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Post by david on Aug 17, 2019 12:57:56 GMT
I’ve just done the Barbican JCS backstage tour. How much glitter is used in JCS? The stuff is everywhere backstage. There is a glitter station backstage where the stuff is applied to the cast. Anyway, a very enjoyable hour spent around the centre this morning and we had the opportunity to go on stage during the tour. I haven’t seen this production of JCS but the set looks very impressive up close. One piece of trivia from the tour is that the trees at the back of the set are a nice nod to the Regent Park Theatre setting.
During the tour we had the opportunity to see all the technical prep which was an interesting watch. The cross looks very impressive lit up.
Having been to the Barbican for various exhibitions, this was my first time in the theatre itself. Overall I was very impressed with the auditorium and would certainly like to see a production here in the future.
Someone asked about if any more musicals would be going to the Barbican in the future. Unfortunately she didn’t have any info about an Evita transfer.
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Post by NeilVHughes on Aug 17, 2019 15:02:15 GMT
david definitely recommend seeing a production at the Barbican, they have one of the most eclectic programming in London andI still find the automatic closing of the doors quite magical. This year so far I would say 3 of my top 5 were at the Barbican with Medea the standout.
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Post by david on Aug 17, 2019 23:00:38 GMT
david definitely recommend seeing a production at the Barbican, they have one of the most eclectic programming in London andI still find the automatic closing of the doors quite magical. This year so far I would say 3 of my top 5 were at the Barbican with Medea the standout. Thanks. Our tour guide agrees with you that automatic closing of the doors which as you’ve mentioned is quite magical. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll be able to see anything at the Barbican this year, but I’ll certainly keep an eye out for production announcements for next year. |
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Post by david on Aug 17, 2019 23:02:37 GMT
How much glitter is used in JCS? The stuff is everywhere backstage Stalls row A isn't so clever either... I take it your still picking out the glitter stuck to your clothes then?! |
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Post by NeilVHughes on Aug 18, 2019 10:27:30 GMT
As I am seeing JCS again next Saturday (booked a Gallery seat to get a panoramic perspective after seeing it front stalls previously) and have now booked the tour to make day of it.
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Post by andrew on Aug 18, 2019 22:45:52 GMT
I didn't recognise anyone on it from here, but there was a National Theatre members tour of the NT Studio building last week which was a real treat. A talk about and tour of the NT's archive with the head archivist Erin Lee, a view into some of the rehearsal spaces and rooms and chat with Nick Flintoff (Technical Associate at New Work Department), and a lot of insight into the institution and the buildings history with Head of Tours Alison Rae. It was definitely one for theatre enthusiasts and not the general public (I guess why it's a members tour) but a really great afternoon. They've been running others that I haven't had a chance to go on, a special Dorfman tour and a local area 'Waterloo Sunset' tour. I think it's a fun i..nitiative and a nice little perk of being a member.
I incidentally got chatting to other members on the tour who agreed the selection of seats for members booking has been exceptionally poor of late, maybe it's best if we're not encouraged to compare notes lest there be a rebellion...
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Post by amp09 on Aug 18, 2019 23:08:26 GMT
As I am seeing JCS again next Saturday (booked a Gallery seat to get a panoramic perspective after seeing it front stalls previously) and have now booked the tour to make day of it. Thanks to this thread, I’ve just booked for Thursday tour to fill some time between JCS matinee and Adrian Mole evening shows. Exciting 😆 |
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Post by westended on Aug 20, 2019 18:06:42 GMT
I went on the London Palladium Tour this morning and thought it was great!
It was quite a large group (49 People) and we were shown around the whole theatre - except dressing rooms etc.
We were shown the Royal Box, Stage, Sub-Stage and all the FOH areas (which included the various bars, the room where Royals stay, and the offices in the house next door)
Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and knew everything about this splendid theatre!
Definitely recommend this tour for only £15!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 20, 2019 18:41:44 GMT
I went on the London Palladium Tour this morning and thought it was great! It was quite a large group (49 People) and we were shown around the whole theatre - except dressing rooms etc. We were shown the Royal Box, Stage, Sub-Stage and all the FOH areas (which included the various bars, the room where Royals stay, and the offices in the house next door) Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and knew everything about this splendid theatre! Definitely recommend this tour for only £15! I was too! It was a great experience, I agree. Absolutely worth the money. |
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Post by lookingatthestars on Aug 26, 2019 12:19:35 GMT
I booked the Palladium tour for next week, very much looking forward. For those who have been on it how long is it, roughly. Thanks.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2019 13:37:14 GMT
I booked the Palladium tour for next week, very much looking forward. For those who have been on it how long is it, roughly. Thanks. Mark, our guide, aimed for two hours. It ended up running over by fifteen or so minutes if I remember correctly. |
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Post by Stasia on Aug 26, 2019 13:48:42 GMT
I booked the Palladium tour for next week, very much looking forward. For those who have been on it how long is it, roughly. Thanks. Could you please ask whether there will be more tours after next week? Or wil they be back next season? Sadly missed them while I was in London. So particularly interested in last week of September or first week of January. |
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Post by lookingatthestars on Aug 26, 2019 18:07:22 GMT
I booked the Palladium tour for next week, very much looking forward. For those who have been on it how long is it, roughly. Thanks. Mark, our guide, aimed for two hours. It ended up running over by fifteen or so minutes if I remember correctly. Great thanks! Wow that's a good chuck of time, I suppose there is so much info and stories to tell. |
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Post by lookingatthestars on Aug 26, 2019 18:08:37 GMT
