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Post by kathryn on Nov 7, 2017 14:28:37 GMT
I have a spreadsheet with date, show, theatre, seat, price, any special ticket information (discount, day seats etc), whom I saw it with, director and cast. I actually find the price quite reassuring, every year I average out the spend on tickets and it usually comes out not much over £20/show which I think is reasonable. If you add it up, obviously it becomes a big number, but this is my hobby and it's how I choose to spend it. This is why I keep a note of prices - I work out the per show average over the year, to keep an eye on whether it goes up or down. Interestingly at first it hovered around £30, then as I got better at finding cheap seats it dropped to around £25, some years I have managed to get it down to £20, but recently it has crept back up as I've been to New York more and treated myself to more expensive tickets over here. The actual total spent has climbed steadily upwards, but as long as the average stays around £25 I feel like I'm doing ok. Edit: I kind of feel like an alcoholic proclaiming that I don't really need the booze and I could give it up at any time. 😆
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2017 14:39:21 GMT
Just wondering, how do you all keep track of shows that you've seen/future bookings? I have a spreadsheet. Show number of that year, production name, theatre and city, and how many times I've seen that production. Without it, I think I'd forget half of what I've seen! Intrigued if anybody else does the same. Linked to that, how many performances do you see in a year? In terms of future bookings, a little diary which I fit into my coat pocket. Perfect in case I need to make plans with my wife/work.
With regards to past bookings, I'm starting a spreadsheet detailing date, time, theatre, playwright, director, play title and 'notes'. I'm an obsessive programme hoarder and going through all my collection to find out the details.
How many performance do I see a year? 35-50.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2017 14:43:19 GMT
I don't know why you're fussed about how much you spend on your theatre-going. I mean, as long as it's your own money which you have earned and not money you've stolen from your granny's purse or swindled from tax-dodging schemes, it's YOUR money to do with what you please. Yes, I spend quite a lot on theatre-going and travelling, but I keep telling myself that it's MY money to do with as I choose and personally I rather spend it on tickets, hotels and flights than on going clubbing each weekend and farting money away on drinks and drugs. Or maintaining something expensive like your own boat or a horse, shopping for designer clothes or spending thousands on a Star Wars/Star Trek/whatever collection... I don't smoke, haven't got kids and a wild night of drink for me is 3 bottles for £5 in Tesco or a Wetherspoons meal deal.
I don't need to justify my theatre expenditure but I do like to keep a record because I am adamant that theatre is something I can afford to see so often because I know how to get seats cheaply.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2017 15:00:12 GMT
Can I just ask, how many times a year do the people who keep track of their ticket costs go to the theatre, and how many times a year do the people who don't keep track of their ticket costs go to the theatre? I for instance refuse to keep track, and average around 160 trips a year. My hypothesis is the more you go, the less likely you are to keep track, not because you're fussed about justifying individual ticket costs, but because you know the total sum is going to be bordering on the obscene, but let's find out!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2017 15:08:31 GMT
I don't keep track of how many of the help fit into the cupboard under the stairs. I don't keep track of how many martinis I have per hour.
How do you think keeping track of my theatre trips will go? I don't even have a clue where I am half the time.
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6,318 posts
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Post by Jon on Nov 7, 2017 15:10:57 GMT
Can I just ask, how many times a year do the people who keep track of their ticket costs go to the theatre, and how many times a year do the people who don't keep track of their ticket costs go to the theatre? I for instance refuse to keep track, and average around 160 trips a year. My hypothesis is the more you go, the less likely you are to keep track, not because you're fussed about justifying individual ticket costs, but because you know the total sum is going to be bordering on the obscene, but let's find out! I don't track my spending because it's usually in the £15-25 range with the odd splurge now and again. I've only done 22 shows this year but that's because I like going to other things like the cinema, galleries etc I mentioned in my other thread but I'm the sort of person who would rather see a range of things than the same shows over and over again.
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1,639 posts
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Post by fiyero on Nov 7, 2017 15:41:28 GMT
Mine is a word document with sections for Musicals, Plays, Operas, Dance and other, Amateur then list by show title with venue and number of times (per venue). I don't keep dates and certainly don't keep cost (191 different shows counting amateur separately from professional, though only 2 are in double digits!)
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2017 15:42:55 GMT
Can I just ask, how many times a year do the people who keep track of their ticket costs go to the theatre, and how many times a year do the people who don't keep track of their ticket costs go to the theatre? I for instance refuse to keep track, and average around 160 trips a year. My hypothesis is the more you go, the less likely you are to keep track, not because you're fussed about justifying individual ticket costs, but because you know the total sum is going to be bordering on the obscene, but let's find out! I don't keep a running total as such but I will never buy a £20 seat if a £10 seat offering a decent view is available.
