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#MicroblogMondays 53: Stage and Screen

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Josh and I got tickets to a Fathom Event.  Sometimes plays or operas or ballets livecast a single performance, and you can go to the local movie theater to see it.  The tickets are slightly more expensive than the average movie ticket, and because it’s livecast, you’re held to a single showing.

When I tell people that we’re going to see a play in the theater, the response is mixed.  Some think it’s a great way to make theater accessible and others think that it’s not worth seeing if you can’t be in-person.

Me?  I’m excited to see the play.  Even if we lived in London, we couldn’t have afforded the tickets.  Plus, I’ll have a great view as if I’m sitting in the front row (whereas in reality, I would have been in the back of the theater), able to see the actors’ expressions.  Seeing a theater performance is wonderful, but this is, too.

What about you?  Would you go see a live theater performance on a screen in a movie theater?

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34 comments

1 Jen { 08.31.15 at 5:16 am }

Yes, definitely. It would be a different experience but no less valid. Hope you enjoy it!

2 Jessica { 08.31.15 at 5:26 am }

I watched live plays staged by Disney. They were fantastic. We sat about half mile away, but the actors were trained in gigantic stage actions so we didn’t miss much.

3 Karen (River Run Dry) { 08.31.15 at 7:09 am }

This is so cool! I’ve never heard of this before now. I hope you love it. 🙂

4 Middle Girl { 08.31.15 at 7:35 am }

I think it is a fantastic way to bring live theater to a wider audience.

5 Daryl { 08.31.15 at 8:27 am }

That sounds like so much fun! I used to see those ads in the theater all the time, and I always thought it would be cool. Definitely gives people the opportunity to see live theater who wouldn’t otherwise have it.

6 Karen { 08.31.15 at 8:47 am }

I love the Fathom Events. I think it makes theatre, opera, etc. much more accessible and far less “upper crust”, so to speak. I’ve been going to the opera since I was a student and could get in cheap. When I was a National Symphony Fellow, I could go to the opera pretty much for free. These days, the nosebleed seats are $150 and up. Too rich for my blood. That’s money that could go toward so many things for my four kidlets. That’s half a developmental pediatrician visit, for example.

Anyway, I love the Microblog Monday idea and I’m jumping into it. I’ve been trying to get back to my blog, so today’s the day. Thanks for the kick in the tush.

7 Lori Lavender Luz { 08.31.15 at 9:18 am }

I’m a fan.

I attended a Fathom event a few weeks ago. Just a Grease singalong, but it was fun to know that others around the country were crooning along at the same time I was.

8 loribeth { 08.31.15 at 9:30 am }

I already did! Earlier this summer. A friend asked if we wanted to go with her & her dh to see “The Audience” with Helen Mirren at a local movie theatre. It was not live but a replay of a broadcast from the National Theatre in London. For $20, how could you go wrong? It was wonderful — Mirren once again playing Queen Elizabeth II, in audiences with several (about 8, I think) of her 12 prime ministers over her 60 years on the throne. The really cool thing is it was not done in a linear timeline — she jumped around 60 years, back & forth in time, and the changes in costume & wigs were carried out almost magically while she was onstage. I would certainly go to something like this again, if the subject interested me enough. I love live theatre, but if you can’t get to London or New York…

9 Symanntha Renn { 08.31.15 at 9:45 am }

I would love to see a play, even in the theater. I hope you enjoy it!

10 Charlotte { 08.31.15 at 9:47 am }

I do hold live theater performances close to my heart, as it is something I did with my dad growing up. He always sprang for the good seats at all the fancy places like the Kennedy Center and the Lyric.

So I might just be biased from way back, but I would probably be the snooty one who would say I wouldn’t want to see it on a movie screen, even if it was live. But I have never tried it, or even heard of it until now, so I can’t say for certain.

11 anks { 08.31.15 at 10:14 am }

I have been in amateur plays back in school but never seen a professional play. I wish to… but never had the chance! However, going to a theatre to see a play… ummm, I think I will pass! Hope you enjoy it Mel 😀

12 Isabelle { 08.31.15 at 10:48 am }

I think I’ll go see it once to see what it’s like, and then I’ll make a judgment about it. Enjoy your time!

13 Katherine A { 08.31.15 at 10:55 am }

Oh, this sounds amazing! I’ve often wound up at live events in bad seats or large crowds, and wished there was some way to see it a bit more comfortably. I would definitely do this. And when you’re watching it in a theater with other people, it also preserves some of the communal experience that is part of going to a live play or performance.

