Theatre Resolutions 2017

The Corner Shop

20th January 2017

Do you ever feel like you’re stuck in a rut?

We’re not talking about the usual ‘work, eat, sleep’ kind of routine – I mean more of a cultural rut; when you end up eating at the same restaurants over and over, listening to the same playlists on your iPod and your evenings at the theatre consist of curtain up, interval, applause, curtain up, interval, applause, curtain up, interval, applause, curtain up, interval, applause….

Don’t get me wrong, there’s something very comforting about return visits to a favourite playhouse, but I can’t help but think we could be doing more to expand our theatre horizons.

With this in mind (and because it’s January) we asked The Corner Shop team for their theatre resolutions for 2017.  Here are our top 10:

1. Take advantage of ticket lotteries

Conveniently take your lunch hour so that it falls over ticketing time and get your mouse-clicking fingers at the ready (if said lottery is online, at least). Tickets are usually for the same day or the following week so you’ll reap the rewards in good time.

2. See more theatre outside of our comfort zone

Normally stick to musicals? Why not try a small scale piece of new writing?  Theatre is ever broadening and so should your horizons – you might stumble on something that sticks.

3. Enter the theatre with a G&T in hand at all times

It’s both refreshing and fabulous. Nuff said.

4. Read more scripts

Dip in beforehand to see what you make in advance of a director showing you their version, or after you’ve seen the play to enjoy the text again. Or simply because it’s a play that you might not ever get to see and you’re curious!

5. Don’t be afraid to go solo

Seeing theatre on your own can be hugely rewarding.

6. Get out and about more

Theatre doesn’t just happen in theatres.

7. Go to a venue that you’ve never been to before

Travel further out; take a punt on a newly built theatre; studio spaces rather than main house auditoriums. There are hundreds of spaces in London and beyond.

8. Always eat a light meal before the theatre to avoid the dreaded stomach rumble

Else, inevitably, it will happen at the quietest moment of the play.

9. Take someone with you who wouldn’t otherwise go

Whether it’s a genre they’ve never tried before or theatre in general, extend an invitation and share what otherwise could be a daunting experience. It may inspire new interests or they might hate it: you win some, you loose some.

10. Make more recommendations

Word of mouth is a powerful tool, you too can be an influencer!