311 posts
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Post by showoff on Oct 9, 2017 18:15:28 GMT
I was wondering if any members here belonged to any groups that went to the theatre, like book clubs, but for the theatre.
I've seen a few online and wondered if anyone had any experience with them, and where better to ask then here?
It will be interesting to see what people make of them.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 10, 2017 9:02:51 GMT
I've never actually heard of these! Interesting idea, I think some people dislike going to theatre alone and would really appreciate it. Past experience suggests most of us on here are a bit 'Lone Wolf' in our theatre-going so wouldn't want to partake. But I think a meetup to discuss shows is a great idea!
(I make it sound like we're really unsociable but a lot of us regularly meet up, we just do it more by accident than design)
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Post by Deleted on Oct 10, 2017 11:59:33 GMT
It's a slightly different beast, for a slightly different purpose but the 'Sherman 5' initiate at the Sherman Theatre (funny enough)does a version of 'Theatre Groups' for the purposes of getting new audiences into theatre. So there's a combination of support with ticket costs, getting to the theatre etc in terms of barriers to attending. BUT the really brilliant thing for me is that they provide a chance to come with a group, and engage in pre or post show activities (this can be anything from looking at costumes, to more traditional talks to simply a buddy system where you meet up with people)
It's had a really big impact on audiences/diversity there but in general it's just a really nice thing to see- and the wraparound stuff makes it more than just 'in see show leave'.
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1,326 posts
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Post by londonmzfitz on Oct 10, 2017 12:32:14 GMT
Theatre Matinee Group on meetup, seeing Apologia with them on Saturday. Lovely lady runs it. She goes for the cheap seats but it's not like we sit together, she'll give a show and date, and we meet up and chat after.
I love the meetups, saved my (social) life after I split from the bh (b*st*rd husb*nd).
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Post by Deleted on Oct 10, 2017 12:48:30 GMT
Theatre Matinee Group on meetup, seeing Apologia with them on Saturday. Lovely lady runs it. She goes for the cheap seats but it's not like we sit together, she'll give a show and date, and we meet up and chat after. I love the meetups, saved my (social) life after I split from the bh (b*st*rd husb*nd). Oh that's a fab way to run it and the matinee group is such a great idea! And theatre is far better than a b*st*rd husb*nd any day of the week  |
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Post by TallPaul on Oct 10, 2017 12:51:03 GMT
I think most of us are grown up enough not to be offended by the full spelling of 'husband'!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 10, 2017 13:12:12 GMT
I think most of us are grown up enough not to be offended by the full spelling of 'husband'! Haha I'm not sure why entirely I copied the above blocking out! But I don't know I feel some of us might find it the most offensive word in the English language due to past experience And as a minor digression I was once informed a "Friend" could no longer "Talk to" me now she had a husband and I didn't. So maybe it's actually code for something, so must be blocked out, because that's the only way that scenario makes sense to me. |
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Post by showoff on Oct 10, 2017 13:43:34 GMT
I've never actually heard of these! Interesting idea, I think some people dislike going to theatre alone and would really appreciate it. Past experience suggests most of us on here are a bit 'Lone Wolf' in our theatre-going so wouldn't want to partake. But I think a meetup to discuss shows is a great idea! (I make it sound like we're really unsociable but a lot of us regularly meet up, we just do it more by accident than design) Yes, there are quite a few of them out there on sites like meetup, so there's quite a bit of choice out there too. I know what you mean though, some people just like to go and do things by themselves, certain things I do too, I can be a bit of a lone wolf too, there's something about being on your own and just not having to do something to fit in with others wants from time to time, just eating where you want and not bothering if someone else is running late! But I thought I would throw out some feelers on here. |
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Post by showoff on Oct 10, 2017 13:45:53 GMT
