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Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2018 12:53:50 GMT
Also, a more generalised tip: if you*'re phoning to complain about a shoddy experience and you do feel you're due compensation, have an idea in your mind of what you want. It's helpful to the manager you deal with if, when they ask "I'm so sorry; what can we do for you?", you come back with something more substantive than "I don't know!", especially in this situation where something (presumably the standard) has already been offered. You may want a full refund, you may want assurance that FOH policies will be reconsidered re: disruptive groups, you may want your freebies to have a little more flexibility, but it's easier for everyone to deal with disputes when you're collectively working towards a resolution rather than one of you just having a whinge. *you = your friend, obviously, but I'm feeling too lazy to rephrase my entire reply to reflect that
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Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2018 13:11:49 GMT
3 friends of mine attended Wicked in Liverpool on Saturday night, had the show ruined for them by the people in the row behind eating, using phones, chatting, and singing along. I assume they were also drinking as before the interval one (or more) of them vomited!. The ushers cleaned it up during the interval but, to my friends' dismay, they were allowed back for the second half. Not sure yet how that turned out. My friends complained to theatre management, but again I'm not yet sure how that concluded. An update after speaking to one of the party last night. The group behind were pi$$ed when they arrived, the vomiter didn't realise she had been sick until a woman next to her informed her when she returned to her seat after re-stocking with snacks at the interval. She was told that she had vomited on my friends coat but offered no apology. The evening was completely ruined. The theatre (or ATG, not sure which) have offered two tickets for one of four specified shows as recompense. However, none of the shows appeal to my friend and they are only Monday to Friday tickets which doesn't help due to work commitments. They have since requested dry-cleaning costs for the coat.
Anyone have any further suggestions for complaint other than to keep contacting ATG?
Others have clearly replied to your post in rather constructive ways so I'll leave that to those better equipped to do that but what I want to know is, how on earth does someone (who is obviously quite capable of getting up and going to buy more snacks without disaster befalling them) not realise that she has vomited until SOMEONE POINTS IT OUT TO HER?? Scum.
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Post by tysilio2 on Mar 29, 2018 13:55:07 GMT
Thanks all for your helpful suggestions. I'll pass them on.
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Post by ellie1981 on Mar 29, 2018 15:18:19 GMT
Do theatres have a policy on intoxicated customers? If not they should. Unfortunately the poor ushers are not paid nearly enough to have to deal with refusing entry to groups of drunks.
I still have a problem understanding why people do it in the first place. It’s one thing to have a few too many on a night out socialising in a pub. It’s completely different when you have paid to be in the audience for an expensive show. What’s the point in going at all?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2018 16:43:25 GMT
I'll bet she isn't. I have it on good authority that Marianne Elliott has reported her to the police several times. I heard the same, but about one Mr James McArdle hahahaahahaha I've only just caught up with all this!! Honestly Mr McArdle loves me and he knows it. Or he will once the restraining order is lifted.... But not even I would take Nathan Lane in a fight...he scrappy. Also @ryan darling you love me dearly. We wrote half of that graffiti together about the rest of you. While sipping a G&T (triple, natch)
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Post by shady23 on Mar 30, 2018 14:14:52 GMT
3 friends of mine attended Wicked in Liverpool on Saturday night, had the show ruined for them by the people in the row behind eating, using phones, chatting, and singing along. I assume they were also drinking as before the interval one (or more) of them vomited!. The ushers cleaned it up during the interval but, to my friends' dismay, they were allowed back for the second half. Not sure yet how that turned out. My friends complained to theatre management, but again I'm not yet sure how that concluded. I was at Wicked on Thursday matinee and we also had a vomitter. They managed to project it all down the stairs and right across the seat and floor of two (!) toilets. Maybe this happened during the first act as it was there at he beginning of the interval and people were treading in it on the stairs. Was also a hideous family in front of us who should never be allowed in a theatre. They were sat in the order adult, child, adult, child, adult. The children were fine but the adults were leaning across the children to talk to the other adults every minute and then leaning across to pass this vital information onto the other adult, oblivious that when they did this nobody behind could see through the gaps. there was also a woman directly in front of the chatters taking photos constantly. She was in the very side aisle seat so no excuse for an usher not having a word. Because she was getting away with it it lead to a photo taking and phone checking free for all which tarnished the show for me.
