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Post by Arcana on Mar 17, 2024 11:39:22 GMT
Might seem like an odd question but bear with me.
Theatre is quite expensive if you want decent seats and like me often pays for 4 seats for the whole family.
So, I always look on places like here, Showscore and Mezzanine for reviews.
I even watch 3 or 4 guys/gals on YouTube who reviews shows.
But a picture is worth more than 1000 words and often shows have no trailer or just a teaser, so you end up going in virtually blind to see the show and that can lead to disappointment.
Early on you might not even get any pics of an actual performance.
Is there anything else I could do other than perhaps wait til 3 months down the line when a show might actually have a trailer?
Some shows will have closed by then though.
From someone who's new to theatre but have watched a fair amount of movies, the idea that everything is quite "secretive" and not thrown in your face with a huge trailer is a bit frustrating.
I realise small shows can't afford a huge trailer, but often there's nothing.
For example, when I watched The Witches, Ocean at the end of the lane, Stranding at the Sky's edge and Operation mincemeat, I went in with very little knowledge.
* I should perhaps mention that I've only really watched shows for 9 months.
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Post by Dr Tom on Mar 17, 2024 14:17:35 GMT
Read the previews, look at the track record of the producers, consider the pricing, think about what style of shows I like etc. But it’s way easier (and cheaper) to do this as a single person.
I don’t usually trust theatre trailers as being a good representation of the show. But there again, movie trailers are always carefully put together as well.
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Post by Someone in a tree on Mar 17, 2024 14:35:03 GMT
Some rambling thoughts
Try making a note of writers, creative and actors you like and dislike.
Carry on reading reviews.
A subscription to a screening platform would help build up your knowledge and preferences
Books
But most of all, enjoy it. It should be fun and interesting and not an academic exercise
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Post by bee on Mar 17, 2024 14:57:59 GMT
I tend to buy my tickets well in advance so reviews are almost never a factor for me.
I don't know if there's any single factor. The director can be a important for me, but more in the sense of there are some directors I avoid because I've seen enough of their work to know I don't like their style.
The play itself is the most important thing I guess, if it's a lesser known work by one of the great writers (Ibsen, Chekhov etc.), I'll almost certainly go for that even if I know nothing else about it. If it's a new play the subject matter is important, and it can also make a difference where it's being produced. I'm more likely to take a punt on something at one of the fringe theatres (with cheaper tickets) than if it's in the West End.
The actors involved don't matter so much - often I'll have bought my ticket before the cast has been announced - but I am a bit of a sucker for a star name if I haven't seen them before.
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Post by Arcana on Mar 17, 2024 15:06:42 GMT
Some rambling thoughts Try making a note of writers, creative and actors you like and dislike. Carry on reading reviews. A subscription to a screening platform would help build up your knowledge and preferences Books But most of all, enjoy it. It should be fun and interesting and not an academic exercise Being fairly new to it all, I hadn't really considered looking at producers, writers etc. but it could be a good indication. What is a screening platform? I do consider it fun. I haven't watched a single show that I didn't like to some degree at least. If the sets have been poor, at least I've found it funny. Or if the songs have been poor, at least there's been some great acting etc. Currently, I'm just trying to watch all the highest rated shows on ShowScore, cause I think those have a certain degree of quality. |
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Post by Jon on Mar 17, 2024 15:07:44 GMT
I'm guilty of booking shows based on who's in it but there are so many actors I would like to see on stage that the opportunity is too good to resist even if it's a dud.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Mar 17, 2024 15:37:54 GMT
Some rambling thoughts Try making a note of writers, creative and actors you like and dislike. Carry on reading reviews. A subscription to a screening platform would help build up your knowledge and preferences Books But most of all, enjoy it. It should be fun and interesting and not an academic exercise Being fairly new to it all, I hadn't really considered looking at producers, writers etc. but it could be a good indication. What is a screening platform?I do consider it fun. I haven't watched a single show that I didn't like to some degree at least. If the sets have been poor, at least I've found it funny. Or if the songs have been poor, at least there's been some great acting etc. Currently, I'm just trying to watch all the highest rated shows on ShowScore, cause I think those have a certain degree of quality. Streaming services specialising in recorded theatre productions that you can watch at home. Examples NTathome.com, BroadwayHD.com. There are a few others. |
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Post by Arcana on Mar 17, 2024 15:54:01 GMT
Being fairly new to it all, I hadn't really considered looking at producers, writers etc. but it could be a good indication. What is a screening platform?I do consider it fun. I haven't watched a single show that I didn't like to some degree at least. If the sets have been poor, at least I've found it funny. Or if the songs have been poor, at least there's been some great acting etc. Currently, I'm just trying to watch all the highest rated shows on ShowScore, cause I think those have a certain degree of quality. Streaming services specialising in recorded theatre productions that you can watch at home. Examples NTathome.com, BroadwayHD.com. There are a few others. Ah... I have noticed for example Hamilton is on Disney plus, and despite having a very large TV, I just find the whole idea of watching plays/musicals on TV a bit sub par compared to being there in person. I'll have a look anyways. At least it's good for shows that you can't actually watch live any more. |
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Post by manchestertheatrefan on Mar 17, 2024 16:48:22 GMT
I'll watch most things at least once, and will go back if I like it. Similar to Jon, I will book based on cast, I'll book jukebox musicals if I like the originals, otherwise will consider it if the synopsis sounds interesting
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Post by David J on Mar 18, 2024 0:14:35 GMT
If you want to stay safe and stick to only good shows then wait for reviews. Personally I trust this forum more than the mainstream critics any day.
