Plays are an essential part of British culture. The West End theatre district in London is the best place to watch a professional play, but acting also takes place in every school and village hall throughout the country.
There are approximately 2,500 non-professional drama groups in the UK currently and they play a significant role in community life. People from all walks of life take on acting roles in addition to their regular jobs. They do it for fun, for the love of acting and as a way to make new contacts.
Not everyone in a drama club is a skilled actor, but enthusiasm is considered to be more significant than talent. Friends, family members and neighbors take delight in getting together to watch the final performance. It offers a unique opportunity to bring communities together. Also, in many rural parts of Britain, non-professional theaters are the only chance people have to enjoy plays for miles around.
Many people get a taste for acting at school. Every school puts on a play on a yearly basis, usually at Christmas, and parents love coming to watch their children perform. Ask any British person and they're guaranteed to have pleasant memories of being in their school's Christmas play, whether they played the role of Mary or Joseph or perhaps even a sheep or a donkey!
Another Christmas theatre tradition is the pantomime. Pantomimes are a type of musical comedy for families. The audience is encouraged to participate in the performance—singing along with music and shouting to the actors. Pantomimes are really enjoyable to watch, particularly for children.
British people are keen on going to the theatre, professional or not, and many of them are also fond of performing. If you have the chance, go and see a play in the UK!
