[Miriam]

Do you ever feel frustrated that your RL friends aren't into the same things as you?

I'm feeling a lot like that at the moment. I absolutely love theatre, particularly musical theatre. I love to see lots of plays and musicals, like seeing things more than once if I particularly enjoy them (my next trip to Priscilla will be my sixth, while I went to Hamlet four times, Revengers Tragedy three and Altar Boyz five), but I just don't have anyone in my circle of friends who feels the same way.

Sure, I have a couple of friends who enjoy theatre, but they're not willing to fork out the same kinds of money, to try things like Zanna, Don't!, which is an off-West End production I'm planning on going to in Highgate, who won't stretch to paying for shows like Priscilla and who generally will come to the theatre with me maybe once every few months ('oh, I'm too poor').

I just offered to buy my best friend tickets to Altar Boyz when she goes to NY as I think she'd like it. But she turned me down. She says it's because she'd be with four other people and it would be awkward picking just one to go with her, but I know it's really because she doesn't really like theatre enough to bother going and is trying to find a nice way to turn me down. Rather than trying something totally new she'd probably rather do all the usual touristy things

So I end up on here talking about theatre - which is great and fine, but when it comes to real-life companionship...doesn't make for many non-solo trips pour moi.

Sigh. I feel really frustrated at present. Anyone else experience this? How do you handle it?

[Miriam]

As if to prove my point, someone on my LJ just called me 'fanatical' for going to see Priscilla so many times! Even there I am not immune, it appears.

[Latecomer]

Nope, my friends don't really get it....any neither do my family! But I have decided not to care as theatre makes me happy! Life's too short to worry about it! Perhaps we should organise another meet up and you will discover another "fanatic" to go along with?!

[Miriam]

Haha, that's a good way to think. I think we should!

[cat123]

It's nice to have other friends to talk about other stuff with. They'll come to shows every now and then but often just roll their eyes and tut at me! But then some of my online friends have become real life friends, and it's great to have people to go to things/generally fangirl with who are on the same wavelength!

[Jasmine]

None of my friends or family are into musicals and I try not to talk about them too much as they just don't get it and think it is a bit of an obsession (which is probably true ) I can usually persuade my mum to come and see shows with me but she will only go and see a show if she knows the songs which is quite annoying. I am taking her to see Les Mis in a couple of weeks and am dreading it as I will be on edge throughout the show, waiting to see if she enjoys it! I think that is one problem in going to the theatre with someone who isn't as interested in it.
I work in a school and am always trying to talk to the drama teacher about musicals but even she isn't really interested in them!

This forum is my saviour

[Jon - Thenardier]

I am quite lucky really,

Non of my school friends are into musical theatre but I'm part of a Youth Theatre group where everyone is fanatical about it! It's great to have friends to rave about a production to or to go to the theatre with. My school friends come with me if it's something like Chiago, fame, wicked e.t.c but not things like cats, miss saigon e.t.c!

Also, I have one sister who knows the wicked cast inside out just like me and we often talk about the show!

I think I annoy my family (who like theatre but aren't soo obsessed) by telling them the latest 'West End' news all the time! lol

[Weez]

Depends what it is; I've got one friend who can often be convinced to see major productions of things (she has previously dug Wicked, Hairspray, and West Side Story, and we will soon be digging Waiting for Godot together), my mother usually requires very little persuasion to see a musical, my dad's always up for Shakespeare, and I've been to shows with a few strays before now. But mostly I just don't raise the subject with my RL friends. I don't like to alienate people with my obsessions, and I'm pretty sure most of them just don't care.

We do need another meet-up. I loff meeting theatre people. :3 *PriscillainJuly???ahem*

[Miriam]

Depends what it is; I've got one friend who can often be convinced to see major productions of things (she has previously dug Wicked, Hairspray, and West Side Story, and we will soon be digging Waiting for Godot together), my mother usually requires very little persuasion to see a musical, my dad's always up for Shakespeare, and I've been to shows with a few strays before now. But mostly I just don't raise the subject with my RL friends. I don't like to alienate people with my obsessions, and I'm pretty sure most of them just don't care.

We do need another meet-up. I loff meeting theatre people. :3 *PriscillainJuly???ahem*

Perhaps it's fear of the unknown. Plus the expense of seeing a show compared to renting a DVD? Friends sometimes talk about going to things but never get around to it. I think Hairspray is a 'conversion' musical, tbh! Certainly I find it easier getting people to see plays than musicals!

Maybe inspired by this thread, the heavens are being kind to me. Someone has just agreed to see Zanna, Don't! with me, another two to go to West End Live with me and someone I didn't expect just texted about Sister Act and Priscilla! Yay

Yeah, I'm slowly getting to that. I can't believe I freaked out an LJ person with the mention of six times, though! I haven't really told most of them I've been going to Priscilla this much as they think I'm a bit random for it.

YES. Me too! And YES. YESSSSSS. You never replied to my message about what dates are good?!

[Weez]

I didn't yet! I'm ridiculously terrible about replying to PMs, but I'll get right on it once I've poked around other threads. :3