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Post by hannechalk on Dec 15, 2023 16:27:17 GMT
What are your theatrical aspirations for 2024? Either watching or starring in (or both).
I am on a tight overall budget next year, and the Spring Blood Brothers-tour is not in my favour (up north when I'm down south and vice versa), so my goal is to see more local and varied theatre through using the cheap seats on offer.
Liverpool has so many different theatres, although I am somewhat limited in Weston-super-Mare! Need to look more into Bristol.
If I manage to have a spare £15, I will book a cheap seat for something out of my comfort zone. I'll even contemplate going to see Six!
I haven't looked yet at plays or shows which are a must see, and am open to (local) suggestions.
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Post by threeletteracronym on Dec 18, 2023 15:53:07 GMT
I used to live in Taunton and one of the draws of moving to Manchester was the theatre!
I'm compiling my usual list of Things To See but there's nothing that's really exciting me as yet. Hamilton and The Book of Mormon are both on my 'see again' list as I enjoyed them both the first time around.
So far, my list is: National Theatre Jekyll and Hyde (Lowry) Animal Farm (Bolton Octagon) Twelve Angry Men (Lowry) Blue Beard (Home) Drop The Dead Donkey (Lowry) A Taste of Honey (Royal Exchange) Sweat (Royal Exchange) & Juliet (Opera House) The Lieutenant of Inishmore (Liverpool Everyman) A Chorus Line (Lowry) Peaky Blinders (Ballet Rambert) (Lowry) Come From Away (Lowry)
I would like to get down to London to see The Motive And The Clue too.
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Post by solotheatregoer on Dec 18, 2023 17:53:01 GMT
I have a few:
1. See more musicals (99% of shows I see are plays but I have been inspired recently by Sunset Boulevard to branch out). I have already booked Hadestown and Standing at the Sky's Edge. Will probably book Next to Normal too.
2. See a show at the Royal Opera House. I've always wanted to go and tempted by Swan Lake next year.
3. Find more ways to get cheaper tickets. I looked at my Excel sheet today showing how much I paid for tickets in 2023 and had a mini heart attack. Really need to find better ways of securing cheaper seats and being more willing to sit outside the stalls.
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Post by marob on Dec 18, 2023 18:11:18 GMT
I used to live in Taunton and one of the draws of moving to Manchester was the theatre! I'm compiling my usual list of Things To See but there's nothing that's really exciting me as yet. Hamilton and The Book of Mormon are both on my 'see again' list as I enjoyed them both the first time around. So far, my list is: National Theatre Jekyll and Hyde (Lowry) Animal Farm (Bolton Octagon) Twelve Angry Men (Lowry) Blue Beard (Home) Drop The Dead Donkey (Lowry) A Taste of Honey (Royal Exchange) Sweat (Royal Exchange) & Juliet (Opera House) The Lieutenant of Inishmore (Liverpool Everyman) A Chorus Line (Lowry) Peaky Blinders (Ballet Rambert) (Lowry) Come From Away (Lowry) I would like to get down to London to see The Motive And The Clue too. It’s never the same as watching live in a theatre but the Rambert Peaky Blinders thing is on TV on New Year’s Day. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001tvcp
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Post by Courfeyrac on Dec 18, 2023 19:45:38 GMT
Got several things booked already - West End for the very start of January (Sunset, Old Friends amongst others), Hamilton on tour, Next to Normal and Spirited Away in June, Come From Away Tour, and Les Mis in Paris for December.
There's plenty more touring productions I have my eye on, but I really need to start marking things in my diary so I don't forget about them entirely. Had too many times last year when I just forgot about them until it was too late.
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Post by hannechalk on Dec 18, 2023 20:50:44 GMT
I have a few: 1. See more musicals (99% of shows I see are plays but I have been inspired recently by Sunset Boulevard to branch out). I have already booked Hadestown and Standing at the Sky's Edge. Will probably book Next to Normal too. I could recommend one to you! 😉
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Post by Jon on Dec 18, 2023 22:42:43 GMT
My main one is to see more shows, I saw 18 this year which is good but I want to do more than that.
I managed to tick off The Criterion, the Fortune and @sohoplace which leaves only the Duchess as the only West End theatre I've not been to so want to rectify that next year.
Also want to visit more fringe theatres like Southwark Playhouse, the Charing Cross and The Park to name but three.
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Post by punxsutawney on Dec 19, 2023 11:14:43 GMT
Would like to see more regional shows and touring productions: easy to get priced out of going to London regularly but no excuse to miss out on productions elsewhere!
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Post by Someone in a tree on Dec 20, 2023 17:55:45 GMT
This was a year of spectacular highs and then some miserable lows. Moving forward, I'll be taking a break from plays and I'll be cautious around musicals
Im interested to see what happens at the Donmar, will we be getting more musicals?
I have very little booked for next year, hopefully the Coronet, Wiltons, LSO and Sadlers Wells will offer me some lovely gems.
