2007-04-27 08:04:59 · 9 answers · asked by adamd 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Technically the spelling of the word 'theatre' differs based on whether you are referring to the physical building - the Blackbox Theater - or a less physical, more conceptual idea - Bas Bleu Theatre Company - "In the grand tradition of the theatre"- However, most people and even schools or theatre companies change the spelling arbitrarily and think that those who are concerned with the difference are snobs.
I use it like this. Theater is like i went to the movie theater. Now Theatre is like I want to a Theatre to see a play. Theatre is a stage theater.
2007-04-27 08:14:00 · answer #1 · answered by britrgreen 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Theatre is the correct English way to to spell it. Theater is the American English version of the spelling.
2007-04-27 08:14:21 · answer #2 · answered by silly_me 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Personally, I'm more likely to use "theatre" to refer to the art form and "theater" to refer to the place, especially when referring to a cinema.
I doubt there's that much of a difference in the two, though.
2007-04-27 08:13:11 · answer #3 · answered by Jerome A 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yep, pretty much like "realize" and "realise".
Some may argue that "theatre" refers to where a live performance occurs and "theater" refers to where a movie is shown, but I have seen stage performances in theaters and have seen movies in theatres.
2007-04-27 18:19:15 · answer #4 · answered by quntmphys238 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
While the origin is British versus American spelling, theater is most often used with movie and theatre with live stage.
(And to chime in with the second answer, I am currently producing a muscial called "Nunsense Jamboree" and will be in Agatha Christie's "Mousetrap" this fall. (And yes, her stuff is very british - "theatre" as apposed to the Nunsense "theater")
2007-04-27 08:16:10 · answer #5 · answered by dewcoons 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's American/British differences.
Just like color/colour.
Incidentally, many people prefer "theatre" just because it's more pretentious (including yours truly). Much of theatre is influenced by the British playwrights. So, a lot of people prefer the British spelling.
In fact, I'm currently in an Agatha Christie play. Lots of Britishisms there.
2007-04-27 08:10:12 · answer #6 · answered by Rev Kev 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
i don't think there is a difference but, i think it would be silly to go to a "movie theatre",.....is it that spelling used in that context?
2007-04-27 08:13:58 · answer #7 · answered by C 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No difference, just alternate ways to spell it!
2007-04-27 08:08:46 · answer #8 · answered by Susie 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
no difference.
2007-04-27 09:18:43 · answer #9 · answered by nobody 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