What I do - as many will on here - is keep my ear to the ground regarding forthcoming productions and tickets details and ensure I am amongst the first to buy.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2017 15:53:57 GMT
I don't know why you're fussed about how much you spend on your theatre-going. I mean, as long as it's your own money which you have earned and not money you've stolen from your granny's purse or swindled from tax-dodging schemes, it's YOUR money to do with what you please. Yes, I spend quite a lot on theatre-going and travelling, but I keep telling myself that it's MY money to do with as I choose and personally I rather spend it on tickets, hotels and flights than on going clubbing each weekend and farting money away on drinks and drugs. Or maintaining something expensive like your own boat or a horse, shopping for designer clothes or spending thousands on a Star Wars/Star Trek/whatever collection... I don't smoke, haven't got kids and a wild night of drink for me is 3 bottles for £5 in Tesco or a Wetherspoons meal deal.
I don't need to justify my theatre expenditure but I do like to keep a record because I am adamant that theatre is something I can afford to see so often because I know how to get seats cheaply.
I sincerely hope you’d raise your steaks (geddit?!) if you were out with Smith on one of your ‘stray nights’.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2017 16:05:53 GMT
I don't smoke, haven't got kids and a wild night of drink for me is 3 bottles for £5 in Tesco or a Wetherspoons meal deal.
I don't need to justify my theatre expenditure but I do like to keep a record because I am adamant that theatre is something I can afford to see so often because I know how to get seats cheaply.
I sincerely hope you’d raise your steaks (geddit?!) if you were out with Smith on one of your ‘stray nights’. Ha ha, I'd stretch it to a Harvester!
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Post by robertb213 on Nov 7, 2017 16:44:34 GMT
I tend to go 40-60 times a year, keeping repeat visits to a minimum if possible. My average over the last 11 years is £31 a show. But that does range from £7 for a local am-dram performance of The Ladykillers, up to £85 for Wicked on Broadway 😁
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2017 16:50:08 GMT
I have one of the great memories of all time.
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4,038 posts
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Post by kathryn on Nov 7, 2017 18:41:15 GMT
Can I just ask, how many times a year do the people who keep track of their ticket costs go to the theatre, and how many times a year do the people who don't keep track of their ticket costs go to the theatre? I for instance refuse to keep track, and average around 160 trips a year. My hypothesis is the more you go, the less likely you are to keep track, not because you're fussed about justifying individual ticket costs, but because you know the total sum is going to be bordering on the obscene, but let's find out! For the last 3-4 years it's been about 50-odd times a year. Which is enough for me!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2017 18:56:41 GMT
For shows I have seen I keep a note book. At the back of it a list in order of all the shows as well as date, theatre and initial thoughts. From the front of the book onwards I write about every show I have seen and give it a review. In my book I also write about things like NT platforms or other stage related things . It's nice to read back on what I thought about for some shows. booked shows go in my calendar Shows I want to book for go on my phone notes. Have already a started planning for 2018. I put shows in order of how much I want to see them, Also keep a bag of programs and tickets
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2017 19:21:39 GMT
No one's really answering the question I've actually asked though, let's rephrase it a bit...
How many times do you go in a year AND do you keep a record of how much your tickets cost or no?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2017 19:30:43 GMT
Well. If you're going to get all Margaret Thatcher about it!
No idea but lots. And no.
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Post by Dawnstar on Nov 7, 2017 19:36:22 GMT
No one's really answering the question I've actually asked though, let's rephrase it a bit... How many times do you go in a year AND do you keep a record of how much your tickets cost or no? See post 2 page 1 where I've listed my theatregoing numbers & no, I daren't! After reading other peoples' posts I'm wondering if I should start a spreadsheet but I'm not sure if I can face converting a 20 page list into a spreadsheet format. And I guess I'd have to then work out how to integrate my Understudies I've Seen and Seeing The Same People In Different Shows lists. Sticking to Word docs might be easier.
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Post by robertb213 on Nov 7, 2017 19:54:48 GMT
No one's really answering the question I've actually asked though, let's rephrase it a bit... How many times do you go in a year AND do you keep a record of how much your tickets cost or no? Between 40 and 60 times a year, and yes I keep a track of all visits including the ticket cost 😁
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4,038 posts
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Post by kathryn on Nov 7, 2017 20:26:55 GMT
No one's really answering the question I've actually asked though, let's rephrase it a bit... How many times do you go in a year AND do you keep a record of how much your tickets cost or no? Helllooo? I literally just answered that question. I go about 50-odd times a year and track ticket costs on a spreadsheet.
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Post by Honoured Guest on Nov 7, 2017 21:28:12 GMT
130 last year.
130 this year.
No spreadsheet but I record on each ticket the costs of: 1)Ticket & Fees, 2) Programme, 3) Travel & Accommodation, 4) Food & Drink and 5) Total Cost
I perpetually revise an uncosted, categorised list of the current year's theatre attendances, and use it as the basis of a plan for next year's attendances, with the intention of cutting down. This strategy never seems to be very effective. At the moment, I plan to see 84 shows in five categories next year (4 * 16 plus 1 * 20) which is two more than this year's 82 (4 * 16 plus 1 * 18). I plan not to see the equivalent of this year's further 48 shows in three other categories (3 * 16).
