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

All 3. I'm a regular theatre goer. I like to take my DS (6) and we took him to see Andre Rieu at the end of last year. I love the arts ❤️

I've been to the theatre many, many times and occasionally to a classical music concert but never to an opera as I don't enjoy listening to operatic singing.

I suspect the ‘elitist’ thing is quite a strong disincentive, but I’m not convinced age is such a strong thing. I didn’t see an opera until I was pushing 60, now go all the time. Live theatre was a rare treat until I retired, and apart from one concert when I was 18, I didn’t see any classical music live until I retired to London. Now I do all three frequently and they feed my soul.

I've only been to live theatre, but a while ago now. I'd love to go to the opera or ballet, but can't afford it.

Both b and c - not been to the opera though, because I'm not a particular fan of it, however I might make an exception for Carmen one of these days. We go to see ballets fairly often.

why are you amazed that people will "happily pay" their own, hard earned money for things they actually want to do, but not for things they have no interest in?

as @TheBoysAndTheBallet have pointed out, there's more than a whiff of snobbery about this thread. I've been to all 3, btw, but can fully understand why people wouldn't. If, from listening to just a short extract from one heavy metal song on the radio, you can establish that isn't your thing and therefore don't fancy spending money on going to see a live version, even if it's the best band in that genre performing, why wouldn't/shouldn't someone be able to do exactly the same with opera or classical music?

All three although opera only twice. Having said that DGS age 5 has also been to all three …….the opera being a children’s opera and one where we have agreed he would probably need another three or four years before we would try again…..he was a little young….but the exposure to the arts is still a privilege. The only thing that stops us going more are the financial constraints.

To answer the second set of questions:

I've been to football matches in my time (had to stand on a wooden box to be able to see the pitch at the first game I ever went to, at Elland Road!), but wouldn't go now. I do, though, regularly go with DH and friends to watch certain rugby games (usually 6 Nations) at the pub.

I've been to theme parks a couple of times, but only the DC were younger. Not something DH enjoys, so no point doing it on our own.

Have been to several music festivals (just for the day or evening - not a 3 dayer like Glastonbuy) but have vowed never to go again, largely because of the behaviour of other festival goers! DH and DS1 and I go to lots of music gigs though.

Same. Did it all but didnt like music festival.
too crowded

All three, although these days it's only theatre performances, due to the kids being young. I really hope I will get to take them to an opera and concert at some point....

a) an opera? yes, once
b) a live theatre production? yes, many, many times
c) classical concert? yes, not recently

Also been to countless folk club gigs, comedy shows, music festivals.

Best recently was a revival of Jesus Christ Superstar - absolutely amazing performance. After many years of visiting theatres for concerts, plays etc - first time ever been part of a full theatre standing ovation.

Hmm.

A - never
B - yes - a few plays but I can't stand musicals.
C - a few times to a classical concert as a teen with my older brother although I have also been to a few ballet performances with a live orchestra

I've been to one pop gig and totally hated it. I've never been to a music festival either as I don't fancy it. I strongly dislike crowds of noisy people and just want to run away.

DS is very into his music and I'm dreading if he takes it up professionally as I really don't want to have to go and see him perform. (Rock/metal guitar) I'll probably need hypnosis to get me through it. 🤪

a. Opera, yes, but not for about 30 years, I gave it a fair try but I really dislike opera.
b. Plays, yes, but not that interested really
c. Concerts, loads, I'd go more often if I'd live closer to a larger city but dp and I are happy to travel to Edinburgh/Glasgow (which requires overnight stays) for an interesting concert. Luckily we get some good chamber music concerts here in rural West coast Scotland thanks to the support of some Scottish chamber music funds, I've seen the Brodsky Quartet three times now in the tiny venue where these concerts are happening. I'm lucky that both dp and dd are avid concert goers and come along when possible but I've been to many on my own as well.

My OH also loves the ballet - I'm a bit more agnostic, but it makes him happy, so I go!

All three many times.

Yes, I go regularly to all three.

I tend to go to the theatre and the opera with friends or my OH, but I quite often go to see orchestral performances by myself, because I have slightly 'out there' tastes (I particularly like modern and experimental composers) and I don't really know anybody who shares them.

It's not unusual to go to the symphony by yourself, though (maybe outwith opening night / gala performances), so I've never found it a problem.

Yup, this.

All three.

I love live ballet and classical music. I like a good play. My friends organise trips to musicals. I join them but much prefer drama .

All three but mainly opera.

When I tell friends and colleagues I'm going to the opera the usual response is to think it is posh/expensive/hard to understand/boring.

They are surprised to find I mainly wear jeans when I go, it costs far less than they spend on gigs or football, you get told the plot in advance + it's in English on surtitles, plus I have seen operas where the plot is anything and everything and very applicable to modern life - school shootings, male violence against women, co-ercive control. And a lot of fun parties and pretty costumes.

Not interested in Opera, live theatre on occasion. No to classical stuff , unless Pete Tony and orchestra counts

I'm obviously a philistine who prefers low rent gigs, comedy things and music festivals

B and C quite a lot. I've taken DS11 most times so he's fairly used to them too.

All 3 many times including at Glyndebourne and in a box at The Royal Albert Hall courtesy of my late Godfather. I love live theatre both professional and amateur and ditto classical music concerts.

Only live theatre but I probably will have been to about 10-12 shows in the last 6 months.

I take both my DD - they have probably been to about 6 each over the last year

I would take them to some more but it's not as easy to get the cheap tickets for 3 of us and oldest works at weekends now as well and doesn't finish in time to even get to an evening show.

All 3, though mostly ballet.

All 3. I can only watch opera 'live' because I find recorded opera really difficult to engage with. I've seen a lot of theatre and some classical concerts. I'm always thrilled by quite how enjoyable the latter are - I find I can absolutely lose myself in the music. It's really therapeutic.