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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To wonder how many people watch am dram plays?

41 replies

thelist · 26/04/2019 13:42

I’ve just joined an am dram society and am looking forward to being in a play in the summer, just as a way to be creative and meet new people. Everyone is great in it and working really hard, it’s completely fab and I have so much respect for everyone who goes to so much effort to put on great shows.

I’ve never actually gone to see a non professional play if I didn’t know anyone in it and was wondering if anyone actually goes to see these plays if they don’t know anyone in them? I don’t like to ask the group in case they think I’m having a dig at them 😂 I’m sure people must but I don’t know anyone who does.

OP posts:
Greyhound22 · 26/04/2019 14:39

We went to an Amdram panto this year. I did get the tickets free from work but they didn't cost a lot anyway, was fabulous - was so surprised and my DS4 sat through it. My DMIL came with us and told a friend who had been to the big one in town where the tickets were £££ and she said it was absolutely dreadful. We're all going to the amdram one again next year!!

BlueSkiesLies · 26/04/2019 14:39

I watch “amdram” and generally it is v good and not especially “am”.

DSHathawayGivesMeFannyGallops · 26/04/2019 14:43

I went to the closing night of an am dram near me to support a friend a few Saturdays ago. It was so empty thst we were embarrassed for the cast. Can only hope that the previous nights were popular as they were a good cast and the society has won awards before.I thought it would have bigger turn out.

Comefromaway · 26/04/2019 14:57

Come From Away is fantastic. 100 minutes, 12 actors, 12 chairs and a phenomenal onstage band.

Milkshakemonkeys · 26/04/2019 15:49

Nc for this as its very outing!

I am in an amdram group, have been for 12 years. We share our theatre with another resident group and lots of other groups use it on an adhoc basis.

We have done better when it's been something people know, fawlty towers, dads army, allo allo, darling buds of may, Frankenstein, flint street nativity, blackadder etc.

Pantomime always does well as it's cheap and good fun.

I remember one play (I wasnt in) there was an audience of 4.... eep but the show went on!

It's much harder to perform to a small or quiet audience as well and each night will be very different.

I have directed Ladies Night which was the original stage play of Full Monty, we had a stall at a market event in the city centre and so many people "didn't want to watch that kind of "thing" " even when explained it as a comedy just like the fully Monty they couldn't be convinced. Our audience was ok and we broke even but so disappointing for the guys who put so much effort in.

It's a shame not more people appreciate or try am dram, alot of time they think it will be like watching a school show (which can be painful). Dont get me wrong I have see some God awful acting or badly executed shows in my time but the majority tend to be very good.

Am dram is dying out in some parts but most of the time its lack of support, funding or people taking part. Also having backstage , so many people want to be on stage but dont want to stage manage, help with costumes prop or set. It always ends up being the same people and its draining.

I have always found that advertising is key. Getting it into local papers, website, leaflets, radio stations and even getting the town crier to shout about it.

Good luck OP, I hope you really enjoy it and dont forget you can be part of more than one group especially If you want to be involved all year round

TapasForTwo · 26/04/2019 16:04

I do. We have a few small theatres in the nearest town, and I often go with a couple of friends. We have seen a few musicals as well. One of the companies who performs is semi professional, and their performances are almost as good as a West End production. They always sell out.

TeenTimesTwo · 26/04/2019 16:07

The standard at our AmDram is very high (I am wondering if it is the same as @CatherineVelindre from the description). They do roughly a show every month on for 5 nights at a time, plus a 3 week panto run in January. Most shows are sold out. My DD has done a few pantos and P&P, but we go to see anything they do that takes our fancy.

There is another AmDram in same town which is very much 'Am' and I personally wouldn't go without knowing someone in it.

LIZS · 26/04/2019 16:10

Unless it is high profile piece it is usually family, friends and past members. It is increasingly popular, as in West End, to include children as you tend to get more attending to see them.

Merryoldgoat · 26/04/2019 16:12

Come From Away might be the best thing I’ve ever seen. I wanted to watch it again before it had finished.

I feel tearful just remembering it.

iklboo · 26/04/2019 16:15

We once played to an audience of two - who kindly swapped seats after the interval for variety. Grin

Pantos were over subscribed though with a waiting list for cancellations.

Merryoldgoat · 26/04/2019 16:17

@iklboo

I wonder if we acted at the same company...

iklboo · 26/04/2019 16:37
Grin
thelist · 26/04/2019 20:20

I think I’m going to volunteer to help backstage once I’ve had a go at acting in this play, I’d love to learn lighting or costume making. Lovely to hear about all of the other societies, I think it’s such a great hobby/passion.

OP posts:
Tawdrylocalbrouhaha · 26/04/2019 20:24

If a friend is in it I will go, regardless of what show it is.

Otherwise I would only go if it was a show I like, and the society had a decent track record (some are really good, some are ropey).

LaurieMarlow · 26/04/2019 20:31

I’m from a town that’s kinda renowned for its am dram. There are 4/5 major groups who all put on a few shows a year.

They’re generally packed to the gills (good luck getting a Friday/Saturday ticket) and the standard is often on a par with professional productions. It’s taken very seriously.

Saracen · 27/04/2019 00:31

I've been a few times. It can be quite enjoyable if I'm in the right mood. Am dram pantomime is also a cheap night out with a small child - local venue, easy to get to, none of the bother of the big theatre in town.

I once went to one which was really, really bad, which was fun in its own way as it was entertaining to wonder what would go wrong next. The company took it in their stride.

As a rule I much prefer professional plays, but the amateur ones are a nice option.

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