a play?
By arkaf61
@arkaf61 (10881)
Canada
April 22, 2007 5:38pm CST
Sure I enjoy watching movies.
Mostly I watch them home. Often I wait for the video to come out and rent it instead of going to the movies.
Other than the fact that usually I have to wait some time until I watch them, I see no other benefit from going to the movie theater.
Long long time ago, things were a bit different. A movie theater was a beautiful thing - at least back in Europe. The architecture, the decoration... it wasn't just going to watch a movie, it was a two in one opportunity having the chance to see the art and the good taste in the movie theater itself and then culminate with the movie.
Things evolved (?) and even the big rooms were divided and turned into a box with a screen so they could make more money and seat more people.
But I digress.... movies.. yes I enjoy them, but there is nothing like actually going to the theater and watch a play. See the actors working right in front of you.
Because a play is somewhat limited in what it can show even if decorators can do a wonderful job, it really has to give so much more than a movie. There is no editing, no computer created scenes, the color can't be changed and voices come out the way they are.
But somehow it can be as intense or more than a movie.
The setting is still nicer than the new movie theaters, and many theaters are still the old ones - the ones richly decorated with nice comfortable seats, and beautiful architecture, so I think the experience starts there sometimes.
And then the actors come in and that's where we do see good or bad acting - there's no editing remember? - so what we see is what the actor is, what he can do.
Themes can vary but they can't rely on the magic of cinema, so they have to be strong even when treating light themes.
Expressions, intonation, placement on stage...all these things together make it a very positive experience and a treat over movies.
Sure we can't really compare one thing with the other but as a form of entertainment, theater is often more fulfilling for me than cinema, because it's a whole experience not just an end result.
Do you enjoy a good play, or is it the movies all the way for you?
4 people like this
11 responses
@tater03 (1765)
• United States
22 Apr 07
First I agree with you wholeheartedly on going to the theatre to see a movie. As for the plays the only plays I have been to are at the local highschool. I would love to go see a play in the city but just have not had a chance to do it yet.
2 people like this
@arkaf61 (10881)
• Canada
23 Apr 07
It's a pity the theater is not as common in North America as it is in Europe and other older countries.
It's an incredible experience and gives different perspectives to a story.
Whenever the chance presents itself do go and see a play, you'll see what I mean :)
@mahmah (436)
• United States
22 Apr 07
I too generally wait for a movie to come out on video before I watch it. The exception to the rule (and the first movie I had seen in a theater in over 3 years-before that the last movie I saw was with my parents-Terminator) was when the second Pirates of the Caribbean movie came out. My sister and I actually have a "date" planned to go see the next one next month.
I haven't been to a play in a long time. Since I was in school and they took us to see Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and The Wizard of Oz. I would love to go see a play. There are never any around here. I live in a little town and the nearest city really isn't that big, so the chance of catching a real play there is slim. The nearest big city is New York City and that is almost 3 hours away from me, to go see a play that is just stretching it. LOL
2 people like this
@arkaf61 (10881)
• Canada
23 Apr 07
In my opinion more should be done to allow people that live away from the big centers to be able to experience a good play every once in a while.
There are so many initiatives for this and that... a good play is a cultural event that shouldn't be lost.
I really enjoyed the first pirates of the Caribbean, but I"m afraid I feel the second one fell a bit short. Let's see what comes next :)
1 person likes this
@hockeygal4ever (10021)
• United States
23 Apr 07
I enjoy both but plays are a bit different considering it's live and limited. Those limitations however make it so you use your mind and imagination more.
I love a good play just as well as a good movie though. If I had to pick between the 2 I suppose it would be a movie just for the ability to make it more "life like". The intimacy of attending a play though makes you almost feel like you're a part of the story.
@CarlHalling (3617)
• United Kingdom
23 Apr 07
As an actor, who actually hasn't acted onstage for nine years, I should say I love the theatre. In fact I do. I love Shakespeare. I love great stage acting. I love great plays. However, I never go to the theatre, and haven't been for years. In fact, I rarely go to the cinema, preferring to watch movies (or indeed plays) on DVD, or video. That's just the way it is for me these days...
