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Post by showgirl on Feb 2, 2017 8:14:43 GMT
I know it's not the first time that public booking has opened for several venues' new seasons in the same week, or even on the same day, but this week seems to have been particularly popular:
Hampstead Theatre Monday
Menier Chocolate Factory Tuesday
Young Vic Wednesday
Almeida Thursday
And there may be others of which I am unaware.
After yesterday's diabolical experience with the Young Vic, I cannot face even trying to book for the Almeida today; why oh why cannot the major theatres liaise over this and at least spread the misery somewhat? Also, sort out their website issues (Young Vic) and announce the time at which booking opens (MCF) - and tell the truth about the latter! (Naming no names here...)
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2017 8:41:19 GMT
It's just a terrifying time of year. Angels In America and Hamilton in the same week was a particular cruelty. I suppose it's some kind of post-Christmas thing but the overlap is just killing my poor credit and debit cards.
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Post by Honoured Guest on Feb 2, 2017 10:41:59 GMT
Hampstead Theatre Monday Menier Chocolate Factory Tuesday Young Vic Wednesday Almeida Thursday And there may be others of which I am unaware. General public booking for Shakespeare's Globe and for Hamilton also opened on Monday. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2017 11:25:02 GMT
Hampstead Theatre Monday Menier Chocolate Factory Tuesday Young Vic Wednesday Almeida Thursday And there may be others of which I am unaware. General public booking for Shakespeare's Globe and for Hamilton also opened on Monday. And some booking for NT and RSC within the next 7 days depending on your level of membership! And WTF The YV still has a queue operating!!!! |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2017 12:36:15 GMT
In a moment of pure Zen, I have let both priority and public booking for the Almeida and Hampstead pass me by without worrying about it. I might see if there are tickets available when I can afford it but if not I'll live. Nothing is actually unmissable.
My resolution for 2017 is less debt, less panic booking and (hopefully) fewer but better theatre trips.
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Post by showgirl on Feb 2, 2017 13:01:42 GMT
I sometimes feel like that, Abby - indeed, I haven't wanted to see anything at the Almeida for the last 2 years & even now, both that theatre & the YV have only 1 or 2 things I fancy. However, I was trying to book for my OH, too, which means more pressure - & disappointment.
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Post by Someone in a tree on Feb 2, 2017 13:26:16 GMT
The only thing I wanted to see / book this year was Hamilton and a mate booked it for me as a birthday present #smugbeyondbelief
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Post by Marwood on Feb 2, 2017 13:32:13 GMT
General public booking for Shakespeare's Globe and for Hamilton also opened on Monday. And some booking for NT and RSC within the next 7 days depending on your level of membership! And WTF The YV still has a queue operating!!!! I went onto the YV website this morning to see if there was any other news on casting for Gaileo, only to be put at the back of a 200 person queue - unbelievable, you'd think it was someone like Beyonce in Yerma, not Billie Piper. I enjoyed the play last year (if enjoy is the right word to use), but don't see why there is suddenly a hysteria to book for it. Theatre booking is getting like booking for concerts, where Ticketmaster, See Tickets etc. start advertising concerts on a Tuesday before they go on sale at 9 on the Friday morning, then you have to be on their website prior to 9, then clicking on 'buy tickets' on the dot at 9.00 then usually ending up with anything halfway popular having either sold out in the first 5 minutes, or being sat in a queue for for an indeterminate length of time hoping there is something semi-decent still left when you get an opportunity to book your tickets. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2017 15:59:52 GMT
I sometimes feel like that, Abby - indeed, I haven't wanted to see anything at the Almeida for the last 2 years & even now, both that theatre & the YV have only 1 or 2 things I fancy. However, I was trying to book for my OH, too, which means more pressure - & disappointment. Honestly - I dread to think how much time, stress and money I've put into getting tickets for things I just can't bear to miss, and then on the night wishing I was just heading home to lie on the sofa in a onesie. Maybe I need a bit of time off theatregoing to get my appetite back! |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2017 18:02:29 GMT
Honestly - I dread to think how much time, stress and money I've put into getting tickets for things I just can't bear to miss, and then on the night wishing I was just heading home to lie on the sofa in a onesie. Maybe I need a bit of time off theatregoing to get my appetite back! I have felt exactly like you (except the onesie bit!) and decided to make a New Year's Resolution: do NOT get carried away with the hype surrounding shows, and take a breather before booking things you think you can't miss. You probably can. Quite painlessly. I went to so many duds last year and could have saved myself a fortune, not to mention missing some wonderful nights in with the telly, the sofa and (the thought of) a onesie! |
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Post by Phantom of London on Feb 2, 2017 18:36:41 GMT
When public bookings open, that doesn't translate it is obligatory to book there and then.
You can do what I do and take pause and wait nearer to the date and book, often I don't book until the day of the performance and see everything, you can go and book and something crops up or you can become ill and lose your money. I do book in advance for tickets I think will out such as Hamlet, Angels in America, Hamilton or if there is a good opening offer such as The Glass Menagerie or Who's Afraid of Virgina Woofe.
A good example for me would be Shakespeare and that is something I need to be in the mood to see, so often book late, Hamlet aside.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2017 18:57:50 GMT
Thank goodness that was Virgina, Phantom! Woof!  |
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Post by Marwood on Feb 2, 2017 22:05:51 GMT
you'd think it was someone like Beyonce in Yerma, not Billie Piper Ah, but you've never seen them together in the same room, have you... so... Hmm, fair enough, I suppose - but has anyone seen Beyonce in the same room as Dame Judi? What the hell is going on? We want the truth! |
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Post by showgirl on Feb 3, 2017 5:01:20 GMT
When public bookings open, that doesn't translate it is obligatory to book there and then. I do book in advance for tickets I think will out such as Hamlet, Angels in America, Hamilton or if there is a good opening offer such as The Glass Menagerie or Who's Afraid of Virgina Woofe. No, of course not, but as you say, Phantom, there are productions which you suspect will sell out and in the case of some recent examples, these have been returning from a previously sold-out run. Plus if you need to work round issues such as existing plans, rail engineering work, cheaper/concessionary prices for some performances, etc, it's really not always possible to leave it and take a chance. As abby said earlier, booking ahead can also sometimes mean that you don't feel like going when the day comes, but at least you have the choice, even if it means wasting the ticket cost. However, when I'm tempted to bail, I always think of the performers who have no such luxury! |
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Post by Honoured Guest on Feb 3, 2017 9:31:40 GMT
And Russell Brand's Re:Birth tour booking opens this morning, after yesterday's pre-sale.
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Post by andrew on Feb 3, 2017 23:27:22 GMT
And Russell Brand's Re:Birth tour booking opens this morning, after yesterday's pre-sale. Can't believe I missed that. What a shame. |
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