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

[buggeroo]

we are professional (classical) musicians, so think nothing of going to see an Opera, classical concert, live theatre etc.
However, I've recently had 2 conversations with a family member and a head teacher that they have never been to a live (classical type) concert or theatre show/play.

So it's making me wonder - how many people have been to..
a) an opera?
b) a live theatre production?
c) classical concert?

I was suprised that these two people hadn't been to any of these, but should I be? I don't know?
Thank you.

I have never been to see opera live and have no desire to.
I have been to several classical concerts but not found them appealing really.
Been to lots of live theatre .

I’ve been to lots of live theatre, local and national productions, quite a few operas and ballets but not classical concerts (would like to).

I’ve never been to a music festival (the conditions put me off!), have been to plenty of theme parks (although they don’t interest me now I’m older). Couldn’t think of anything worse than going to football, or rugby but I do go to lots of top Equestrian events as that’s my interest.

a) an opera? Yes
b) a live theatre production? Yes (around once a week)
c) classical concert? Yes

All 3, also ballet.

I think it helps if you have done it as a child though. I try to take my children's friends as well as my children to make it easier for them later. If you are in London, there are some amazing deals for young people: https://redbuslondinium.uk/how-to-afford-the-theatre/young-person-discounts/

It can be expensive, but you can make it work with canny purchasing. There are lots of ways to save here: https://redbuslondinium.uk/how-to-afford-the-theatre/

Also booking ahead really helps. I paid £15 for me for the Nutcracker (£10 for student daughter and friends). But I booked eleven months in advance.

I also take pictures of my seat and load them up on Seat Plan to get the points. Have seen six shows free doing that. https://seatplan.com/ It's also really helpful for gauging which "restricted" seats are truly terrible and which are just a bit annoying so the saving is worth it.

Yes many of all 3. I'm amazed that people haven't seen any of those. I went with school for starters as did my own dc. I also took my dc to classical concerts designed for tots from very young then full adult concerts, operas and theatre from primary school age. The best memory of all was a couple of nights at the arena de Verona opera festival when they were 8&10, they weren't the youngest there, there was a 4 year old lad sat behind us (Italian) for Turandot.

And it's not the money, the same people who will complain about the cost of these things happily pay for football or a gig, plus amateur concerts and productions can be very reasonable

I'm seeing that next month, also Six and Richard Ii.
V looking forward to them.

Opera only once and not bothered if go again. Enjoy ballet though.
Lots of theatre. Going next week.
Only classical stuff - classics in the park/outdoor night at the proms stuff.

Opera - 2/3 times a year
Theatre - at least once a month and often more
Classical concert - 1/2 a year. Used to go to a lot more.
im always amazed at people who have never been to the theatre. We had no money growing up but dad always took us to amateur theatre at least.

Yes to all 3. However only theatre in last 20yrs.
I now go less due to having moved out of a major city (so significant effort to get to opera/classical music venues) and spiralling costs.

I've never been to the opera or a classical concert (not my thing, or maybe I just think that because I've never been). As a child we didn't go to the theatre but I took my children to a few shows when they were small. Then we saw Matilda and my youngest now loves theatre shows so we go quite a lot now. She's got about 4-5 lined up this year.

You will believe he’s on the stage & no one was in a seat at the end, the end is rather unusual but not giving anything away. Enjoy

I've only been to live opera once, as a child. I loved it. Everyone I know hates opera, so I only go in to "live" cinema screenings.

I've been to lots of theatre although I prefer cinema

I've seen pop bands at Wembley several times.

I've never been to the ballet, so that's something I want to do soon.

I've never been to a professional football or rugby match, but have been to the main UK theme parks and Disneyland Paris seven times

A lot of the entertainment I've been to has been because of the people I know, and I've gone along with what they like. If your friends and family are all into horse racing, you're
more likely to go to Ascot than if your family are into sailing.

All three but Opera is my favourite. We live in the North so now WNO have cut down their touring schedule it’s harder to see them and they are my favourite company. Did a placement with them as a student in the costume department which was amazing and you could hear Bryn Terfel in the sewing room!

a) an opera? - no, I can't think of anything worse
b) a live theatre production? - yes
c) classical concert? - no, I only like certain classical music and none enough that I'd want to sit through a whole concert. Now a Bruce Springsteen concert is a different matter!

All three, and ballet, but I don't think it is very accessible in England.

