Theatres most in need of an overhaul

Circle in Ambassadors hasn't really been fit for purpose for a while. Tall and/or wide and it's actively painful. For newly/custom built Dock X is awful, you don't even need to be tall/wide to have trouble with those seats.

For all the moans about theatres, you can't demolish them as they're protected.

Thank you for setting up this topic adamkinsey, it's something I find quite interesting. A large proportion of the theatres in London (and indeed across the country) were built during the big theatre wave which is either Edwardian or Victorian. There were different standards and expectations in those days. As BurlyBeaR has pointed out, these (often beautiful) venues are listed meaning they are protected from demolition so an element of compromise is required.

In those days, people were on average shorter and smaller in general, hence some of the original layouts. Additionally, with the systems of segregation in place the upper levels (the Balcony) used to have just undesignated bench seating. We expect more comfort nowadays, quite naturally given the often ridiculously priced seats for some productions. 

I believe Cameron Mackintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber who are two theatre owners who come to mind, have actually reduced seating capacity in their venues as a way to increase comfort of leg room and larger seats. I think the general trend has been to reduce seating capacity ironically in many venues due to this. 

I agree, the gods seats should never be more than £40 for any show (in my opinion), but sadly I can't control these things. What don't you like about the Noel Coward?

I totally agree BurlyBeaR those seats in the Arts Theatre are terrible...in fact that venue is not my favourite at all. 

I'm also really not a fan of The Savoy, it's cramped out of the auditorium and the decor is naff, but that's just my opinion. As for comfort wise, The Duchess is rather unpleasant as is The Harold Pinter in the upper levels.

Most theatres have a great charm for me, so I can often put their faults aside. 

I'm not sure I want to get rid of any theatres because there is a good chance they wouldn't be replaced.

London seems to gaining more theatres with the Olympia in Kensington opening next year and the old Saville Theatre being reverted back into theatrical use.

The wonders of 60s and 70s theatre design 

It will be a miracle if that Olympia theatre stays open for more than a couple of years. The Troubador Theatre in White City supposedly had two auditoria of 1200 and 900 seats and it didn't even stay open for a year. Let's see how the Troubadour Wembley Park does. 

Used to be when they had it split into two auditoria. I believe now they have returned it to a single conventional one ? 

Yeah, it might be OK, but it's not in a great area for transport or local amenities and it's a lot of seats to fill. 

The fortune is awful. The bottom of my seat wasn’t horizontal, and was hanging down slightly. So uncomfortable

Most comments here reference the oldies, but Southwark Playhouse Elephant stands out to me too. Visited recently and for a new theatre, it’s so cramped and uncomfy? Had to shrink myself as to not hit my peers

They have done just that at the Theatre Royal in York.

www.pricemyers.com/projects/york-theatre-royal-91

The Pinter has only one ladies' loo in the gallery, so if I can just have one wish it would be to get a couple more.

I like the fact that the old theatres have so much history, and some are really beautiful buildings. If money was no object it would be nice if some of them could refurbish the cheap seats and take out a couple of rows to make extra space, but it's unlikely to happen, and I don't know what they can do about restricted views and tiny foyers.

I much prefer the space and comfort of a modern theatre. I can't wait for Guys and Dolls to close as I really miss the Bridge.

The Garrick it's obstructing pillars!
How about theatres that are comfortable?

The economics of running theatres and cinemas are totally different though.

The Noel Coward is a difficult one, every time I've been there it has been to see a sold-out kind of show. The issue is that the front of house areas outside of the auditorium (bars/toilets/foyer/corridors) are so tiny, that at the interval you literally can't get around the building. I've never seen those numbers of people squeezed into such tiny bars.

What is unforgivable is when they put uncomfortable seats in modern theatres with configurable seating. The Young Vic prime offenders with those stupid seats where both the seat and back rest are split into two pieces.