‘Nothing bad is ever going to happen to us in the theatre, even when you’re older’. That’s something that has been instilled into me and my brother since we were little.
I think the theatre takes away all of your troubles for a few hours. You sit there and you’re engrossed; you’re immersed in whatever you’re watching.
I have to say the theatre does bring the family on a magical journey, every time we’ve gone. I don’t think I’ve ever gone on my own, it’s always been a group, all of us together. I think the more people you take with you the more amazing the experience is.
For me, the Grand means Christmas, celebration, birthdays. I’ve gone to the Grand for nearly every birthday, as far back as I can remember. You always know you’re going in for an amazing show. You’re going to have a drink at the bar, you’re all dressed up – it’s a great night out and you lose yourself. I can’t even describe it, but just from the outside you know you’re going into this magical little place.
I think theatre makes Christmas extra magical. That build up and the sheer excitement to see the Pantomime. I was about three when I started going to the theatre with my mum, and I have wonderful memories of it.
Sadly, due to COVID, I hadn’t had a chance to take my one-year-old daughter to the theatre yet. But I want her to have the same exciting experiences as me and my brother, because it was so incredible for us.
I’ve also gone to see things in the theatre that I didn’t think I’d go to see, such as the ballet. It would be amazing for her to see all those different performances with me. I hope it will encourage her to see shows that she may not have gone to see if she hadn’t started going to the theatre with me.
