Your Theatre Collections

[Lorannah]

So I've just wasted a few hours organising the bits and bobs that I always seem to amass when I go to the theatre - programmes, tickets, leaflets, cast lists. And I got to wondering whether the rest of you have ended up with similar collections. What do you like to pick up? And what do you do with them afterwards?

[Rob]

I always get a programme (unless I'm returning to a production and the cast hasn't changed, of course) - the rest varies. I'll get a leaflet/flyer if it looks nice. I don't keep tickets.


(warning: this is the nerdy bit...)

I also have a database on my computer of every production I've ever seen that I can search by play, actor, director, author or venue. It took AGES to set up but now that it's working it only usually takes me 5-10 minutes after I've seen a show to add it in. Depends on the size of the cast, obviously. It's useful for me because I get very excited when I suddenly realise that I saw someone who is now well known in a play years ago. And it's easier than searching through old programmes trying to find someone.

[jimee]

I collect pogrammes (many of them signed) and I keep all my tickets too. I didn't start properly collecting my tickets until about 4 years ago so many of the old ones were thrown out but I do have some dating back as far as 2000 that I randomly found in a cupboard. I have a folder with them all stuck in along with tickets from concerts and sporting events i've been to.

I have photos taken with cast members at stage doors as well, does that count?

I don't really collect leaflets as they tend to clutter up the place more then it already is and I never look at them.

I saw Eurobeat a couple years ago and I still have my country badge and flag. I also have an unused glow stick from We Will Rock You. I have a few keyrings and other bits and bobs that people have bought for me at the theatre as well but thats it. I wish I had the money to buy everything I wanna buy merchandise wise.

[Rosalind]

I keep my programmes, some of therm are signed. I also keep the majority of my tickets and collect postcards of productions I have seen. The postcards and tickets are in the process of going into a photo album.

[Fluellen]

I only became a regular independent theatre-goer in July 2006, so my collection is not as huge as it could be if I'd been going longer. But I have all my programmes in plastic magazine files from Staples (except I often take programmes out to check things out, and I've run out of space and can't afford to buy more files just now, so there's also a large stack of programmes on my bedside cabinet).

I also keep scrapbooks; lovely A3 hardbacks. I stick in my ticket, and whatever leaflets, cast lists, and/or understudy slips I can find. Some shows are difficult to find paperwork for, so the ticket just gets stuck in a corner, whereas SOME shows are FAR TOO EASY to find paperwork for (*koffRSCahem*), so overflow onto other pages. Most shows fit neatly onto a single page though.

I also have a helluva lot of spare leaflets. I got a lovely plastic box from Ikea to keep them in, but it's full, so they're scattered pretty much all over the house at the moment. I'd have a clear-out, but I'd feel sad.

I have a few RSC postcards too; I got ten postcards with my Hamlet DVD, so gave half to a friend and will frame the others once I dig them out. And I found some Richard II/1 Henry IV postcards for 25p a pack in the RSC shop once, so I have those too, but no plans for 'em at the moment.

They sold out of Henry V posters before I could get my paws on one, so I splashed out for a print from RSCPrints.org.uk. I have that framed on my bedroom wall. :3

I would LOVE to keep a database of productions seen, but I have no suitable software on my computer and no idea where to start looking for something suitable. Still, I hope it'll happen one day!

[Queen Mab]

I always buy programmes, and they're usually signed by as many cast as possible. I keep tickets, which will be going into my "Actors I Have Seen and Liked" little hardback autograph book. I also buy postcards and, if I particularily like the image, posters. I have the recent Love's Labour's Lost and Hamlet. I nearly bought The Drunks one but didnt and regret it now. I also have a rather large number of As You Like It printed poems.

I also collect old programmes of interest. I have the majority of DT's back catalogue (including a rather rare Look Back in Anger which generally retails - on eBay - for £200). I got most of mine direct from the theatres so they cost around £2 each. Bargain! Some were more expensive finds on eBay, around £10 each.

Oct 8, 2010 19:59:42 GMT Rob said:

I also have a database on my computer of every production I've ever seen that I can search by play, actor, director, author or venue. It took AGES to set up but now that it's working it only usually takes me 5-10 minutes after I've seen a show to add it in. Depends on the size of the cast, obviously. It's useful for me because I get very excited when I suddenly realise that I saw someone who is now well known in a play years ago. And it's easier than searching through old programmes trying to find someone.

Would you be willing to send the bare database (i.e. without any lines)? I'd love to start my own. Is it in MS Access? If you can't, I might have a go at doing my own. I have my own databases for other stuff (I R also nerd) so I don't suppose it'd take me too long.

[Rob]

Oct 11, 2010 8:49:37 GMT Queen Mab said:

Would you be willing to send the bare database (i.e. without any lines)? I'd love to start my own. Is it in MS Access? If you can't, I might have a go at doing my own. I have my own databases for other stuff (I R also nerd) so I don't suppose it'd take me too long.

I would if I could - afraid I don't have the technical knowhow to set up that kind of database, this is a more DIY-type thing, if you know what I mean. As it is I have to add everything in twice - once on the "show" page and once on the "person" (i.e. performer/director/writer) page. I know how it works but it would be pretty much impossible to demonstrate it to anyone else. Sorry!

