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Post by adamkinsey on Mar 8, 2024 12:06:32 GMT
There are now some theatres that really aren't fit for modern theatregoing. It's not so much about decor or needing a lick of paint but seat width, legroom and rakes. Obviously the issue with many is one of age but there are now some theatres in London I simply won't go to because of how uncomfortable they are and I'm not especially broad (40 inch chest) and I'm definitely not tall (5 ft 9).
It's one thing enduring discomfort in the gods if you've paid £20 but now you're often paying £40-£50 for the privilege. Some venues are rubbish almost throughout, not just in the gods. Yes, Noel Coward Theatre I'm looking at you. The amphitheatre in the Royal Opera House is ok for legroom but the seats are just too narrow as we're generally a lot broader than we were 50 years ago.
Any other contenders?
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Post by Dave B on Mar 8, 2024 12:11:40 GMT
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.
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Post by ladidah on Mar 8, 2024 12:21:13 GMT
Most theatres need work, either the seats are so uncomfortable or there are 3 toilet stalls for 2000 people.
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Post by Jon on Mar 8, 2024 13:58:17 GMT
For all the moans about theatres, you can't demolish them as they're protected.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Mar 8, 2024 14:14:12 GMT
I think the suggestion is to overhaul them not to demolish them?
I’m struggling to think of one that doesn’t need an overhaul. But of course they won’t do anything to reduce capacity. Some of these places are charging people to sit in seats you can’t even see the stage from “we’re going to the theatre tonight to listen to a show”. Greed greed greed.
The Arts has to be one of the worst. I’m not sure the stalls seats are even attached to the floor. I sat down and the whole row tipped off its legs backwards!
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Post by Distant Dreamer... on Mar 8, 2024 16:45:42 GMT
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. |
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Post by ceebee on Mar 8, 2024 16:52:38 GMT
I'd happily lose these two... The Peacock in London - it's a scratty dust bowl...The Churchill in Bromley - horrible seating and awful design.
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Post by Jon on Mar 8, 2024 16:56:33 GMT
I'd happily lose these two... The Peacock in London - it's a scratty dust bowl...The Churchill in Bromley - horrible seating and awful design. 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. |
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Post by Distant Dreamer... on Mar 8, 2024 17:10:27 GMT
Jon it will be exciting having the Saville Theatre restored to its former use.
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Post by Distant Dreamer... on Mar 8, 2024 17:11:46 GMT
I'd happily lose these two... The Peacock in London - it's a scratty dust bowl...The Churchill in Bromley - horrible seating and awful design. The wonders of 60s and 70s theatre design  |
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Post by lynette on Mar 8, 2024 17:32:20 GMT
Is it the Trafalgar where you end to be roped together in case you slip? Dunno how to improve that , maybe reconfigure to an ‘in the round’ job?
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Post by Jan on Mar 8, 2024 17:42:28 GMT
I'd happily lose these two... The Peacock in London - it's a scratty dust bowl...The Churchill in Bromley - horrible seating and awful design. 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. 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. |
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Post by Jan on Mar 8, 2024 17:46:57 GMT
All the old West End theatres without exception are inadequate for the current age. The worst of the lot is the Haymarket and several decades ago I decided never to go there again irrespective of what they had on - this means I missed several productions which if they had been in a modern theatre (like NT say) I definitely would have seen - for example two Trevor Nunn productions: The Tempest with Ralph Fiennes and Heartbreak House with Paul Scofield, also a couple of RSC transfers. The Duchess Theatre is horrible too - you feel like you need a shower after you've been in that place for 2hrs.
