Bring on those full houses

For the first time in almost a year, I feel like going to the theatre again. I am eager, soon, when the theatres are full again. That's thanks to the newsletter from this site that I received in my mailbox yesterday.

Until now, I was not looking forward to returning to a packed theatre. Afraid of the virus, too many people together, too little distance, too little legroom, coughing and coughing.

But in his newsletter, Wijbrand Schaap outlines a future that made the (theatre) sun shine again for me. He bids farewell to the old theatres and welcomes small-scale, preferably outdoor concerts. 'The centre of gravity of the season is definitely moving to summer and indoor concerts and performances will start to take place in a more salon-like setting.'

gimAt the same time, my fears about the full houses were over.

Battered and powdered French nobles

Not that I agree with Schaap. I think people will still prefer to go to the theatre in autumn, winter and early spring. Simply because there is nothing to do outside then. No bike ride, walk or nice work in the garden. And going to the theatre in the dark simply has something magical about it.

I also have my doubts about the 'salon-like' setting. Maybe it's the phrasing, but then I picture dusted and powdered French nobles doing a stiff dance.

The luxury I am already experiencing in cinema

My packed theatre - while it is dark outside - looks very different, but at the same time breaks radically with the past. In this respect, Schaap is on the right track. Lack of legroom, shuffling to reach your creaky seat and queues for the interval drink are definitely over.

In the theatre of the future, I lean back comfortably in my armchair, while on stage actors, actresses and/or musicians work up a sweat. I take a sip from my drink standing next to my wide armrest and press the button to move my legs up slightly, so I sit a little more comfortably.

Going to the theatre is becoming the new movie-going experience. I enjoy the theatre performance or classical concert with the luxury I already experience in the cinema.

Thanks to my test certificate and excellent ventilation, the virus stays out. Anyway, anyone who coughs or coughs is inconspicuously evicted from the hall.

Full theatres: I'm all for it. It's just a little longer until the doors are allowed to open and the theatres are remodelled. Then the shows can start again.