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Post by craig on Nov 9, 2019 18:50:53 GMT
Structural or cosmetic. Ahem, the ceiling fell down in both theatres, people were taken to hospital. I can’t see myself asking if it was structural or cosmetic as I am taken off in the ambulance. The theatre owners need to get their acts together and employ a few engineers, surveyors, builders and plasterers.
And frankly, since we've been seeing above-inflation rises in the price of tickets for at least the last two decades - sharply above the rate of inflation over the past few years - in many cases with a "restoration fee" imposed on top, there's no excuse for the theatre owners not to keep the buildings adequately maintained.
Couldn't agree more. West end theatre ticket pricing has changed immeasurably in a very short space of time. Whilst accidents happen, there is no excuse for poor maintenance and the big theatre owners are going to have to seriously up their game. A third incident must be prevented or I think people will majorly lose confidence in putting their safety in the hands of the companies that own these beautiful buildings. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 9, 2019 19:41:05 GMT
ATG statement
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Post by Rory on Nov 9, 2019 19:42:26 GMT
Yes I agree. I think a third incident would be a real disaster for the West End so the pressure is really on the owners now.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 9, 2019 19:43:05 GMT
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Post by Jon on Nov 9, 2019 23:19:31 GMT
Yes I agree. I think a third incident would be a real disaster for the West End so the pressure is really on the owners now. Two incidents in six years isn’t going to kill the West End. More people per year are injured or killed by public transport and people still use it. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2019 0:05:35 GMT
Very Few West End Theatres ever seem to have been closed for lengthy restoration work. I'll factor in a lot are listed buildings but in Birmingham both the Alex and the Hippodrome have undergone refits and they date from late 19th Century.
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Post by Jon on Nov 10, 2019 0:11:52 GMT
Very Few West End Theatres ever seem to have been closed for lengthy restoration work. I'll factor in a lot are listed buildings but in Birmingham both the Alex and the Hippodrome have undergone refits and they date from late 19th Century. It’s really costly as we’ve seen with the Victoria Palace, Drury Lane and also the Prince of Wales to have the theatre closed for more than a year. Unless you’re Andrew or Cameron then you can only do it in stages or between shows. |
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Post by intoanewlife on Nov 10, 2019 0:24:27 GMT
I saw cordoned off areas and yellow signs the last 2 times I have been there for Lehman and Curious Incident. Obviously they have just let these things slide for far too long. It's no wonder something eventually gave way so to speak. Not very comforting I must say.
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Post by showgirl on Nov 10, 2019 4:57:18 GMT
An annual safety check may well be the legal requirement but if this theatre last had this done in February, that's 9 months ago and anyway, if people had indeed reported an issue (dripping from the ceiling?) recently, that should have been investigated, not least due to the potential consequences. And maybe this did happen. Also, however, legal requirements may only be the minimum advisable and surely it depends on the circumstances? As the Police often point out in bad weather, just because the speed limit might be a certain figure, it doesn't mean you should drive at that speed if the conditions suggest proceeding more cautiously.
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Post by Rory on Nov 10, 2019 7:27:40 GMT
Yes I agree. I think a third incident would be a real disaster for the West End so the pressure is really on the owners now. Two incidents in six years isn’t going to kill the West End. More people per year are injured or killed by public transport and people still use it. Let's face it, in PR terms, a third incident would really not be good for the West End. Let's hope it never happens. |
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Post by Mark on Nov 10, 2019 8:32:12 GMT
The Shaftesbury seems to still be having major works done even with the start of &Juliet. Lots of areas "boxed off" and it's a bit of a maze in there.
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Post by craig on Nov 11, 2019 16:23:44 GMT
Yes I agree. I think a third incident would be a real disaster for the West End so the pressure is really on the owners now. Two incidents in six years isn’t going to kill the West End. More people per year are injured or killed by public transport and people still use it. I’m not saying a third incident would kill the west end, but it certainly will knock confidence. Public transport is a necessity. Visiting the theatre is a treat. |
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Post by Jon on Nov 11, 2019 16:52:07 GMT
Off hand, the incidents I recall in the past few years were the current one, the Apollo, something breaking off the proscenium at the Harold Pinter and some roof falling off at the Haymarket. IIRC, there was a leak at the Lyttelton as well. Basically, Apollo apart, as this thread proves - people forget and move on, which is good. Stuff happens, and it is partly our media age that keeps it alive. The Queens/Sondheim had a small fire in the boiler room only four year ago and nobody batted an eyelid. |
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Post by Jon on Nov 11, 2019 17:08:32 GMT
Oddly, while ATG has mentioned that the Grand Circle will be closed while the repairs are taking place, the Young Vic are still selling tickets for it.
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Post by Dawnstar on Nov 11, 2019 22:07:25 GMT
Do you hear the people singe? An extremely appropriate remark for a monkey to make about a French show! |
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