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Post by Forrest on Mar 18, 2020 20:02:08 GMT
I will make a call on a case by case basis. If it's a small, independent theatre or a charity gig, like Six Uncrowned and West End Eurovision, I just won't ask for a refund. If it's for a regular West End show, I will ask for the refund and donate the money to Acting for Others, just because in this way I know the money will go to people who need it to pay their bills right now. I kind of came to say 'thank you' for this post. My inbox has been bombarded with e-mails asking me if I want a refund, credit or to donate money to theatres, and I found myself completely paralysed and unable to make that decision. Your logic helped. I ended up leaving the money to the Royal Court for some next occasion down the line (I though it was lovely of them to offer that option! Yes, Arthur Darvill, we can postpone that date!), the NT decided for me by issuing me with vouchers, and I donated what for me is a huge amount of money (I work kind of part-time, and I am always kind of broke - and I splurged on tickets much more than I usually would because I was supposed to take a friend to celebrate something) to The Coronet, where I've never even been before last Saturday, because I couldn't get myself to say: 'I really really loved your play, done by one of my favourite creatives, which I was supposed to be seeing again this Friday, can I have my money back now?'. So I told them the play was enchanting and wished them all the best of luck. As you say - that money is long gone anyway. I know the amounts I spend aren't really gonna make a difference to any theatre, but maybe if more people employ the same logic it might add up. Thank you for being a (distant) voice of reason on the day I really needed one. :) |
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Post by justfran on Mar 18, 2020 20:07:21 GMT
Joe McElderry is currently doing a live stream concert from his home town venue The Customs House in South Shields, with donations raised going towards The Customs House and Acting For Others. What a good egg!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2020 13:38:06 GMT
Presumably in some cases, its better for the theatre if you take a refund and then make a donation of the refund value so they can claim gift-aid? Worth asking them I guess. Just spoke to Southwark Playhouse to sort out tickets for cancelled shows there - they confirmed it's better for them financially (assuming you are a UK taxpayer) if they refund and then you donate, as they can then claim Gift Aid and get 25% more money. |
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Post by talkingheads on Mar 19, 2020 16:52:15 GMT
Presumably in some cases, its better for the theatre if you take a refund and then make a donation of the refund value so they can claim gift-aid? Worth asking them I guess. Get a credit note or voucher, that way the theatre doesn't lose out on the money. |
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Post by teatowel on Mar 19, 2020 17:00:36 GMT
Presumably in some cases, its better for the theatre if you take a refund and then make a donation of the refund value so they can claim gift-aid? Worth asking them I guess. This is what I did: when the box office rang, I was asked if I would like a credit note or to donate the price of the tickets. I said a donation and then asked them if they could claim gift aid on top of it as I was a taxpayer, which they set up the agreement on the spot as they had my details already. An extra 25% to the theatre! |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2020 17:58:18 GMT
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Post by Jon on Mar 19, 2020 19:43:31 GMT
They've raised over £7000 already which is impressive.
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Post by samuelwhiskers on Mar 20, 2020 12:45:20 GMT
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Post by lynette on Mar 20, 2020 12:50:33 GMT
I didn’t have a huge amount booked as was expecting to be away a lot in May and June. I’ve just not bothered to call for refund, it is a donation now but I had spent it anyway hadn’t I? They can keep it and feed themselves.
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Post by l0islane on Mar 20, 2020 22:21:04 GMT
Sharon Sexton and Rob Fowler are making their Vision of You show available for streaming/download in aid of FFF:
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Post by NeilVHughes on Mar 21, 2020 17:33:39 GMT
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Post by Jan on Mar 22, 2020 17:17:47 GMT
I didn’t have a huge amount booked as was expecting to be away a lot in May and June. I’ve just not bothered to call for refund, it is a donation now but I had spent it anyway hadn’t I? They can keep it and feed themselves. I had quite a lot booked. I have donated 50% and got a credit note for 50%. They have all had no problem doing that so far so you could donate as much as you are able, even 10% might help. |
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Post by dontdreamit on Mar 22, 2020 18:53:28 GMT
Sharon Sexton and Rob Fowler are making their Vision of You show available for streaming/download in aid of FFF: And there is a streaming party at 8.30pm tonight. The twitter hashtag is #VOYStreamingParty if anyone else is watching at that time 🙂 |
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Post by Forrest on Mar 24, 2020 14:12:25 GMT
So, to add a happy note to this thread...
