A Visit to the Theatre

“Well,” Adrian said when they were back at his flat, “What do you want to see this evening?”

“There is a play on at the Piccadily Theatre that I’m keen to see”, Celia said. “What kind of play?”, Adrian asked. “It’s a black comedy. It’s set in a mental hospital. The patients rebel against the medical authorities and take over the hospital. The rebels are reversed — the patients change places with the doctors. It’s a satire on modern society and the nature of authority. The reviews have been very good. Jonathan Jarrot says in the “Globe” that it is a memorable evening and a great theatrical experience. He’s a very experienced theatre critic. The play has a good cast. Liliane Pettigrew is the female lead. She plays a hospital nurse who falls in love with one of the patients and then is disillusioned when he becomes head of the hospital. They say it’s one of her greatest roles. There is a strong supporting cast, too. The play has been a considerable box-office success — it’s been running for almost six months now.”

“Well”, Adrian said, “What time does the performance begin?” “Eight o’clock.” “I’ll telephone the box-office and see if I can reserve seats. Shall I ask for stalls or circle?” “Stalls”, Celia said. “Front stalls if possible. I like being near the stage.”

Adrian telephoned. All the front stalls had been taken but there were still a few places in the rear stalls. Since the reservation was made by phone, the tickets had to be picked up half an hour before the play was due to begin.

They arrived at the theatre at about half past seven, collected their tickets and spent a few minutes chatting in the theatre foyer. Then they made their way to the stalls entrance. An attendant sold them a programme and showed them to their seats. They sat and watched the theatre filling up.

After the performance they went to a nearby pub.

“Well,” Adrian said, “What did you think of it?”

Well,” Adrian said, “What did you think of it?”

“Terrible”, Celia said. “I didn’t like the element of cruelty in the play.”

“Well, that’s what life is like,” Adrian said. “As I see it, the theatre has got to be realistic and deal with contemporary issues. It’s no use pretending that these things don’t happen. Violence and cruelty are features of our lives. They concern all of us.”

“I don’t agree,” Celia said. “The vast majority of people live their lives without having such experiences. Except in the theatre. There’s too much emphasis on violence these days. Besides, showing violence and cruelty on the stage has a bad effect on public morality. Crimes of violence have increased lately. People see these things performed and go out and imitate them.” “There is no evidence that violence on the stage or on the screen influences people’s behaviour,” Adrian said. “I’m sure it does. And in general I don’t like this sort of plays. Let’s go and see a musical next time,” Celia said.

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