Not that rule will work all the time. I do not get the praise for A Mirror for example. Opinions are opinions after all.
Also you will miss out on the initial cheap tickets and are at the whim of day, returns or even lottery tickets. I wish I got to see Sunset Boulevard last year but that's life for you.
But coming from someone who has spent hundreds on theatregoing over a decade, who used to go to any play or musical blindly just because I wanted to, I can say that sometimes you got to risk stumbling upon a gem here and there. And that means taking everyone's advice here and booking whatever takes your fancy.
Sticking to the writers and directors you like is certainly a safe bet, but remember that sometimes they will create duds.
More importantly, only you yourself can decide whether a show is good or not.
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Post by Peter on Mar 18, 2024 10:49:07 GMT
For me it’s been years of trial and error to find out what kinds of things I like and which I don’t care for - whilst making full use of all the cheap ticket avenues possible (student / young person discounts (a long time ago!), tkts, rush, standing, group outings, restricted view, SOLT sales etc etc).
As such I now have a fairly good handle on what I can avoid (or at least deprioritise) and what might be interesting. It’s also useful to pick up opinions on here, YouTube, social media etc - you don’t have to agree with them, but the best ones will highlight stuff that will help you make your own decision either way.
You’ll still get both disappointments and surprises - but I usually find something I can enjoy in every performance, even if it’s something more subtle like the orchestration and orchestra/MD, a particular performer doing something interesting, or something in the physical design or lighting…
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Post by nick on Mar 18, 2024 15:12:26 GMT
When I started theatre going I didn’t know what I liked. I lived in a small town with a decent touring theatre so just booked everything I could afford. Same when I went to university. I discovered accidentally that I like mime and puppet shows. And contemporary dance. I never would if I hadn’t just gone along.
But many years later I have an instinct to what I might like. Doesn’t always work (war of the worlds I’m looking at you).
However the journey of discovery was part of the fun.
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Post by properjob on Mar 18, 2024 17:21:12 GMT
A thing you could do is read lots of reviews (pros and bloggers and on here) of shows you have seen. That way you can find out which reviewers have the same tastes as you and which don't so you know who to read to give you the best chance of knowing if you will like something.
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Post by Arcana on Mar 18, 2024 20:27:48 GMT
A thing you could do is read lots of reviews (pros and bloggers and on here) of shows you have seen. That way you can find out which reviewers have the same tastes as you and which don't so you know who to read to give you the best chance of knowing if you will like something. Good idea. I noticed here that one show which is an obvious 5* for me is rated mostly 3* here and one which I think is a 3* voted mostly a 5*. Often I find reviews will complain about things that I don't care about at all. As you said, might be good to look for people who are on same wavelength as me. |
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Post by schuttep on Mar 21, 2024 13:15:27 GMT
This year is my 50th anniversary of going to the theatre and I'm seeing a show on the actual anniversary date!
Bearing that in mind, and as has already been said, I rely on my own experience of what I like and have seen before: writers, directors, actors etc. A poor production won't stop me seeing another if I've previously seen and liked it.
Many websites, especially for new plays, give a paragraph or two about what the show's subject is and unless you want to wait until it's opened, that's about all you can expect. I'm happier relying on that and, sometimes, the particular writer.
I tend not to rely on reviews or word of mouth because - no matter how you rate the critic or friend - it's still one person's opinion, and we've all seen varied reviews of the same show.
But there's no foolproof way of testing the water even after it's opened.
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Post by theatregoer22 on Mar 22, 2024 23:12:28 GMT
I tend to go by the synopsis, reviews (if the show has already opened) and very occasionally, the cast. Then, when I've got my 'longlist' I look at the length of the run and how easy it is to get a good seat for £40 or less.
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