Has anyone been to the theatre and felt it was overrated?

[flowersintheatticus]

I know going to the theatre is a regular thing for mumsnet, but geographically this isn't possible so going is a really big thing and will require a lot of money, not just for the tickets but for travel there and back. My teens haven't been and I feel I want to give them the experience. I checked out our nearest place and there is a short clip of each of the performances. One of them is a childhood favourite book/tv adaption and thought that would be a good one to go for. However the clip was very underwhelming. I'm sure the acting/set/effects are great but it didn't do anything for me. I'm not sure if it's because the characters look nothing like the tv ones or that the animal character was just a head, but I felt no inclination to watch and I think if I'd gone in person I'd be disappointed.

I think plays/shows vary. Some are amazing and leave a lasting impression, others are meh. Why don't you post the possible shows and others who have seen them can comment?

There’s nothing more underwhelming than a bad production! What are you thinking of going to see?

I tend to find it a bit hit or miss. Might be easier for you to combine it as part of a few days away or something rather than make a special trip just to do it?

It really depends on where it is and who is doing it. Generally the touring ones have amazing performers in them and are great - but only if you really want to see that show. I saw Only fools and horses the musical last week and although the acting was amazing and comedy element perfect it just wasn’t for me - went because I knew my partner who is not a usual theatre goer would love it and he did. I would say though I wasn’t disappointed just more glad to have seen it but wouldn’t go again whereas certain musicals I could watch again and again. I think ones that you know well already through film / tv are a bit like waiting for all the good lines etc and sometimes aren’t what you hoped for

It really depends what the show/play is and who is putting it on. In small local theatres it may be an amateur group whereas in bigger city theatres it might be a professional group on tour. What were you thinking of seeing?

It's The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe. It's a travelling show? and in an opera house, so it's a big venue rather than a local smaller theatre house. My question isn't specific to this production (as I know I don't like it from the short clip) but more has anyone felt that going to the theatre is overrated.

Yes, absolutely. We've been to shows which have left us cold or wtf, and shows which were brilliant and memorable.

We've also found some of the 'stage to screen' shows good - I find myself thinking 'when on earth did I go to the theatre to see that?' And then realise it was the screened version. It's a much cheaper option for seeing first class performances (especillay if you're out in the sticks!)

From a quick look at the Narnia show it gets good reviews, probably is good though might not be the best for a teen? ... perhaps younger kids and nostalgic adults might enjoy it most.

Not really. I love going to the theatre, the the expectation beforehand, the atmosphere etc. The London theatres are usually quite old, and are fascinating buildings in their own right. One or two shows I haven’t enjoyed as much as others, but that’s part of the experience.

Have you looked up the reviews for the show? Maybe that will you a better idea of what people think about the show.

If they’re teens, they probably don’t need a show aimed at kids, so have you considered any of the touring shows? Most are suitable for over twelves. Or a pantomime is another option.

It’s difficult because it is personal taste. I absolutely love the theatre and musicals. I go to several a year and sometimes travel to London to see things, etc.

However the one big disappointment I had was Matilda. Spent quite a bit of money on tickets, but I found it completely awful. DH and I left after the first two or three songs as it was like nails down a blackboard and I was cringing and just actively hated it. Even though I’d heard some of the songs before and thought they were good at the time.

That’s the only time that’s ever happened though.

Book of Mormon was absolutely amazing and enormously exceeded my expectations 😂

It’ll depend entirely on the production. Brilliant, underwhelming, why did I bother? In the first category I’d put Nye, seen some months ago, in the last I’d put a totally buggered-about Richard III, where among other things they had a woman playing Richard. WTF?

I live in the capital and although there's loads of theatres here, I rarely go due to cost. The last thing I saw was Othello at The Globe earlier this year and that was the cheap seats...the only reason I went was to support DD's A level learning. I quite enjoyed it actually. I suppose theatre is like TV & film...not all if it is going to be great. I feel more robbed if there's a huge hoo-ha over a show, I've paid my money to see it, and it turns out to be rubbish.

I go to the theatre a lot and yes I have seen things that underwhelmed me. It's hard to predict though - I've seen amateur productions that have blown me away, and West End productions that weren't all that.

