# Why do theatres still exist? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 20, 2012, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-theatres-still-exist/616348 "2012-03-20T21:04:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-theatres-still-exist/616348/61 "2012-03-21T13:05:16Z")
Please, get some help to deal with your “social anxiety.” Trust me, everybody will _not_ be looking at you. Real people (other people)\* do\* matter… I thought you might live in some podunk hellhole. (Heck, Houston has a [free Shakespeare festival](http://www.houstonfestivalscompany.com/hsf/) every summer & I just disposed of some disposable income at a [trilogy by Tom Stoppard](http://blogs.houstonpress.com/artattack/2012/02/coast_of_utopia_salvage.php)–done beautifully & quite intimately.) But your profile says “Liverpool.” [Next month](http://www.liverpool-360.co.uk/whats-on/la-machine-liverpool-les-mecaniques-savants), there will be a huge, amazing show in your own city. That was the first Google result. Your city is full of schools & theatre groups; I’m quite sure there are free or reasonable shows available. (You _do_ know how to use the Internet?) Oh, [Liverpool Music Week](http://www.liverpoolmusicweek.com/) seems to be mostly free–in the Autumn. I’m sure this year’s schedule will appear in time for you to make plans… ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-theatres-still-exist/616348/62 "2012-03-21T13:09:10Z")
> [@Kiyoshi](#): > > That doesn’t seem like good return for your money… :s > > That reminds me of a concern I’ve had about musicals. I would like to see a West End musical, which obviously are ridiculously expensive. But I think it would bother me a lot that the songs wouldn’t be the same as the cast recording album, being performed by the “wrong people” and not being sung “right”. However, from what I’ve read here, it seems that to a lot of people, the differences are a good thing…is that right? Don’t over think this. It’s just meant to be entertainment. It’s a fun experience. Yes, the songs will be different, but so is getting the same dish at different restaurants- each will have it’s own spin on it and it’s own unique reason that makes it special. Theater can be absurdly expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. ---
**Author:** ![howye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9adbd/32.png) [@howye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/howye)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-theatres-still-exist/616348/63 "2012-03-21T13:21:12Z")
Only someone who has never seen any live performance could possibly make the OP. Seriously, listen to what people here have told you and go. A stage play does not have to be expensive, my suburb has a community theater that would cost less than ten dollars - the cost of a movie ticket. Often smaller productions will be more relaxed, more casual, and even if there are mistakes you will feel a part of the process. One of my happiest memories of my visit to Ireland was catching a small production of an Irish play. I did not feel out of place in the audience, had a wonderful evening, and got to see how the Irish laughed at themselves. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-theatres-still-exist/616348/64 "2012-03-21T14:20:43Z")
> [@Kiyoshi](#): > > As someone with social anxiety, the interaction with the audience aspect seems terrifying! “oh my god, he’s looking right at me…do I look bored?” Heh, I was in a production of Noises Off in college which is a play about a play. The director of the play within the play spends most of the first act in the audience. It was always amusing when he had a lot to say and all the attention was directed towards him to see his seat neighbors curl up in themselves. [end of random story] ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-theatres-still-exist/616348/65 "2012-03-21T14:46:58Z")
Mind you, \*some \*shows and concerts are painfully awful, just like some movies and TV shows! I have been to friends’ shows in the East Village that I thought might actually prove fatal. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-theatres-still-exist/616348/66 "2012-03-21T15:34:10Z")
> [@Maiira](#): > > If we’re talking audience participation, [Sleep No More](http://www.sleepnomorenyc.com/) should definitely get a mention. It’s a theatre show where members of the audience are given a creepy plague doctor mask, instructed not to speak or take the mask off, and set loose in a warehouse-turned-hotel set. There you can wander at will, touching, reading, or even eating whatever you wish. While this happens, actors wander throughout the set, performing scenes from Macbeth. If you find a particular actor interesting, you can follow them, and sometimes they will involve you (grabbing your hand and leading you to another room, for example). > > I’ve never been–it’s only been in London and New York, with, I presume, no plans to go elsewhere–but I’ve heard nothing but good things about it, and if it ever comes to Minneapolis, I am dropping everything and going, like, yesterday. Actually, it played in Boston prior to going to New York. I saw it and it was truly amazing. Many people I know saw it multiple times - I would have as well but it completely sold out. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-theatres-still-exist/616348/67 "2012-03-21T15:41:40Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > _giggle_ When I google _morcillas_, I get black sausages. Blood sausages specifically, and thanks for the new word. I now have another word to add to my list of Things I Learned In The Dope! ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-theatres-still-exist/616348/68 "2012-03-21T15:57:56Z")
**kiyoshi** , my first viewing of Chicago was live theater in London. I loved the guy who played the lawyer. My second viewing was the movie; I think Gere did a great job, but I preferred the other guy (much younger, playing more the “young hungry shark”). [This](http://www.esp.andalucia.com/sociedad/personajes/manuel-bandera.htm) is the guy who played that character in the Spanish version: I know he won’t mean anything to you, but if I’d been able to I would have run to the theater; dude does “slick” better than oil on water. Different actors, different mediums, different languages even, yet each enjoyable. As for different sessions being different, think of fairy tales; of any story which has been around long enough to get retold, actually. The stories the Grimms heard were different from their published compilations, and these will be different from other versions where items that the publisher finds offensive has been removed, or which have been modified to suit a commercial purpose; most of the people who’ve