I booked the Palladium tour for next week, very much looking forward. For those who have been on it how long is it, roughly. Thanks. Could you please ask whether there will be more tours after next week? Or wil they be back next season? Sadly missed them while I was in London. So particularly interested in last week of September or first week of January. Will do. I'll get back to you next week. |
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Post by lookingatthestars on Sept 8, 2019 19:24:53 GMT
Could you please ask whether there will be more tours after next week? Or wil they be back next season? Sadly missed them while I was in London. So particularly interested in last week of September or first week of January. Will do. I'll get back to you next week. I asked the guide, Mark, who said there are no plans, as of now, for more tours of the Palladium. He did say it is based on demand, so he gave me his card with his email, so you can email him the dates you are in London. If there are other people looking for a tour then, he will do one. He also mentioned he does 'Her Majesty's' Theatre' tours, which are rare, but again if people email him, and he gets a group together he can request permission from management for the tour. I would love this, so will email him next time I'm around London. As people said, this is an excellent tour, well worth the money. It was 2 and half hours!!!! Mark is full of knowledge, personable and witty, and what a fascinating building. I did the 'Royal Albert Hall' tour the following day and at only an hour, it felt like it was over before it stared in comparison. Still a great tour and we got to sit in on some of the Proms rehearsal, which I loved, and you get a 10% discount in the cafe with your ticket. Could I ask (perhaps a silly question)? Is it ok to post the tour guide's email that he gave me, publicly here on the board? I don't know the rules about posting such things. If not I can DM Stasia the email. Thanks. |
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Post by lookingatthestars on Sept 9, 2019 20:23:03 GMT
^We'd rather you didn't share an email on here, thanks lookingatthestars , mostly because the person who gave it to you would probably not want it shared on a public board. Of course. I would imagine emailing LW theatres for info relating to tours would suffice. |
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Post by Stasia on Sept 10, 2019 5:18:41 GMT
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Post by david on Sept 21, 2019 21:30:07 GMT
It may of taken a while, but I finally managed to do the London Coliseum tour this morning. A very interesting 90 minutes spent in the building. Having only been there once to watch Chess, it was nice to get a proper look around the building and the auditorium when it isn’t busy. Some very interesting information about the building and the surrounding area (the notes coffee shop next door use to be an establishment for the ladies of the night in a previous life). On my visit last year, I somehow managed to bypass the beautifully ornate mosaic floor and walls in the main entrance. Thankfully, our guide pointed them out!
The auditorium was as beautiful as I remembered it from my last time and was able to pick up more of the stunning decoration that I missed previously. The highlight for me was being being able to get into the orchestra pit. It certainly gave me a different perspective of the auditorium.
Certainly a worthwhile morning spent here and would definitely recommend doing the tour.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2019 22:24:09 GMT
I haven't done any of the theatre tours in London yet, but some of the regional tours that I have done have been great, particularly Festival Theatre in Edinburgh. Both due to how historic and interesting the building is, and the fab tour guide Graham.
I went to the Theatre Royal in Newcastle recently and I was informed by box office staff that they offer tours there from time to time, so I will have to check that one out when I can.
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Post by david on Sept 22, 2019 12:50:33 GMT
A very interesting morning spent at the London Victoria theatre as part of the Open London weekend. As well as getting a general history of the theatre and some info on the recent refurbishment, two highlights of our tour - having a look at the ladies toilets (which our tour guide who happened to be one of the managers of the VP) and being able to on stage of the Hamilton set ( Highlight number 2 was more impressive than the other!).
Being able to get into the stalls area was great to see the whole refurbished auditorium as I sat in the Royal Circle for Hamilton so I couldn’t really get a full appreciation of all the work done.
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Post by Dr Tom on Sept 22, 2019 20:22:42 GMT
two highlights of our tour - having a look at the ladies toilets Being able to get into the stalls area was great Wow, they did really let you have a close look! I presume the cleaning was up to scratch? Glad to hear it was an interesting tour. I'll try and get in early enough to get a place next year. |
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Post by david on Sept 22, 2019 20:54:51 GMT
two highlights of our tour - having a look at the ladies toilets Being able to get into the stalls area was great Wow, they did really let you have a close look! I presume the cleaning was up to scratch? Glad to hear it was an interesting tour. I'll try and get in early enough to get a place next year. I have to admit, I was a bit shocked that they took us into the ladies loos (which are lovely and clean!). It’s the first time I’ve been on any type of tour where the toilets where on the itinerary. As a completely useless piece of trivia, apparently the gents and ladies loos at the VP have different colour schemes (red for gents and green for the ladies). |
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Post by david on Aug 14, 2022 10:52:13 GMT
Just spotted on the Apollo Victoria page on the ATG site that there theatre tours of the venue running on various Saturday mornings at 10.30am starting from the 20th August. Book via ATG. Tickets £17.50 each though cheaper if booked in groups.
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Post by richey on Aug 15, 2022 9:54:35 GMT
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Post by stageyninja83 on Aug 20, 2022 17:28:00 GMT
Just spotted on the Apollo Victoria page on the ATG site that there theatre tours of the venue running on various Saturday mornings at 10.30am starting from the 20th August. Book via ATG. Tickets £17.50 each though cheaper if booked in groups. Did this tour today and was definitely the most disappointing theatre tour I've done. We were only taken to the front of house and inside the auditorium, no backstage or onstage experience. The 'tour guide' didn't seem very knowledgeable at all, reading from an A4 script with little enthusiasm. Could probably have had the same experience by walking around the building pre show and reading my programme. Over in less than half an hour, for £17.50 that seemed very expensive for the experience we had. These seem to be quite new so I hope they look to improve them as they get more experience. |
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