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Post by kimbahorel on Mar 31, 2018 14:58:35 GMT
God I am so annoyed the first time going to Richmond to see Thoroughly Modern Millie. A load of kids quiet as hell... adults how ever. Got one guy in the Upper Circle who was talking along with parts. Two women in row G UC chatting and this woman moving between front and 2nd row mid show. Why do I get these people. What is wrong with everyone!
EDIT I was angry typing so I have corrected spelling I know is wrong 😂
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2018 19:24:43 GMT
Popcorn is not an appropriate snack at the theatre. Especially in a Harold Pinter play.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2018 23:12:12 GMT
Two girls in front of me at The Inheritance managed to miss the first act and still need to eat their full on lunch (Boots Meal Deal by the looks of it) throughout the second act.
Now, firstly you missed act 1 let’s assume you were a bit late and sat in the foyer for a bit...eat your damn lunch then. OR it’s only an hour until the next interval...wait!
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Post by sf on Mar 31, 2018 23:32:00 GMT
Do theatres have a policy on intoxicated customers? If not they should. There's usually something in the terms and conditions about reserving the right to refuse access to/eject patrons whose behaviour becomes disruptive. Ushers aren't paid enough to deal with that sort of thing - I've been a front-of-house manager, although not in this country, and I know very well that throwing customers out of a theatre for bad behaviour is Not Fun because I've done it more than once - but that's what the house manager is for.
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Post by sf on Mar 31, 2018 23:43:43 GMT
An update after speaking to one of the party last night. The group behind were pi$$ed when they arrived, the vomiter didn't realise she had been sick until a woman next to her informed her when she returned to her seat after re-stocking with snacks at the interval. She was told that she had vomited on my friends coat but offered no apology. The evening was completely ruined. The theatre (or ATG, not sure which) have offered two tickets for one of four specified shows as recompense. However, none of the shows appeal to my friend and they are only Monday to Friday tickets which doesn't help due to work commitments. They have since requested dry-cleaning costs for the coat.
Anyone have any further suggestions for complaint other than to keep contacting ATG?
I’m sorry your friends’ evening was ruined. From what you say they have already registered a complaint and have been offered something they’re not particularly happy with (I wouldn’t be either) so I would look to speak directly with the Theatre Manager. (Googling I see that Liverpool Empire’s Manager won some award or other back in 2016 but it could be someone different now...) www.atgtickets.com/news/liverpool-empire-theatre-manager-wins-top-uk-theatre-award/Anyhow, once I’d got the name (from a programme? From ATG?) I would contact them directly, either by email or by telephone, going over the same details and informing them that the compensation already offered isn’t acceptable for the reasons you’ve stated. The theatre staff have not reacted to the use of phones and singing along, they have allowed the group back when they should have been ejected, and they have acknowledged some blame already from the offer of complimentary seats for another show. Like any business you complain to, they will usually try to pacify you with a small gesture up front. If this isn’t acceptable to you then you persist until you are reasonably happy. Personally speaking I feel that some shows are now completely off-limits especially at weekends. They often attract the wrong crowd that theatre staff simply don’t know how to deal with, and it can make for a very unpleasant evening. In the words of Mr John, “...it’s a sad, sad situation, and it’s getting more and more absurd...” All of this. Be polite but persistent, and know what you want. I had a very unpleasant experience at the Palace in Manchester a few years ago (nobody threw up on me, but there was significantly disruptive behaviour all around me and it continued through the second half even though I'd complained to the house manager at intermission), and I eventually got a full refund including booking fees - I quoted their terms and conditions back to them, pointed out that it was unacceptable that the behaviour I'd described continued in the second half even though I'd complained at the interval that the woman sittin g behind me actually hit me when I glared at her to try and get her to be quiet, and told them it wasn't an experience I was prepared to pay for. It took a couple of follow-up letters, but I did eventually get my money back. And I do think it's important to complain when you encounter really terrible behaviour from other patrons. The theatre has a responsibility to all their customers. Dealing with disruptive audience members is not a pleasant part of the job (believe me - as I said somewhere else, I've done it), but it is part of the job. It's probably no bad thing, if you have an unpleasant experience as a result of another customer's behaviour, to reinforce the point with the theatre's management that you paid to be there, that they have a responsibility to ensure, as far as they can, that you have a good time, and that failing in that responsibility results in you getting less than you paid for.
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Post by Phantom of London on Apr 1, 2018 0:38:54 GMT
The audience were dreadful I. Sunderland today for the Jersey Boys.
