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.

Go to gigs instead, live music is so much more exciting

Or “I’ve never been on a cruise but it sounds like absolute hell”.

I don’t need to pay to go on a cruise to know I’d hate it. I go on walking holidays in remote places. Plus, they’re horribly polluting.

I’m going in May. I’m very much looking forward to it!

Yerma was incredible. I think the glass box was part of it - women’s bodies and lives being ‘public property’. Well that was just my take. I am sure it was better live though, I also watched the televised version.

National Theatre tickets are not expensive like the West End although you have to get to London. The NT live makes it the most accessible good theatre you can get.

If you've read the OP you'll see I have been to theatre productions.

Don't know what happened as I clicked and confirmed the remove poll button.

So it seems there's a consensus that a big part of "the theatre" is the atmosphere itself. That is my problem perhaps, I was expecting the actual production/acting of big theatre to be much more superior than the local ones I've attended. I'd be furious if I paid big money and kids were making noise. Do people really take young kids to see Les Mis and Shakespeare?

Thanks for those who have given recommendations.

I’ve watch two national theatre live performances which were shown in my local theatre. They were brilliant and you almost forgot you were watching it on a screen.
I can’t imagine it would have been the same watching it on tv at home.

Thank you so much for this perspective, this is probably what I'm missing. I would never have made the analogy of the female body, so people who do must get do much more out of it. This is why I asked the question, because now that you say that it makes more sense and does add extra depth. Every day is a school day.

Did you miss the part where OP explains they can't get to London or elsewhere to see big productions so has tried watching recordings of National Theatre productions instead?

Live versus filmed is no comparison, but OP doesn't have experience of both so thinks the issue is that "theatre" is leaving them cold. Whereas posters who have experienced both are suggesting that the magic of theatre is best (only?) experienced at live performances. Of course, OP might see some live productions and still decide that theatre isn't for them, but at least they'd have experienced the difference between filmed and live.

Do people really take young kids to see Les Mis and Shakespeare?

Not generally. You do get a lot of school groups at Shakespeare though. I saw Macbeth recently - many teenagers in the audience, behaving impeccably.

I hate the cramped small seats of the older theatres. But otherwise I like to go. By myself.

I love going to the theatre and try and go a couple of times a year. I can only compare a couple of things where I've seen it live and then on screen. It was significantly better live. Much more atmospheric and the audience almost becomes part of the play rather than a casual observer.

Why wouldn’t you take kids to see Les Mis or Shakespeare?

We went to London with some friends last year and took the kids the see Phantom of the Opera- two 10 year old boys and a 13 year old girl. They loved it and all said it was the best part of the trip!

Why not try a small/medium size local theatre - it wouldn't be so expensive and you might get a better feel about live theatre. I'm a regular at The Royal Court - it's relatively inexpensive especially with Membership Monday tickets at £14

As others have said, being in the theatre makes all the difference. I saw Dear England - it's about Gareth Southgate's tenure as England football manager; an unlikely topic for a NT and West End success! It was a big-stage performance

The tension in the audience during the penalty shoot-out was palpable and visible - people hardly able to look and with hands over mouths, despite everyone knowing that we lost on those penalties! That's the power of great acting and live theatre

I’ve enjoyed theatre and theatre on YouTube and tv.

If you haven’t seen it watch Hamlet with Andrew Scott as the lead (2018).

Yes it does. I don’t / can’t go often because it’s so expensive but whenever I do, it very much is the general atmosphere that makes or breaks a play. I saw Tracey Ann Oberman as Shylock last year in Manchester for example and when she gave her passionate speech at the end about the people of Manchester, I was almost crying. I also watch Shakespeare live in the park every summer at least once, last year I went three times! You can’t recreate that energy at home.

Your perspective isn’t wrong though. I once saw their production of Jane Eyre and the set was scaffolding. Maybe I was having a bad day as I had young kids at the time but I am still not completely sure what that was about. On the other hand I saw the first Welsh National Theatre (Our Town) last week and the set was step ladders and pieces of wood and that set somehow totally made the show (along with the incredible acting).

You are not wrong to have not ‘got’ Yerma - the important thing about good theatre (IMO) is making people think about it at all, and we all get different things from different plays.

Ps try The Importance of Being Earnest on NT Live, that’s really fun.

I’m not a theatre fan either. But we went to see the Stranger Things play and it was absolutely amazing.

Ps try The Importance of Being Earnest on NT Live, that’s really fun.

I saw that at the NT - it really was great fun and beautifully staged. I was fortunately the recipient of a free ticket from someone who couldn't go - it was a prime seat and I think it cost £125!

Sorry forgot to add that I think this would be OK on a TV/Cinema screening

We take the kids to the pantomime at Christmas but only at the local theatre - big London productions for musicals etc are just ridiculously expensive.
my mum used to take me and my sister when we were little - maybe once a year but she had more disposable income than we do now and I don’t think it was crazy money as it is now. We used to go to a matinee showing and it was magical but I think a lot of people it’s out of reach now. A colleague went to see the Lionking and it was literally hundreds of pounds.

You can get theatre tickets relatively cheaply. I never pay more than £50 and usually go several times a year.

I love the theatre. Guess its not for you, but many people love it, so not over rated.

I adore theatre, I review it regularly. I have watched recordings of shows and it just isnt the same as being in the auditorium. The sound is different, the entire set feels different. You should treat yourself to a touring show or a London one.

The NT production of Present Laughter with Andrew Scott is brilliant as is Prima Facie with Jodie Comer.
They were both screened at my local theatre which definitely helped the atmosphere.

After the Prima Facie production the theatre bar was pretty much silent as everyone digested what they’d seen. Incredible performance.

If you haven't watched it yet and it's on there i'd really recommend Dear England on NT Live - that is one that translated really well to on screen