1 person likes this
@delenep (212)
• United States
23 Apr 07
I love going to plays when I get the chance. I actually hate going to movie theatres. It's too expensive and too loud, not to mention unhygenic. We only go to the theatre to watch a movie as a treat and only 1-2 times per year. We prefer to hire movies so we can watch in the comfort of our own home and if it's bad we can turn it off and not worry about the money we spent or feel bad for walking out the cinema.
1 person likes this
@arkaf61 (10881)
• Canada
24 Apr 07
I know what you mean about movie theaters and completely agree. It used to be a nice experience.
You might like to take a look a my pictures from the old movie theaters and theaters in Lisbon where I grew up and where I used to watch a real play at least once a month:)
YOu can find it here: http://www.shareapic.net/content.php?gid=56491&owner=tuga
It is not complete yet, but it really shows how different from the boxed rooms where people go to the movies nowadays:)
@secondtimeagain (94)
• United States
23 Apr 07
I prefer plays over movies honestly. Maybe it's because I also enjoy acting. You never know how things are going to turn out. As you said, it's a what you see is what you get deal. And more often than not, you can connect with the characters on the stage more than on the screen since they look right at you and you can feel exactly what they're acting out. People seem to be closer together and talk to strangers more during plays as well.
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
23 Apr 07
Usually movies put me to sleep. On the other hand, I have done some performing, and some support work in community based productions. I know what goes into them to make the magic work. I think just knowing how hard it is puts my adrenaline going and makes the experience that much more rewarding. Nice discussion. I would much rather see a play. We have a summer community production nearby called Broadway RFD. My first husband was in it, in Fiddler on the Roof. I love even the middle school beginner plays, the passion is really there.
@arkaf61 (10881)
• Canada
24 Apr 07
I have to say I also enjoy movies, but a play is such a different experience.
I just find it strange that in here, North America being so big in entertainment, not many people actually even go to a play in the first place.
I remember going at least once a month with my parents when I was a kid. I had the opportunity to see incredible actors live and it was something I will never forget.
Plus even in TV they used to have a program once a week with a filmed play. Usually filmed from a real play in a theater. Even through the tv it was easy to see the difference between movies and theater. But of course nothing beats being there:
@SKLC_PT (1234)
•
4 May 07
I like cinemas for the sound effects and big screen. I like the theaters for the commitment of the actors live on stage, as they put their souls into they're work... Tv is nice to be comfortable to wear or do what you want, from cry to laugh out REAL LOUD. I think they all have their pros and cons. All depends on what you want when you want it....
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
23 Apr 07
I used to watch plays when I was in school. Why, I have even directed and acted in them before (both languages). But nowadays, no more.
It's movies all the way for me. Plays do not appeal to me anymore.
1 person likes this
@misheleen73 (6037)
• United States
22 Apr 07
The only plays I see now are ones that star my children..lol. I haven't seen a real play in over 10 years. I do agree that it can be acting at it's finest, I also think that if the day is an "off" day for whatever reason, you can have difficulty following. I love movies as well. I belong to a movie club that ships me 3 movies at a time. I love reading, movies, plays, anything that can transport me to another place and time.
1 person likes this
@arkaf61 (10881)
• Canada
23 Apr 07
I have noticed that nowadays people watch lots of movies but don't really go to a theater much. At least in North America. In Europe people tend to still go to theaters regularly. Different cultures I suppose.
Movies are great too, it's just a different thing in my opinion. IN any case there is enough space for both:)
1 person likes this
@dragonart25 (280)
• Philippines
23 Apr 07
in my case... both i like to watch... i enjoy both!in play you see the characters true emotions and its too difficult to act on stage no cut while playing show must go on... i admire those people who work on theater show... they are great performer... i salute them... on other hand movies are great too.. in terms of the visual effects and more modern techniques... i like it when its too scifi movies.... and sounds are great! cool! :)
