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.

It depends on the play. If you watch a film you don't like, it doesn't mean all films are not worth it.

Can posters please stop saying that I've said it's "crap", I didn't use that term at all!

Get back into your theatre and stop fraternising with us great unwashed.

I think the atmosphere is important. Can you give us a rough idea of where you live so we can make recommendations?

Many of the London theatre productions, once successful tour around the country to large cities. Try seeing a few of those. You can often get cheaper tickets at those productions.

I absolutely love theatre, plays- serious and comical and also musicals. Billy Elliot and Matilda are my favourite musicals and have seen both 3 times and I plan to go again! Love the whole magical experience.

It's not the individual plays I'm questioning, it's the whole experience of big theatre. For me personally I don't think I would value the experience per cost, but I get that might just be me, which is why I asked the questions. Some of the responses have really given me a different perspective.

Do You like going to the cinema? If so, National Theatre Live show at cinemas as well as at home. It’s not the same as actually going to the theatre but it is very close to it. Maybe try that?

Come back when you’ve actually been to a “big theatre” and seen a couple of things live. Not one, because that might not actually be to your taste, but something else might.

I would say persevere! Eventually you will see something that captures your heart and mind. I have been going to the theatre my whole life - I was lucky enough to be taken a lot as a child and some productions from 50 years ago I still remember clearly and the emotional impact they had on me

I volunteer at the Globe theatre in London and because of its shape you get a view of the faces of the audience watching - this is an aspect I love and I feel genuinely moved by the rapture & engagement on the faces of many of them

I've seen a few NT Live productions at my local cinema. I think the big screen makes a difference, rather than watching at home. but I don't particularly enjoy watching films on TV either. The big screen has more impact and I also concentrate better!
You will often be disappointed if you're looking for fancy sets though.

My local theatre is within walking distance of my home. I don't always like the play but usually the acting is impressive.

For me, theatre gives you the essence of the characters and story, but of course not the lavish locations and huge casts you can see on film. Some people much prefer films. That's fine.

The NTL filmings I’ve seen have been at a local theatre, The Rake at Dukes in Lancaster which is used for films and live plays (they also have a smaller Round theatre). It’s a really good arrangement, all the seats have a good view, and it feels like you’ve been to the theatre because you have!

Go to your closest atg/similar venue so.you get to see decent touring shows.
The quality of amateur productions varies a lot. But if you have a local operator society you'll be surprised how good they can be.

I recently saw an NT production in the theatre and then watched it again on NT at Home, and NT at Home just doesn’t compare honestly. I think part of the issue is that theatre acting can seem quite shouty and over the top on screen, it’s designed for theatre. You don’t have the buzz of event and people reacting live around you. I also personally found the stream quality of the recording was awful at least for that show - it looked much darker than it did in the theatre and it kept pixelating, I tried it on two different WiFi networks and still had issues, which meant that key details of what was going on on screen were lost. Fundamentally it just feels so flat and flattened out compared to seeing it in the theatre.

I also think when you’re watching a recording there can be the temptation to stop it for a bit and go to the loo and check your phone or whatever, which means you lose the momentum and immersion you have in the theatre, where you’ve got no option but to pay attention.

I was really grateful for the free NT at Home showings when we were in lockdown, but now that we’re not, I think at least for the show I saw it was a poor replacement for being in the theatre.

I didn't say you said it was crap, posters are just trying to engage with you, why are you so defensive you are "allowed " to not like something.

I just looked up NT Live and was pleasantly surprised that All of My Sons (which I've never heard of, I am a deplorable!) is being shown. Watched the trailer but can't get past the fake accents, so immediately put off. That really ruined The Boy with Two Hearts for me. Maybe I should just stick to books!

Having said all that OP, I’ve sometimes seen in the theatre ‘hit’ London productions that everyone was raving about that left me cold, so maybe as you say the NT productions you’ve seen so far wouldn’t have been your thing even in the theatre? I think there’s always an element of gamble in going to the theatre, and for sure it’s better to trust your own judgment about what you think you’ll like, rather than necessarily going where the hype is.

The last drama I saw was All My Sons with Bryan Cranston and although it might have been slightly wrapped up in my admiration for the the man, I was at in the audience with goosebumps watching the show. I can't imagine it doing the same at home on the TV. The stage is big, its absorbing, it echoes and sometimes you feel like you've accidentally caught an actors eye and they are starring right at you. You can also review the stage and characters at leisure- sometimes the background is as interesting as the foreground and you choose where to look, not where the camera thinks is obvious.

Several posters have now said that I've said theatre is "crap", which I haven't and is totally different to me questioning my thoughts of it being overrated. Some people have agreed, to which we have been called "anti-culture". I think the vast majority of posters have understood my post and I'm genuinely trying to learn here and coming to the conclusion that I'm the problem. The perspectives have been really helpful for me.

I go to the theatre lots and I’ve seen Prima Facie streamed in the cinema and live in the theatre. I have to say the stream was an excellent substitute but not as good as the real thing. Part of going to the theatre for me is knowing that whilst there must be differences each time, the actors are so incredibly well prepared that they can deal with most things. I’ve experienced things go wrong (medical episodes, etc) several times and the professionalism and versatility of the actors is astounding. Then of course there’s the atmosphere. It can be expensive and I often buy a cheap seat, just for myself.

I found as a teenager when we were taken to stage productions of Shakespeare that a good production could really make the play magical and bring it alive. When I was 16 we lived near London, and I was able to take advantage of student discounts which the RSC offered for previews, and seats up in the gallery for National Theatre Plays costing less than 50p (those gallery seats were incredibly uncomfortable, too, but it felt worth it for the magic of theatre).

I was lucky enough to see some of the great productions, like Peter Brook's Midsummer Night's Dream, The Winter's Tale with Judi Dench playing both Hermione and Perdita, Richard II with Ian Richardson and Richard Pasco swapping the parts of the King and Buckingham - to say nothing of the first productions of Stoppard plays and many others. I've enjoyed NT productions of musicals, and things like Les Miserables, just as much. Nowadays I go less often just because of the expense, but a night out at the theatre is still really special.

I saw Yerma live in its original run at the Young Vic and it was absolutely one of the best things I’ve ever seen. You could cut the atmosphere in the theatre with a knife by the end. (I also think the set suited that production perfectly, it’s not a huge space and the audience were either side of the glass box, it was very effective).

Think I paid about £20 for a ticket, which is absolutely worth it to me and does not seem over priced in the slightest. But, as you say, it’s subjective, maybe you’d rather go to one arena gig rather than four plays, maybe you’d rather spend it on a meal out or a new top!

I would agree though that you haven’t properly experienced theatre if you’re watching filmed productions on a tv (although I think it’s great that these exist). It’s a live medium.

I think in order for theatre to work, you need to be able to suspend belief and that's easier to do when you're in the theatre rather than watching it on the telly. That said, you can still be keen on certain plays, or types of play, and have no time at a for others.

Totally agree that it's about being selective about what you like rather than going to what is "in", thanks for that.

I went to see this recently. I’ve enjoyed other Arthur Millers but i was disappointed on this occasion because I don’t know the plot and felt BC had been type cast. I still bought his book.

Another sweeping generalisation. Lots of towns and cities have amazing theatres ( some have more than one!)