TIK TOK VS THEATRE

Today, we have a number of social media platforms for us to express and share our thoughts. What if I tell you that all of these platforms function in a closed circuit and they have a strong influence on one another? Narrowing down the previous statement: the use of TikTok is increasing day by day. Frankly, our youth is using this platform to express their feelings and ingenuity. Recently, the news was all over the place that Tik Tok has been banned in Pakistan. However, I believe banning an app is not the solution; we need to create healthy platforms for our youth where they could share their creativity. Anyhow, let us discuss its effects on mainstream theatre? Why is Tik Tok more popular these days when theatre is not happening physically?

The charm of theatre is in its liveliness. Theatre is exclusive, and what makes it unique; is its instant response from its audience and the impromptu performance of the artist on stage. There is no second chance in theatre. One has to give his/ her perfect performance every time. The number of audiences is limited because it is performed in a certain space having limited seats. The location is also specific and has its own restrictions.

Most of the theatre artists in these days of COVID-19, shifted from theatre to Tik Tok, because Tik Tok is providing them a platform to share their performance on a broader platform.    In Tik Tok, you can do your performance again and again until you get the perfect shot. Theatre is like a watercolour painting where you have to put a master stroke once and forever; there is no chance of inaccuracy. Tik Tok is like an oil painting, where you can make mistakes and there is always a possibility to redo your bad strokes.

The theatre artistes are inclined towards Tik Tok because there is a rehearsal first and then you have to record the final take. One can also be experimental with the locations in making the video.  In the time of lockdown, theatre artists have made a lot of Tik Tok videos and now they have millions of followers on it. In this way, the Tik Toker has a huge canvas to paint. They have their followers internationally; not just in their respective cities.

I think that Tik Tok gives an artist more recognition and the artist has a large number of audiences. This enormous number of following will also help the artist on stage. The general public are more attractive to those who are already famous through Film, TV and now through social media. As we witnessed in this PSL season 2021, the ‘Pawri Girl’ who became an international sensation; has been hired as the brand ambassador of Zalmi (Peshawar cricket team) and other brands. There are other programmes, which are based on ‘social media stars’, are now getting more ratings than the regular artists.

Cumulatively, in Pakistan, I think if these Tik Tokers get some training in acting; they will have an upbeat future. As we see in foreign countries, this social platform has been used by trained artistes and they have really raised the bar of creativity. It will also help theatre as these Tik Tok artists would attract a huge number of audiences in performing. Most social media platforms are a threat to theatre because it gives total control to the viewer and one could have private viewing. In this way people will come back to the shared viewing in a group. The Tik Tok stars can attract people to theatres again, all we need to do is to create platforms for them.