So, You’ve Not Got Any Theatre Trips Planned For a While

I'm going to be honest, the opening of the blog was very different until a few mins ago. I drafted this post a long time ago when I did not have any theatre trips books for a while. I never ended up posting it because to be honest 2019 and 2020 (up until now) has served me well in terms of seeing shows. But now, it would appear that none of us will be going to the theatre for a while to come.



Watch Some Live Recordings
NOT BOOTLEGS! I mean legal live recordings such as Billy Elliot or Funny Girl! Both of these are absolutely wonderful and they are available to be watched on Now TV! It is the closest you will get to sitting in a real theatre! Although there aren’t many shows that have been recorded, the ones that
have been are all very well done. Some are even streamed to cinemas (no that we can even go to the cinema anymore). In the last year I have seen Everybody’s Talking About Jamie and The King and I. Both were excellent. There are also lots of places that are currently streaming things. I am aware that Wind in the Willows and Only the Brave have been put online to watch. In addition to this, The National Theatre are also posting a play each week. I also believe that the BBC are developing a series of plays and arts called culture in quarantine.

Read!
I’m a bit of a book lover so I love reading. And, in this current situation, it's a great way to pass time. Whether it’s books about the musicals like the Dear Evan Hansen coffee table book or the book about Hamilton or novels, like the Dear Evan Hansen novel, I think reading books can be an excellent way to fulfil that theatre craving. By reading books you will

often learn things about the show that you didn’t know before. I certainly found this when I read the Dear Evan Hansen coffee table book cover to cover in less than 24 hours. Other books that I can

recommend are ‘The Day The World Came to Town’ by Jim Defede and ‘Channel of Peace’ by Kevin Tuerff. Both of these books tell the true stories of the people who landed in Gander, Newfoundland when the American airspace closed after the 9/11 attacks. As I’m sure you are aware this is what the musical Come From Away is based on. These books made me love the show even more! So, get reading.

Watch Films
In my opinion, nothing will ever beat a live theatre experience. But there are some excellent musical films out there. You could get yourself to your local cinema and see the latest musical release. Or, you could go on Netflix and find a musical film to watch. My faves on Netflix are Mamma Mia, Pitch Perfect and Beauty and the Beast. With the recent addition of Disney +, there are SO many musicals you can watch. I have had it for a week and have enjoyed Newsies, Tangled and Beauty and the Beast.

Glee
Glee deserves a category of it’s own! It has a mix of modern pop songs and old school musical songs. If you want to really satisfy those theatre cravings then whack on an episode of Glee. The entire cast

of Glee have sensational voices and in each episode there’s always a song that you’re bound to want to sing along to. Now that I’ve watched all the episodes in the right order, I love just picking my favourite episodes. My personal faves are season one ep 20 and season 5 ep 13. Also, every episode of season 6 is amazing. If you need a good old cry put on a sad episode and if you want to dance around like a nutter then find a happier episode. There’s a glee episode no matter what mood you’re in.

Have a Dance To Your Fave Cast Recording
Although I’ve never tried it, I imagine that it might be frowned upon to leap put your seat in the theatre and start singing and dancing alone! But, in your home you can dance and sing as much as you like! When you want nothing more then to be sat watching a

musical, put on a cast recording and have a sing along. Trust me, I do this quite often and my faves are If/Then, Come From Away and Wicked. If I’ve got a lot of energy then I do love a bit of Hamilton!

I hope that these tips have been useful for you and will provide you with some musical relief in this strange situation we have found ourselves in.

Thank you for reading,
Georgia x