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Post by Rory on Aug 4, 2017 17:48:03 GMT
I couldn't find a thread about Cameron Mackintosh's plans to convert the existing Ambassadors Theatre, home of the neverending Stomp. Does anyone know what is happening as regards the planning and timescales?
It would be a genuine asset to the West End and sounds like it would be ideal for something like Chichester's The House They Grew Up In, which appears to be very good indeed but which would also seem an unlikely candidate for a West End transfer presently given the current lack of suitable theatres.
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Post by Jon on Aug 4, 2017 18:10:18 GMT
I believe it's currently going through planning approval but they're not going to start work until 2018 as Delfont Mackintosh are focusing on the Victoria Palace which is being refurbished.
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Post by Rory on Aug 4, 2017 21:24:22 GMT
Cheers Jon, fingers crossed it gets the go ahead.
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Post by TallPaul on Aug 5, 2017 13:17:30 GMT
I've just been looking at some of the planning documents (there are hundreds of them to choose from). Interestingly, letters of support have been received from Chichester and Hamstead Theatres, the RSC, Arts Council England and Historic England, but The Victorian Society has, perhaps understandably, objected.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 5, 2017 14:07:34 GMT
Cheers Jon, fingers crossed it gets the go ahead. Indeed. The sooner Stomp can get shuffled on out and some decent new theatre in, the better! |
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Post by bellboard27 on Aug 5, 2017 17:54:47 GMT
Cheers Jon, fingers crossed it gets the go ahead. Indeed. The sooner Stomp can get shuffled on out and some decent new theatre in, the better! I suppose when they start clearing out, they've already got the bins to put the rubbish in. |
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Post by martin1965 on Aug 5, 2017 19:56:33 GMT
Cheers Jon, fingers crossed it gets the go ahead. Indeed. The sooner Stomp can get shuffled on out and some decent new theatre in, the better! Seconded and carried! |
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Post by Rory on Aug 5, 2017 20:28:04 GMT
Definitely time to get rid of it. Has clogged that nice little venue for far far too long.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 5, 2017 20:55:35 GMT
Definitely time to get rid of it. Has clogged that nice little venue for far far too long. You do realise it will simply move and clog up another little theatre, right? It makes too much money to leave the West End. |
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Post by Rory on Aug 5, 2017 21:48:38 GMT
Definitely time to get rid of it. Has clogged that nice little venue for far far too long. You do realise it will simply move and clog up another little theatre, right? It makes too much money to leave the West End. One can but hope. It didn't stay too long at the Vaudeville. Presumably Nimax wanted something else in there. The West End has largely changed since then. I'd say there's more quality product around now than there was 10 years ago and competition for houses is fierce. Can't see Nimax or ATG wanting this around for the long haul. It seems to me that it has just suited Sir Stephen Waley Cohen to keep Stomp banging around for an eternity rather than shop around for decent stuff for the Ambassadors. When ATG had it before him there was some very interesting stuff including many of Sonia Friedman's early productions. |
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Post by Jon on Aug 5, 2017 23:15:09 GMT
I imagine Stomp will end up at the Arts if it remains in London.
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Post by Phantom of London on Aug 6, 2017 17:54:33 GMT
Or the Charing Cross
It would be great if the Ambassador Theatre got freed, however surprised that ATG sold it, given it is the theatre that defined their name.
The Arts theatre is planned for remodelling.
So is the Trafalgar Studio which I understand from the programme notes from Howard and Rosemary they're going to develop it into a theatre in the round, which the West End really needs.
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Post by daniel on Aug 10, 2017 16:58:49 GMT
It would be great if the Ambassador Theatre got freed, however surprised that ATG sold it, given it is the theatre that defined their name. Fun fact, the name actually came from The Ambassadors complex in Woking, consisting of the New Victoria and Rhoda McGaw theatres and the cinema. The Ambassador Theatre in the West End came later in 1995, after the Duke of York's in 1992. Source: Wikipedia 😎 |
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Post by Phantom of London on Aug 12, 2017 0:00:37 GMT
As we mentioned it and couldn't get to the theatre for 7:30 tonight, I checked Stomp out, which starts at 8pm. Years since I have seen it. I went more tonight to observe how full the audience was, it was pretty full up in the circle and whether this could transfer to the Arts or Charing Cross, which it can, as it doesn't use the wings or fly, no scenery changes, except their 'instruments'.