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Apr 1, 2018 11:42:04 GMT
The audience were dreadful I. Sunderland today for the Jersey Boys. I always spelt the Geordie word 'aye'
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Post by Phantom of London on Apr 1, 2018 12:57:39 GMT
Should have been the word ‘in’ but Apple likes to change my typing. I should read before I post.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2018 14:22:06 GMT
Some Theatres now employ a Security guard FOH before shows, surely they could be used to remove rowdy patrons.
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Post by wickedgrin on Apr 1, 2018 17:30:06 GMT
At Young Frankenstein the other week the stalls were full of phone screens lighting up with audience members checking their messages! I thought they would make for great targets for the fully armed police who would patrol the isles and simply take them out! Folk around me thought I was chuckling at the show but I was imagining the ushers dragging the bodies out at the end and putting them in the bins (with the others from the matinee) at the back of the theatre!
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Post by shady23 on Apr 1, 2018 19:03:00 GMT
The audience were dreadful I. Sunderland today for the Jersey Boys. I always spelt the Geordie word 'aye' Don't mention Sunderland and Geordies in the same sentence! People from Sunderland are Mackems and they also say aye.
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Apr 2, 2018 8:13:39 GMT
I always spelt the Geordie word 'aye' Don't mention Sunderland and Geordies in the same sentence! People from Sunderland are Mackems and they also say aye. I thought the term Geordies was mining related. I have Grandparents from Newcastle, Northumberland and Durham and they were all Geordies.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2018 9:00:40 GMT
Shout out to two impeccably behaved audiences this trip: Caroline or Change (to be fair half the ones around me were asleep through most of it) and The Bridge crowd. All well behaved, not a sandwich in sight.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2018 20:05:43 GMT
If, despite the pre-show announcement, you didn’t take notice and silence your phone, when it begins ringing in the most intimate establishing scene of Miss Saigon (at The Palace, Manchester) then DONT JUST LEAVE IT IN YOUR POCKET RINGING, FUMBLE AROUND AND TURN IT DOWN A FEW NOTCHES, leaving it un-muted to continue ringing for a further 2-3 minutes (no over exaggeration!) Yes, you, Pr**k in D15 circle! Disgustingly rude,disrespectful behaviour. As far as I’m concerned your not welcome in this theatre.
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Post by richey on Apr 3, 2018 8:11:24 GMT
If, despite the pre-show announcement, you didn’t take notice and silence your phone, when it begins ringing in the most intimate establishing scene of Miss Saigon (at The Palace, Manchester) then DONT JUST LEAVE IT IN YOUR POCKET RINGING, FUMBLE AROUND AND TURN IT DOWN A FEW NOTCHES, leaving it un-muted to continue ringing for a further 2-3 minutes (no over exaggeration!) Yes, you, Pr**k in D15 circle! Disgustingly rude,disrespectful behaviour. As far as I’m concerned your not welcome in this theatre. Phones were bad up there last night! I thought I'd heard one ringing! Halfway through Act 1 we had a couple sat in front of us in row D who stared intently at their screen despite the usher and people around them telling them to put it away. Then a woman in a box at the end of the row obviously thought it was ok to carry on using her phone after the interval and only shoved it in her handbag halfway through 'Bui-Doi' when she saw the approaching usher
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2018 8:38:34 GMT
If, despite the pre-show announcement, you didn’t take notice and silence your phone, when it begins ringing in the most intimate establishing scene of Miss Saigon (at The Palace, Manchester) then DONT JUST LEAVE IT IN YOUR POCKET RINGING, FUMBLE AROUND AND TURN IT DOWN A FEW NOTCHES, leaving it un-muted to continue ringing for a further 2-3 minutes (no over exaggeration!) Yes, you, Pr**k in D15 circle! Disgustingly rude,disrespectful behaviour. As far as I’m concerned your not welcome in this theatre. Phones were bad up there last night! I thought I'd heard one ringing! Halfway through Act 1 we had a couple sat in front of us in row D who stared intently at their screen despite the usher and people around them telling them to put it away. Then a woman in a box at the end of the row obviously thought it was ok to carry on using her phone after the interval and only shoved it in her handbag halfway through 'Bui-Doi' when she saw the approaching usher The female he was with sunk so low into her chair in embarresment, but he refused to silence it, even on her instruction, numerous tuts and turn arounds from people. He just kept cancelling the call, which kept returning and notching down the volume, until I had to lean in and quite vocally command him "Turn it off please. Now." She must have died from mortification as they didn't reutrn after the interval.