And you've reminded me, I've got a few old programmes that I've bought from plays I didn't see - often it's the best place to find pictures and/or information about them. Wouldn't say I collect them but I've got a fair few - I never pay much for them, though. Then there's my parents collection of old RSC programmes, which I've inherited early (that is to say, my parents are still alive!). They saw Roger Allam and Simon Russell Beale in The Seagull, as well as Mark Rylance's Hamlet, Richard McCabe's Puck, Robert Stephens' Falstaff and lots of others. They're lovely to have but I'm rather jealous.

[Lorannah]

Yay. I'm glad I'm not the only one with obsessions collections. My stuff now goes into a plastic wallet, as long as it fits - anything that's taken my fancy really - programmes, leaflets, cast lists, tickets, postcards, pressed flowers... anything. Then I label it and it goes into a big box, organised alphabetically

Oct 8, 2010 19:59:42 GMT Rob said:

(warning: this is the nerdy bit...)

I also have a database on my computer of every production I've ever seen that I can search by play, actor, director, author or venue. It took AGES to set up but now that it's working it only usually takes me 5-10 minutes after I've seen a show to add it in. Depends on the size of the cast, obviously. It's useful for me because I get very excited when I suddenly realise that I saw someone who is now well known in a play years ago. And it's easier than searching through old programmes trying to find someone.

Oh, thank god. It's not just me. I don't have a database (though now I'm thinking that's a good idea). But I do have a list in word where I put all the shows I've seen. It usually has theatre information, dates, seat numbers and cast lists. Sadly I didn't think to put directors on there when I set it up, which is a pain as there are now several directors I 'follow' - in a slightly less stalkery way.

What software do you use for your database? I've been meaning to properly teach myself how to format excel for a while, maybe this would be a good project to do that with. Given that if I do put something together, I'd be happy to share it on here - what would people like to see from such a database?

[Queen Mab]

Oct 11, 2010 21:35:17 GMT Lorannah said:

What software do you use for your database? I've been meaning to properly teach myself how to format excel for a while, maybe this would be a good project to do that with. Given that if I do put something together, I'd be happy to share it on here - what would people like to see from such a database?

You'd want to do it in MS Access dear. I'll set one up. Tweet me with info you think you'd want on there.

[Rob]

I'm usually very good with computers but I have never been able to figure out Access at all. If there are any good tutorials around please do point me in their direction, I'd love to learn.

A typical page on my HTML/JavaScript-based database looks something like this (though a little bit prettier!):


AS YOU LIKE IT
by William Shakespeare

Full Cast:
Charles Aitken (Oliver)
David Carr (Charles)
Dyfan Dwyfor (William)
Christine Entwisle (Phoebe)
Geoffrey Freshwater (Corin)
Mariah Gale (Celia)
James Howard (First Lord)
Ansu Kabia (Le Beau)
Richard Katz (Touchstone)
Debbie Korley (Hisperia)
Forbes Masson (Jaques)
Sandy Neilson (Duke Frederick)
Jonjo O'Neill (Orlando)
Dharmesh Patel (Lord Amiens)
Peter Peverley (Jaques de Boys/Dennis)
Sophie Russell (Audrey)
Peter Shorey (Adam)
Clarence Smith (Duke Ferdinand)
Katy Stephens (Rosalind)
James Traherne (Sir Oliver Martext)
James Tucker (Silvius)

At this performance Geoffrey Freshwater played Adam in addition to his usual role of Corin.

directed by Michael Boyd

Courtyard Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon
Tuesday 31st August 2010 matinée


(All of the bold names link to a page providing a list of the things I've seen them performing in/directing/etc. which in turn links back to the pages for those shows.)

[Lorannah]

Unfortunately I don't have access on my computer, but Excel seemed to be working for me ok last night, won't be ideal but I think I can figure out something workable and it will be much easier to sort and search information once it's done. Your method looks excellent Rob, specially like the cross posting on to everyone's pages. Looks a bit complicated for me though.

[Fluellen]

Aw, you don't include the techies? I'd want to be able to know at a glance which shows had Terry King involved. :3

[Lorannah]

Well my first rough draft is done. Difficult to know how much to include - trying to get a balance between making it not take forever to fill in and my urge to include everything. Still lots of info to find and gather and I've not even added anything since my move to London (about 40+ productions) - so lots to do, but as I'd finished most of the RSC stuff (not done Hamlet/LLL yet as my programmes are back in Gloucester), I thought you might like to have a look.

www.sendspace.com/file/kps2g7

I went for excel as that's the programme I know best. Plus it allows me to sort the info however I wish and to filter it for information. So if I wanted to search for a particular actor, I could just apply a 'contains' filter to the cast lists and it would come up with all the stuff I've seen them in. I've ended up doing two sheets, one with rewatches and one without - as I wanted to have the info but it was messing up the count and I like to see how many productions I've seen. Being able to hide/reveal the rewatches is proving pretty useful too.

So, far I'm pretty pleased with it. Just still so much to do.

ETA: Forgot to say, the yellow entries are the ones I've not got round to editing yet. A lot will have to wait until I get back to Gloucester and the rest of my program collection.