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Post by nick on Mar 10, 2024 16:34:11 GMT
Seeing has there’s a strand on theatres needing an overhaul, I thought it might be interesting to have one on good theatres.
I went to the Theatre Royal, Dury Lane last week with a cheap ticket on the second circle. I wasn’t expecting much but it turned out to be a great seat. And the FOH felt very plush. I got lost going to the toilet but they seemed more than adequate.
And I’ve always had a soft spot for the Royal Exchange, Manchester. Although it’s a few years since I went. I hope it’s not gone downhill.
Finally Greenwich Theatre has a decent auditorium and I can’t fault the FOH staff. The bar gets busy and feels a little cheap. Toilets cheap and cheerful.
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Post by alece10 on Mar 10, 2024 17:51:19 GMT
I love Drury Lane especially after the refurb. I think its the grandest theatre currently in London and you can see the love that The Lord has put into it.
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Post by bimse on Mar 10, 2024 18:16:07 GMT
Seeing has there’s a strand on theatres needing an overhaul, I thought it might be interesting to have one on good theatres. I went to the Theatre Royal, Dury Lane last week with a cheap ticket on the second circle. I wasn’t expecting much but it turned out to be a great seat. And the FOH felt very plush. I got lost going to the toilet but they seemed more than adequate. And I’ve always had a soft spot for the Royal Exchange, Manchester. Although it’s a few years since I went. I hope it’s not gone downhill. Finally Greenwich Theatre has a decent auditorium and I can’t fault the FOH staff. The bar gets busy and feels a little cheap. Toilets cheap and cheerful. I’ve always enjoyed the Manchester Royal Exchange too, the programming of late hasn’t been very interesting, but back in the day I saw many very imaginative productions there, in a unique and beautiful setting. My first being Patricia Routledge as Mrs Malaprop in the Rivals. My favourite theatre for facilities and design has to be the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff . A stunning design, inside and out. |
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Post by Jan on Mar 10, 2024 18:40:36 GMT
Barbican - great view from even the cheapest seats.
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Post by Distant Dreamer... on Mar 10, 2024 18:42:49 GMT
Barbican - great view from even the cheapest seats. That is if you can find it…and then your way out! |
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Post by marob on Mar 10, 2024 21:40:35 GMT
I liked Theatr Clwyd, it’s where I began my theatregoing, but it was a council-owned building that hadn’t really had any money spent on it since it opened. It’s undergoing a major renovation, so am looking forward to going there again once they finish.
Only been there twice but I think the Barbican is easily my favourite London theatre. Regionally I also really like the Royal Exchange, Liverpool Everyman, Sheffield Crucible, and Birmingham Rep.
All of them nice modern(ish) theatres where the only time there’s any restricted view it’s pretty much the fault of the creatives not the environment.
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Post by pws on Mar 10, 2024 21:49:45 GMT
Both theatres at Chichester. No bad seats and good sound.
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Post by jek on Mar 10, 2024 22:56:08 GMT
Another vote for the Barbican. I particularly like the doors at the ends of each row and how they all shut in a choreographed manner at the start of the performance.
I also like Sadler's Wells with its very good sightlines. Having said that I was there this afternoon for the New York City Ballet and the auditorium was uncomfortably hot.
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Post by Mark on Mar 10, 2024 23:04:28 GMT
Palladium I must say also seems to have pretty decent views and sight lines, although I admit it’s been many years since I was in the upper circle there.
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Post by aspieandy on Mar 10, 2024 23:48:18 GMT
Another vote for the Barbican. I particularly like the doors at the ends of each row and how they all shut in a choreographed manner at the start of the performance. I also like Sadler's Wells with its very good sightlines. Having said that I was there this afternoon for the New York City Ballet and the auditorium was uncomfortably hot. I agree - both the Barbican and Sadler's Wells are completely reliable. The Barbican is probably my favourite because of the grandeur, though they don't actually welcome people like people.
The point made to me about temperature in the auditorium is that it is better for the dancers/athletes in terms of avoiding potential injury (there may be other views).
Olivier and Lyttleton are perfectly fine, though compromises are inevitably made for the £10 front rows.
I habitually find myself in the cheap seats and I am not Victorian sized. Generally you find a way, though occasionally you don't know what to do with your legs. I look for end of aisle, as well.
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Post by thebroadwayboy on Mar 11, 2024 3:29:48 GMT
The Cursed Child Theatre?
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Post by mrnutz on Mar 11, 2024 11:27:23 GMT
Sadler's Wells, Gillian Lynne and I LOVE the Olivier.
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Post by ruby on Mar 11, 2024 11:45:32 GMT
Wales Millennium Centre is excellent, there's space for people to pass without everyone in the row needing to stand up and there are plenty of toilets!
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Post by manchestertheatrefan on Mar 11, 2024 16:59:29 GMT
I agree WMC is a great theatre - and was desperately needed as New Theatre is just awful. The Lowry isn't too bad, it was one of the slightly more comfortable theatres in Manchester.
