guardian.co.uk: What do you really want from a theatre programme? I know what I don't want: to be charged £3 upwards for an ugly piece of print which is either a bit of shameless self-promotion for the show for which you've already bought a ticket, or an ill-designed and uninformative vehicle for the selling of advertising space. You can tell quite a lot about a regional theatre's audience by the number of adverts for private schools and hand-crafted kitchens there are. Most of us can live with the adverts as long as there is interesting content, and not just a thematically related article largely culled from the internet. If there's no proper content (and no, pages of rehearsal pictures do not count as proper content), I'd prefer just to have a free cast list.
12 comments:
A theatre program should contain dramaturgical information that enhances the audience's experience or understanding of the production. A cast list should only contain information about their previous theatrical engagements that is organized in a professional manner. The information becomes more important if the production is part of a repertory company, because then it's important that the audience recognize the actors so they will assimilate into the larger community surrounding the company. It's also important that the program is a continuation of the aesthetic of the organization and/or production.
I have paid for a theatre program before, but very rarely. I almost always receive a program with my show ticket. Is the practice of paying for programs ubiquitous in the UK?
It seems like the usefulness of a program only comes into question when you are trading money for it. Like everything, some programs are interesting and worthwhile, and some are crap. But if you don't have to pay for it, it doesn't really matter. Additionally, if the program costs money, your expectations are raised and you are more likely to be unsatisfied with it.
Those extra programs may cost money, but who is going to stop selling them if there are still people who will buy them. That doesn't mean the regular program should suffer for it. Playbill has placed a standard template on the NYC segment of programs, and those in themselves transport theater goers back to a nostalgic experience.
I wish there was more elaborated in the article regarding the highlighted effective programs. What made those programs beneficial. My favorite programs are those that follow no format or template - however if you're branding your company there is generally some structure.
I think this article brings up a good point, but I wish they'd gone into more detail about what they consider a "good" or "worthwhile" program. Obviously, one thats full of advertisements from the local 7-11 are less worth it than one with valuable and interesting information about the show or the performers, but it would have been nice if he'd gone into more depth about what HIS ideal program is. However, obviously, everyone is going to have different opinions about what makes a good program.
I do think that he makes a valid point that he expects a level of professionalism when buying a professional program and so overly long bios or odd dedications could seem out of place or annoying.
It's really a shame that theater programs are not free in the UK. I remember seeing Les Miserables in the West End last summer and I was shocked when I would have to pay 10 pounds just to get a program with a cast list in it. I have never had to pay for a program in the US. Mind you I have never seen a show on broadway (only the tours that come through chicago) but still I doubt that broadway charges. I guess that part of the problem is that with less people going to the theater, theaters are trying to find new ways to make some cash. Though I find it a surprise that it's the UK thats charging for programs an not the US (the pound being so much stronger and all) What ever the reason may be I think it would be in their best interest to offer some type of simple free playbill that way theater goer's can actually know who they are going to go see.
I agree that nowadays programs are fairly weak, but nevertheless I always like to keep them. I agree with Pia, I think that programs should be filled with information that helps enhance the performance and I agree that the long thankful bios are extremely tiring to read. However, I've always liked looking at the head shots and the cast lists and learning where people went to school. However, If a program is only full of things like that then I don't think there's a whole lot of use for them. It's true, I like to keep souvenirs from the shows I've seen and the programs are always a good thing to collect, but if I really wanted a keepsake, that's what the tickets are for.
Okay I understand what she is saying, but I really love playbills. There is really something great about reading about the show and the actor’s bios, and then being able to reflex years later on that great show. In fact there is a whole group of people who collect playbills from the shows that they attend. My uncle has a program from Hair dating back to the 70's and it was really cool to look at it right before going to see the new Hair on Broadway. Playbills make me nostalgic, and I think that this author is just underwhelmed by the shows she is seeing.
Okay, it is annoying to have to pay for programmes when you go to the theater, especially when it is filled with a bunch of advertisements. However those adverts usually highlight companies or organization which have either sponsored that season or a specific play. I do get her point that sometimes it is a little over done, however I LOVE getting programmes. I keep both the programme and my ticket stub. Once a programme has in a full cast and crew list, some photographs and information of future shows and is well laid out and presentable, I'll take it!
I wish she had gone into further detail about what her ideal programme would be like.
Who cares about those big fancy programmes that you have to buy? If people are willing to buy them and the theater is making money, then isn't everyone winning? I don't see a problem. No one is forced to buy one, and I personally would never do that. I think they are silly and pointless, but if people want to get them, so what? That said, I keep every (free) programme and ticket I get and save them for future reference. I love having those keepsakes from the productions I see. I want to see the bios and cover art, and beyond that it really doesn't matter to me what is inside. I don't care if there are 10 pages of advertisements or if it is just a slip of paper that someone printed out at home. For me, the point is just having a memento.
I too was not aware that other places charged for programs. We already paid for a ticket so I think we should get the program for free. I have always enjoyed looking at all the biographies of all involved in the show. I get excited, with an added sense of pride, when I see a CMU graduate in the cast or crew........which is quite frequently I may add. I know that a bio should be concise and to the point, but I also admit I have enjoyed the personal side of them too. It brings out part of their personality that we wouldn't know otherwise. We see them on stage playing a character that is usually quite different than who they are. To get an insight to their personal feelings, make them more human and real. I think the audience likes that. I know the dedications and such can get pretty intense, but I also think that these people are so grateful to be doing what they are doing, that they are truly speaking from their heart. We can't really fault them for that. All that being said, I also think a program is a way of making money. All the advertisements in there are a bit much but we just have to keep turning the pages to get to where we want to be. I think the few pages that most people care about should be in the front for easy access, but that would prevent us from seeing all the advertisements. Would I pay for a program? probably. Do I think we should have to? Absolutely not!
Ahh I personally really love to keep all of my Playbills and theatre programs. I understand the cultural difference between US and UK theatre customs and it most certainly is a shame that some theaters force you to pay for as little as a cast list. Here, programs are almost always (if not always) free-- places to showcase the cast and give backgrounds, and for businesses to advertise. That said, if a program is to be bought, I feel it should not have any advertisements. Also I think it is very important to explain who the cast and crew are, and give information about the show-- and believe this information should be distributed for free.
I agree with pia on what the programs purpose is however i feel like the aesthetic aspect of it should be the mist relevant. It helps you prepare for the show i think. The other information is important as well but i wouldnt mind a little more information pertianing to the design of the show.
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