Editor's Blog: 10 theatre resolutions for 2015

Seeing as Michael Coveney is currently away on a short writing sabbatical, I thought I'd pick up the blogging reins this week by offering up some thoughts on New Year's theatre resolutions.

Like many, my Christmas was dominated by family gatherings, unhealthy quantities of stilton cheese and a smorgasbord of feelgood television (punctuated by cries of "I saw them on stage last year!"), all leading to a hiatus in my usually regular theatregoing. Which means I'm now chomping at the bit to get my first taste of this year's theatre offerings, starting with Daniel Kitson's Tree at the Old Vic tonight.

I won't reel off a list of my 'ones-to-watch' for this year, there are already plenty of those elsewhere, including Michael Coveney's definitive selection. But what I will do is flag up some more general thoughts on how we can all get more from our theatregoing in 2015.

1. Take a chance – No doubt we all have a vague idea of the pattern our theatregoing year might take, but try and (cliche klaxon) think outside the box a little and take a punt on the unexpected. We tend to do this by nature at theatre festivals, Edinburgh being the obvious example, but try to retain your spontaneity for the other 11 months of the year.

2. Introduce a newcomer – I might sound slightly like I'm writing about a secret society, but to a lot of people theatre can seem exactly that; exclusive, not for them. Change their minds by taking them to something that will disprove all of their misguided impressions. Plus, bear in mind that the experience of taking a non-regular can often elicit the most interesting post-show discussions.

3. …and following on from that, if you are a newcomer to theatre, go!

4. Support your local – The same applies to theatres as it does to pubs, bookshops and football teams; local businesses deserve your patronage. So take a punt on something at your local playhouse/arts centre/pub theatre and you may well stumble across a gem right on your doorstep.

5. Get involved – By which I don't necessarily mean sign up to you local am-dram company and give them your best Macbeth (though this is by no means to be discouraged). No, what I mean is, get involved in the conversation. Are you itching to air your views on last night's jaunt to the National? Then do so. And if you spread the word through social media, you'll be surprised how many friends will come crawling out the woodwork with their own opinions.

6. Broaden your horizons – Convinced that ballet isn't for you? Has that immersive show that forced you to improvise left you scarred? Does Shakespeare leave you scratching your chin? Well, get over it, because you're only one great production away from a complete volte face. A multi-genre venue such as the Soho Theatre or Barbican is a good place to start.

7. Write a play – Come on, fess up, we've all got an idea festering somewhere in the attics of our imaginations. Well this year offers a great opportunity to give it an airing, with the launch later this month of the tenth annual Bruntwood Prize, judged by a panel including Nicholas Hytner and Meera Syal. Go on, dare you… www.writeaplay.co.uk

8. Take a theatre break – Whether it's Avignon or Manchester, Edinburgh or New York, there are no shortage of destinations and festivals that offer countless opportunities to theatregoers. So stretch your wings and take advantage of the fact that theatre really is a global language.

9. Explore theatre at home – One of the joys of modern life is the opportunities offered to theatregoers by technology. Whether it's streaming productions to your living room through sites such as Digital Theatre or Globe Player, listening to the latest cast recording on Spotify or getting the scoop on the newest productions by reading (shameless plug klaxon) WhatsOnStage.com, there are myriad ways you can enrich your theatre experience at home.

10. Make your money go further – On a budget? Then make it stretch by sniffing out the best ticket deals and staying informed to know when it's wise to book ahead, and when to hold fire. It's rarely a perfect science but if you're savvy you should be able to enjoy a healthy theatrical diet without having to be among our capital's oft-mentioned super rich. Plus you'll soon find a new army of friends who all want to know how you managed to snag those tickets at that price.

So there we are, those are my ten suggested theatre resolutions – only to add that, if you haven't done so already, you should of course also add 'vote in the 2015 WhatsOnStage Awards' to the above list! Right, now back to the last of the leftovers…