Opera and ballet are very expensive, and in my area only available in London. Our local show hall is going to have a couple of ballet from a foreign company this year, and that's great, but I have some doubts on how good it will be. They never have live theater which is a real shame.

Plays for instance are a lot more accessible in France, a ticket can cost 10-20 EUR for a (semi)professional troup and there are loads. In London, I have never paid less than 40ish pounds for a play and there aren't that many.
Now that we live outside of London it's even harder and I've often been disappointed with the quality. There are loads of stuff for kids though.

Opera & ballet - once or twice (decided not my thing)
Classical music performance - yes and have loved
Theatre - go 3 or 4 times a month
Football - a fair few times at non league and premier league level
Theme park - alton towers, and Disneyland Paris (love DLP)
Music Festival - many many many through my 20s - found ways to work and get in because I couldnt afford to go to as many as I wanted to...

no snobbery - I like all sorts of things

Yes, but it's mostly been a very special treat because of the cost. I have a bit more money these days, and can also leave the children at home, so I'm going to a concert tonight, have booked the day off work for a day in February to see a play which had cheap matinee seats available and have also booked tickets to see a play in April. DD is sometimes offered cheap/free concert tickets through the youth ensemble she plays in, and they both get cheap theatre tickets through school trips offered by the drama Dept.

I haven't been to see live opera for ages as it's only very recently that I've been able to afford to go - opera involves a train journey plus more expensive tickets. I tend to get my opera from Radio 3 rather than in person. And it's been a long time since I've seen live dance, too.

My local repertory theatre is very good and you can nab tickets in the front row for £15 if you book early enough, to I try to keep an eye out for what's available.

Yes we've been to all three

We work in the arts so often get tickets or know a performer etc which is a wonderful perk.

We also go to:

Contemporary dance events
Ballet
Immersive site specific theatre
Literary readings
Poetry readings
Book launches
Exhibition openings

We're not into football or rugby but have been to equestrian events with dc

We've been to theme parks (Disney) for dc but absolutely not our thing

We've been to lots of gigs/ concerts over the years. We've both been to festivals when younger but no interest in that now

I've been to an opera medley concert, but not an actual opera. I've taken the family to see a ballet and musical theatre a couple of times. People are into different things and have different budgets. The theatre last time we went was £120 per ticket - hardly a cheap night out, when you also have to get a train and a hotel.

I imagine the cost is a reason why many people don't go though. It's not cheap is it. Especially for a family!

All 3 regularly

• a football or rugby game? Yes
• a theme park? Yes (though as I get older I get queasier on the rides so it is less fun)
• a music festival? Yes (though only as a day trip, I should probably camp one day. Have been wondering about doing it as an Oxfam volunteer)

One of my aims with my kids was to try to take them to as many experiences as we could manage so that they could find out what they liked and where they were comfortable.

We've been to Ascot, Henley, Evensong at Windsor Castle, Windsor Horse show, hockey, volleyball, football, Rugby 7s, museums, art galleries, concerts, German Christmas markets by train, etc.

Personally, for example, I am not that fussed on opera or classical concerts but both my children turned out to be much more interested than me. So I would have down them a disservice if we hadn't gone.

Likewise, sport. I have no passion for it at all, almost like it is a missing bit of my brain. But my son has ended up a football season ticket holder.

Theatre yes, several times a year. The others - not since childhood, unless you count brass band concerts as a classical music concert. I am planning on taking my mother (big opera buff) to Glynbourne this year though.

Constantly! I pay to see between 10 and 12 theatre productions a year (mostly in London, but also closer to home).
I also volunteer at a theatre - I saw our Xmas show alone about 15 times last year 😂
I generally see much less opera and ballet - maybe once a year? I'd love to see more, but time and money don't permit.

It shocks me too when people (who can certainly afford it) don't go to the theatre - but, equally, I've never been to a pro football match. I guess we're all different.

All of them though the opera only once.
we used to go to a lot of classical concerts but due to where we live now it’s a bit of a faff getting there.

I have also been to the ballet a few times and art gallery opening nights.

I’ve been to all those and all the ones in the OP. I’m not all that keen on rugby/football but we’ve taken the kids to see the England women’s team playing both. I’m also not a huge fan of classical concerts & prefer something like an orchestra playing stuff from film scores/christmas music. Again I have taken the kids to see something (last night of the proms style event at a local venue).
In general I think it’s a shame if you don’t give most forms of entertainment like those you’ve both listed a try. In fairness if you’ve never been you don’t not go because you don’t like it.