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distribution

Violet Green

Senior Member
English. Ireland
Hi,
here is definition n° 2 of "DISTRIBUTION", according to wordreference:

the commercial activity of transporting and selling goods from a producer to a consumer

I'd like to know if the term DISTRIBUTION is used to describe the promotion or selling of shows, such as theatrical works. (I don't think it usually is, but I've just seen it used that way in a document that seems to be translated into English...)

Thanks for any help.

Violet
Hi,
here is definition n° 2 of "DISTRIBUTION", according to wordreference:

the commercial activity of transporting and selling goods from a producer to a consumer

I'd like to know if the term DISTRIBUTION is used to describe the promotion or selling of shows, such as theatrical works. (I don't think it usually is, but I've just seen it used that way in a document that seems to be translated into English...)

Thanks for any help.

Violet

Hi Violet,

In the context you give, "the distribution of advertising leaflets" would be appropriate.

LRV
Hi,
I'd like to know if the term DISTRIBUTION is used to describe the promotion or selling of shows, such as theatrical works. (I don't think it usually is, but I've just seen it used that way in a document that seems to be translated into English...)

My first answer would be, possibly. Flyers and brochures, for example, are used to promote shows, and those could be distributed.

The distribution of the brochures resulted in sold-out performances every night.

Can you provide the sentence which triggered your question? That will give us more information to work with so we can provide a better answer.

Orange Blossom
Thanks for both your answers.
The context is a national institution in France that proclaims on the title page of its presentation documents that it is dedicted to "the research on, and distribution of, theatrical works."
There's no talk of distributing pamphlets.
Thanks for both your answers.
The context is a national institution in France that proclaims on the title page of its presentation documents that it is dedicted to "the research on, and distribution of, theatrical works."
There's no talk of distributing pamphlets.


Hi Violet,

In which case I would guess it concerns the different locations where theatrical works were performed. It could also mean the distribution of theatrical works in book form. How large an audience the theatrical works reached, either as performances or in texts.

As in, "The film was an outstanding success and was distributed worldwide."

LRV
The distribution of films or movies is controlled by distributors who distribute according to supply and demand.
The distribution of films or movies is a well known activity and would rarely be referred to by any other word.

.,,
Notice in the original sentence is says the "research on, and distribution of, theatrical works." It is not the show per se that is being distributed but rather the scripts or perhaps the DVD's etc. that the works are recorded on. The presence of "research on" lends more credence to the script interpretation.

I can envision the company unearthing scripts of old plays, operas, movies, musicals etc., researching the history of how and when they were written and performed, and how the audiences and critics reacted to the performances. Then they republish them and distribute the new scripts with highlights from their research as selling points in order to get it back into production.

Orange Blossom
I disagree. A theatrical work is a play.

.,,

EDIT: This is a wrong statement. Please see below.
I disagree. A theatrical work is a play.

.,,

I'm sorry to dissent, but in AE Arts Management (Business) jargon "theatrical works" is not limited to a dramatic, comedic or musical live performance but can include all the ancilary aspects mentioned by Orange Blossom. I work in the Arts (live theater & film) & sign employment contracts with producers, managers, directors, designers & promoters - "theatrical works" is common contract & marketing language. It is not defined in as such in standard dictionaries but I am fairly sure it would be in a current legal dictionary & in the the syllabus for Arts Management degree courses.
I disagree. A theatrical work is a play.
Now I feel stupid and I wasn't drunk when I wrote that either. I just read the silly thing three times and actually started to write a quippy response when I saw my mistake. What is it called when significant words are transposed?

I intended to write;

A play is a theatrical work.

Sorry about that.

.,,
To think or not to think isn't even a question?
The distribution of films or movies is controlled by distributors who distribute according to supply and demand.
The distribution of films or movies is a well known activity and would rarely be referred to by any other word.

.,,
Thank you all for your answers.

.,,; Do you know if the term "distribution" is also used for selling performing arts shows?

Violet
Thank you all for your answers.

.,,; Do you know if the term "distribution" is also used for selling performing arts shows?

Violet

Hi - As far I know, (in America) live performances are "produced." An original play, for example, is "produced" or "presented" by the Producer(s) (money men). It is often called the "Premiere" production, this applies the entire uninterrupted run at the first theater it plays in.
If it does well, it may "transfer" to Broadway - a large commercial venue run by unions.
If it is still doing well & the Producers feel the rest of the country (or Europe) would buy a ticket, the show goes "on tour." The Producers create either send the original production on tour or keep the original playing on Broadway & create a new production & this company travels to a series of major cites, staying in each city for a month or 2, or more if ticket sales support it.
Distribution usually applies to movies & the DVDs & videos made from these movies - physical commodities - or contracts for the right to show a certain movie in a theater, rather than live performances.
Thank you all for your answers.

.,,; Do you know if the term "distribution" is also used for selling performing arts shows?

Violet
I am not really sure what a performing art show is?
Performance art has such a small audience in Australia that I doubt if the question has arisen down here.

.,,
OK, now I have misunderstood, perhaps.

I think I misunderstood what Violet calls "performing" arts show - this may be what is called "performance art" in AE?

A non-traditional performance, usually of an original text or dance or multi-media content,
a one-person show about your bunions & political instability in Cyprus,
a naked lady covered in chocolate pudding speaking in Elizabethan blank verse,
a man singing love ballads to a staple gun?

No, I am not making this up.
OK, now I have misunderstood, perhaps.

I think I misunderstood what Violet calls "performing" arts show - this may be what is called "performance art" in AE?

A non-traditional performance, usually of an original text or dance or multi-media content,
a one-person show about your bunions & political instability in Cyprus,
a naked lady covered in chocolate pudding speaking in Elizabethan blank verse,
a man singing love ballads to a staple gun?

No, I am not making this up.

We have many similar theatrical events in the UK, lizzeymac. At present, probably the most popular is "The Vagina Monologues", which has been performed by the "crème de la crème" of our solo female artistes (alone, on stage).

LRV
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