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.

Very small local theatres, by local acting groups that compared to NT would be considered very am dram. I now realize the venue probably makes the difference, but I've seen great acting in the local ones.
One of the best productions I've ever seen was Grease in the local secondary school, which is fairly deprived. Not one of the cast was in a drama school and it was fantastic. It might have helped that I really enjoyed the film in my youth though.

I agree about the horses - they are brilliant and very moving. I’m seeing War Horse for about the 6th time in a few weeks. It’s a fabulous play!

The same production?

What about theatres in your nearest city? Many of the professional shows tour so you don’t need to travel
to London.

There’s no such thing as “the theatre “though. It’s hugely dependent on all the variables - play/musical/dance ,modern v classic, comedy/serious.Then production, venue,audience. So YABU to write it all off based on your limited experience

Yes. It is a NT production that has been going for a long time and has just been revived again. It is very well done - it is incredibly imaginative and the relationship between the boy and the horse is very moving.

Definitely will persevere and work my way through the recommendations. The responses have been very helpful, thank you 💐

The atmosphere is definitely different in the actual theatre, compared to actually watching it at home. It will also depend on what you like. Watching something because of “great reviews”, or “it’s a classic” or whatever won’t be the same (at home or in theatre) as something you’d really enjoy/are into.

I saw the Lion King (with work) and while I could appreciate the artistry, acting and the mind boggling mastery of the special effects, it just wasn’t…it! Because I actually don’t like the story and in my eyes it’s crap and boring. It’s hard to be fully immersed into something when you’re just waiting for the next bit. I thoroughly enjoyed other plays though , even if they weren’t a “true classic” .

Why do you think you would have appreciated the lion king but not war horse?
They use the same techniques.

What sort of theatre do you go to now? What do you like?
I'm a bit puzzled . You seem to see theatrexas being just " theatre in london".

We love a theatre visit! I’ve not visited the West End for 40 years. We do regional theatre and amateur productions - I’ve not seen one amateur production that’s been poor. We’ve mainly done musicals in the past few years, but my teen is now getting into more serious plays as well.

Stage is live acting in front of you! Of course tickets are expensive. We do go to London because our local theatre has touring shows with no “names” in the rules very often. I’ve seen amazing plays and musicals in London and the Royal Ballet is wonderful. Just look at the world class skill on show at the ROH. I cannot remember when I’ve ever been disappointed but I’d go once a year in London as opposed to 3 visits locally.

1. don’t knock it until you’ve tried it
2. it’s personal preference, you can’t make a blanket statement as everyone has a different opinion and some will like it and some won’t.

I like watching snooker. Thought I’d give it a go watching live in person. People rave about “you can’t beat the atmosphere” of being there in person. OMG it was so boring,
so uncomfortable and you couldn’t see a thing. I’ll stick to my sofa from now on. Each to their own.

My phone has a mind of it's own and frequently changes/omits words, was supposed to say wouldn't have enjoyed Lion King.

The first Shakespeare play DD saw was The Tempest when she was about 9 - while on holiday in Cornwall at the Minack. It was brilliant, the rain kept off except for a shower at exactly the right time.
Theatre in the Park type productions by the small talented touring troupes such as Illyria are also a good fun way to introduce kids to the theatre.

Because when people on MN talk about theatre they are nearly always talking about London. I don't think my local theatre (an old church) with capacity for 80 people would cut it. I had much higher expectations for big theatre, but I can now see that was unreasonable of me.

Les mis in the west end is the best thing i have ever seen. I saw it last year & I am planning on going again this summer. I've seen a variety of other theatre shows and while some of them haven't been entirely for me i can still see the work thats gone into them and have enjoyed them (ie. Cruel intentions)

I am desperate to see witness for the prosecution as well which sounds amazing. Hopefully it's still on!

I've never been to a really big theatre… I've only watched four productions

There’s your answer.

I'm sorry you’ve not experienced more. But you are dissing something you’ve not experienced

Good theatre is fantastic.

I’ve been to see quite a few plays. While some of them were amazing, theatre does have the problem of small, uncomfy seats and if you are a shortie like me heads in front of you cutting off the view (more so than the cinema I find)

Sort of with you OP. I have been to two West End shows (Mama Mia and Cats) years ago with DD, so have been there and done that but I dont get that much enjoyment out of live entertainment to pay full whack for theatre prices.

I've watched some of the National Theatre recordings, and think it very much depends on the play and what you're interested in. Some of them were okay but not my preference. 'Treasure Island' from a few years ago was one of the best things I've ever seen, live or recorded.
I don't know if the Globe Theatre still offer their recordings, but I've seen some fantastic productions from there too. Perhaps try a few different genres and see how you get on.
It's true that live theatre is very different, very immediate, and actors build a face to face rapport with the audience. Like you, I can't get to big productions nowadays, but I wouldn't dismiss recordings/broadcasts until you've given them a thorough try.

I was a working class kid who found herself fortunate enough to have English and Drama teachers who took us regularly to the theatre. The National Theatre, Stratford, Bristol Old Vic - all before this kid from a council house was 18. What a gift. I was gripped immediately and it's a passion that's stayed with me forever.

You walk in off the street to a packed house, the lights go down and you are transported to another world. You're in the 1950s with John Osborne, Arthur Miller's seventeenth century witches look you in the eye and the death of Julius Caesar is brought to life by real people who an hour previously were on the No9 bus just like you.

The good thing about theatre is that it can take a 500 year old story and bring it to life in a way relevant to the modern world. I saw Timothy West make King Lear a scathing attack on our government during Brexit and I've watched Dracula jump from the stage and stalk the audience causing grown men to run away.

Then, in the pub after, in walked Dracula and had a pint.

It's thrilling stuff. You need to be there.

Lots of anti culture pro military threads lately. Is MN being infested by the deplorables?

I think you need to try and immerse yourself into it, if it is abstract, I don't think it is wrong not to enjoy or "get" something, but i don't think you can dismiss something as crap because you don't understand. I sometimes see National theatre live in the cinema and enjoy it

How many productions do you need to see before forming an opinion? Genuine question.

I think some posters are over stating what difference in person makes with theatre.

There is more "artifice" in theatre than TV and film (generally). It is a very different sort of drama and acting (and obviously staging etc) that some people adore and leaves others cold.

You can also love theatre and find some productions that just don't quite work.

So maybe @icreatedascene you've just not found something you like or maybe you just don't enjoy theatre. It's allowed!