Fans of live theater: when you see an older peice do you read the play first or go in cold?

My gf got tickets to a Tennessee Williams play that I'm not familiar with. I'm wondering if I would appreciate it more knowing the source material.

28 points · 3 comments · view on lemmy.world

3 Comments

Jmsnwbrd@lemmy.world · 27 pts · 193d
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gigastasio@sh.itjust.works · 12 pts · 193d

It’s never actually occurred to me to read a play before going to see the show. But that’s not something I’d do anyway. That cast worked hard to bring the script to life and that’s how I want the story told to me.

That being said, I’ve done a lot of theater and there are shows that I know and love, even if I’ve never done them, and would not miss an opportunity to see.

Zombiepirate@lemmy.world · 8 pts · 193d

Depends how old. If it's a Shakespeare play, I like to have read the play beforehand so that I can understand the nuance in the performance. If it's an opera, I'll probably read a synopsis beforehand. If it's a stage play in English written since the 19th century I'll probably have more fun going in without prior knowledge.

Brutticus@midwest.social · 1 pts · 190d

I love going in cold.