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 agree. I find the theatre so fake with over the top acting many times. Sometimes it can be good but not usually worth the expense in my view.

I love the theatre, go on average once a month and am rarely disappointed. But I know what I like and I choose carefully. If you are basing your opinion on a selection of National Theatre plays online you might have a very limited opinion, in the same way that I might judge that I don’t like watching TV based on half a dozen programmes selected for me.

I said young kids. I'd very much expect a 10 and 13 year old to be able to sit quietly, under 8 less so. I also wouldn't expect a young child to appreciate a production of Shakespeare, but this is Mumsnet, so I'm sure all of the toddlers are not only watching it, but thoroughly enjoying acting it out during independent play 😁

I meant to say, in the West End. Big regional theatres aren't necessarily cheaper, our local one is very expensive. But some are great value eg Chichester Festival Theatre (we drove there to see Oliver, it was so much cheaper than London and 2 hours drive from us while London by train takes us nearly 2 hours door to door.

I love going to our local theatres, and going to see NT live in the cinema but I found NT at Home not as good. Watching a film or good TV series is better for that situation, I think it's because the acting for screen is different to the acting required for a live performance. So I'd say try going to see an NT Live show at the cinema and see what you think as a way to see the 'big' shows. I have to say though I think a lot of fuss is made about some of the things that happen in London and they are necessarily better than what we get in the regions. See also: The Cutty Sark. So bloody famous, so very very mid in comparison to other historic ships I've seen.

I was really contemplating paying £55 to see War Horse until I saw the trailer. For that price I want real horses on stage! I definitely would have appreciated LTK.

“I have never been to the theatre but think it is rubbish” is an odd take, OP. And it’s also odd not to recognise that a filmed production will be very different to watching it live and in situ. It’s like comparing going to a gig to watching Glastonbury on TV.

I love the theatre. I go about once a month. I have been taking my DD aged 8 to plays since she was about 3 (children’s plays, not Shakespeare!) and she loves ot too. There is something extraordinary and magical about watching really good actors bringing a play to life right in front of you. She and I would far rather go to the theatre than watch a film, let alone a film of a play.

Also, the NT is not always expensive. If you book early you can often get tickets for £20. Ultimately I think this is reverse snobbery. But it’s silly because while it still needs to be made more accessible, lots of people go to the theatre who aren’t middle class. I started going when I was about 16. I had little money and it wasn’t something my family did. I went with school once, loved it, and have never stopped going.

I can’t get on board with theatre either, but I know it’s a ‘me’ problem.

Horses for courses, it would be a dull world if we all liked the same things, etc, etc.

Peep Show did a great bit on the theatre. I think you might like it @icreatedascene

I fundamentally disagree. Live theatre is probably the greatest pleasure in my life - the connection is fantastic. Whilst the National Theatre at Home is a good service, it can't compare with the thrill of being in the room, and sharing that experience with both the actors and the audience.
Of course, we're all different, but I will never stop going to the theatre.

I can understand your reservations without seeing it, but War Horse was incredible. My kids were both totally blown away by it. We paid £35 per seat in the gods at Cardiff and had a great view.

The best theatre I ever saw was a local murder mystery play where all the actors were over 75. It was an absolute hoot, the atmosphere was brilliant fun. I think you have to pick what you see and the smaller the venue the better.

Yes it's a very odd take, please read my OP because I didn't say that and quite frankly it's such a stupid thing to say. And to reiterate, I have been to theatre productions every year of my life since childhood, but not theatre as per Mumsnet.

Just want to point out to everyone that it isn't necessarily the cost of the tickets that is a barrier, for those saying it's not that expensive. If you live on Stornoway or other fairly remote places it's not a simple case of "popping on the train to London".

Also enjoyed the globe theatre in London too, again, great atmosphere because smaller

This is lovely to hear!

I have been to theatre productions every year of my life since childhood, but not theatre as per Mumsnet.

Sorry, what's the difference?

You really should have paid that £55 to see War Horse - within minutes those magnificent horses were very 'real'!

Yes we are all different and that’s fine!

We saw a child orientated performance of the tempest. It missed the mark a bit but the kids did enjoy it aged ten and six ( made sure to watch the animated version first though so they knew what was going on).

I think a huge amount depends on both the actors and the environment. You won't enjoy all performances, just like you won't enjoy all books or tv shows. I really liked going to the theatre when I was in my 20s (you could get cheap 'youth' tickets!). I saw a lot of really good productions with great sets, costumes and lots of performers; and I also saw a stunning one man peformance about 9/11. I tried the English National Opera, but discovered what may sound romantic in a language I don't understand, is actually just a massively boring soap opera in English. I bought tickets for a play for me and my mother, but it was at the Globe, and neither of us could face sitting for over 2hrs on a hard bench with no back, so we left. I guess what I am saying is that you should give it another chance - there is so much variety, you may find something you really like and has a massive impact.

But the genius of War Horse is that the puppets are so brilliant - every little movement is perfect, and you totally believe they are real horses.
Live theatre is about using your own imagination and creativity to become part of the world that is created on stage.
And £55 is a bargain for a top show!

Why are you assuming that when people talk about theatre they only mean London?

Theatre is so much more than that. I live nowhere near London but there’s a theatre in my village and another in my nearest town. And there are multiple theatres in my closest city.

We have an AmDram theatre 10mins walk away. The standard is very high and we certainly get our money's worth.

In the last 20 years I have only seen two things in London - The Lion King and then the Cursed Child. Otherwise we go to local regional theatre.

Oh but War Horse is amazing!! The puppetry is amazing - even with three people controlling a horse they feel
alive and full of personality. It’s a bit fashionable now to let the audience into the mechanics of theatre, like puppetry, like an extra challenge to immerse you into the story.

I’ve watched War Horse as an usher (so seen it countless times) and I took DH to see it in the cinema, and both were great, but live is far far better. There’s something really special about seeing a performance live with several hundred people. But cinema is good, as an introduction to theatre, for people to access it who wouldn’t normally (as it’s so expensive and far away or sold out), to remove the negative aspects of theatre like annoying people, bad seat, tall person in front of you, cramped seats etc. But yes I hope you don’t judge all of theatre with one bad cinema experience. Maybe that one was not for you but others would be.

I agree seats can be expensive and for a ticket more than £50 I’d want an unobstructed and really enjoyable experience. You can definitely get tickets cheaper if you research a bit. And the National Theatre is really good value for money with great views everywhere you are - the Olivier threw an especially is amazing and immersive.

Ok make this the year you go for it! Book a day off and get on the last minute tic app that day and get a last minute stalls seat for half price. Go!

if you don’t live in London look at the touring productions - waitress is on tour and thats getting 5 star reviews.