I don't waste money on much.
I don't buy flash clothes.
I drive a tiny economical car
And over the months I now pay smaller direct debits than ever before
But I must admit that my one and only real extravagance is theatre
Like it's more easy accessible brother of Cinema , theatre has proved to be somewhat of a lifeline to me and with a nationally renown theatre just 20 minutes away, I have made every effort to see as many different productions as I can safely afford.
The more experimental the production often means the Cheaper the ticket, and so, with the more "off piste" productions I can usually afford a couple of tickets and therefore can have company on a night out ( my poor friend Naomi must get a mention here as I have dragged her to some several truly dreadful nights out over the past year!!)
I've also coupled theatre going with the catch up with friends, and so when I meet up with my Sheffield friends next week, we will also factor in the Sheffield based musical There's something about Jamie at the Lyceum and when I see Nu next in London , I booked a cheap as chips ticket to see a matinée of the wonderfully reviewed Come From Away!
Theatre feeds the soul ....like my choir, cinema and friendships
Tonight, full of painkillers, I went to see a fringe dystopian production American Nightmare at Theatre Clwyd with no more than 28 other theatre goers.
I enjoyed it, it was interesting and provocative and I wanted to discuss it with someone when it was finished.
But of course I didn't ....
Thats the downside of going by yourself đŸ˜¥
How amazing you are! I was worried you'd have to postpone your dinner party, but if you're up for the theater then I imagine the dinner will be on and a huge success. I do envy you your theater outings sometimes---I was hoping to see a show at Lincoln Center, for a special birthday celebration[mine] but good seats run 300.oo each. I had hoped to treat my friends, but no. I was just looking at the booking page, in shock.
ReplyDeletelizzy
I'm still in pain but I suspect it's more muscular than fractures.... and the meal is on tomorrow.....
DeleteGlad you're okay, but don't over do! Light candles, pour the wine, ignore the doggy stains. [bet you have night shifts this weekend, so you've got to be well.]
DeleteA long day shift on Sunday ....then back on nights next week x
DeleteHugs for the pain and the injury an Epsom Salt bath might help relieve the tightening of the muscles a little. Hope you feel more comfy soon in any event. I remember as a child if I fell over or bumped anything the parents usually headed for the butter dish and applied liberally to the bump. Perhaps we should be grateful for small mercies on that part! Alternatively it was the dreaded hanky dampened and rubbed! You have to have something you enjoy as reward for all the hard effort you put in and to recharge your batteries. I like live theatre, ballet etc. but my OH is not too keen on. I have to content myself with DVDs and CD music as a way to appease that yen and usually a Sunday afternoon is a good time for me to retreat into my own world. Nothing nicer on a Sunday afternoon when it is cold outside. Its good you meet up with friends and do something else when you are in their neighbourhood. Hope the dinner party goes well tomorrow. Enjoy being you and enjoy being with them. Good friends are worth their weight in gold and love you just as you are - you don't have to explain they just know. Take care and enjoy Tricia xx
ReplyDeleteMy friends are stars.....
ReplyDeleteWe all need our little indulgences in life to make it worthwhile -- "Give us bread but give us roses too!"
ReplyDeleteDebra ...you know me x
DeleteThe theatre is a good splurge since it is good for soul, mind and cheap.
ReplyDeleteNot always cheap.....but I do extra shifts
DeleteI wholeheartedly agree with going to the theater. Was just checking at one not too far from me; they are always looking for ushers and you get a free admission once you're in the usher rotation. Bonnie in Minneapolis
ReplyDeleteI've thought of this but my hospice shifts preclude it
DeleteI can't remember which female actor said that-years ago as a nurse,she had regular free tickets for the theatre which were left at the Hospital-the Old Vic if I remember correctly x
ReplyDeleteI was that lucky cow
DeleteWhen I lived in Sheffield my friend john , who used to review all of the theatre productions for the Sheffield Star ,always asked me to go with him....
How lucky I was x
Things lose their importance in days, if not moments, but experiences stay forever in our memories. The arts add such joy and interest to our lives.
ReplyDeleteI so agree
DeleteI have no money
But to enjoy a stage production with some soul in it , lifts the spirits
Little pleasures are the greatest
ReplyDeleteI like the term feeds the soul. Embroidery and quilt making do that for me. Thanks John for reminding me.
ReplyDeleteRuth in Oxnard CA USA
Yes! When you do something that you really like, even with limited resources, it is SO gratifying! And you need to give us a review. Small productions are sometimes so awesome!
ReplyDeleteXOXO
No theatre or movies for me, too expensive when combined with my book habit but I buy the DVD of something I really like and binge on that for years. My latest book is about the House of Lessage who did all the sequins and jewell embroidery for Chanel and YSL, now that is a book that will last for a long time. 150 colour photos divided by the price turned out to be quite cheap.
