[Christopher Whitby]

I read an interesting article in yesterday's Times. The UK government has a plan to entice young people into theatres by getting theatres to offer free tickets to under 26 year olds who fulfil the criterion of being 'new audience'. Trouble is they want a million tickets to be given away but only intend to put £2.5 million into the scheme (so £2.50 subsidy a ticket - about $3.7) and if the tickets go to the 'wrong people', e.g. young people who already go to the theatre, there is a strong prospect of Arts Council England wanting the money back. Well you can work where the positives and the absurdities and the 'tick box culture' lie in all this, but the article introduced me to a word the Germans have (don't they always?) that nails part of the problem of why some people don't go to theatre or other arts events: Schwellenangst - fear of the threshold.

Unless young people are introduced by parents, teachers and other adults to theatre, poetry readings, concerts etc, most won't think such events are for them. Few make such discovery entirely on their own in youth - which led me to wonder whether many teachers ever take students to poetry events. I was never taken to poetry readings, although theatre (including Royal Shakespeare Company at Stratford) was quite strong on the school agenda.

Anyway, I leave you with Schwellenangst. It's a good word.

[This message has been edited by Christopher Whitby (edited December 02, 2008).]

[John Whitworth]

That must be what kept me out of houses of ill repute in my regrettably sober youth.

[Brian Dion]

Interesting endeavour. I'm very active in my town's community theater and we just recently presented The Crucible. One of our tactics to increase attendance was to make an agreement with the local High School. We severely reduced ticket prices for students (who are studying the play as a requirement anyway), and the Teachers agreed to credit the students, grade-wise.

Of course, to make sure the students weren't just buying tickets and then slipping out, the teachers required at least 3 actor signatures on the playbill.

If you can't entice 'em, force 'em.

Oh, and yeah--Great word.

B

[Orwn Acra]

I hope this passes

because

I'm living in London for the next few months and will be going to the theater on a weekly basis for assignments. And I have to pay for it myself! Which is a big deal when you have no money.

Of course, it won't pass in time but at least the opportunity is there for others.

[This message has been edited by Orwn Acra (edited December 02, 2008).]

[sericmarr]

I attended a well reviewed performance of "Hamlet" at A Noise Whithin theater in Glendale, Ca. last week. About three quarters of the audience were students. Their reactions varied from boredom to excited and engaged. "Outreach" is a strong emphasis of the theater and I think it serves its developing audience well.

Steve

[This message has been edited by sericmarr (edited December 03, 2008).]

[Kevin Andrew Murphy]

I think the problem is that someone has gotten the idea that "theatre is good for you" without bothering to think about what theatre appeals to whom.

I've gone to shows where I've been the youngest person in the audience. I've been to ones where I've been the oldest. Sometimes it's somewhere in between.

I've had season tickets to my local rep for a number of years, with skips when I've grown too soured with the line-up. My eyes start to roll back in my head when there's the "nostalgia play for the retirees."

It also probably doesn't help people get over the Scwellenangst that people tend to get dressed up for the theatre, and if you're young and not particularly well off, you'll feel particularly out of place in jeans and a T-shirt alongside some of the stuff people put on. Especially to go to the opera.