read them did so in a translation, and each translator gives the story a slightly different tweak even if starting from the same original… some you like better than others, but it can still be interesting to see how the ones that don’t give you an instant brainrash differ from each other. ---
**Author:** ![Kiyoshi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e19adc/32.png) [@Kiyoshi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiyoshi)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-theatres-still-exist/616348/69 "2012-03-21T16:09:54Z")
> [@Bridget\_Burke](#): > > Please, get some help to deal with your “social anxiety.” Trust me, everybody will _not_ be looking at you. Real people (other people)\* do\* matter… I’m under medical care for a tangled web of depression and anxiety problems. Unfortunately, it’s not as straightforward to solve as saying “no one’s looking” But thanks for your concern 🙂 > [@](#): > > But your profile says “Liverpool.” [Next month](http://www.liverpool-360.co.uk/whats-on/la-machine-liverpool-les-mecaniques-savants), there will be a huge, amazing show in your own city. That looks cool! This hasn’t been publicised at all. No one at work had heard about it. Thanks. I’m intrigued to know how this giant puppet can tell a story though… > [@](#): > > Your city is full of schools & theatre groups; I’m quite sure there are free or reasonable shows available. (You _do_ know how to use the Internet?) Well, I’m not very good at searching for things, but I will try. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-theatres-still-exist/616348/70 "2012-03-21T16:37:11Z")
If you are worried about being anxious, try to get an aisle or sit near the back. Outdoor events might be good, too. ---
**Author:** ![Aeris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a183cd/32.png) [@Aeris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeris)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-theatres-still-exist/616348/71 "2012-03-21T16:52:56Z")
> [@Kiyoshi](#): > > Hmm…I don’t really understand what’s so special about the fact that the actors are real people. Perhaps if they were famous stars, but not Joe Average. I guess it’s something that needs to be experienced… > > As someone with social anxiety, the interaction with the audience aspect seems terrifying! “oh my god, he’s looking right at me…do I look bored?” There are far more talented people in the world than just famous people. Heck, a lot of famous people aren’t talented. Just because you’ve never heard of them doesn’t mean they aren’t good or even amazing. Hell, most people have never heard of most of Broadway’s biggest stars but these people are incredibly talented. I would like to agree with everyone else who has said that there is a lot of cheap or free theatre. I try never to spend more than $20 a ticket at the big theatres but you can go to Pay-What-You-Can nights or free productions. And lately those $20 theatre tickets have been to a lot better shows than my $10 movie tickets. As far as not being “good at searching for things”, you don’t have to. I don’t know if you have Groupon or LivingSocial in your area but sign up for it and you will get discounts sent to your email. These are basically coupon services. This is how I get most of my discount theatre tickets. I’m curious what you do for fun or what you consider a fun activity. Are there any topics that you would be interested or even willing to see a live show about? ---
**Author:** ![Kiyoshi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e19adc/32.png) [@Kiyoshi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiyoshi)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-theatres-still-exist/616348/72 "2012-03-21T17:49:51Z")
> [@Aeris](#): > > I don’t know if you have Groupon or LivingSocial in your area but sign up for it and you will get discounts sent to your email. These are basically coupon services. This is how I get most of my discount theatre tickets. I haven’t heard of these, but I will look into them or similar sites, thanks. > [@](#): > > I’m curious what you do for fun or what you consider a fun activity. Are there any topics that you would be interested or even willing to see a live show about? Hmm…well, I play piano, I draw and paint, I learn Japanese, I read manga and watch anime, and play video games (mostly RPGs). I like most types of movies except for action, war and science fiction. I tend to like “kiddish” movies and TV shows (I admit I’m not very mature!) Like I said, I would like to see a musical. Beyond that, I don’t know about any plays except for… ::shudder:: …Shakespeare… ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-theatres-still-exist/616348/73 "2012-03-21T18:03:34Z")
Well, you may be surprised. Shakespeare isn’t all ruffles and doublets with skulls in hand. I fell out of my chair laughing the first time I read A Comedy of Errors. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-theatres-still-exist/616348/74 "2012-03-21T20:43:20Z")
An example, from the local free Shakespeare company: There’s a line in one of the plays (I think it’s _All’s Well that Ends Well_) where one of the characters is mocking the lovers, and says they’re just as bad as a pair of sheep. Well, the stage was set up right next to a pond, and just before that scene, the play was interrupted by two mallards chasing each other with amorous intent. So, naturally, the actor changed the line from sheep to ducks, and the audience, of course, loved it. That’s the kind of magic that can’t happen with movies: Even if the cameras happen to catch something quirky and unexpected, and the director has the sense to keep it in, if you see the movie again, the same thing will happen, and it ceases to be quirky. But you could stage that play a thousand times next to that pond, and those two ducks would never again perform that bit of improv. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-theatres-still-exist/616348/75 "2012-03-21T21:44:16Z")
Another example of the interaction at a live performance: I went to see a performance of Mozart’s opera _The Magic Flute_ in the early 1990s, at the Lyric Opera here in Chicago. It was performed in the original German, with “supertitles” in English projected on a screen above the stage. At one point in the opera, one of the characters picked up a skull. I don’t know if what happened next was happening at every performance, but the actor said, in English, “Alas, poor Yorick”. The audience laughed, and the actor smiled to the audience, and said, in German, “Mel Gibson, I’m not” (this was shortly after Gibson’s movie of _Hamlet_ had been in the theaters). This got an even bigger laugh. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-theatres-still-exist/616348.md?page=3)