National Digital: Theater on demand

Tobias Grimstad
15 Apr 2021

Forte Digital has been a digital partner of the National Theater since 2018. Thanks to the new platform, many performances will be accessible in a completely different way than before.

Theater on demand

The National Theater (Nationaltheatret) in Oslo has a new digital platform up and running. An exciting part of the new platform is National Digital, a video solution where the audience can enjoy a selection of performances on demand. As a digital partner and supplier, Forte Digital was responsible for delivering the technology, the strategy, and the interaction design for both the video platform and the website.

Built for a new digital audience

– The culture industry is changing and we have to adjust, just like everyone else. With our new video platform National Digital, we have a solution that is built for the future and for a new digital audience. Finally, I can look forward to the audience being able to experience theater again!”, says Ina Toverud, Head of Digital at the National Theater.

When the plays have finished in the theater, some will now be available for a wider audience. It will also ensure a greater geographical spread, as there is no need to be present in Oslo.

A future-proof solution

National Digital allows people to watch digital versions of four National Theater performances, whenever and wherever they want. This digital stage will be appreciated after the corona pandemic too:

– When the pandemic hit, the need for digital theater solutions came up quite quickly. But we did not want to do anything hasty – we wanted to implement something that has value beyond the current situation. We needed a solution that safeguards the artists and meets the audience's expectations of high artistic and technical quality”, says Kristian Seltun, theater director at the National Theater.

When the pandemic hit, the need for digital theater solutions came up quite quickly. But we did not want to do anything hasty – we wanted to implement something that has value beyond the current situation.

Netflix for theater goers

Taking theater from the stage with a large and lively audience, to a screen with one or a few people on the sofa, requires new thinking and understanding of the different environments. With Forte Digital on the team, the National Theater has developed a solution that is built with the end-user in mind.

– Today's consumers demand personalization and easy access. So it’s only natural that the National Theater, on a par with streaming giants such as Netflix and HBO, has developed a cultural offer that is on-demand. This was a stated goal for the entire delivery” says Monica Solheim Slind, delivery manager at Forte Digital.

Viewers have access to the digital performances for 48 hours from the moment they start watching, so any potential interruptions will not ruin the experience. Tickets are sold both individually and as group tickets, in case several people want to get together for a performance.

– Finally, I and everyone else who loves theater has received a great digital offer, both now and in the future!”, Monica concludes.