see a play

Meaning

To attend a live theatrical performance where actors perform a drama, comedy, or musical on stage. It specifically refers to live theater, not movies or television.

Examples

• We are going to London next weekend to see a play by Shakespeare.

  We are going to London next weekend to see a play by Shakespeare.

• I haven't had the chance to see a play since the local theater reopened.

  I haven't had the chance to see a play since the local theater reopened.

• She bought front-row tickets to see a play starring her favorite actor.

  She bought front-row tickets to see a play starring her favorite actor.

• My high school class went to the city to see a play about the French Revolution.

  My high school class went to the city to see a play about the French Revolution.

• If you want to see a play tonight, we should check what's running off-Broadway.

  If you want to see a play tonight, we should check what's running off-Broadway.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I want to watch a play at the theater tonight.

  ✓ I want to see a play at the theater tonight.

  While 'watch' is occasionally used, 'see' is the much more natural and common collocation for attending a scheduled public performance like a play or movie.

• ✗ We went to see a play of Marvel in the cinema.

  ✓ We went to see a movie of Marvel in the cinema.

  A 'play' is a live stage performance. A film shown in a cinema is a 'movie' or 'film'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• For my birthday, my parents took me to Broadway to ___.

  💡 Attend a live dramatic performance on stage.

  Show answer

  see a play

• I would love to ___ by Shakespeare in an outdoor theater.

  💡 Experience a live performance of a classic script.

  Show answer

  see a play