Play all audios:
AVATARS LIKE THOSE USED IN SMASH HIT SHOW ABBA VOYAGE COULD BE DEPLOYED AS BACK-UPS IN CASE REAL ACTORS FALL SICK, A THEATRE GURU SAY 15:35, 29 May 2025Updated 15:35, 29 May 2025 ABBA-style
virtual actors could step in as stand-ins for stage stars. Avatars - like those used in the smash hit ABBA Voyage show in London - could be used as back-ups in case real actors fall sick in
productions nationwide, a panel of theatre experts said. The digital divas are expected to be in operation by 2050 - and could save wages to help keep small theatres in business. Boffins
reckon AI bots could be deployed to sell drinks and ice creams during shows. The potential innovations emerged at a Society of London and UK Theatre panel debate about technological
advances. Digitised performers could alleviate problems of cast absences, save money for subsidised theatres and appear ‘on-demand’ for audiences unable to travel, the panel said. Claire
Hodgson, joint artistic director of inclusive theatre company Diverse City, said: “I think by 2050 we will have live performers and avatars. “I’m not particularly worried about this. It
would be a massive benefit to put an avatar on stage for someone who wasn’t able to perform that night because of pain, a condition or caring responsibilities. “In subsidised theatres, where
we don’t have money for understudies, that would be a great thing.” Hodgson welcomed digitising theatre as a way of including those traditionally marginalised by long working weeks and
travel. “Technology has enabled me to care for my mum after an operation and cast a show at the same time,” she said. “It is potentially scary being replaced - job losses etc. But in terms
of access, captions and audio descriptions it will be much easier in the future.” Experts agreed AI could do ‘the easy stuff’ more efficiently - from administrative tasks to ice cream sales.
Theatre Royal Wakefield boss Katie Town said: “By 2050 I really hope we’ve found a technological way to not have a queue at the bar.” But award-winning director and producer Suba Das said
most theatres were not yet capable of dropping in avatars. ABBA Voyage relies on a custom-built arena for its famous visual effects. Article continues below “The problem with that technology
at the moment is that theatres are not set up in that way,” he said. He added he was ‘unconvinced’ an avatar could replace a human actor ‘unless it can really successfully, meaningfully
interact with audiences’.