If you follow me on any of my social media platforms, especially Instagram, you’ll know that recently I have been going to the theatre a LOT (more than usual, anyway!), but I haven’t been blogging about the shows I’ve been seeing.
When I began this blog in the summer, I stated that I wanted to try and review every single show I saw (unless a duplicate). This was to maintain blog consistency (I didn’t realise I’d be sometimes seeing upwards of three shows a week!) as well as to improve my writing and reviewing skills. Also, the reason for beginning my blog was just to have an open space to chat about theatre, connect with like-minded people, and not be limited to a 140-character tweet! I never expected to get press tickets and passes, or ever be invited to shows to review – I was very happy paying for my own tickets to show that interested me (not that I am complaining).
The main reason I haven’t necessarily been blogging about the shows I’ve seen is because of time. I don’t want to be “that person” who’s all like “I am just so busy all the time, #secret project and all that”, but I’m pretty busy. I’ve got university, a job, various societies including editing a section of a magazine), as well as my blog and being a Barbican Young Reviewer. I’m not complaining about being busy – I love it!! I do all of these things because I enjoy them, but I guess I take on too much for a 168-hour week!
That’s one reason why I haven’t been blogging about shows as frequently, often writing more topical-based articles. Often, by the time I go to write a review, the show is finished and I feel out-of-touch.
But there’s another reason too.
I love going to the theatre and I love talking about it, hence beginning this blog, but sometimes when I go to the theatre for fun and in my own time that I am putting a lot of pressure on myself to think about the show too much ready to review it, instead of enjoying it. I think I need to go to some shows and not feel the pressure to write a review, instead, I just need to sit back and enjoy the show.
So that’s the deal I’m making with myself from now on. I’m still going to review lots of things, especially big shows or ones I have been lucky enough to be given a press ticket for, but I am not going to force myself.
Instead, I am going to sit back and enjoy shows – that’s what they are there for, after all.
The Mortal Fool 