|
Post by taboolie on Jun 21, 2019 23:20:24 GMT
I attend this event every year, usually Saturday, sometimes all weekend, but cannot get there at all this year. Big ask: is any kind, wonderful, fellow theatre fan out there able to pick me up and send me a copy of the free brochure that is always available? I collect them. If yes and there is something I can send as a swap, such as flyers, please ask.
|
|
|
Post by xanady on Jun 22, 2019 7:22:45 GMT
Weather set fair for the weekend.Latest forecast-Sunny intervals,some cloud,gentle breeze,around 22 degrees- 24 degrees.Have a good one everybody.Will be there tomorrow and then trying to do ON YOUR FEET and then BARE at The Vaults if poss.Crazy Sunday!
|
|
7,533 posts
|
Post by alece10 on Jun 22, 2019 7:51:05 GMT
I attend this event every year, usually Saturday, sometimes all weekend, but cannot get there at all this year. Big ask: is any kind, wonderful, fellow theatre fan out there able to pick me up and send me a copy of the free brochure that is always available? I collect them. If yes and there is something I can send as a swap, such as flyers, please ask. I may be wrong and hope I am but I have a feeling it will just be s leaflet this year. There is no major sponsor this year, it used to be Mastercard, and that's why we got those glossy brochures. I passed by yesterday evening when the sound checks were being done and I saw a steward giving out a leaflet with the schedules. So have a feeling that's it. As I say hope I'm wrong as the brochure was lovely.
|
|
|
Post by xanady on Jun 22, 2019 8:05:46 GMT
On the WEL site it shows some kind of brochure/magazine along with tote bags,T’s etc with the question ‘WHICH MERCH WILL YOU BUY’? which suggests that they may charge this year.Sure we will find out later today.Last year’s brochure was a lovely keep-sake.
|
|
540 posts
|
Post by freckles on Jun 22, 2019 9:10:28 GMT
The programmes are £5!!!! Good luck with that.
|
|
3,780 posts
|
Post by anthony40 on Jun 22, 2019 9:14:56 GMT
Stuff that! I was going to fulfill the request but alas no
|
|
3,084 posts
|
Post by david on Jun 22, 2019 9:28:24 GMT
The queues for the main area are crazy. Gave up and am currently in the area by Canada House and watching it on a big screen. I’m getting here super early tomorrow to try for the main area.
|
|
110 posts
|
Post by Sotongal on Jun 22, 2019 9:29:43 GMT
On the WEL site it shows some kind of brochure/magazine along with tote bags,T’s etc with the question ‘WHICH MERCH WILL YOU BUY’? which suggests that they may charge this year.Sure we will find out later today.Last year’s brochure was a lovely keep-sake.
|
|
540 posts
|
Post by freckles on Jun 22, 2019 9:31:31 GMT
I’m down the front thanks to a friend running a tent who managed to get me a wristband. It’s hot!
|
|
110 posts
|
Post by Sotongal on Jun 22, 2019 9:38:00 GMT
|
|
|
Post by xanady on Jun 22, 2019 9:44:39 GMT
Queues sound worse than last year.Time to move it.
|
|
|
Post by xanady on Jun 22, 2019 9:50:35 GMT
Big problems down there apparently.Think I might change my plans and skip this altogether tomorrow.Sounds like a stressful situation already.
|
|
|
Post by taboolie on Jun 22, 2019 10:43:48 GMT
Thanks for the various info and replies about the brochure. I knew this would happen eventually, well, I had a good run of several years of free brochures. But I think someone at WEL or SOLT could have told me when I emailed them.😠 Thanks to Anthony40 for considering my request when we both thought it was free. I would not expect anyone to fork out £5 on this. I will have to be content with watching YouTube videos of WEL2019! ☹️
|
|
4,159 posts
|
Post by HereForTheatre on Jun 22, 2019 10:56:29 GMT
It needs to be moved or even ticketed.
Still make it open for all by having a big screen in Leicester Square or something showing it live as well.
I last went 3 years ago and it was madness, by the sounds of it both last year and now this year, it's got twice as bad.
|
|
|
Post by xanady on Jun 22, 2019 11:12:20 GMT
OleandSteen bakery currently handing out bakery goodies to the thousands still waiting to get in apparently...yes,thousands! What a wonderful ad for the WE...not!
|
|
|
Post by xanady on Jun 22, 2019 11:17:12 GMT
Why not stick it in one of the big parks and just move the matinees/evening shows back for one weekend or use alternates? It’s not rocket science.I have friends in event management who would die laughing at the non-organisation on show today.
|
|
|
Post by walterplinge on Jun 22, 2019 11:36:41 GMT
Here we are again. The yearly mass exodus to Trafalgar Square, for theatre fans everywhere and it looks like the busiest yet. This doesn't seem a fun way to spend a hot summer's day in London. I appreciate it's a fully free event but there just is not the room at Trafalgar anymore. Move it to a bigger park somewhere, however, the location has to be near all the West End theatres for all matinee shows. I would pay, say £5 maybe £10, to not feel like a battery farm chicken and be able to hear the performances, rather than have the noise pollution of Central London drowning them out. This is a yearly demonstration on how NOT to organise a large public event.
|
|
4,458 posts
|
Post by poster J on Jun 22, 2019 11:43:44 GMT
Definitely glad I didn't bother. Queuing from 5.30am to see tiny unstaged snippets of shows that 90% of the time either don't work out of context, have sound issues or just don't show off the production in its best light at all is just madness.