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Post by Stephen on Dec 21, 2023 0:21:34 GMT
Mine is a boring and relatively negative sounding one but I'll continue as I did this year...only booking things that feel a bit special or with someone I will have a great time with. I saw the least shows this past year being more picky and enjoyed them so much more than previous years cramming in everything I possibly could. Mincemeat, Old Friends, Groundhog Day!
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Post by Jan on Dec 21, 2023 8:12:21 GMT
40+ years ago I mostly only used to go to fringe and smaller venues but then for a long time it was mostly NT/RSC and big companies, but now I'm back to the fringe. I'd rather see an interesting revival at the Finborough than any star vehicle revival in the West End and I've virtually stopped going to the NT/RSC. I expect this will continue in 2024.
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Post by theatreloverlondon on Dec 22, 2023 1:19:57 GMT
To see a show at the Almeida and other’off-west end’ venues. There’s so much great stuff but I’m a west end snob.
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Post by Someone in a tree on Dec 22, 2023 9:58:41 GMT
theatreloverlondon can i ask what is it about the West End that appeals? I find it expensive, overhyped and sometimes a misplaced star vehicle.
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Post by theatreloverlondon on Dec 22, 2023 11:10:35 GMT
theatreloverlondon can i ask what is it about the West End that appeals? I find it expensive, overhyped and sometimes a misplaced star vehicle. As an actor in training right now, the west end has always been aspirational and magical since I was little I guess. The buzz, the bright lights, crowds, the venues. All of it. Despite going at least once a fortnight it still feels like such a treat. And I guess subconsciously i associate the West end with budget and quality. Despite the latter not always being the case.
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Post by Dawnstar on Dec 22, 2023 18:53:22 GMT
2. See a show at the Royal Opera House. I've always wanted to go and tempted by Swan Lake next year. 3. Find more ways to get cheaper tickets. I looked at my Excel sheet today showing how much I paid for tickets in 2023 and had a mini heart attack. Really need to find better ways of securing cheaper seats and being more willing to sit outside the stalls.
You'll find these two points are mutually exclusive: Swan Lake has most expensive tickets of any Royal Ballet production this season!
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Post by solotheatregoer on Dec 22, 2023 19:18:25 GMT
2. See a show at the Royal Opera House. I've always wanted to go and tempted by Swan Lake next year. 3. Find more ways to get cheaper tickets. I looked at my Excel sheet today showing how much I paid for tickets in 2023 and had a mini heart attack. Really need to find better ways of securing cheaper seats and being more willing to sit outside the stalls.
You'll find these two points are mutually exclusive: Swan Lake has most expensive tickets of any Royal Ballet production this season!
Yep, I saw. May have to settle for the Cinema screening instead! I may add a 4th after seeing Stephen's post above. I would like to be a bit more selective with the shows I see. This year I felt I crammed a lot in but I completely get the feeling that you seem to enjoy them more the more picky you are.
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Post by david on Dec 22, 2023 22:57:18 GMT
I’ve got 2 things on my list. First is to go to some different theatres in London. On my list to try and visit next year -
Sadler’s Wells Soho Theatre Orange Tree Theatre
Secondly, I’ve never been to an opera or a ballet before so I’d like to give them a watch as well.
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Post by clarefh on Dec 23, 2023 17:50:19 GMT
You'll find these two points are mutually exclusive: Swan Lake has most expensive tickets of any Royal Ballet production this season!
Yep, I saw. May have to settle for the Cinema screening instead! . Try for stalls circle standing at the ROH - fantastic view and still pretty cheap and there are benches behind you can sit down on in the interval!
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Post by Dawnstar on Dec 23, 2023 21:33:44 GMT
I’ve got 2 things on my list. First is to go to some different theatres in London. On my list to try and visit next year - Sadler’s Wells Soho Theatre Orange Tree Theatre Secondly, I’ve never been to an opera or a ballet before so I’d like to give them a watch as well. While Sadler's Wells is mostly contemporary dance, BRB are doing Sleeping Beauty there in April so you could tick off Sadler's Wells and ballet in one go!
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Post by theatreian on Dec 23, 2023 22:41:29 GMT
Hoping to see more at my local theatre Malvern, which will encourage me to see more than just musicals my usual choice. Seeing Noises off in January, nothing else definite so far. Usually 2 or three trips to London so will see what comes up, although trips to London are not what they were.
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Post by TallPaul on Dec 24, 2023 15:02:05 GMT
I’ve got 2 things on my list. First is to go to some different theatres in London. On my list to try and visit next year - Sadler’s Wells Soho Theatre Orange Tree Theatre Secondly, I’ve n5ever been to an opera or a ballet before so I’d like to give them a watch as well. While Sadler's Wells is mostly contemporary dance, BRB are doing Sleeping Beauty there in April so you could tick off Sadler's Wells and ballet in one go! Or there's Northern Ballet's production of Romeo & Juliet a little later in the spring.
