Why I Love The Theatre

I cannot believe that I have never written a post like this before, theatre is my passion it is what spurred me on to create this blog.

I was going to write about why I love musicals but I figured that I can have all genres under one post.

How did I get into theatre in the first place

Well, I have three strands of theatre, one is the performing route which you can read about here then I have going to the theatre to see shows and then I have writing about theatre.

My grandparents were really into the arts, they have videos and DVDs of musicals that I used to watch with them when I stayed over. I used to love watching The Sound of Music, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and The King and I, singing along with all of the songs- it was great fun.

I remember when I was little my grandparents took me and my brother to see The Happy Gang at a theatre in Whitley Bay, the Happy Gang were a Scottish trio who sang songs and did silly sketches to entertain us kids.  It was clearly not for the adults but I remember laughing so hard my tummy ached or maybe I had too many sweets during the interval…

The point is whenever I went to the theatre with my family, I always remember it being a joyful occasion. Of course, as we got older, we didn’t go to the theatre as much but that never stopped us watching musicals at home and still getting the same enjoyment from it.

Writing about theatre

My Grandma was responsible for this too, she entered me into a Chronicle reviewing scheme and I went to theatres in the North East, saw a show and reviewed it. All my reviews got published online and in the paper.

And that is how my theatre writing career spiralled.

But I am not talking about that, I am talking about why I love going to the theatre and watching performances.

Getting to the theatre

I enjoy planning my outfit, doing my makeup and making sure I have got a suitable bag. Then there is getting there, we either get a lift or we get the bus and walk to the venue. Once we are at the venue, I head to the box office and collect my tickets if I don’t have them already. I always arrive mega early so I head to the bar and I might get a drink- usually it’s just water, I will then buy a programme and head into the stage to take my seat.

The performance

No matter what I am watching, whether it is good or bad I love watching the piece of theatre that is in front of me. I love that it takes my mind off my stressful and sometimes chaotic life. I am solely focused on the live performance that I forget and mute out the chatter in my head. And sometimes what I am watching can be challenging and often bring new ideas and thoughts to my mind that I start thinking about what the performance is asking me.

When I watch a musical or a dance piece, it is sometimes not about the messages but for me, it is about the energy, dance and musical numbers and singing along to them. I don’t know what it is about musicals but it sends this spark into my heart and I fizz with musical joy. I can come out of the theatre with a massive grin on my face and a spring in my step and I will be talking about it in the car all away home.

I just love the theatre

I just really love the theatre and it what it does for my mental health. I think that is why  I enjoy going, it’s my version of going to the football- it is something to look forward to and it takes you into another world.