There was a time when you had things like the Theatregoers group of Great Britain etc. All of it fell away, mostly I think due to cost and logistics. With cost, the members were mostly senior - and realised that they could get a far better ticket price deal going alone than with the group. With logistics, for a company to make money it has to take people to theatres regularly. Since theatre for most people isn't a regular activity, it's very hard to sustain a business doing it. Finally, as us group organisers know, the rates and seats offered are terrible these days and getting a coach into London is difficult. I gave up 2 years ago and won't organise another for sure. I think some of the groups you can get your ticket on your own, as you say senior or other people with concessions can get better deals, but it can be an event where you make your own way there, and get your own ticket, but meet up afterwards or something and all got to the same show. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 10, 2017 13:47:32 GMT
I've never actually heard of these! Interesting idea, I think some people dislike going to theatre alone and would really appreciate it. Past experience suggests most of us on here are a bit 'Lone Wolf' in our theatre-going so wouldn't want to partake. But I think a meetup to discuss shows is a great idea! (I make it sound like we're really unsociable but a lot of us regularly meet up, we just do it more by accident than design) Yes, there are quite a few of them out there on sites like meetup, so there's quite a bit of choice out there too. I know what you mean though, some people just like to go and do things by themselves, certain things I do too, I can be a bit of a lone wolf too, there's something about being on your own and just not having to do something to fit in with others wants from time to time, just eating where you want and not bothering if someone else is running late! But I thought I would throw out some feelers on here. I certainly do it 'informally' as well- coordinating with say friends on twitter to go to the same show so we get a chance to meet/chat etc. And groups like my choir sometimes do theatre trips. Though I somewhat hate those being an awful snob sometimes about their choices |
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311 posts
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Post by showoff on Oct 10, 2017 13:52:48 GMT
Theatre Matinee Group on meetup, seeing Apologia with them on Saturday. Lovely lady runs it. She goes for the cheap seats but it's not like we sit together, she'll give a show and date, and we meet up and chat after. I love the meetups, saved my (social) life after I split from the bh (b*st*rd husb*nd). Yes, that's actually one of the groups I was looking at myself to join. How do you find it? Enjoyable? Do you sit in different places, then meet up afterwards? I'm sorry to hear about your ex though, but that's the way to go, living better and all that! I have had quite bad health, I've got connective tissue disorders which have messed up my health severely and effected energy levels. Sadly it had a big impact on my social life too, because I just couldn't keep up with people! So I thought I would look into things I enjoy for groups. The only thing is I would be a little nervous to join!!!! |
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Post by londonmzfitz on Oct 10, 2017 16:22:14 GMT
Theatre Matinee Group on meetup, seeing Apologia with them on Saturday. Lovely lady runs it. She goes for the cheap seats but it's not like we sit together, she'll give a show and date, and we meet up and chat after. I love the meetups, saved my (social) life after I split from the bh (b*st*rd husb*nd). Yes, that's actually one of the groups I was looking at myself to join. How do you find it? Enjoyable? Do you sit in different places, then meet up afterwards? I'm sorry to hear about your ex though, but that's the way to go, living better and all that! I have had quite bad health, I've got connective tissue disorders which have messed up my health severely and effected energy levels. Sadly it had a big impact on my social life too, because I just couldn't keep up with people! So I thought I would look into things I enjoy for groups. The only thing is I would be a little nervous to join!!!! This particular group is lovely, I've been to, I think, 4 or 5 shows with them - it's relaxed and friendly. We've met up before the show, in the interval, afterwards - it is, truly, very relaxed; if you don't want to stop after there's no problem. The "leader" puts where her seat is and sometimes people will sit near her, or other places. I saw The Kite Runner earlier this year with them and had something to eat after. Some of the shows I don't fancy, more often than not I've bought a ticket for something before she puts up the date she's set - give it a bash, you've nothing to lose! |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 10, 2017 17:43:37 GMT
I'd agree with the 'nothing to lose' approach- at worst you've made a bit of extra small talk around seeing a show (and hopefully still enjoyed the show!) at best you make a few new friends/create a regular new extension to your hobby!
I think if we had any local ones for 'book your own ticket' kind I'd be inclined to go along to those too.