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Post by Distant Dreamer... on Mar 11, 2024 17:12:07 GMT
Wales Millennium Centre is excellent, there's space for people to pass without everyone in the row needing to stand up and there are plenty of toilets! Lovely venue apart from the stage door! |
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Post by David J on Mar 12, 2024 10:27:01 GMT
Salisbury Playhouse has comfortable seating and legroom and there's not a bad view anywhere
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Post by Distant Dreamer... on Mar 12, 2024 10:52:19 GMT
Salisbury Playhouse has comfortable seating and legroom and there's not a bad view anywhere Agreed, it’s a shame the theatre is so very patchy with their productions. |
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Post by tysilio2 on Mar 12, 2024 11:05:24 GMT
I liked Theatr Clwyd, it’s where I began my theatregoing, but it was a council-owned building that hadn’t really had any money spent on it since it opened. It’s undergoing a major renovation, so am looking forward to going there again once they finish. Only been there twice but I think the Barbican is easily my favourite London theatre. Regionally I also really like the Royal Exchange, Liverpool Everyman, Sheffield Crucible, and Birmingham Rep. All of them nice modern(ish) theatres where the only time there’s any restricted view it’s pretty much the fault of the creatives not the environment. Agree with the comments re:Theatr Clwyd. It's also my local theatre but have only made a couple of visits during it's renovations, so will be good to return when completed. Theatre Severn is another local theatre to me that has a welcoming environment. |
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Post by drmaplewood on Mar 13, 2024 12:16:31 GMT
Big fan of the Bridge, doesn't seem to be any bad seats there and best theatre toilets in London!
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Post by ptwest on Mar 13, 2024 16:20:01 GMT
Love the Crucible at Sheffield. The steep rake means every seat gets a good view of the stage and legroom is much better than many older theatres. The thrust stage makes it feel very intimate.
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Post by aspieandy on Mar 13, 2024 16:22:28 GMT
Basically, anything post-Victorian seems fine.
Royal Festival Hall is a bit of a barn though seating is fine and love the interiors and exterior. |
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Post by Jan on Mar 13, 2024 18:21:02 GMT
Basically, anything post-Victorian seems fine.
. Have you been to the Arcola ? |
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Post by David J on Mar 13, 2024 18:26:58 GMT
Salisbury Playhouse has comfortable seating and legroom and there's not a bad view anywhere Agreed, it’s a shame the theatre is so very patchy with their productions. Years ago they produced some wonderful revivals. Got the chance to see some wonderful plays from them. And they had the Studio theatre where touring fringe productions came. And they were my go to for pantomimes. Nowadays it's a sad to see the reduced number of productions they produce. Last year I believe it was just Jeeves and Wooster and the panto. And the studio hasn't been open again for productions since covid. But it's the same with a lot of local theatre with programmes full of tribute bands, comedians, q&as and so on. So far they've had a new play from Chris Chibnal and are putting on A Chorus of Disapproval, so it's hopeful. |
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Post by aspieandy on Mar 13, 2024 18:58:50 GMT
Basically, anything post-Victorian seems fine.
. Have you been to the Arcola ? I have but only sat in the middle section/facing, not the sides (one of which seems quite high), or above. It's a converted warehouse, though.
I remember seeing Lindsay Duncan there (with her husband) in a Brecht, I think. And also, somewhat miraculously, The Magic Flute
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Post by d'James on Mar 13, 2024 19:06:28 GMT
Big fan of the Bridge, doesn't seem to be any bad seats there and best theatre toilets in London! Really? The toilets seems to cause much confusion when I was there. I love the Milton Keynes Theatre. It tends to be the modern ones that are best designed for today's needs, although some refurbished theatre have done a great job. I quite like The Other Palace. I'm sure there are more that will come to me. |
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Post by theatregoer22 on Mar 13, 2024 19:18:40 GMT
I love how many toilets the Bridge Theatre and Troubadour Theatres have.
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Post by newda on Mar 13, 2024 19:28:42 GMT
I love the Milton Keynes Theatre. It tends to be the modern ones that are best designed for today's needs, although some refurbished theatre have done a great job In a similar vein, The Waterside theatre in Aylesbury is also a delight to visit. Modern, well laid out, and good views and legroom from all seats. |
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Post by lynette on Mar 13, 2024 19:29:23 GMT
Big fan of the Bridge, doesn't seem to be any bad seats there and best theatre toilets in London! Really? The toilets seems to cause much confusion when I was there. I love the Milton Keynes Theatre. It tends to be the modern ones that are best designed for today's needs, although some refurbished theatre have done a great job. I quite like The Other Palace. I'm sure there are more that will come to me. The Bridge is beautifully located with lots of places to eat before or after, picnic even and great views. A real coup by Hytner and his Co. The toilets are good, but downstairs from the foyer ( with a few, very few on street level) On one occasion I was not allowed downstairs until a few minutes before show started even when I flashed my ticket on my phone. They need to fully embrace the punters just a bit more and….and…serve better snacks. Not just the madeleines. |
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Post by n1david on Mar 13, 2024 19:50:01 GMT
They need to fully embrace the punters just a bit more and….and…serve better snacks. Not just the madeleines. When the Bridge opened it had a much bigger range of food, including great sandwiches and hot food - designed in conjunction with the restaurant St John. The bigger range went after Covid and has never returned. |
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Post by d'James on Mar 13, 2024 20:10:01 GMT
I love the Milton Keynes Theatre. It tends to be the modern ones that are best designed for today's needs, although some refurbished theatre have done a great job In a similar vein, The Waterside theatre in Aylesbury is also a delight to visit. Modern, well laid out, and good views and legroom from all seats. I actually just remembered the Aylesbury Theatre. That was great, too. |
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