Amateur dramatics (Am-Dram) holds a negative stigma that has sometimes proven true, but in most cases am-drams can be better than productions considered ‘professional’. So, if you’re umming and aahing as to whether or not to go and see your town’s local production of ‘Hedda Gabler’ (my deliberation on a spontaneous weekend trip home): go.
Here are 5 reasons why:
It’s cheap
Whether you are in halls, Lenton, Beeston, Wollaton, or Dunkirk; the end of the year is going to be expensive. With society balls and popular bar crawls, you’re unlikely to have the cash to see a West End musical; so your local Amateur Dramatic Society may be as good as it’s going to get.
It’s cultured
Relatively. If your end-of-term antics are anything like those referenced in my previous point, anything theatre-based is probably a step up.
They’re better than you think
For many, the term ‘Am-Dram’ means middle aged people who can’t act but try to, prancing around on the stage instead of pursuing their day-to-day desk job because they missed their vocation or weren’t ‘spotted’ in time. The productions are actually nothing like that, and provide convincing portrayals of life-like scenarios and dramatic classics.
You might know someone in the cast
Whether you’re going to make fun of them afterwards, or simply enjoy seeing a friend doing what they love, it’s always good fun to see someone you know performing; especially if it’s unexpected.
Sometimes, they make you feel good
Whether it’s the simple feeling that your talented town has created something impressive (aww), or the realisation that you can actually act (and occasionally, sing) better than those on stage, an ‘Am-Dram’ can sometimes be all you need to put a smile (however small) on your face.
Isla McLachlan
Image credited to Benj Roberts via Flikr