I told you earlier that I'd recently donated the tickets money for tickets that now cannot be used to The Coronet Theatre. So we corresponded a bit back and forth and they asked me for GiftAid and thanked me for telling them the play was lovely... And somewhere along the line I mentioned that I'd be in touch once they reopen, to get a copy of the programme for 'Afterplay', which I'd forgotten to buy on the first night, but that seemed alright at the time, since I thought I'd be coming back to see it in a few weeks...
This morning, an envelope with a programme for the play came in with the mail.
How gorgeous and sweet is that?! <3
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2020 10:58:48 GMT
I'd told Wilton's via an online form that I'd like to donate my ticket money - they mailed yesterday to confirm this has been done so I mailed back asking them if I could make a gift aid declaration. They've now responded saying they've noted the declaration so they can claim it back. I'm surprised more theatres aren't proactively asking people this when they donate tickets.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2020 12:47:07 GMT
Something that occurred to me - bung a donation to the theatre if you watch one of their streamed performances for free. Eg the RSC stuff coming up on the BBC or the NT Live at Home ones.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2020 13:26:30 GMT
If anyone is working in the industry and needs any support, you should contact Theatre Helpline. I found their website a little while ago and it seems like a really useful service that people may not be aware of.
The number is 0800 915 4617, and the email is advice@theatrehelpline.org. Don't suffer in silence.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2020 16:48:31 GMT
Has anyone heard anything from the Barbican? I have a ticket for Orlando for next Saturday, but haven't heard from them at all. I've had a mail but a general one sent to members, not specifically about my booking (also was supposed to be seeing Orlando) From their website: www.barbican.org.uk/your-visit/general-info/coronavirus-adviceAlso the mail said regarding membership ... which is a bit weirdly worded - would have thought they would do what other places are doing and just extend all memberships by the duration of the closure. |
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Post by schuttep on Mar 30, 2020 10:17:16 GMT
When I was working, I made regular payments to several charities directly out of my salary or by Direct Debit. When I retired, I decided it was time for others who were working to step up to the plate.
As the Government has shut the theatres down, I'm assuming any relevant insurance they have will kick in and help them out. The larger theatres will have it, so I'm requesting a refund. As I think I've said elsewhere, if I had to keep track of all the vouchers I would receive I may well end up losing track and missing out altogether. But not all theatres will have insurance, probably the smaller ones operating on a wing and a prayer.
So I've decided to make a Gift Aid gift of part of my refunds coming from the smaller theatres. That way, I hope we all win a little.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2020 9:28:56 GMT
I made a small donation to one of my local theatres - basically what I would have paid to see One Man Two Guvnors at the cinema, but donated to the local one rather than the National as they are more in need of donations.
Got a nice letter in the post today thanking me for the donation - which was pleasant of them, but didn't seem a great use of money as it must cost them at least £1 to produce and post a letter, particularly as it was only a small donation! Would have been happy with an email to be honest!
I guess experience perhaps tells them that people are more likely to donate again if they use the personal touch.
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Post by showgirl on Apr 18, 2020 14:30:40 GMT
When I donated some money (ahem, to the local hospice so not supporting the theatre industry at all), I was asked if I'd like a "Thank You" letter. I was aghast and said no income from donations should be spent other than on supporting the work of the hospice. If others require or would like such a letter, fine, but imo it's a waste of time and money.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2020 17:35:01 GMT
Yep! Particularly at the moment as I assume it involved someone needing to be in the theatre's office to produce it - it's printed in high quality on headed paper so I assume wasn't done by someone working at home.
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