ReplyDeleteWe're living The American Nightmare over here! It gets worse by the day. Adults acting worse than spoiled rotten children. Nothing decent and honorable for young people to emulate. Enjoy your sweet little cottage in Wales, far from the madding crowd. Get well, feel good, and have a great party!
ReplyDeleteAt least you have the spunky Palozi
DeleteSomething about Jamie is not about choirmaster Jamie? He of the open flies and sans moustache. I'm sure you could spook him in some way with the name of the play.
ReplyDeleteLol no
DeleteSmall extravagances are often essential. I am glad that you know this.
ReplyDeleteI too love theatre. When in Brighton the first thing I do is get the list of future plays etc. Sadly there are very few plays that grab my attention, and I doubt if I've seen more than a dozen plays/shows at the glorious Theatre Royal.
ReplyDeleteEven the cheapest of seats aren't cheap though are they? I like theatre but I like film more. I find theatre audiences most odd too.
ReplyDeleteNo they are not, you have to shop around. I will never be able to afford the royal ballet again
DeleteUnderstood. I only have the Theatre Royal for mainstream plays and they are expensive. There is a second theatre but they do not do matinees.
DeleteBy the way, my first comment was not an attack on you. The average price I pay at the Theatre Royal is £36 but can be £50 as it was in the summer for Matilda. I never went.
DeleteI find £36 for an afternoon out, plus £3.50 for a programme, £3 for an icecream, and my rail fair, not cheap.
DeleteThere are the live, streamed showings from the Royal Opera House, which feature some ballet. Considerably more expensive than a regular cinema ticket, but much cheaper than one for the Royal Opera House and not so much travelling.
DeleteI find promotions and vouchers help the cost and theatre Clwyd has many cheap tickets for each performance but you have to be quick to get them
DeleteYou are doing so well John xx
ReplyDeleteI am so jealous that you are going to see " Come from away". We saw it just before Christmas and it was one of the most amazing shows I have ever seen. Very different. Emotional. You hardly notice the music but it is great when you do. Try and take in every little detail of what they are saying/singing. I never realised that any of it happened, and how complicated it must have been. Hope your ribs are feeling better. XX
ReplyDeleteI was just about to say the same, Frances (but you said it better than I would have done!). It’s a fantastic show, John - I am sure you will love it. And ditto for the ribs. xx
DeleteYou are right to suggest that some arts experiences are enriched through sharing them with others. One can talk about a show to oneself but no one responds.
ReplyDeleteI've always found if I'm at the cinema on my own in the afternoons that a visit to the loos after just before leaving means that someone else in there will strike up a conversation about the film we have just seen.
ReplyDeleteYou are not the only one that likes to chat after a performance. I was amazed when I found out how many lone cinema goers there are.
I have never felt more alone than when still married to my ex, even though I was working full time, but what saved me was joining the 'Friends' of a local gallery, going to talks that were free to members and meeting like-minded people, like Sue says, after the events. It resurrected my interest in art which is still the mainstay of my life, 30 years on.
ReplyDeleteWish you lived closer John! You could take my wife with you. She loves the theatre and although I'm sure I would I never find the time! We have a good one here as Malvern is often used as a warm up before big productions go down to London.
ReplyDeleteI tend to be quiet (hard to imagine) after theatre. I don’t like talking about what I’ve taken in and tend to sit and think... and often smile. I love live theatre and don’t have enough opportunities here since i can’t absorb the Spanish quickly enough unless I already know the production.
ReplyDeleteHaving at least one luxury is a necessity.
ReplyDeleteA little luxury is essential - otherwise you are just working to pay the bills.
ReplyDeleteI economise on clothes, heating and groceries but like to save up for meals out with friends. Good luck with the dinner party.
Years ago when The Lion King first came to the theatre in London we were going to London for a weekend and I told everyone I'd love to see it. Of course everyone and his dog told me I had no chance as the tickets were long since sold out for months ahead. Call me stubborn, but I marched hubby to the theatre, we climbed a set of stairs to the booking office and I said 'I know this might be a daft question but I don't suppose you have tickets for tonights show' He said, 'its not daft at all, we actually do have tickets but you'd need to stand!' You could have knocked me down with a feather, it turns out they have numbers on the wall at the back of the circle and you can stand at your number and lean on the wall and watch the show for (at that time) £10! We'd expected to have to pay well over £50 each for any of the shows on at the time so that was double good luck. It was a wonderful night. Not sure if they still do this - elf and safety might have spoiled that, but its worth an ask if you're in London! x
ReplyDeleteWe're going to see "Waitress" this weekend at the North Charleston Center for the Arts. Not experimental, but should be fun.
ReplyDeleteWhat a coincidence,I 'discovered' Theatr Clywd last night via The Lady Magazine. Now booked to see Gwen Taylor in The Croft. Looks wonderfully soulful and a bit spooky. Because we live in Derbyshire we have also booked an overnight stay in 'The Tower', an equally spooky looking establishment. Theatre is the best.
ReplyDelete