Today, theatre enthusiasts everywhere have been celebrating and sharing their mutual love of all things theatre as Twitter UK, CultureThemes and the Guardian Culture Professionals Network launches the first ever #LoveTheatre day (as if every day isn’t such already!). Theatre is made up of so many elements that it can be easy to forget about all of those essential cogs that keep the theatrical world ticking – from backstage goings-on to taking steps to improve access to careers in theatre – so it is fantastic to see a collective celebration taking place for both professionals and fans alike. So in honour of this one day Twitter event, I am sharing the five (although choosing just five is ridiculously tough) top reasons that I personally #LoveTheatre.
1. Quite simply, I have grown up both visiting the theatre and taking part in theatrical performances, so I honestly do not know any other way of life!
2. Attending a show at the theatre has got to be one of the best social events I can think of. True, you do spend two to three hours sat silently in the dark, but going to the theatre means experiencing something you love with the people around you. Often combined with other treats such as a meal out, some pre-drinks at a bar or trying out those new shoes, seeing a show at the theatre pretty much guarantees a great night out.
3. Escapism – there are many ways that people distract themselves from reality, from seeing a film at the cinema to losing yourself in a good book, but at the theatre you become part of the event. It is performed for you, and it will never be performed in exactly the same way twice.
4. Ideas can be presented on the stage in unique ways, allowing thoughts and emotions to be conveyed when perhaps no other means of expression is available. The scope for interpretation is boundless, therefore the world of theatre endures as a realm of exciting anticipation and inspiration.
5. There are few better feelings (and none come to mind right now) than those that accompany performing on stage yourself. The accumulation of intense nerves followed by the thrill of a live performance is a rare emotional spree, and one that I would happily repeat over and over again.
Happy #LoveTheatre Day!