Going to a Play

Being an experienced "playgoer", I have been able to observe many different styles and types of plays. Therefore, I have been able to discover first hand what it is that I expect and like in a dramatic performance.

For what I expect, I expect a play that will not have any "errors". When I say "errors" I mean that people should not be forgetting their lines, dance routines should be well choreographed and delivered, music should be played perfectly, and the audience should show respect for the performance. Nothing is more embarrassing than seeing a "professional" bobble around attempting to remember what it is that they were supposed to say. Nothing is more boring than seeing a dance routine that you could have put together and performed better yourself. Nothing is more saddening than hearing music that has been played carelessly. Nothing is more irritating than having the person sitting beside you talk throughout and undermine a great performance. One might even suggest that I expect perfection when attending a dramatic performance.

For what I like in a dramatic performance, I am somewhat specific. I do not like to find myself guessing correctly the sequence of events in a play. What is the fun in watching a production that is doing everything that I expect it to do? I might as well have stayed home and watched a handful of other plays exactly like it on youtube or television. I also like plays that contain some humorous bits. I love a good tragic tale, however, a good mood-lightener is always refreshing. Whether it be expert placing of a witty or quirky character, or an actual performance of the comedy genre, it does not matter! I just want to laugh and enjoy myself once in a while, and doesn't everyone? Finally, I like plays that try to make me think of something "bigger" than the play itself. A good story is one thing, but a great message is something much more. There is nothing more exciting than discovering new parts about yourself while deciphering a message delivered just for you.

If a play has all of these components, it is quite a rewarding experience to attend. However, if a play fails to deliver some or most of these vital parts, it is nothing more than "just another play".