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Post by daniel on Oct 15, 2017 18:11:19 GMT
In defence of the ATG £15 nibble box...you do get a drink from the bar (£6ish), house programme (£4), little bottle of wine (£5) and nibbles (couple of quid) in the box, so whilst it's not a revolutionary money saver, if you're someone who would generally buy that stuff anyway, it can be worth doing.
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Post by shady23 on Oct 15, 2017 19:03:21 GMT
Don't forget the exciting new bagel range too.
"I love the theatre but I really wish they would start selling bagels!" Said no one, ever.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2017 19:29:37 GMT
This isnt really just a touring issue, the West End has been doing it for years and years. Price does not reflect costs or the product. I remember when Lord of the rings was playing and Drowsy Chaperone was playing around the corner and charging the same price. No wonder no one gave Drowsy a chance.
I dont have an issue with the big west end touring shows charging top price as shows like Wicked, Lion King etc are west end quality productions. And its far cheaper and more convenient to see locally than travel to london which involves travel costs (which these days is getting more unreliable), food, maybe a hotel etc. But the cheap touring shows masquerading as west end standard is dangerous. Although at my local there is a difference in costs between the biggies (e.g wicked) and the likes of spamalot. There are also no premium seats, thats why im grateful ATG havent got their hands on it
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Oct 15, 2017 19:38:33 GMT
The ATG Alex in Brum is charging up to £74 for Jersey Boys in December, an extra £15 for the nibble box. It is getting ridiculous. I wouldn’t even pay the £15 for it. Load of old tut!
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Post by oxfordsimon on Oct 15, 2017 19:45:18 GMT
I have no doubt in my mind that ATG only do security checks to stop people bringing in their own drinks to try to increase bar takings rather than anything to do with security.
Add into that mix, the ridiculous 'restoration levies' and 'booking fees' - and you have a toxic combination that is driving up prices and delivering nothing better for the audience members.
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Post by daniel on Oct 16, 2017 1:26:04 GMT
I have no doubt in my mind that ATG only do security checks to stop people bringing in their own drinks to try to increase bar takings rather than anything to do with security. Add into that mix, the ridiculous 'restoration levies' and 'booking fees' - and you have a toxic combination that is driving up prices and delivering nothing better for the audience members. Just to provide some wider context...in my experience the vast majority of theatres do bag checks now - booze is confiscated not to increase bar sales, but because it's against the venues' license to allow alcohol to be brought onto the premises. If it was about increasing sales, they wouldn't allow anything in. ATG (and every other theatre I've been to other than the London Coliseum) will let you take any sweets, soft drinks, and anything you want inside to eat/drink, as long as it isn't hot food or alcohol. But bag checks are equally about security. Even if things can slip through the net, it's about customer reassurance. I remember working FOH (independent regional venue) just after the Paris attacks, and a woman was hysterical because we weren't doing bag checks. She wouldn't even go in to watch the show because she didn't felt safe. Yes, theatre bars are expensive, but maximising sales isn't the reason for bag checks. Re ticket charges, I remember there being an extensive discussion on another thread a while ago - in the simplest terms, the vast majority of the ticket "face value" goes to the producer/promoter. Once a show recoups and/or depending on the deal, the theatre may keep a percentage of the ticket revenue but it's rarely more than 20%. Booking fees is where theatres get their guaranteed income from. Most theatres across the country will get complaints about their booking fees (though I do think that theatre isn't nearly as bad as the music industry when it comes to adding on fees), though in the last couple of years there has been a trend whereby the booking fee is "inside" the ticket cost. So rather than the ticket being £50 plus a £4 fee it'll be £54 with no fees. This may be a contributor to regional ticket prices seemingly taking a sharp increase, though it seems like audience satisfaction is higher because there's no perceived additional fee, even though the ticket itself is more expensive. It's weird, pricing psychology. I did some Box Office work a couple of years ago for some summer pocket money, and we had a major UK tour do a sit-down run - when the producer decided to remove the £3 concession for over 60s, we got an absolute barrage of complaints, and were reminded multiple times per day how disgraceful this was (despite the fact that it was by no means our decision). Yet later in the run when the prices increased by £5-£10 and the £3 concession returned...not a peep. . Restoration levies are a thing so that the money is ringfenced for restoration work. Most (though not all) theatres seem to charge this now, though it does vary from about 75p up to £2. You've only got to take a look at various venues (yes, even ATG) and you can see that the amount spend on refurbishments is above and beyond the restoration levy income. The fact that theatre owners are safeguarding this income to look after their buildings is a positive thing, it's not just another stream of cash into their pockets. Though admittedly the larger groups (DMT/ATG/HQ) will pool all this money together to use for larger projects. For example a large chunk of the money to refurbish the Victoria Palace may well have come from restoration levies from Sir Cameron's other venues. What I think is the big issue though is the multiple adding on to the ticket price. Theatregoers don't want to see a £40 ticket with a £1.50 restoration fee, £3.50 per ticket fee and £4 transaction fee - just call it a £49 ticket, and worry about the breakdowns behind the scenes.
