in a thrilling new stage adaptation by Bryony Lavery Bill Nighy and Carey Mulligan feature in David Hare’s socio-political drama, Skylight, directed by Stephen Daldry A new play by Tom Stoppard, directed by Nicholas Hytner - this show celebrates the meeting of two of the brightest minds in British theatre
This Season promises to provide top-class entertainment for the arts-loving community. It will also serve as a marvellous educational opportunity for theatre students, directors, actors and writers in the UAE to be exposed to classic works produced and performed by the very best in the industry. Dubai audiences are already responding to the news with enthusiasm. Our premiere screenings in December were fully booked within the first week and therefore were extended to three nights per show. With this in mind, we aim to run each production for a minimum of two screenings.
“Watching it in the cinema was like having not just the best seat at the Met but all the best seats simultaneously.” Peter Conrad, The Guardian
At the Courtyard Playhouse Sponsorship Opportunity
The Metropolitan Opera in New York is the world pioneer of Live Cinema Broadcasting. Building on its established Saturday matinee radio broadcasts, The Met launched The Met: Live in HD in 2006. The programme was developed as a way to allow more people to experience the excitement of the Met’s high-quality performance offerings. This audience includes current opera fans unable to get to New York City to see the shows in person and potential opera fans looking for an easy, affordable method of checking out a new art form. By 2008, more people saw The Metropolitan Opera in cinemas than in the opera house. And now it’s in the UAE! The productions are chosen to represent a variety of styles and the full range of the Met repertoire and artists. They all feature great storytelling, outstanding singing, and extraordinary production values. It is a perfect, low-risk way to introduce a reluctant opera goer to the art form. The Courtyard Playhouse is thrilled to bring the MET HD Live to Dubai audiences. It is a fantastic opportunity to experience cutting-edge contemporary opera, from the most talented international directors, singers and conductors. With high definition clarity, five point surround sound and seated in our beautiful theatre, you will be completely immersed in the production. This will be an unforgettable experience - as close to the real thing as you can possibly get! Your company can be a part of this prestigious and groundbreaking initiative by sponsoring our first ever programme in 2015.
“Met HD has proved so popular that, after an initial roll-out to some 60 screens in 2007, the broadcasts are now playing in 800 venues across five continents.” Karen Fricker, The Guardian
Our MET OPERA HD LIVE Spring Season 2015 Feb 6 MACBETH Verdi - Star soprano Anna Netrebko delivers her searing portrayal of Lady Macbeth, the mad and murderous mate of Željko Lučić’s doomed Macbeth, for the first time at the Met. Mar 13 CARMEN Bizet - Richard Eyre’s mesmerizing production of Bizet’s steamy melodrama returns with mezzo-soprano Anita Rachvelishvili singing her signature role of the ill-fated gypsy temptress. Apr 10 Le Nozze di Figaro Mozart - Met Music Director James Levine conducts a spirited new production of Mozart’s masterpiece, directed by Richard Eyre,who sets the action of this classic domestic comedy in an 18th-century manor house in Seville during the 1930s May 1 THE MERRY WIDOW Lehár - The great Renée Fleming stars as the beguiling femme fatale who captivates all Paris in Lehár’s enchanting operetta, seen in a new staging by Broadway virtuoso director and choreographer Susan Stroman Jun 19 Il Barbiere di Siviglia Rossini - Featuring some of the most instantly recognizable melodies in all of opera—stars Isabel Leonard as the feisty Rosina, Lawrence Brownlee as her conspiring flame, and Christopher Maltman as the endlessly resourceful and charming barber, himself. Michele Mariotti conducts the vivid and tuneful score.
This Metropolitan Opera series promises to provide top-class entertainment for the arts-loving community. It will also serve as a marvellous educational opportunity for theatre and music students, directors, actors and writers in the UAE to be exposed to classic works produced and performed by the very best in the industry. If you’ve never had the pleasure of attending a live opera performance before, this is the perfect opportunity to see why this magical art form has captured audiences’ imaginations for generations.
2015 Spring Season Sponsorship - 70 000 AED Sponsor our Season of Encore Screenings from the Metropolitan Opera, New York, and the National Theatre, London and tap into the buzz and excitement of our theatre to create innovative opportunities that will help you reach new customers, enhance your local reputation and grow your enterprise. Your name or brand logo attached to the title in all marketing materials including: • • • • • •
Season brochure Flyers, posters and roll-ups Press releases Social media campaigns Website home page listing and booking page E-newsletters and e-flyers
Marketing opportunities at all 17 events: • Roll-up displays • Flyers in seat pockets and at the door • Promotional give-aways Benefits: • Three complimentary tickets to each screening • Priority front row seats • Discounted tickets for company employees
Contact Tiffany at 050 9861761 or email tiffany@courtyardplayhouse.com to discuss partnering with the Courtyard Playhouse on this exciting venture.