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Post by alece10 on Dec 24, 2023 15:13:43 GMT
Mine is to make an effort to go to Saddlers Wells. Its a real headache to get to for me but I really don't want to miss out in A Chorus Line and has been one of my favourite musicals since first seeing it at Drury Lane just after the Crimean war!
I also want the rumour of Shucked coming to the west End to be true and just a rumour.
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Post by hannechalk on Dec 24, 2023 22:39:13 GMT
Hoping to see more at my local theatre Malvern, which will encourage me to see more than just musicals my usual choice. Seeing Noises off in January, nothing else definite so far. Usually 2 or three trips to London so will see what comes up, although trips to London are not what they were. There is a good musical coming at the end of January... 😉😂
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Post by theatreian on Dec 24, 2023 22:54:33 GMT
There is a good musical coming at the end of January... 😉😂 I know!!! Lost count of the number of times I have seen it from the original Barbara Dickson at the Liverpool Playhouse , Kiki Dee, Stephanie Lawrence, Siobhan Mcarthy, Helen Reddy, Maureen Nolan, Lyn Paul , Melanie C to name a few!!
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Post by Mark on Dec 26, 2023 17:44:28 GMT
155 theatre visits this year (135 unique shows!) - Hope to atleast match that.
I've started to be a bit more savvy and I'm no longer seeing everything for the sake of it. Some poor reviews have kept me from seeing things I'd normally jump at (Lyonesse being a prime example).
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Post by toomasj on Dec 26, 2023 17:53:32 GMT
My personal one is that I am very much someone who like to repeatedly give things a try. I’ll try the jukebox musical version even if I don’t like the film - for example - or will think “perhaps this will be different” if I can’t stand the director’s previous work. It’s always a FOMO for me - maybe my view will change and I’ll be won over to work/creator this time.
I’ve started to realise if I hated prawns, it doesn’t matter what the dipping sauce is because it’ll still be prawns with a slightly different taste at the end of the day, so I’d rather order chicken.
I’ve somehow seen three productions of Grease despite knowing already I can’t stand it. Oliver! is another show I really dislike, and there’s amazing buzz here for the West Yorkshire Playhouse production. But what I need to remember is it will still be Oliver! along with all the reasons I don’t like it, no matter how great the production is. Same with Lloyd’s Sunset Boulevard and others I strongly suspected I would dislike due to prior experience/my own personal taste.
So my resolution is to not see things I suspect in advance I won’t enjoy, because 9 times out of 10 I am right, and I could’ve put that ticket money towards other productions I probably would enjoy more.
If that makes any sense at all after a bottle and a half of plonk.
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Post by viserys on Dec 26, 2023 20:11:54 GMT
So my resolution is to not see things I suspect in advance I won’t enjoy, because 9 times out of 10 I am right, and I could’ve put that ticket money towards other productions I probably would enjoy more. I fully agree with that. It's been a resolution I have successfully managed to implement for me in the last 2-3 years, avoiding shows completely, when I found the whole idea boring or offensive or the music I heard bored me. Was the best decision I've made. For years I battled FOMO, now I've made my peace with saying that I'm simply too old for many of the shows aimed at a teenage audience or that I just can't deal with sexist nonsense on stage anymore. I've also found London rather disappointing post-pandemic which, in combination with hotel prices having gone insane, has led me to cut back on my trips. At least it means that my two 2024 trips so far already feel filled with highlights - the two Ghibli shows (Totoro and later Spirited Away), Stranger Things (love the TV show) and both Hadestown and Starlight Express are already booked twice.
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Post by theatreliker on Dec 26, 2023 20:32:59 GMT
Not necessarily resolutions, but some initial thoughts: 1. I like visiting theatres I've never been to before. So far I have tickets booked for Hadestown at the Lyric and Standing at the Sky's Edge at the Gillian Lynne, both of which will be my first visits to those theatres.
2. I promised my wife I'd take her to see Next to Normal. We were both meant to see it at the Donmar but she was ill sadly. I got a standing ticket out of my credit on a solo trip to London so have seen it. We have tickets for the West End transfer in June.
3. I'd like to support my local amateur theatre group more even if just buying a ticket to one of their plays.
4. More regional theatre. I see a lot in Leicester. Perhaps Sheffield, Manchester or Birmingham.
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Post by Ranger on Dec 27, 2023 15:10:01 GMT
My resolution is to get to at least one show a month. But for me it has to be on weekends, so it’s not going to be that easy. If I get behind on my goal, I might use my holiday time at work for a stay at home go to see theatre vacation.
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Post by theatremiss on Dec 27, 2023 18:54:11 GMT
I need to slow down in 2024. I’ve been doing 2 shows most weekends with the odd number of midweek ones (usually concerts)and with rail strikes etc it’s made for difficult rescheduling and I’ve lost money when shows haven’t had dates I could return to. Having said that, other than this Sat I don’t have a weekend free until end of March, so I’m already failing.
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