have you been to see live theatre/opera/concert?

When I was at uni there were tickets knowns as "Student standby". If you went to the booking office on the day and asked, if they had any tickets left, you could get them for £5.

We went to loads with that. It was a good idea.

My friend's dc was at a drama uni in London a couple of years ago and they could do the same at certain theatres, but the tickets were free.

All three plus ballet and musical theatre. My preference is live theatre which we go to see multiple times a year as well as things like NT live at the cinema. My parents also loved theatre and my Mum, sister and DD all love Am Dram as well. I missed the performance gene but love watching live theatre.

Classical concerts mainly because DD2 and DS are both musical and so we've been at concerts because a touring orchestra has done a workshop with the DC and so they've been involved in a small part. Those concerts tend to be very much 'classical greatest hits'. I like listening to R3 so I should probably make more of an effort, I went more when I was a student and there's something very special about listening to a full orchestra.

Haven't been to the Opera for years although I do like it. My kids love musucal theatre so we do that more often, going to see Hamilton this summer so very excited about that. And I love ballet as well but don't go every year.

Interestingly my PILs adore Opera and classical music but never go to the theatre or ballet.

When I was at school (not in this country), they used to give unused tickets to high school students. A call would come over the tannoy that the office had tickets to such-and-such show or concert and you could just go and collect them.

I do think some theatres in London do this to an extent. I was at a show recently and surrounded by Brit School students who said they'd been given free tickets that day.

Maybe it needs to be more widespread. Empty seats don't help anyone.

All 3 - and ballet. I go to the theatre regularly, the others less often.

Yes, I do, all three, mostly theatre. I grew up on a council estate and never went to any of them as a child, and most of my family and old neighbours have never been to any, so it doesn't baffle me. I take my dcs to all three - we live in London and there are amazing productions aimed at children at Royal Opera House, Wigmore Hall, Southbank and Barbican.

Yes it's that aspect that's surprising. The fact that she's got through her career without taking school children to any of these things.

We're pretty much tripping over events that are especially aimed at schools.

I agree. I've been to watch football, rugby and cricket (love cricket). I've been to a couple of different theme parks and to music festivals where I've camped and I am planning to go to another later in the summer. I love a loud, fast guitar played live. Also been to musicals and seen comedians perform live. I'm interested in the Zeitgeist and watch things on TV to see what everyone's talking about - eg Traitors. I'll try anything once, maybe I will like it, maybe I won't but I dont want to dismiss it out of hand. I just know that if I was told I could have a ticket, cost no object, for any of the things mentioned on this thread, I'd chose a ticket for an opera. Something by Verdi probably.

Yes to all three and regularly. Opera less often die to less opportunity.

I have zero creative talent unfortunately so I absolutely love watching those who do.

All three, I love the theatre, I've seen a lot of opera and find it too long (except Carmen) but love other stage productions.

Me too. Exactly the same. Regularly.

Yes all three regularly as a child as I played two instruments and was a regional orchestra.

All 3.

Usually B at least once per month and our DC have been going since they were 3. A and C maybe once or twice a year each.

It really baffles me that people wouldn't have been to any of the 3.

Used to love all of them. Miss them.

all 3 but theatre for preference.

Yes all three on multiple occasions.

Opera twice yearly - it's not my cup of tea, so usually once for H's birthday and once again for the annual opera at our local conservatoire, as we get free tickets for that one.

Theatre we all enjoy but it's £££ for the whole family, but we still try to go at least a couple of times a year. We also go to the football, but for the same reason only a few games a season.

Classical concerts at least once monthly. If anyone is within striking distance of Manchester then the Hallé do £13 on the day tickets for the majority of their performances. Or if you're in a city with a conservatoire then tickets for their concerts can be really good value as well.

Opera - only G&S, so operettas. I've seen a number of those.
Theatre - frequently. We got 4-5 times a year at least, not counting those the dc are in.
Concert - yes, but not so often, perhaps every couple of years, if you discount the ones the dc are in.

