Do you ever go to the theatre to see live performances? Perhaps to see your favourite band or comedian, or how about a live play or musical theatre show?

If you are yet to take the plunge into live theatre and quite frankly unsure what you’re missing, we’ve asked a few members of the community for their thoughts on the subject …

You feel part of the story
There’s something truly magical about live theatre, the way it draws you in and you become part of the story unfolding in front of you. The sets, the costumes and lighting, as well as the loud music consumes you, until you forget about everything in the real-word and along with the actors you are transported to another place and another time. -Donna Morgan

In the Director’s seat
One aspect of live theatre is that you choose what you want to see, unlike cinema and TV you are forced to see what the Director wants you to see. In live theatre you are calling the shots, if you are drawn to one of the minor actors in the play you can follow them, witness their reactions to the other characters and follow their storyline throughout the whole play. -Karen Fisher

It’s Live
There’s always the risk something could go wrong, or sometimes go better than planned! Actors in a film can’t respond to an audience’s laughter, they can’t feel the audience’s tension or anticipation, they can’t change their timing or performance based on how the audience is responding. Which makes everything that happens on stage far more exhilarating than what happens on screen.- Fiona de Garis

You feel everything
For me live theatre gives an emotional connection that I don’t get when I watch a movie. It’s the difference between 2D and 3D I guess. Nothing compares to the feeling of anticipation I get when I take my seat in the theatre, the lights go dim, the audience goes quiet and the performance begins. -Alyssa Reeve

Amazing Sound
The sound produced at a live event evokes emotions that cannot be replicated when using your head phones or even the best home cinema systems. If it’s a song you have heard a thousand times from iTunes or the radio, hearing it played live, being created in front of you is something special. This along with live visuals like staging and lighting combine to create a unique experience that you can share with hundreds if not thousands of other people at the same time. -Alan Burke

A chance to meet the artists
There’s no way you’ll ever be able to meet Brad Pitt or Nicole Kidman after you see their latest blockbuster. But if you’ve ever stayed for a few minutes after a live show-especially in the smaller theatres-you’ll find that many actors like to go out and greet the audience or offer a short Q&A after the performance, which can be fascinating to learn more about the actors and the play. -Noel Cavanagh

It’s social!
I really enjoy movie nights at home with my flatmates but nothing really beats a night at a live performance. I love to meet-up with my friends to see live bands, comedians and we’ve even been to the ballet a few times. We make it a full night out and we dress-up, go for drinks before the show and then a meal afterwards and I especially love that we can share our experience together and talk about the show afterwards. -Ziandra Garcia

So before you get too comfy on the sofa for yet another evening in front of the telly, just imagine the exhilarating experiences you could be enjoying with a night out at the theatre.

To make it easier for you to take the plunge into live theatre, BREC has a number of shows in the program this winter. In August you could see two shows direct from Sydney Opera House: an updated take on Shakespeare’s favourite romantic comedy Much Ado About Nothing, or one of the world’s most famous operas, Madama Butterfly, sung in Italian with English surtitles and packed with beautiful costumes and magical sets, a live chamber orchestra and local children’s choir!

Also in August is the chance to see the dazzling and heartfelt musical play The Sapphires. September brings one for the kids, Roald Dahl’s The Twits full of masterful puppetry, storytelling and physical theatre.