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.

Oh I've just remembered my Brownie group once went to a performance of The Gondoliers because one of our owls was in it. I don't remember anything about it now though as it was many decades ago.

Opera - no, it doesn’t appeal to me
Theatre - many times
Classical Concert - a few times
Ballet - a couple of times
Non-classical Concert - many times
Football/Rugby - once, it’s not my thing. I have travel a lot, including air travel, to watch show jumping which is the sport I do enjoy
Theme Parks - many times
Festivals - 2 or 3 times, not really my thing

Writing this down makes me realize how privileged I am. These things are expensive. I do not live near a city like London (I’m not in the UK). The fact that I/my parents when I was a kid could afford the travel and entrance to these things makes me very lucky.

All three.

To be honest, I don’t think musical theatre or plays are in the same category as opera, classical concerts or ballet. You’ll see much more uptake for the former. Much more.

All, lots, off my own bat and starting as a teenager, because I was curious. I was lucky to be brought up in a northern city with weekly Hallé Orchestra concerts and a producing theatre, to be taken on a school trip to Stratford-on-Avon at 16, and to go to university in London at a time when you could stand in the slips at Covent Garden for £2. DD began playing instruments in juniors, because she wanted to, and reached grade 8. DD's boyfriend, however, hadn't been to a classical concert until he met her. The family are all scientists and very sporty so have different interests.

I've been to the theatre several times and love the experience. My Dd adores going and regularly goes, as a young adult, and this has encouraged Dh and I to go more often too.

I've not been to the opera or a classical concert as they aren't my interest.

The issue with the theatre for many people is cost. It can be very expensive to go and watch a show.

In London it's often easier as there is far more options and also a much bigger opportunity to get cheap tickets last minute via a variety of apps. Local theatres rarely have reduced prices even in the day if the show, but even for shows with many seats unsold. I find that annoying.

Yes to all three of the OP's questions. My DM was a music scholar and my uncle is a conductor/composer so we grew up in that environment, and I'm introducing my own children to it. We tend to go to and see musical theatre most, but I also went to a couple of the Proms last year, and saw Hamnet while it was in London.

But also... yes to all three of the quoted. Rugby rather than football (DH takes the DC to the football), done Disney Paris and Tokyo, and I went to two music festivals last year.

It doesn't have to be one or the other 🤷🏻‍♀️

I've never been to an opera or classical concert and have absolutely no desire to.

I've been to two local amateur productions (Kinky Boots and Made in Dagenham) both of which were fantastic. I also took my daughter to see the Stranger Things show in the West End last year which was absolutely outstanding.

My mam dragged me to watch Cats once when I was a teenager and it was dire which put me off for many years, all three shows I've been to see have been after the age of 35.

a football or rugby game?
• a theme park?
• a music festival?

Football - once, but going to a work event with Dh in a biz at the football in a couple of weeks. Not been to a proper rugby game though I have seen a baseball game and cricket live. I'm not really into sport though so not my thing.

Theme park - yes, love coasters 🎢 The fast the better!

Festival - yes, though not for a little while. I don't like the camping aspect but love the music and atmosphere hits.

Music concerts - several from smaller concerts in a pub right up to big stadium and open air concerts over the years.

All three. Opera is my least favourite of those three. I also love ballet.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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, 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.

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.

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.

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.

Yes all three on multiple occasions.

all 3 but theatre for preference.

Used to love all of them. Miss them.

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.

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

Me too. Exactly the same. Regularly.