Theatre faces a lively battle with short video clips

SIR Kenneth Branagh has said competing against the short videos watched by young people on their phones 'makes the battle more lively' for live theatre, as it was announced he is to return to the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) for the first time in more than three decades.

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He will play the lead in two productions in its spring 2026 programme, including William Shakespeare's The Tempest, where he will perform the role of Prospero.

Sir Kenneth told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that actors now have to 'work harder to earn the audience's attention'.