Which really boils down to 2hr of percussion, so nothing entertaining there, but when you turn percussion in to a art form maybe it is? The show that speaks every language, hence why it's popular with group bookers, also the tickets are likely to be very cheap.
Well did I see artistic achievement, yes the show is well conceived and put together, which are acccomponied by great performance, which is given with great gusto and some of the best athleticism on a London Stage.
I can see why Edinburgh's biggest hit has played all round the world and has been a staple both sides of the Atlantic.
But would I miss this if it closed - hell no, I found it mildly amusing and made me smile a couple of times, but I would rather the theatre done out, with more meaniful theatre. It would be great if say It took shows such as A Little Night Music from the Watermill or Racing Demon from Bath.
My overriding thought when see this, I thought this would be great on cruise boats in the Caribbean or Med.
I cannot see Stomp going anywhere soon, whether it is at the Ambassadors or somewhere else.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2017 8:05:52 GMT
...My overriding thought when see this, I thought this would be great on cruise boats in the Caribbean or Med. I cannot see Stomp going anywhere soon, whether it is at the Ambassadors or somewhere else. Stick it on a boat on the Thames then. |
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Post by martin1965 on Aug 12, 2017 8:23:17 GMT
...My overriding thought when see this, I thought this would be great on cruise boats in the Caribbean or Med. I cannot see Stomp going anywhere soon, whether it is at the Ambassadors or somewhere else. Stick it on a boat on the Thames then. Yep, and let it drift off to the sea, good riddance! |
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Post by horton on Aug 12, 2017 15:18:45 GMT
Much as I loved seeing classic plays like Les Liaisons Dangereuses at the Ambassadors, I can't bear the snobbery that sees 'Stomp' as "clogging up the theatre". What does that mean? You've seen it enough so now it can go away? Or it's not trendy enough? Or it just doesn't appeal to you?
Since it obviously still pulls in a substantial crowd, it totally earns its place in the West End.
"clogging up" is such a selfish term
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Post by Rory on Aug 12, 2017 16:32:02 GMT
"Clogging up" is a subjective term and in expressing my personal preference to see it depart the West End, I am aware that many people would disagree, as they are entitled to. A lot of people love it and good luck to them. There's nothing snobbish about it.
My personal preference would be to see a variety of new shows having the chance to get a turn in one of the very few smaller theatres in the West End. I like variety in programming. It keeps things fresh and interesting.
Stomp has been on for 15 years and I personally would love to see a change. I'll be saying the same about the Play that Goes Wrong if it's still in the Duchess in 15 years time and I personally really like that show.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2017 22:55:14 GMT
It's odd that no one seems to moan about The Mousetrap clogging up St. Martin's Theatre. Would they not like to see variety in programming there too? Or are they just resigned to its perpetual presence?
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Post by Jon on Aug 12, 2017 23:14:41 GMT
It's odd that no one seems to moan about The Mousetrap clogging up St. Martin's Theatre. Would they not like to see variety in programming there too? Or are they just resigned to its perpetual presence? I'd like to see The St Martin's with a new show but I suspect it's not going to happen anytime soon, it'll probably still be running in 2052! |
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Post by Rory on Aug 12, 2017 23:15:43 GMT
Yip, I would love to see that go too, and Thriller Live and The Woman in Black.
(But have a soft spot for Phantom and Les Mis! Yoof-ful memories! 😉)
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Post by TallPaul on Aug 14, 2017 12:20:22 GMT
...My overriding thought when see this, I thought this would be great on cruise boats in the Caribbean or Med. I cannot see Stomp going anywhere soon, whether it is at the Ambassadors or somewhere else. Stick it on a boat on the Thames then. Preferably one with a leak! |
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Post by TallPaul on Aug 14, 2017 12:28:03 GMT
Have you seen this, @emicardiff?
You don't cook, do you TM?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2017 12:33:05 GMT
Preferably one with a leak! The Duke of York's had a leak. It saved me from seeing Doctor Faustus last year. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2017 13:04:21 GMT
Have you seen this, @emicardiff ? You don't cook, do you TM? haha the insult!
Reminds me of a bit in Gilmore Girls I was watching last night
'you don't have ice?' 'you know I don't cook' 'Ice is the opposite of cooking!!'
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