Yes, well, it was a fairly weak defense when you started using it.
Ghavrel Send a noteboard - 31/01/2010 09:23:49 PM
Hasn't aged well, either. 
Actually, since I'm not talking about the popularity of sf/f theater, the number of plays is much more relevant than the importance of theater. I'm not looking for a exceedingly famous play--I want to know if there are any sf/f plays in the very large body of 20th century theater, and if not, then why. Saying "because theater isn't popular any more" is a nonsensical argument.
To address your other point: I suspect your opinion of theater and musical is founded primarily in your location. Large cities that have rather more culture than the typical American locale (I hope you don't take offense at that, since I definitely live in a typical American locale) have very successful theaters. Just because the lowest common denominator flocks to Avatar doesn't mean that the theater is dying. If you think it's in such dire straits, maybe you should write to Broadway, no? I think you could find your millions of theater attendees there.
EDIT: By way of statistical argument, West End theatre had over 13 million attendees in 2007, and Broadway $937 million in ticket sales. It's not cinema, no, but it's certainly still a very strong showing.
EDIT2: Also, theater ticket sales have been increasing over the years. 2007 was the first time West End reached 13 million. Granted, so is the population of the world, so I don't know what attendance is like as a percentage of the human population, but theater definitely isn't subsiding into obscurity. Just the opposite, in fact.
The number of plays written, particularly those written since 1935, is immaterial here, since the medium, much as I love it personally, has declined in terms of public importance.
Actually, since I'm not talking about the popularity of sf/f theater, the number of plays is much more relevant than the importance of theater. I'm not looking for a exceedingly famous play--I want to know if there are any sf/f plays in the very large body of 20th century theater, and if not, then why. Saying "because theater isn't popular any more" is a nonsensical argument.
To address your other point: I suspect your opinion of theater and musical is founded primarily in your location. Large cities that have rather more culture than the typical American locale (I hope you don't take offense at that, since I definitely live in a typical American locale) have very successful theaters. Just because the lowest common denominator flocks to Avatar doesn't mean that the theater is dying. If you think it's in such dire straits, maybe you should write to Broadway, no? I think you could find your millions of theater attendees there.
EDIT: By way of statistical argument, West End theatre had over 13 million attendees in 2007, and Broadway $937 million in ticket sales. It's not cinema, no, but it's certainly still a very strong showing.
EDIT2: Also, theater ticket sales have been increasing over the years. 2007 was the first time West End reached 13 million. Granted, so is the population of the world, so I don't know what attendance is like as a percentage of the human population, but theater definitely isn't subsiding into obscurity. Just the opposite, in fact.
"We feel safe when we read what we recognise, what does not challenge our way of thinking.... a steady acceptance of pre-arranged patterns leads to the inability to question what we are told."
~Camilla
Ghavrel is Ghavrel is Ghavrel
*MySmiley*
~Camilla
Ghavrel is Ghavrel is Ghavrel
*MySmiley*
This message last edited by Ghavrel on 31/01/2010 at 09:27:22 PM
Obviously I have musicals on the brain.
- 31/01/2010 06:36:33 AM
812 Views
Musicals are tricky things to do
- 31/01/2010 07:57:44 AM
548 Views
If sf/f relies on effects, then it doesn't deserve respect.
- 31/01/2010 08:04:10 AM
662 Views
I'm not saying it can be done or relies on effects. I'm just saying it might be tricky
- 31/01/2010 06:40:44 PM
528 Views
There is a musical episode of buffy.... 
- 31/01/2010 09:50:22 AM
649 Views
- 31/01/2010 09:50:22 AM
649 Views
The board ends up being about books, but it's actually titled "Sci-Fi & Fantasy."
- 31/01/2010 07:23:45 PM
549 Views
- 31/01/2010 07:23:45 PM
549 Views
Yes, but the site is read and find out. Maybe you should go to listen and find out? *NM*
- 31/01/2010 07:28:19 PM
234 Views
Tell that to the games board. 
*NM*
- 31/01/2010 07:50:53 PM
224 Views
*NM*
- 31/01/2010 07:50:53 PM
224 Views
Which is an interesting example.
- 02/02/2010 06:41:08 AM
580 Views
Very silly. Less silly, though, when you consider the lack of a Theater/Musicals board. *NM*
- 02/02/2010 07:00:00 AM
256 Views
Adam's Hitchhiker's Guide stories were originally radio plays
- 31/01/2010 06:16:42 PM
659 Views
Which in turn reminds me of the infamous War of the Worlds radio broadcast with Orson Welles... *NM*
- 31/01/2010 06:36:32 PM
221 Views
Nonsense.
- 31/01/2010 07:22:25 PM
540 Views
I feel like I'm a broken record, telling you to re-read what I actually said
- 31/01/2010 08:40:17 PM
544 Views
Yes, well, it was a fairly weak defense when you started using it.
- 31/01/2010 09:23:49 PM
648 Views
I'd have to agree with you - it has become more of a niche.
- 31/01/2010 10:16:02 PM
557 Views
I think cinema has outstripped theater more than theater has declined.
- 31/01/2010 10:28:06 PM
463 Views
I don't know, I've seen a theater adaptation of The Hobbit, for instance...
- 31/01/2010 10:11:47 PM
591 Views
Not quite sure what I was thinking about cinema either. My defense was that it was 3 in the morning.
- 31/01/2010 10:26:03 PM
497 Views
I would definitely count Little Shop of Horrors among some sort of sf/f mold.
- 01/02/2010 12:56:40 AM
705 Views
Definitely. But again, it's campy and ludicrous.
- 01/02/2010 02:25:00 AM
602 Views
Repo! The Genetic Opera, both the play and the film were great. = Rocky-Horror + Bladerunner *NM*
- 02/02/2010 12:41:31 AM
280 Views