The Theatre Question Amnesty Thread

The Palladium won't let you in. I saw A Chorus Line there a few years ago and didn't buy a programme (cause, believe it or not, I totally forgot lol). Went there a couple days later and explained I had seen the show and just wanted to buy a programme and they said no.

I mean, it's fairly easy to go in at interval. Just bring an old ticket for the same show, pretend you were smoking or something and go in. Most times they won't check your tickets, they'll just have a quick glance.

I was allowed back in once showing the wrong ticket. I had seen another show that afternoon, I had both tickets in my pocket and showed the wrong one.

Don't do this, kids.

Definitely possible because I've done it but I think it depends on the theatre, no idea about Wicked. It was for Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime but I can't remember which theatre (possibly Gielgud). From my experience a good time could be just after the show starts but before the people that were selling merchandise move away from the stand. I wandered in a couple of minutes after a show had started, they were all ready to sneak me to a seat but I explained myself and was able to buy what I wanted. Not useful if you're seeing a show that starts at the same time though!

I’ve done this a few times when my programme became damaged or I just wanted to grab some merchandise retrospectively. I’ve never had a problem with it, but I usually rock up roughly half an hour before the show starts as the stand is staffed from that point. On the main door it’s rare to have your ticket checked, as you could legitimately be collecting from the box office or have friends inside holding them for you. I did this most recently at the Apollo and it was fine, I just had a security check.

^ From memory isn’t there one merchandise stand before the interior doors (opposite the box office) and another in the main foyer? Could be my memory playing tricks on me though. I hope you are successful either way

Oh gosh we've reached a point of new generation theatre fans who don't remember Dress Circle. I weep that I am in fact old as balls!

My ageing aside, yes! they are reputable, so if you can't get it another way that's a legit site.

Ahh Dresscircle, the nostalgia of the worst customer service I have ever received

Uh oh.

Not a question but I felt this would be fitting in this thread...I've only noticed after 2 years of being on this forum, that the background is the back of theatre seats. Yes, I'm slow!

Here's question I thought of last Night.

With Curious Incident back in the West End 6 years after the NT production, and subsequent West End production, how does it work when rehearsing in the new cast etc. Now I can imagine for things like the tour or when new cast members join a long running show during the run, they are rehearsed in by the resident director. However for this return, a kind of prestigious West End return, would the original director (in this case Marianne Elliot), get involved again in the direction of the piece?

Yes, for something returning like this after a long gap, the original director would usually come back. However (in most cases) for replacement casts or even less prestigious replica productions like regional tours etc, the resident/associate director would essentially recreate the work of the original director.