Used to be a regular at ENO when I stayed in London midweek- I love Handel and would book a cheap seat on my own whenever possible. I was also lucky enough to go pretty often to see Grange Opera when they were in Hampshire (always as a guest).
I try to see a professional Messiah at Christmas and a Bach Passion at Easter. I love early choral church music.

I have been to both theatre, classical ballet and concerts but opera would be my first choice.
All this was pre-Covid however. Since the pandemic I've moved to deepest Devon and I'll admit my cultural life has taken a bit of a hit, in terms of quality; we are more reliant on talented amateurs and students. My DC attend a very musical school which has weekly lunchtime concerts open to the public.

For balance, I have never attended a music festival and don't think I've been to see a professional soccer or rugby match. Other niche sports yes. I don't think I've been to a theme park- certainly not as an adult. I'm still scarred by the Waltzer at a childhood fun fair that made me sick.

yes, we are lucky to live in a city with good offerings and go to classical concerts regularly. On top of that we go to the ballet at least twice a year, opera once or twice (there’s less of it about), and plays the same, depending what’s on.

but it is incredibly expensive! I got my taste for regular theatre going abroad where it was far more part of the culture and completely affordable, the ticket would be the same price as a drink from a vending machine. Then I lived in London as a student and lived on the £5 for under 25 on the day tickets.

now when I go with my husband we joke about bringing down the average age because it’s so expensive only the well-heeled pensioners can afford it in our city. Once or twice a year we will splash out on good seats (usually for a birthday or similar) but generally we are at the back, far end of the gods.

it really frustrates me to see empty seats at our local concert hall. It’s massive and I’d say 9/10 occasions we go, there are empty seats. Fair enough if someone bought tickets and couldn’t make it, but if those seats are unsold I really wish they would reach out to not-the-traditional-theatre crowd and either give them away cheap or free.

To answer the other questions

Football matches : yes, hundreds of them. Was a season ticket holder for 10 years

Theme parks : yes, lots of times. I actually hate rollercoasters but still love a theme park! The kids love them too.

Music festival : tried one once and left after an hour 🙈

Yes. All
Classical music concert regularly, at least once a month.
Opera, yes, many - Covent Garden or Scottish Opera.
Theatre was a real passion but I'm too deaf for live theatre now and go to every live feed I can because the sound is better.
I also go to a lot of ballet.
I'm in rural Scotland but no shortage of opportunity.

If you're anywhere near London, I can recommend seats in the slips at the Royal Opera House. There are particular seats in row A and B (can't remember the numbers of the top of my head, bit Google can help you out) that are cheap but you still get a pretty good view.

I adore the opera but don't often go (DC is an opera singer, so the house was always full of opera when they were growing up).

Love, love the theatre - musical theatre, dramatic productions. Another DC is studying Production Design at uni. We go very regularly (already have this year's major productions booked.

Classical concerts - love them and have attended many many orchestral and piano recital.

I am surprised that someone working in a senior level in the education of children has not been to a play, concert or opera.

The rest of the population - if they have the opportunity, can afford it, grew up being encouraged and enjoy it - fine, but not everyone will.

I have done all the 'alternative' activities too - and all are far more expensive than most of the theatre or gallery tickets I pay for.

People enjoy what they enjoy, I love theatre and galleries, don't like opera.

But as these things are central to culture, the enrichment curriculum that broadens children's experience in schools, I would expect a head teacher to have at least been.

Yes to all, and made particular care to ensure children have. 13 yo has in last 6 months been to first ballet and opera and has been going to "grown up" theatre since 9 or 10.

We are lucky we are in a small city, so have reasonable access. Also, we have the disposable income to allow this, though I would say, we perhaps prioritise exposure to "culture" over other activities. I know how that sounds, but I believe early exposure helps to nurture an interest.