WHY AREN’T THERE ENOUGH EARLY 20’S GOING TO THE THEATRE?

Convener(s): Amy Letman

Participants: Laura, Chloe, James, Tom, Richard, Elle, Sarah Brignall, Dee

Summary of discussion, conclusions and/or recommendations:

We had a very interesting conversation it went along the lines of…

Why isn’t theatre cool? Why don’t young people go that much?

Is it because it’s expensive? NO. Because we are willing to pay ten or fifteen pounds to go to a gig or club.

Why doesn’t theatre have the same culture in London as music? Because it is a lot of young people who run music. There is a culture and network where young people put on nights with friends and publicise to friends and get loads of people to go.

There is no bar culture at the theatre. The drinks are very expensive and there are big ques. It seems inappropriate to order a pint of cider. You feel more inclined to go for the wine.

THEATRE IS OFTEN BORING. It is a big investment for students when it could be really bad.

There is a negative perception of theatre amongst young people. There is a perception that it is for twats, by twats. In most cases this is not true.

THERE IS LOADS OF GREAT THEATRE GOING ON THAT YOUNG PEOPLE WOULD LOVE BUT THEY JUST DON’T KNOW ABOUT IT! There is not the same flyer culture as with music. Young people need to see flyers with details, dates prices. Student concessions should be made clearer. Advertising really needs to be looked at.

Young people would love to see theatre where they see short, great plays, maybe short films, with music after and drinks.

SHUNT AND PUNCHDRUNK HAVE THE RIGHT IDEA WE NEED TO SEE MORE OF THIS AND YOUNG PEOPLE NEED TO HEAR ABOUT IT! 

THEATRE CULTURE CAN BE CHANGED!

(Lots of people like going to the theatre and not drinking and mingling with young horrible people who smoke and drink. This is fine. People like different things. It is the same in music with people who live classical/opera/indie/heavymetal/techno but we must see MORE OF A VARIETY IN THEATRE and a mix up of art forms and make some theatres more of a social get together. Like Brecht wanted.)

YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD BE MORE INVOLVED WITH THE RUNNING OF THEATRE – how can a young person put on an event in a London theatre which would be really great and loads of people would go?

Young people (and middle aged and old) love companies like KNEEHIGH they like to see all sorts of things but don’t get to hear about it much. There is a horrible misconception amongst young people that theatre is very elitist and weird.

HOW CAN WE CHANGE IT?

Cheaper rehearsal space available for new companies coming out of university (young people can rent places themselves)

More nights put on run by young people integrating good plays, music, films.

Established theatre companies to look for new actors coming out of university or in youth theatres as opposed to drama school. Lots of young people have great ideas and really want to make good work but disagree with the way drama schools are going.

What we learnt from the session was… IF YOU WANT IT CHANGED, GO AND CHANGE IT