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Post by Jan on Mar 8, 2024 17:48:30 GMT
Is it the Trafalgar where you end to be roped together in case you slip? Dunno how to improve that , maybe reconfigure to an ‘in the round’ job? Used to be when they had it split into two auditoria. I believe now they have returned it to a single conventional one ? |
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Post by Jon on Mar 8, 2024 17:51:39 GMT
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. 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. The Troubadour in White City was always going to be a a temporary venue, the Wembley one has been running for quite some time. The other difference is that the Olympia will be run by Trafalgar Entertainment who are very experienced in running theatres given the founders are the Panters. |
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Post by Jan on Mar 8, 2024 17:58:07 GMT
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. The other difference is that the Olympia will be run by Trafalgar Entertainment who are very experienced in running theatres given the founders are the Panters. 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. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Mar 8, 2024 18:25:18 GMT
I’ve been to the Noel Coward once but on recommendations from here got one of those seats in the dress that are on their own, masses of legroom and space around you to put your bag and coat down. I was so thrilled I didn’t notice the rest of it.
I always find it fascinating that theatres in the WE often have such small frontages concealing those large high and deep spaces behind.
I remember going to the Playhouse before it was the KitKat Club and the foyer was so tiny it felt like I stepped off the pavement, through the doors straight into the stalls.
I do think that someone will one day come up with a concept that allows the seating in these old spaces to be modernised sympathetically but in a completely innovative way. I’ve got a half-formed idea of how it could be done in my head, it includes the stalls being tiered up to the level of the front wall of the dress circle leaving the space which is the rear stalls free for toilets and bars. Like I said, half formed and I’m not an architect so it’s probably cobblers and it would reduce capacity so would never happen.
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Post by bigredapple on Mar 8, 2024 18:28:06 GMT
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
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Post by Jan on Mar 8, 2024 18:56:56 GMT
I’ve been to the Noel Coward once but on recommendations from here got one of those seats in the dress that are on their own, masses of legroom and space around you to put your bag and coat down. I was so thrilled I didn’t notice the rest of it. I always find it fascinating that theatres in the WE often have such small frontages concealing those large high and deep spaces behind. I remember going to the Playhouse before it was the KitKat Club and the foyer was so tiny it felt like I stepped off the pavement, through the doors straight into the stalls. I do think that someone will one day come up with a concept that allows the seating in these old spaces to be modernised sympathetically but in a completely innovative way. I’ve got a half-formed idea of how it could be done in my head, it includes the stalls being tiered up to the level of the front wall of the dress circle leaving the space which is the rear stalls free for toilets and bars. Like I said, half formed and I’m not an architect so it’s probably cobblers and it would reduce capacity so would never happen. That’s basically what they did at the Trafalgar except in the space they put a studio theatre. Like Lynette said the main auditorium had a massive rake. Both auditoriums were OK though. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2024 19:35:55 GMT
I’ve been to the Noel Coward once but on recommendations from here got one of those seats in the dress that are on their own, masses of legroom and space around you to put your bag and coat down. I was so thrilled I didn’t notice the rest of it. I always find it fascinating that theatres in the WE often have such small frontages concealing those large high and deep spaces behind. I remember going to the Playhouse before it was the KitKat Club and the foyer was so tiny it felt like I stepped off the pavement, through the doors straight into the stalls. I do think that someone will one day come up with a concept that allows the seating in these old spaces to be modernised sympathetically but in a completely innovative way. I’ve got a half-formed idea of how it could be done in my head, it includes the stalls being tiered up to the level of the front wall of the dress circle leaving the space which is the rear stalls free for toilets and bars. Like I said, half formed and I’m not an architect so it’s probably cobblers and it would reduce capacity so would never happen. They have done just that at the Theatre Royal in York. www.pricemyers.com/projects/york-theatre-royal-91 |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Mar 8, 2024 19:43:01 GMT
Well there you go. I rest my case.
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Post by cavocado on Mar 8, 2024 19:57:13 GMT
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.
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Post by djdan14 on Mar 8, 2024 19:58:49 GMT
Got to add the Arts to the list - they even had planning to knock it down but it still survives.
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Post by crabtree on Mar 8, 2024 21:52:59 GMT
The Garrick it's obstructing pillars!
How about theatres that are comfortable?
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Post by firefingers on Mar 8, 2024 23:04:54 GMT
It frustrates me that cinemas figured this out ages ago. You need to drop capacity and make seats more spacious in all directions. You have to make the experience more pleasurable and comfortable to pull people away from home entertainment.
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