For me personally, shows that underwhelm me tend to be a) musicals about the life of pop stars (eg Buddy Holly story), b) shows with celebrity casting where the celeb isn't really suitable, c) lazy adaptations of films (eg Dirty Dancing tour), d) things with incredibly expensive tickets (eg book of Mormon), e) things without much plot (eg Cats).

If you go a lot you tend to learn what theatres, creative teams and performers you like, but it takes a while.

Closing soon, but a brilliant show currently on which is only £25 pp if you buy on the door is Guys and Dolls at The Bridge in London. Bargain.

’going to the theatre’ isn’t overrated.

Seeing a disappointing production is disappointing.

I wouldn’t take teens to something they might not like for a first visit as you will put them off for life.

Wait for a tour of a west end show with rave reviews.

This is a bit like saying 'I don't like soup'!

It's a daft thing to ask, as there are so many different kind of theatre experiences. Even within a specific genre, you might not like a specific production.

But overall, to answer your OP @flowersintheatticus I'd never say - in general that going to the theatre is underrated. It can be a truly magical experience.

Why not list the shows that you might be able to go and see, and we can give you some more specific feedback?

When looking at reviews be cautious.
I was so looking forward to the recent West End production of Oaklahoma.........if I hadn't spent so much money on the tickets I would have walked out at the interval, it was that bad.
Turns out I had read reviews from professional critics which were very positive.
Only afterwards did I read reviews from the general public and their opinion was largely the same as mine....an absolutely dire show.

I’m still bitter about Macbeth being cancelled as I was heading out last night. Probably won’t get the chance to see it now and it’s fully sold out.

It does depend on what you go and see. I went to Dr Strangelove last week with Steve Coogan and loved it but it wouldn’t be for younger people so it all down to taste.

I've been to the theatre and seen plays/musicals that has blown me away and other productions that have been massively underwhelming (Wicked for one).

It's hard to tell to be honest, and unless you know someone with very similar tastes who has already seen the show, then it's a bit of a leap of faith.

I love going to the theatre to see anything really. Some performances are better than others and some I've enjoyed more than others. I don't think it's overrated though. It's amazing if you find a great show or play with an amazing cast.

I generally think the theatre is money and time well spent. Although I strongly disliked Matilda.

I absolutely love going to the theatre and so does my dd. Of course, there are disappointing productions that can leave you cold, but in general, I thoroughly enjoy the experience.

It depends what you're looking for, I suppose. If you're expecting live theatre equivalents of Hollywood style special effects etc, then you will be disappointed. It definitely isn't like watching a live movie and you often have to use your imagination.

Some of my favourite productions have had very minimalist sets/costumes etc, and have relied purely on the strength of the acting and the quality of the plays themselves to deliver a memorable experience.

There's a production of Ballet Shoes coming up - I've loved it all my life and I'm NOT going.

Yet again the role of a strong female character, here, the ballet teacher Madame, has been given to a man. This pisses me off.

The price of West End tickets is insane.

Regional theatre gets touring productions which can also be high priced.

Fringe theatre is much more reasonable, but the cheapness often shows in the production.

We have several amateur dramatics groups near us, which have been going many years. They have access to venues, equipment, expertise, and often professionals too, which means they do excellent quality productions. Better than many Fringe and small scale shows I've seen.

My family and I absolutely love going to the theatre, we go quite a lot to both amateur and professional shows (mainly musicals) and am rarely let down. So in general I don't think it's overrated but we all have different tastes.

I have seen the odd one I've thought was awful but that definitely is the exception.

I saw an all female Richard III at the globe many years ago! The woman playing Richard was wonderfully hideous, it was great! They did it as a statement because original Shakespeare was all male.

You are entitled to not enjoy going to the theatre, to not see the point, and to think it's too expensive.

That is not the same thing as saying "all theatre is over-rated". It's fine for you to not like doing something other people enjoy - you're not wrong, neither are they.

I have been to individual performances that I felt were over-rated, I have also been to performances that I felt were under-rated. However on the whole, I think theatre is probably neither over nor under rated. Just "rated" I guess?