We here in Britain have a level of fame around the world for having a lot of traditional ways that, from the outside, can look old-fashioned or just strange. Unusual things like the downhill cheese race or unique things like Morris dancing are icons of British culture abroad, but so many of the most essential parts of British entertainment have evolved to meet the times. Here are some of the best examples.
Casino
From slot machines to James Bond, the British public has enjoyed casino games for a long time, making up some of the biggest casino lovers in the world. For many, casino tends to mean the big halls of noise and flashing lights made famous by Las Vegas, but the world of casinos has transformed in recent years.
Modern casino is more digital and online than ever before, with new slot games produced year-round and live blackjack games being played together by players from across the country with a real remote host. A huge number of people now turn to their smartphones for these games and with tech like VR also working its way in, it’s an area of entertainment that is future-proofed.
Cricket
Outside of perhaps golf and horse-riding, cricket has the biggest reputation as a traditional and old-fashioned support. The original game tends to be slow-paced, drawn out and has a lot of complex rules behind it which, while entertaining for the right audience, could put off more general sports viewers. The modern game, however, has undergone a major facelift.
In particular, the T20 format of the game has revolutionised its public appearance, designed to be faster-paced, more bright and colourful than the standard white and wood tones, and generally more interactive for spectators. When this is added to entertainment at venues between parts of the game and professional leagues in the style of football, it’s almost unrecognisable from its roots.
Theatre
There’s little out there as British as the theatre, even if you discount the fact that we produced William Shakespeare as a patron saint of playwrights. The fundamental part of what makes true theatre is the experience of the crowd and their interaction with the actors on stage, and this is a core part that has remained unchanged for hundreds of years.
When it comes to modernising theatre, production methods, stage props and sets have enjoyed plenty of upgrades, although the biggest innovation is simultaneous viewing, either via broadcasts in cinemas or by solely livestreamed performances. While the experience can sometimes lack the personal feeling of being in the same place as the actors, the accessibility is on an entirely different level, with people across the country able to watch things like West End performances either from cinemas or from home.
One thing we can say for certain is that some British entertainment institutions are going to remain the same forever with modernisation both unneeded and unwanted. However, times are always changing and you never know what innovation is on the horizon.