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311 posts
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Post by showoff on Oct 10, 2017 18:20:27 GMT
Yes, that's actually one of the groups I was looking at myself to join. How do you find it? Enjoyable? Do you sit in different places, then meet up afterwards? I'm sorry to hear about your ex though, but that's the way to go, living better and all that! I have had quite bad health, I've got connective tissue disorders which have messed up my health severely and effected energy levels. Sadly it had a big impact on my social life too, because I just couldn't keep up with people! So I thought I would look into things I enjoy for groups. The only thing is I would be a little nervous to join!!!! This particular group is lovely, I've been to, I think, 4 or 5 shows with them - it's relaxed and friendly. We've met up before the show, in the interval, afterwards - it is, truly, very relaxed; if you don't want to stop after there's no problem. The "leader" puts where her seat is and sometimes people will sit near her, or other places. I saw The Kite Runner earlier this year with them and had something to eat after. Some of the shows I don't fancy, more often than not I've bought a ticket for something before she puts up the date she's set - give it a bash, you've nothing to lose! That's really good to hear. I'll definitely give them a go, or at least a look to see if they are arranging anything I fancy. It's a nice idea, the meetings at the theatre, I'm glad you enjoy them. |
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Post by jbevans1234 on Oct 14, 2017 18:13:08 GMT
Hello, I'm the lady who runs the matinée theatre group, thanks for your kind words on here, and yes, feel free to join 😃
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Post by londonmzfitz on Oct 14, 2017 23:27:13 GMT
Hope you enjoy the forum x
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Post by showgirl on Oct 16, 2017 4:02:27 GMT
Hello, I'm the lady who runs the matinée theatre group, thanks for your kind words on here, and yes, feel free to join 😃 So is there any way to see what you have planned, please? I know someone who is new to the UK so goes to lots of Meetup events to make friends, but when I tried to look, it seemed that I had to do all sorts of things such as sign up, provide lots of personal details and even post a profile photo. I would never want to do this even if I joined in, but all I wanted to do at that stage was see if I'd be interested! |
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Post by jbevans1234 on Oct 16, 2017 4:36:46 GMT
Hello, I'm the lady who runs the matinée theatre group, thanks for your kind words on here, and yes, feel free to join 😃 So is there any way to see what you have planned, please? I know someone who is new to the UK so goes to lots of Meetup events to make friends, but when I tried to look, it seemed that I had to do all sorts of things such as sign up, provide lots of personal details and even post a profile photo. I would never want to do this even if I joined in, but all I wanted to do at that stage was see if I'd be interested! You can find the group via meet up but you will have to join meet up and yes, a profile picture is a requirement so that we can recognise you. |
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Post by showgirl on Oct 16, 2017 7:36:20 GMT
Thank you, jbevans1234 - as I feared then, so not for me, but it's obviously popular and I'm glad you're doing well. (It's nothing against your group but I only use Facebook for my - closed - local rail users' group; for privacy and security, I don't use my real name on Twitter and prefer to be as low-profile as possible on social media generally.) |
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Post by jbevans1234 on Oct 16, 2017 10:28:56 GMT
Thank you, jbevans1234 - as I feared then, so not for me, but it's obviously popular and I'm glad you're doing well. (It's nothing against your group but I only use Facebook for my - closed - local rail users' group; for privacy and security, I don't use my real name on Twitter and prefer to be as low-profile as possible on social media generally.) No problem at all, you can have a look on meet up and if there's anything you like, you can come as my guest 😃 |
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Post by jbevans1234 on Oct 16, 2017 12:32:21 GMT
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Post by l0islane on Oct 16, 2017 12:46:17 GMT
I belong to the 'Up in the cheap seats' meetup group. Everyone is friendly and relaxed and again you just buy your own ticket, sit where you like and meetup before/afterwards. It's also handy to join whether you attend or not because sometimes they post cheap deals you might not know about! www.meetup.com/Up-in-the-cheap-seats/ |
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Post by showoff on Oct 19, 2017 14:03:19 GMT
Hello, I'm the lady who runs the matinée theatre group, thanks for your kind words on here, and yes, feel free to join 😃 Hello. I only just now saw your reply, so sorry for the late reply. I definitely will join your group. I'm only waiting as I cannot find my usb to connect my camera to upload a photo! |
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Post by showoff on Oct 19, 2017 14:11:18 GMT
I belong to the 'Up in the cheap seats' meetup group. Everyone is friendly and relaxed and again you just buy your own ticket, sit where you like and meetup before/afterwards. It's also handy to join whether you attend or not because sometimes they post cheap deals you might not know about! www.meetup.com/Up-in-the-cheap-seats/Thank you, that's really good to know. I've seen that group too and wondered about joining it, there's so many shows to choose from there too. |
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Post by Backdrifter on Oct 19, 2017 14:49:01 GMT
I've never actually heard of these! Interesting idea, I think some people dislike going to theatre alone and would really appreciate it. Past experience suggests most of us on here are a bit 'Lone Wolf' in our theatre-going so wouldn't want to partake. But I think a meetup to discuss shows is a great idea! (I make it sound like we're really unsociable but a lot of us regularly meet up, we just do it more by accident than design) That said, I am just really unsociable. Some will indeed love the idea, I get that, but it makes me shudder. I enjoy chatting with people via this board, but have no desire to meet any of them in three dimensions (and I'm sure the feeling is mainly reciprocated). No doubt as you say I've almost certainly sat near, or who knows maybe even next to, board members at productions. On the old board a member mentioned she was at a Donmar show that night front row, as was I. Of course, despite spotting her based on her description of herself, I didn't make myself known to her. Given that my profile pic is an actual photo of me you'd think I'd be easily spotted. Obviously I'm kidding, I'm not that out of focus. |
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