Let's Talk Theatre - Some Vocabulary and Expressions To Talk About The Theatre

Let’s Talk Theatre – Some Vocabulary and Expressions to Talk About the Theatre
I love the theatre. Whenever there is a good play on in London, I try my best to go and see it.
Of course, living near London and with 241 professional theatres in the city I am spoilt for
choice.
On Saturday night, my husband and I went to the Old Vic to see Kevin Spacey in a one-man
play, Clarence Darrow. It was a first-class performance given by an astounding actor. He had
so much energy on stage and such a presence that he kept you hooked throughout the
performance.
This is what one newspaper review had to say: “… Spacey is captivating throughout. He
prowls around the small stage, and out into the audience, addressing small sections as the
jurors in whatever case he’s recollecting. And wherever he might be — right in front of you
or with his back turned on the other side of the theatre — you can’t take your eyes off him,
and hang on his every word. That’s the mark of an acting legend, and one whose presence will
be greatly missed from the London stage.”
The play was first shown last year but because of its huge sell-out success, the Old Vic
decided to stage the play one more time for a limited period. It’s particularly special as Kevin
Spacey ends his 10-year stint as the Old Vic’s artistic director this autumn. The entire season
is sold out – a testament to how well-regarded he is as an actor (or thespian).
The Old Vic’s stage is in the centre of the theatre and the audience is on all sides of it. It’s
what is known as a ” theatre in the round”. The idea is to make the audience feel more
involved with what is happening on stage.
Booking Tickets
I booked the tickets a month or so ago online. You can book tickets by telephone or in person
at the box office of the theatre. I always book online and collect my tickets from the box
office on the day of the performance.
The Seating Plan
Most theatres are divided into different sections. The section that is on the same level as the
stage is known as the stalls. The next level is sometimes known as the Royal or Grand Circle.
Depending on the size of the theatre, you can have between three to five levels. Stalls,
Royal/Grand Circle, Dress Circle, Upper Circle and Balcony. The prices vary according to
what seats you choose. The Front Stalls, Front Royal Circle and Front Upper Circles are
normally the most expensive with the Balcony seats being the cheapest as well as seats with a
restricted view. I’ve never understood why anyone would choose, let alone, pay for a seat
with a restricted view!
The seats in a lot of the older theatres in London have limited legroom which can be
extremely uncomfortable for a tall person. In fact, my husband who is tall really struggles and
Saturday night was unfortunately excruciating for him. By the interval, he couldn’t feel his
feet!
Types of Theatre
When tourists visit London and decide to take in a show, they normally opt for one of the
West End musicals. Shows such as Mamma Mia, Les Miserables, Cats, Phantom of the Opera
and so on have been playing for years in the West End and are a hugely popular with foreign
tourists. However, West End theatres don’t only show musicals but also non-musical
productions. These productions often start in regional or smaller theatres and depending on its
success, they move to the West End.
As I’ve got older, I’ve become more attracted to the productions from smaller, local theatres.
Not only are they smaller and offer a lot more intimate audience experience, they offer new
playwrights and directors the opportunity to showcase their talents. These theatres
commission new plays and encourage different and sometimes daring productions of old
plays.
Smaller Theatres Take More Risk
They are prepared to take more risks than their West End counterparts and that is what I
believe theatre is all about. Theatre should be a place where our (the audience) views and
prejudices are challenged and where new ideas are introduced. It’s where actors and actresses
have the opportunity to test their skills and try out different roles.
Theatre should be about encouraging playwrights, old and new, to try out fresh ideas on the
audience. It should be a place of experiment, entertainment and education. It’s also a place
where our minds can wander freely with our imagination.
My fellow theatre-goers
I have learnt so much about life over my theatre-going years. Not only from the play but also
from watching my fellow theatre-goers. I often go to the theatre on my own. I love nothing
more than going to a matinee performance (rather than an evening performance). When I go
on my own, I am free to look and observe the people around me. And it’s fascinating just to
watch how people interact with each other. There could be people milling in the bar drinking
and ordering their drinks for the interval; there could be people catching up with each other’s
news or reading the theatre programme and there could be people like me who are on their
own and are observing others or simply reading a book. Nowadays, it’s more likely to be their
smartphones, though!
Turn off your phones, the performance is about to start
I love that moment when the lights dim, the audience is shushed into silence and the actors
come onto the stage. I take a sharp intake of breath and almost burst with anticipation of what
is to come next.

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Let’s Talk Theatre – Some Vocabulary and Expressions to Talk About the Theatre

The Seating Plan

Smaller Theatres Take More Risk

Turn off your phones, the performance is about to start

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