OUR AUDIENCE
Demographics: Our audience consists of professional, well educated, young to middle-aged men and women of various nationalities who value world-class theatrical performances and are excited to see Dubai’s artistic and cultural landscape develop and grow. The Met Opera audience are typically in their forties and above, established business owners and top executives. We also offer school screenings to high school and university students aged 15 - 21. Social Media Reach: We have a very strong social media presence as it is our main marketing focus and is continually growing. Our main Facebook page has 4 821 organically achieved likes: people living in the UAE who are interested in theatre. Our sub-pages, Drama Workshops Dubai and Corporate Drama Dubai, have 3 995 and 9 691 likes respectively. We also have our finger on the pulse of Twitter, Meetup, Google Plus, Pinterest, Instagram and other Facebook groups where we post on a daily basis. Website Stats: From January 2014 to January 2015 our website traffic has more than doubled. Last season our monthly page views were 8 663 on average. E-Newsletters: We send out a fortnightly newsletter to our mailing list comprising of 3 567 signed-up followers.
ABOUT US
The Courtyard Playhouse is the first and only independent fringe theatre in the region. We are committed to developing the dramatic arts in the UAE through education programmes and performance opportunities. We have a regular programme of live theatre performances, including a partnership with the National Theatre Live and the MET OPERA HD. We offer a range of workshops that teach acting and improvisation and cater for all age ranges. The Courtyard Playhouse is nestled in the creative heart of Dubai, amongst the galleries and cafes of Al Quoz. You can find us conveniently located just around the corner from Times Square Centre, next door to Lime Tree Cafe and opposite Bounce. The auditorium seats 70 people per screening with a total of 17 public screenings, a potential 1190 audience members per season.
Audience Feedback “I’ve just had the mother of one of my students in my office raving about the venue and the performance – we are so very grateful that you have had the foresight to invest in NT Live.” -Sara Carter, Teacher at Jumeirah English Speaking School “I wanted to email and tell how much I enjoyed Curious Incident last night. It was my first time at the Courtyard and I was so impressed. The NT Live event is a wonderful coup for you, and it works really well. I plan on seeing EVERY play in the season. I just loved Curious Incident yesterday, what a memorable play.” -Robert Chilton, Senior Editor at What’s On Magazine “Wow Tiffany, was going to run a diary piece on this before the weekend but just read a bit deeper into this and it’s a fantastic idea to bring this National Theatre performance to the screen here! I’m going to run quite a big piece in tomorrow’s Metro Diary which will give you some nice coverage.” -Chris Fraser , Head of Features, 7 Days Newspaper “Thank you so much for bring an amazing production, ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’. I sobbed at the last scene and the sobbing continued all the way home, my 17 year old daughter was not sure what to do with me. Theatre is such important experience and I want my kids to grow up loving this scene as much as I do.” -Claudia Palma “Last night was absolutely amazing! I feel like I’ve just come back from a nigh at the theatre in London. I will be at all the events for sure!” -Laura Coughlin, Features Writer, What’s On Magazine “ I thoroughly enjoyed watching the film of ‘The Curious Incident...’ and look forward to attending other performances. I am delighted and grateful that you are providing UAE audiences with an opportunity to see superior theatrical performances. Those of us who love theatre and students of literature will certainly appreciate your contribution to the UAE cultural scene.” -Kathleen Butti
Examples of Press and Marketing Materials What’s On Magazine
7Days Newspaper
Art in the City Website
National Theatre Live International Website
Social Media - Facebook, Google, Twitter, Instagram and Linkedin Courtyard Playhouse Website Home Page
THE HIT BROADWAY PRODUCTION ON THE BIG SCREEN
JOHN STEINBECK STARRING LEIGHTON MEESTER AND JIM NORTON DIRECTED BY ANNA D. SHAPIRO
Photos by Richard Phibbs
WRITTEN BY
In movie theaters from
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Filmed by
JONNY LEE MILLER
DANNY BOYLE’S SMASH-HIT PRODUCTION
BY NICK DEAR, BASED ON THE NOVEL BY MARY SHELLEY
Original photos (Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller) by Clare Nicholson
BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH
Returns to cinemas from
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ntlive.com/frankenstein
RO B E RT F OX A N D S COT T R U D I N P R E S E N T
CAREY MULLIGAN
BILL NIGHY
M AT T H E W B E A R D
S KY L IG H T BY
DAV I D H A R E BROADCAST LIVE FROM LONDON’S WEST END
D E S I G N E D BY Photography by Benjamin McMahon Designed by Dewynters
BOB CROWLEY D I R E C T E D BY
ST E P H E N DA L D RY In cinemas from
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Broadcast live by
Coming up next Live in Cinemas Bizet
Carmen
NOVEMBER 1
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metopera.org/liveinhd Anita Rachvelishvili in a scene from Carmen ken howard/metropolitan opera