The Brothers Size ™/ Text / Kirby Howell Baptiste / Pic / Grimzy and Talent
25th November 2007

This started as off a review for a theatre show that I saw recently A Statement of Regret, by Kwame Kwei Armah. The play was extremely entertaining with a message of divide and unity that runs deep through African and Caribbean culture). Then  somehow it evolved into a review of the Theatre experience in general.

Like I said I thoroughly enjoyed the play but what really struck me was the atmosphere and the experience, I realised once again how much I enjoyed going to the theatre. The play was performed at the National Theatre; now, the last time I went to the National was to see or should I say endure the absolute massacre of Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure’. You know where I’m coming from, we’ve all sat through one or more ‘modern’ twists of good old Willy’s plays. You know; where Juliet’s meant to look distressed and desperate at the sight of a dead Romeo but really she looks like she’s constipated, and your trying your level best to suppress the giggles for fear the you’ll be that irritating person “who just can’t appreciated sophisticated entertainment!”

The play was performed at the National, but it was not performed in the main area, but rather in the Cottsloe Theatre on the side if the main theatre. It is a cosy space, though in no way claustrophobic. The theatre is hugely inviting, the seats are more close together than you may be used to, but it is not at all uncomfortable, it actually adds to the relaxed environment. As soon as I sat
down I was greeted by a couple, who had made themselves quite at home, the guy had even taken his shoes off! This didn’t strike me as strange at all, because that is the environment. In this intimate space you do feel like your able to relax.

My only disappointment about the night was that the theatre was not full to capacity. So I got thinking, what if more young people went to the theatre? I mean what is actually stopping us? The cost? It can’t be, almost all theatres do discounts for under 16, students and groups. Many theatres even sell tickets for as little as £10 (or less), now if you’re over 18, going to the cinema often costs more than that. So, what else could be preventing us from sprinting to our local theatre? The people? The typical or should I say stereotypical theatre goers-you know the ones I mean- the people who take themselves way too seriously “because they’re cultured enough to rebuke TV and any other form of media mind numbing!” The sort who glare at you, as if you swore at their Mother, when all you’ve done is open your pack of lime and red chilli theatre crisps (when all you actually wanted was a packet of Walkers salt and vinegar)? Forget them! These people are fewand far between, they’re the people who treat going to the theatre as if it’s joining the freemasons! It is not some elitist club, its entertainment- IT’S FOR EVERYONE!

Like my Nan says “There’s always two sides to a story”. So, what’s the alternative? I’m sure some of you are thinking (you’d rather go to) the cinema? Come now, you can get the same film on pirate for £3 and watch it in the comfort of your own home! Trust me, at the very least going to the theatre gives you something to do and somewhere to be with your friends or family, at the most you may just develop an interest and appreciation for Drama and acting in a way that you just can’t sitting at home watching Eastenders or Terminator 2 (which we’ve all seen at least 4 times, because its on almost every other week on ITV2).

Try it, after all Nothing ventured
nothing gained.

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