Theatre Merch

I stopped buying programmes for that reason plus having less money so x number of programmes added up to a ticket for something! I do have quite a collection of mugs though - not every show does them and I haven't bought one at everything that does but there are a fair number of them and they are visible reminders of shows I've enjoyed.

I used to buy a programme for every show. Even those big glossy brochures from Broadway. Hundreds and Hundreds spent and very quickly I was running out of space and so I stopped buying them now. Never really buy anything now.

One of my favourite topics.

I used to buy programmes and souvenir brochures for everything I saw from the age of about 13 (I am 43 now!), most of which are in my parent's house in storage. Back then though most musicals did souvenir brochures and they were generally pretty good quality and not that expensive.

Over the years my theatre going has massively increased as have been able to afford more, not all musicals do brochures, and they are quite often overpriced and full of adverts. Anyway, so now I only buy brochures for any ALW stuff, Les Mis and Miss Saigon. And a handful of others but only shows I really love. It's not the norm anymore.

I still get a programme at everything though. It is causing an increasing storage problem as I now have 30 years worth. But I just love having that memory of the show to look at. I am also faintly OCD about them and try to keep them pristine. To the extent that I am honestly more relaxed when I see something again that I already have the programme for as know it's at home and I don't have to spend the evening looking after it (yes, I know this is slightly insane lol!)

If you’ve got a Faith Brown Sunset Boulevard 2001 tour one I’ll help you out ;-)
Or indeed any original London Cats or Starlight!

Seriously though, if you can be bothered with the effort, e-bay is probs your best bet!

I buy programmes if I enjoy the show with the intent of framing them but I'm struggling to find frames that will fit them since their dimensions are unconventional and they're too thick to fit in regular frames.

I don't buy much, usually.

I did, though, buy a "The coffee cup/I think about you" mug at the National Theatre revival of "Follies", along with a "Still Here" pin, which I intend to wear at my thesis defence if/when I go back to finish my (theatre-related) PhD.

And I somewhat regret not buying (and then framing) an "I left the dishes in the sink..." tea towel.

I used to love collecting posters but they are hard to get hold of nowadays (even pre covid).

I’ve spent so much money on musical theatre merchandise over the years.

Did I really need a pot of By Jeeves jam (that is still unopened)?!

I never even inflated the Beautiful Game football.

I drew the line at the Stephen Ward riding crop... but believe me I came close

I have quite a lot of stuff, I always buy a programme and often a souvenir brochure, I have a few t-shirts (Rock of Ages x3, We Will Rock You and Jersey Boys) and some hoodies (Wicked, Matilda, Cats and We Will Rock You) I find I don't really wear them much though so I've stopped buying them now although I really want a Six hoodie so maybe one day! Got some tote bags Jersey Boys, Matilda and 42nd Street and I have a cardboard tube full of posters which one day I would love to eventually get framed.
Back in December I got one of the glittery Six lyric pin badges when I saw the show and over the next few months I bought the other five from the website, I also have a Cats Christmas bauble which I love! I probably have more stuff that I've forgotten about, my bedroom is very cluttered!

When I moved to London I bought programmes for everything I saw, because I am a bit of a sentimental fool and love to have reminders of things and of evenings well spent. However, I soon realised a) that it is quite an expensive hobby, b) that the programmes some theatres sell don't quite justify the price (looking at you with your glossy paper/little actual content programmes, Old Vic!) and c) crucially - that I have nowhere to keep them (as I am currently renting out a tiny room in central London). So now, as a general rule, I don't buy them anymore.  
I do make an occasional exception, mostly at the Court since their programmes are playtexts, so I will buy those when I really like a play. I'll occasionally bring home other playtexts too, for the same reason. There's also a theatre director whose director's notes I always enjoy reading, so I make a standard exception when I go and see one of his plays. 

I don't go to see musicals, so I've never actually come across any mugs/shirts/pins or anything like this for sale. I don't think I would buy them anyway (I love band T-shirts, but I'm not really sure if I'd wear play-related ones...) 
I find it sad that posters are so hard to come by because I would love to add posters for a few favourite plays that I've seen to my modest poster collection (mostly music ones which I've left back home, for now) which will eventually get framed and hung in the living room, if I'm ever lucky enough to have my own place here. 

Something that would sort-of fit into the category of merch that I would really like to own are a few of Marc Brenner's theatre photographs, to frame them for the mentioned imaginary wall of my imaginary London apartment. I know that will probably never happen, but a girl can dream...


 

I have a shelf with various things on, I don't usually buy programmes so it's mostly leaflets and CDs. I have posters adorning my bedroom wall too. I'd like to get more of them. A couple of t-shirts and an unofficial Les Mis bag. It just says 24601 and Who Am I on it with a a French flag, oooh cryptic.

I always buy a programme so stick all my tickets in them along with a review of the show.