To feel theatre is overrated?

[icreatedascene]

I've never been to a really big theatre and circumstances mean that it's not feasible to go to a London or other 'big' one. I subscribed to the National Theatre at home in a bid to give myself some access/awareness and I have to say I'm glad I haven't paid to go in person. Admittedly I've only watched four productions (all of which had raving reviews) but I'm somewhat underwhelmed.
I'm wondering is theatre only deemed a MC thing because it's expensive? Am I missing something?The acting in The Boy with the Two Hearts was very high school drama club IMO. The book was so much better, but I understand it's hard to squeeze a book into 1.5 hours. Why were people raving about it? Perhaps I'm not getting the point? I've removed the poll because obviously it's very subjective, but just want to know if anyone else feels like this.

I love going to the theatre. I saw To Kill a Mocking Bird recently and it was brilliant.

I don't go very often as it is expensive.

I can’t imagine watching a stage play on the TV really gives you what watching it in a theatre does.

Maybe try one and see the difference?

I thought the Les Mis I saw years ago in London was very professional. The Rock Of Ages in Manchester was good, but other things I’ve seen on stage have felt quite am dram.

Yes we just saw TKAM. Seeing it 'live' is much more immediate.
Excellent production.

OP maybe you just haven't found your 'thing' or you are expecting a play to be the 'same' as a book.

The 'P&P Sort of' production where a cast of 5 women play servants acting out the antics of The Bennets is brilliant (helpful to know the book). It is the first thing I have booked to see twice.

I love the theatre. I also find some local drama productions are excellent. And weirdly a local school does amazing shows and sells tickets to the public - you can catch a great show for under a tenner. Lots of the sixth form go to stage schools - they really are good.

I go to 10 or so small shows a year as the cost is the same as one London performance!

You need to be there in person. Otherwise maybe stick to TV drama. Theatre live and in person can be amazing.

You can’t come to that conclusion having never even been (!)

Watching it on tv and seeing it in irl are 2 completely different experiences

It very much ch depends on who you see and whether you enjoy the play. One of the best things I’ve seen was Patrick Stewart as Macbeth in Chichester. Personally, I think small to medium theatres are better.

I think seeing it on a TV screen is a poor substitute, you need to be there. Having said that, the correlation between price, venue and quality isn’t always what you expect.

I seem to have ended up with a friendship group comprising theatre, film, costume and circus people almost exclusively, so I see more shows than I might otherwise.

Watching theatre on the tele is not the same as watching it live. I love that National Theatre broadcast their productions, as it's generally the only way i'd see them (im in awe of the person whoever came up with the idea), but it's really not the same.

Theatre acting is different to screen acting so it may not come over the same.

Theatre may not be your thing. I love it, not everyone does.

I go a lot (six times so far this year). Not everything I see is a work of genius, some dont quite come off and occasionally there are duds.

I like that the performance you are getting is in the moment. Its what the cast are doing right then, no opportunities for multiple takes. It also feels participative as you are able to acknowledge the performance. It shouldn't be compared with reading or a film, its a different experience. Like the difference between listening to a record and watching your favourite band live.

" I've never been to the theatre but I think it's crap"
🤣

Can you hear yourself?

Are you one of these people who say " I've never tasted cabbage but I know I don't like it?"

I love it but not sure I'd watch it on screen. I love to see the set design and how it's adapted as the story progresses. I love seeing live acting. I love how I get totally absorbed in a room of hundreds.

So is it the atmosphere inside the theatre that makes it? One of the things I watched was Yerma (again raving reviews) and the 'stage' was a glass box thing with artificial grass. I could see the audience around the box and was thinking If be very disappointed in person, for expensive tickets I'd be expecting brilliant staging/backdrops. But maybe the glass box with artificial grass is part of the art and I just don't appreciate that?

I think the experience in a theatre is different to watching on TV. I have been very fortunate to have been bought tickets for various shows over the years and when you see a show live (and have been lucky enough to be close to the stage) and see the emotions of the actors it's incredible. Absolutely loved Les Miserables and you could see that the cast gave it their all, their faces at the end showed this.
The only issue I do have with theatre shoes is when it is a popular production/ attracts children as noise can then be an issue.

I'm happy to go to am dram productions but I was expecting a lot more from 'big' theatre.

That's interesting but I thought perhaps the opposite? In the screened version there are so many close ups of the actors that you won't get in the live version because I can see the seating and some of the seats seem so far away.

This is why I'm asking a genuine question and have removed the poll. You obviously have not read the OP properly.

I don't go to the theatre often but do see a lot of ballet, so sort of similar. I don't enjoy filmed versions of performances as much as seeing them live - I think part of the spectacle is being in the same room as the performance, which you can't reproduce on screen. The quality of made-for-screen TV/film is so high that a filmed theatre performance will seem flat in comparison.

Theatre is best seen live and it's unfortunate if you don't have access to large productions locally, but don't overlook small local productions, even amateur ones, because experiencing a live performance outweighs an absence of high production values.

You haven't removed the poll I'm afraid and it's sitting at 93% unreasonable.

I love the theatre. Used to take advantage of the NT £10 tickets loads back in the day. I'd go at least monthly if time, childcare and finances allowed and I'm really frustrated I can't make the NT productions work on my TV.

I took DD to see Ballet Shoes last year aged 7. At the point where one of them flew into the audience for her "and I" line DD had a look of complete and utter wonder and joy on her face it was worth every penny.

I can get completely absorbed in grest performances and stories on stage.

I’d also try watching some plays that were written as plays - rather than novels that have been adapted. That might include Shakespeare or it might be more modern plays.

In fairness op I’m often underwhelmed by the huge musicals in London as they are just not my type of show. Plus too much noise in the audience sometimes. Though I loved the local schools musicals - (smaller theatre maybe). I saw Wicked and was underwhelmed but it’s just not my type of show. I saw Percy Jackson and expected very little and really enjoyed it (smaller theatre).

I prefer smaller theatres and dramas rather than músicals. Outdoor Shakespeare in summer is great (Cambridge). But tv is not a substitute.

@icreatedascene

Have you watched One Man Two Governors on the national theatre at home?

It is hilarious.

I have read it and i am reacting honestly to it.
You haven't removed the poll either.