It was fun a few years when it wasn't really heavily advertised and the crowds were manageable, but the last time I went it was just unpleasant and this year sounds ten times worse already.
|
|
|
Post by taboolie on Jun 22, 2019 11:55:35 GMT
I'm kind of pleased I am not there now. Sounds even worse than last 2 years. They need to hand out free cold drinks. Def needs ticketing. Maybe X number tickets available online and X at the gate. Eventually they will charge for the tickets and anything else they can (then blame it on Brexit). I remember when you could come home with loads of free stuff in a goodie bag from both this and Ideal Home Show. Sadly, no more. Sorry Millennials, us ( only slightly) older people had it better. (Less off WE theatres though so maybe not).
|
|
|
Post by taboolie on Jun 22, 2019 12:06:44 GMT
Even £15 per ticket with a free brochure and bottled water sounds fair. Not sure where to hold future WELs though. Hyde Park seems obvious but is too far from the west end. Maybe that is the price we have to pay to cut queues and not be a sardine (particularly upsetting if you are short and stuck below a tall person's armpit and behind a tall person's head/ hat, I imagine, like a rush hour train carriage).
|
|
|
Post by xanady on Jun 22, 2019 12:09:43 GMT
Such a shame especially after the cluster**** of Kids Week again.Went last year on the Saturday and cried about a million times at the power of MT and my worry is that if little uns have been taken today by parents/guardians/carers and queued for three hours and didn’t get in,well it’s just counter-productive for the future.Sorry to be such a Debbie Downer as Abbie says on Dance Moms.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2019 12:42:13 GMT
Even £15 per ticket with a free brochure and bottled water sounds fair. Not sure where to hold future WELs though. Hyde Park seems obvious but is too far from the west end. Maybe that is the price we have to pay to cut queues and not be a sardine (particularly upsetting if you are short and stuck below a tall person's armpit and behind a tall person's head/ hat, I imagine, like a rush hour train carriage). Let's not. Bring your own bottle (or buy a nice fancy branded one at the merch stand) and refill taps.
|
|
1,115 posts
|
Post by Stephen on Jun 22, 2019 12:58:59 GMT
Joined the queue around half an hour ago and now close to the front. It is very very busy. I had a press pass last year but that had its own constraints. I’ll enjoy having a wander around during Thriller then find a spot for the new shows...then I’ll leave!
|
|
|
Post by taboolie on Jun 22, 2019 13:02:56 GMT
Even £15 per ticket with a free brochure and bottled water sounds fair. Not sure where to hold future WELs though. Hyde Park seems obvious but is too far from the west end. Maybe that is the price we have to pay to cut queues and not be a sardine (particularly upsetting if you are short and stuck below a tall person's armpit and behind a tall person's head/ hat, I imagine, like a rush hour train carriage). Let's not. Bring your own bottle (or buy a nice fancy branded one at the merch stand) and refill taps.
|
|
4,631 posts
|
Post by Phantom of London on Jun 22, 2019 13:06:10 GMT
Sounds dreadful.
When I went last several years ago, the sound quality was poor and didn’t represent the show in the best light.
|
|
|
Post by taboolie on Jun 22, 2019 13:09:20 GMT
I apologise wholeheartedly for my temporary mind-lapse re plastics and littering. I recycle, drink tap-water when out and care for the environment. I can only say I have a massive headache starting and it must be affecting me more than I thought. Well pointed out, Serial Shusher.
|
|
3,084 posts
|
Post by david on Jun 22, 2019 13:33:57 GMT
I’m glad I decided to not queue up for the main area. The side section by Canada House was a great way to watch WEL. Ok, it was via a big screen, but the area wasn’t crowded and was easy to get into and leave without any hassle. I got to see the shows I wanted so I’ll settle for that. If the queues are just as horrendous tomorrow, I’ll just come back here. I certainly agree with previous posts, I think there needs to be a serious discussion for next year about maybe relocating or ticketing options as this year was just plain crazy.
|
|
1,115 posts
|
Post by Stephen on Jun 22, 2019 13:48:02 GMT
I’ve been told the John Owen Jones isn’t the easiest man to be around and it’s really coming across today. Think his fan base has disappeared gradually over the last few years.
|
|
776 posts
|
Post by latefortheoverture on Jun 22, 2019 14:15:10 GMT
Think this will need a lot of reconsidering next year, as it's outsized it self!
Whilst Trafalgar sq is a lovely location , it simply cannot fit everyone into it! Whilst it will cost more money, I deffo think having it in Hyde Park would be feasible. Maybe even just on a Sunday when most shows aren't playing. Give them longer slots, and let it run into the evening. Make it a real festival! They could charge enough money just to break even, as they're not making money from it now I imagine!
Or just throw the stage up and make it an open event in Hyde Park? Imagine the running costs will be a lot higher in there.
Can't think of anymore options for this...
|
|
310 posts
|
Post by stuart on Jun 22, 2019 14:31:25 GMT
What about Horse Guard’s Parade or St James Park? Both very nearby the current location but should be able to handle larger crowds?
Somerset House could be another option too. Very close to Covent Garden and used to holding concerts.
|
|