5,060 posts
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Post by Phantom of London on Apr 17, 2017 21:05:14 GMT
Th good thing about 'worst theatre seats', the theatre company and producers recognise this and offer them a lot cheaper, which can be a bargain, if there are are other empty seats in the theatre, it is always nice to stretch your legs before the curtain goes up.
I was stuck behind one of those pillars at the Garrick for the Miser, with the back of the stalls empty, I didn't stay there.
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2,778 posts
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Post by daniel on Apr 17, 2017 21:32:25 GMT
I think, for me at least, it's about value and transparency. If I'm sat in a crap seat, but it was £15, and I was warned about potential legroom/view issues in advance, I'll be more than happy, regardless of how crap the seat is.
On the other hand, if I've paid top whack for a seat that ends up having legroom/view issues with no prior warning, I'll feel completely ripped off and not happy.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2017 21:41:40 GMT
but who goes to the theatre happily expecting that they're not going to see anything?! Visually impaired people. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 17, 2017 21:46:48 GMT
but who goes to the theatre happily expecting that they're not going to see anything?! Visually impaired people. Many visually impaired people can see to some degree or another, even if only tunnelled vision or in patches, or even light and shade. It's very individual. Unless of course you shove the individual into seats at a theatre with no view of the stage. Thats why we dont use the term "blind" any more. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2017 8:30:48 GMT
Doesn't the ROH have listening-only seats? I'm sure I've heard of people bringing scores along and just following the music of the opera or the ballet without watching what's happening on stage.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2017 8:37:06 GMT
Doesn't the ROH have listening-only seats? I'm sure I've heard of people bringing scores along and just following the music of the opera or the ballet without watching what's happening on stage. The Gallery is standing but during the proms alot of people tend to sit on the floor and just take the music in. Its quite a good experience up there. I've seen a number of people sat up there following scores. I'd happily sit in a 'listening seat' at a reduced rate for a number of the big musicals; Phantom, Les Mis, Saigon etc. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2017 8:39:40 GMT
Doesn't the ROH have listening-only seats? I'm sure I've heard of people bringing scores along and just following the music of the opera or the ballet without watching what's happening on stage. Yes! I'm sure the Guardian or similar sent a journalist a few years back to review them. I'd be inclined to go, if I just felt like listening to the opera/ballet score. And I believe they are dirt cheap which is possibly the only way I'd set foot in the ROH.
Likewise if I've paid less than £20 for a seat and I'm told that it's fairly crap at point of purchase I'm fine with that. I missed big chunks of Hamlet due to being directly over the action, but I paid £10 and I saw 3/4 of the play so I can't complain. Likewise side balconies in the WMC for some productions are a steal at about £18 and if I miss chunks of it who cares, I paid less than half the normal price. BUT if a West End venue wants to charge nearly £60 for restricted view (Don Juan) I'm having issues...
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1,064 posts
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Post by bellboard27 on Apr 18, 2017 8:54:13 GMT
Doesn't the ROH have listening-only seats? I'm sure I've heard of people bringing scores along and just following the music of the opera or the ballet without watching what's happening on stage. I'm not aware of them, but maybe someone will enlighten us! The most restricted view slips in the amphitheatre still have some view. The cheapest seats (not standing) are less than £10, so are a bargain especially if one is happy just to listen. Frankly I would consider them for an opera (which can have a lot of 'action' relatively front and centre stage). For a ballet they are pretty bad. The dancers head off to the sides or rear of the stage and the audience applauds in approval and you are left wondering what was going on! |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2017 9:03:28 GMT
I did immediately follow my post by going off and googling "listening only seats royal opera house", and they are indeed mentioned on here: www.roh.org.uk/visit/tickets. It looks like you have to telephone the box office rather than book them online, so I guess this means they do exist but they're not willing to sell them to you unless you definitely know what you're getting yourself into.  |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2017 9:05:42 GMT
Don't a lot of the people at the Proms use the top levels as essentially 'listening only' and sit on the floor etc? or have I made that up? (again I seem to remember an article where people were sent to 'review' their experience)
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2,778 posts
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Post by daniel on Apr 18, 2017 9:17:09 GMT
Don't a lot of the people at the Proms use the top levels as essentially 'listening only' and sit on the floor etc? or have I made that up? (again I seem to remember an article where people were sent to 'review' their experience) I've heard this too, in fact I was told that something I "must" do is to go to a classical concert at the RAH, buy a standing Balcony space and lie down with my eyes closed. Sounds good, but if I lie down and close my eyes I tend to fall asleep. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2017 9:18:37 GMT
Don't a lot of the people at the Proms use the top levels as essentially 'listening only' and sit on the floor etc? or have I made that up? (again I seem to remember an article where people were sent to 'review' their experience) I've heard this too, in fact I was told that something I "must" do is to go to a classical concert at the RAH, buy a standing Balcony space and lie down with my eyes closed. Sounds good, but if I lie down and close my eyes I tend to fall asleep. haha same, only to be awoken by a loud drum or similar. And screaming. Probably. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2017 9:52:07 GMT
Don't a lot of the people at the Proms use the top levels as essentially 'listening only' and sit on the floor etc? or have I made that up? (again I seem to remember an article where people were sent to 'review' their experience) I've heard this too, in fact I was told that something I "must" do is to go to a classical concert at the RAH, buy a standing Balcony space and lie down with my eyes closed. Sounds good, but if I lie down and close my eyes I tend to fall asleep. Yes. As I posted earlier, this happens. |
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Post by Mr Snow on Apr 18, 2017 11:23:40 GMT
...are better than standing?
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Post by rockinrobin on Apr 18, 2017 18:03:10 GMT
Sam Wanamaker Playhouse. I love the venue (the intimacy, the beautiful ceiling, candlelight etc.), I usually enjoy the plays - but God I hate these benches.
Last year I went to see a staged reading there - it was delightfully funny and completely bonkers but it was FOUR HOURS FORTY MINUTES long. Words cannot describe the pain. Walking back to my hotel afterwards took me much longer than usual...
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Post by glossie on Apr 18, 2017 20:37:21 GMT
Front row of the Theatre Royal, Bath. There are just a few inches between the front of the seat and the stage. I'm 5'2" and I could barely walk along the row to my seat, never mind sit properly. A few taller folk arrived after me and it was 'interesting' as they tried to pass me but I felt really sorry for them as I knew exactly how painful their next couple of hours would be!
They do advertise them as restricted leg room but there's restricted and 'restricted' and they're not especially cheap.
Also front row of the circle at the Bristol Hippodrome. I still remember how uncomfortable my hubby was the one time we made the mistake of sitting there. Had to sit with his legs bent back under the seat for most of the show.
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Post by edmundokeano on Apr 19, 2017 8:19:22 GMT
Balcony at Haymarket without any shadow of doubt.
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