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Post by longinthetooth on Nov 7, 2017 21:59:24 GMT
Why? Why? Why? Did I never think of keeping a spreadsheet? I am so impressed with all your efforts. I keep programmes, with the ticket inside, but they are all chucked in boxes in the cupboard in the spare bedroom, occasionally seeing daylight when I want to look something up or add to the collection (the latest ones are in a heap downstairs until said heap becomes unmanageable).
I use an on-line Yahoo calendar, an old-fashioned diary, the planner on my phone, and an even more old-fashioned paper calendar hung up in the kitchen! Unfortunately, I often forget to synchronise them all, but as long as two of them match up it's ok.
As for the number of times I go to the theatre - we counted them up and last year totalled 74 (including concerts, musicals and plays), but I refuse to go near calculating the cost!
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Post by jadnoop on Nov 7, 2017 22:24:32 GMT
Including concerts we probably do about 2-3 events per month. Keep track on a calendar.
Would love to do more but it's generally time as much as money that prevents us going out more. Very jealous of the people who manage to organise going to plays/concerts 100+ times per year.
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Post by amadeus on Nov 7, 2017 22:36:20 GMT
I keep a trusty word document that includes times, dates and costs of things I'm seeing and shows to book. I don't want to sound dramatic but I'd be a MESSSS without it...
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Post by Coated on Nov 8, 2017 2:34:33 GMT
Last year was 220, mainly ballet and opera. If I kept exact track of money, I'd probably never go out again. I have everything in a google calendar with a coding system for theatres / companies which works pretty well both for figuring out where I'm meant to be, and what I've seen previously.
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Post by showgirl on Nov 8, 2017 5:44:55 GMT
112 plays/shows this year to date, but having checked, I find my average cost so far is £17.27, which is about £3 higher than last year, so I need to see a few more productions really cheaply in the next 6 weeks!
Obviously I'd expect costs to rise but that's a big percentage increase and I'm not sure why it has happened. At least my cinema tix average well under half the above amount.
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Post by Anniek on Nov 8, 2017 8:04:22 GMT
Spreadsheet: Date, Show, Theatre, Seat, Price, additional information (discount/dayseat/special cast/ opening night etc). Unfortunately I never included casts. Would be so cool to see which actors you might have seen 5 years ago in an off-west end thing, now being leads. Disappointing year so far, will probably reach around 60 shows where usually that is somewhere around 80-90. But, on the other hand I saw less shows then last year, but I did see things I really wanted to, instead of buying cheap deals for shows that I wasn't even really bothered to see. The money thing is painful tho. Always feel that I am broke, then I look at my spreadsheet and apparently I do have money to spend..
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Post by tmesis on Nov 8, 2017 8:18:44 GMT
I don't keep track of costs (frankly I don't care) - went to about 80 things last year, will be around 90 this. I revisit operas and ballets a lot but hardly ever plays or musicals unless it's a different production.
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Post by schuttep on Nov 8, 2017 10:37:01 GMT
I already have 30 shows booked for 2018 (or will have when the Open Air goes onsale in 20 minutes!
I keep an electronic calendar on my phone but also a hard copy diary that is the ultimate arbiter for future bookings.
I spend a huge amount of money on tickets but so long as I really want to see the show (avoiding duplicates if possible) I'm not that bothered I'm not keeping track of costs. It's my major hobby, after all.
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Post by duncan on Nov 8, 2017 12:10:52 GMT
I started recording everything I saw in 2000 -
Access Database that has a list of all,
shows seen date seen theatre seen at seat sat in did I get an upgrade and if so where to and what was original seat cost of ticket type of show plot synopsis quick review list of all actors in the show and the characters they played list of production staff in the show
And then I have reports set up on that,
number of times I've been to each theatre, list of shows I've seen at each theatre, total cost this year average cost this year average rating this year number of times I've seen an actor - as well as a query where I can pick specific actors and have names, roles, dates etc on screen. number of times I've seen a show that involved a certain production person - so I can search on ALW or Terry King or Susan Blenkinsop if required.
I've currently got around 2800 different actors and 4500 different production personnel on file - of that there are around 200 actors I've seen more than once (never seen anyone in more than 5 different productions, and I never see a show more than once) and about 3000 different production personnel (I've seen 18 different productions where Terry King was fight director).
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Post by dippy on Nov 8, 2017 12:32:12 GMT
duncan amazing! That's exactly what I would love to have but I've never been the biggest fan of access, I think having to make pointless databases at school made me dislike it even though I'm aware of what a great tools they are. Maybe knowing that you have a successful database will give me the inspiration to actually start one up. Any tips?
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