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Post by richey on Apr 3, 2018 8:43:53 GMT
Phones were bad up there last night! I thought I'd heard one ringing! Halfway through Act 1 we had a couple sat in front of us in row D who stared intently at their screen despite the usher and people around them telling them to put it away. Then a woman in a box at the end of the row obviously thought it was ok to carry on using her phone after the interval and only shoved it in her handbag halfway through 'Bui-Doi' when she saw the approaching usher The female he was with sunk so low into her chair in embarresment, but he refused to silence it, even on her instruction, numerous tuts and turn arounds from people. He just kept cancelling the call, which kept returning and notching down the volume, until I had to lean in and quite vocally command him "Turn it off please. Now." She must have died from mortification as they didn't reutrn after the interval. What seats were you in? The two people in front of me didn't return after the interval either!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2018 9:07:41 GMT
The female he was with sunk so low into her chair in embarresment, but he refused to silence it, even on her instruction, numerous tuts and turn arounds from people. He just kept cancelling the call, which kept returning and notching down the volume, until I had to lean in and quite vocally command him "Turn it off please. Now." She must have died from mortification as they didn't reutrn after the interval. What seats were you in? The two people in front of me didn't return after the interval either! E14-16 - you?
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 3, 2018 9:15:40 GMT
A friend of mine was in stalls P at The Palace last night and had someone close by eating a full Sainsbury’s meal deal out of a carrier bag.
Have to say it was fine where I was for the whole performance except a woman who found the male go-go dancer in What A Waste hilarious for some reason.
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Post by richey on Apr 3, 2018 9:18:17 GMT
E14-16 - you? [/quote] D31-32 I had a woman next to me with a bucket of popcorn which smelt awful when she opened it but thankfully she was so engrossed in the show she gave up on eating it
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2018 10:43:31 GMT
Saw a few people parading round with buckets of 'Darling' popcorn from the tuckshop, no distrubances from them. There were a serial rustler going through the bag of sweets in Act2 in the middle of the circle who had been shushed a few times by people around them but unrelentedly continued.
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Post by stuartww on Apr 3, 2018 12:45:18 GMT
Harry Potter on Sunday - loved the shows immensely - however the group of loud Americans sat behind us in the stalls who had clearly had a couple of drinks, and then a couple more in the first interval, then a few more in the break between shows, then a few more in Part 2 interval....
they gradually got louder and louder, thought shouting Duckie at each other (albeit pre-curtain up and in the intervals) and shouting across the auditorium to their friends was the done thing. Before the curtain up for Part 1 Act 1, the short one behind me who moaned loudly he couldn't see (i am only 5ft 10 and it was an aisle seat!). By the time it got to Part 2 Act 2 he was so drunk he was "ooing" at the acting and what was going on on stage.
The most incredulous thing for me though was after Part 1 Act 1, they all admitted to their English friend that they had not read the books or seen the films and could not understand what was going on. these were premium seats and i can only guess someone else paid
Other than these guys, the audience was amazing. This show and Hamilton are the only two shows I have seen where the entire audience is so engrossed that there's no rustling or talking (the American guys for most of the two plays were quiet except for the hobbit behind me in Part 2 Act 2 but i think he even got told off by his friends as he did shut up in the end).
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2018 20:00:06 GMT
To the friend of Chris Howell in the second row of the circle at 42nd Street tonight chomping her way through a bag of sweets like a starving horse with its first nosebag I think I may kill you. Probably by throwing you over the safety rail.
To the people in the stalls below at 42nd Street tonight I would suggest that you move quickly as judging by her ballast and the volume of sweets she's consumed in the first act, it's going to hurt. A lot.
Really. The people you meet when you don't have your taser gun.
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Post by david on Apr 3, 2018 23:37:26 GMT
At the Great Wave today, we had one woman in row A of the stalls decided to film parts of the first half of the performance on her mobile. I’m sure the cast could notice it was they where only a few feet in front of her at the time. I must admit the recording wasn’t exactly done covertly either!
Also I had one lady sat next to me after 10 minutes of the play starting that she was sat in the wrong seat and should have been in the front stalls. So she ended up moving seats after the lady whose actual seat it was turned up.
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