14 Shailaja { 08.31.15 at 11:19 am }

Anything to do with theatre has my vote and this sounds really fascinating! We don’t have anything like that here in India, though, at least not that I know of.

15 nonsequiturchica { 08.31.15 at 12:04 pm }

I have heard of singers/bands doing this but never heard of it for a theater event- interesting. I wouldn’t mind seeing that on a movie screen if it was a play that I really wanted to see.

16 Traci York { 08.31.15 at 12:12 pm }

I’m an old theatre geek, and I think this is an excellent idea! Yes, there’s something about the vibe in the room, being at a live performance, but I would definitely give this a go.

17 Ana { 08.31.15 at 12:39 pm }

sure, it sounds fun! I’ve never heard of this and never seen it offered in my city, but then again we don’t get out much 🙂 It sounds like a more affordable option & one my husband would be more likely to agree to—I love live theater & shows of any kind, but he’s a big movie fan and is sometimes reluctant to go see a live play.

18 Sharon { 08.31.15 at 1:07 pm }

I’ve seen the ads for these Fathom events when I’ve gone to the movies, and I’d be interested in going to one. They seem to always fall on weeknights, though, at least the ones that have appealed to me, and that’s a no-go for me. . . I’m way too tired and busy during the week to go out.

19 Misha { 08.31.15 at 1:37 pm }

I have to agree with you there. Sometimes watching things live in theatre just isn’t ideal. You always get stuck behind the tallest person in the room or have a bad seat/standing spot. A cinema removes a lot of that!

20 No Baby Ruth { 08.31.15 at 1:49 pm }

wow. Cool concept and one I’ve never heard of. Id definitely give it a go although I can’t imagine it can hold a candle to real, live, in the flesh theater.

21 Jess { 08.31.15 at 2:48 pm }

I have seen those events advertised! I would want to try it for sure, but haven’t yet. There’s something special about live theater, in the theater, but this sounds like a close second. And you can get better seats for sure… I’ll be interested to see how you liked it!

22 Cynthia Samuels { 08.31.15 at 4:10 pm }

Wow. Live performances are prohibitive for all but the wealthiest, especially if we want to include our kids, but even just for two. Besides, seeing groups like the Royal Shakespeare Company or other UK top performances also requires a couple of plane tickets. I totally think it’s a wonderful idea! Good question, too.

23 Working mom of 2 { 08.31.15 at 4:54 pm }

If it was something I really wanted to see. I haven’t even seen a movie in a movie theater in about 4 years.

24 apluseffort { 08.31.15 at 7:45 pm }

I’ve never heard of this concept but it sounds awesome!

25 Kasey { 08.31.15 at 8:38 pm }

We always see the ads for the Met, and I always think that if I want opera I’ll just go to the Met. I could see buying tickets to a production if it was something I really wanted to see and it wasn’t local or local and cost prohibitive.

26 md { 08.31.15 at 11:09 pm }

yes! how awesome!! enjoy. i haven’t been to the theatre in forever!! i think the worst thing about the theater is the seating.. how cool to be able to see it on screen :))

27 Charoltte Gellar { 08.31.15 at 11:34 pm }

I LOVE plays, but I do like experiencing them better in person I think.
Probably would depend on the screen size. If it’s a television count me out. I’d get distracted but a giant ultra screen, I might…also would depend on the play. 😉

28 the bespectacled mother { 08.31.15 at 11:44 pm }

This sounds interesting watching a live theatre performance show in a movie theatre considering that the actors will not be too far off from wherever you are seated in the theatre. I would love to watch one such show but India does not have it as yet.

29 Aly @ Breathe Gently { 09.01.15 at 12:01 am }

I would, yep. I LOVE all things visual =)

30 JustHeather { 09.01.15 at 1:32 am }

I’ve not been to an event like this, but our theater does have them. And i would go for the same reasons you stated. Someday.

31 Mary Francis { 09.01.15 at 3:54 am }

Although I love the idea of going to a real playhouse, a livelink makes theatre so much more accessible. I think it’s a great idea!

32 Vinitha { 09.01.15 at 11:29 am }

I am up for a movie theater play any day. Seeing the actors up close will definitely add value to the entire experience. 🙂

33 Delenn { 09.01.15 at 11:59 am }

We do Fathom events all the time–it can be weird at first–but it is still a wonderful experience and a great way that “virtual” does impact our lives for the best! We are going to a “concert” on September 29th…looking forward to it!

34 Journeywoman { 09.01.15 at 8:12 pm }

We’ve done it quite a lot. For the 25th anniversary of Phantom and the last performance of Rent. So what are you seeing?

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