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Post by showgirl on Oct 16, 2017 3:54:15 GMT
Great, informative post, daniel, so just to pick up a couple of points: Re security and bag searches in particular: I think on the dedicated thread someone said that the staff theatres use aren't actually allowed to conduct a proper search and certainly it has been my experience that where these happen (almost universal lately, of course, with tagging afterwards) they are extremely cursory, so I take it they're intended more as a deterrent than a genuine attempt to secure the venue. Re inclusive pricing: I think you're absolutely right that people prefer this even if it results in a higher ticket cost. One reason I like it is that I can see immediately what I'll actually be paying at the checkout stage and another is that as someone who generally goes alone and books cheaper tickets, I don't appear any longer to be paying a disproportionate amount in addition to my actual ticket cost when compared to those booking more expensive tickets and/or more than one. It always irked me extremely that I could buy, say, a £15 ticket but then face perhaps another £3.50 in add-ons, whereas someone booking a £30 seat or several of them would still pay the same £3.50 overall - clearly hugely unfair. It was also annoying that theatres would announce that you could see a production for "only £10" - but you couldn't as there was no way to avoid the fees. On this point I noticed recently that the Rose Theatre in Kingston, formerly one of the worst offenders (you had to book in person to avoid double fees) appears quietly to have switched to inclusive pricing.
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Post by Snciole on Oct 16, 2017 15:37:38 GMT
I briefly ranted in another thread about another theatre theatreboard.co.uk/post/156423/threadI know it is all Fight Club when talking about comps but I remember seeing The Dresser (before it went to the West End) for very cheap *WINK* at Richmond? Why because even with a top cast the prices are shocking and you might as well wait for West End deals. I think outside of London they assume the little people have nothing else to see so will spend an obscene amount of money seeing a tour. I also think, this is mainly a London issue, people underestimate where the buyers of tickets are coming from. What percentage want to see a particular show and what percentage are people who will see anything of an evening. The prices work for the later but not the former
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Post by shady23 on Oct 16, 2017 16:03:33 GMT
If you think the prices of refreshments are bad in theatres it's nothing compared to Disney on Ice. Four quid for very small popcorn, nine quid for slushie (as comes in a cheap plastic cup) and nine quid for candy floss (has cheap plastic mickey hat stuck on the top that nobody would wear).
Never mind the light up Princess wands for twenty quid. TWENTY QUID!!
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Oct 16, 2017 16:28:09 GMT
Cinemas are as bad, if not worse than theatres. Popcorn. Must be one of THE cheapest commodities yet look at the mark up on it. Nachos. More corn-based rubbish and that filthy, stinking slime they pour over it. Five quid for a bucket of cola and they invariably dont have ice. I was stood behind someone at The Snowman yesterday (don’t go, it was pants) buying two of those mini wines and there was t much change out of £15.
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Post by kathryn on Oct 17, 2017 7:25:04 GMT
I've got into the habit of taking my own popcorn into the cinema! Not only is it cheaper, it's considerably less calorific. I don't know what cinemas are doing to their popcorn to make the calorie counts so high - compared to the microwave-popped stuff it's about 50% more calories.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2017 9:59:40 GMT
Five quid for a bucket of cola and they invariably dont have ice. The ice bit is a blessing. You DO NOT want do see what builds up in ice-machines, nor read reports about what happens when one staff member doesn't use gloves. I make a huge point of ordering all drinks without ice. The ice thing is a con anyway. Its used as a cup filler so they have to serve you less product for your money.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Oct 17, 2017 11:25:26 GMT
Yeh but I like my drinks frosty. ☃️☃️☃️
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Post by TallPaul on Oct 17, 2017 12:11:44 GMT
Popcorn is delivered to cinemas in large sacks, ready popped.
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Post by shady23 on Oct 17, 2017 15:59:38 GMT
The ice bit is a blessing. You DO NOT want do see what builds up in ice-machines, nor read reports about what happens when one staff member doesn't use gloves. I make a huge point of ordering all drinks without ice. The ice thing is a con anyway. Its used as a cup filler so they have to serve you less product for your money. When I used to work in a cinema we had hidden signs up behind the counter reminding to fill cups at least half full with ice!
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Post by Sotongal on Oct 17, 2017 17:51:49 GMT
When we went to see The Best Man in Richmond Theatre (cracking cast, by the way!) a few weeks ago, we were shocked to find the ice creams on sale for £5 each.
We could only surmise that having queued to buy one, people were too shocked to say no and just paid up?!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2017 17:55:31 GMT
How overpriced exactly do you think tickets are these days? What would seem fair to you for, say a good stalls seat a touring show (or west end, for that matter)? How cheap should the most accessible seats be etc? What kind of shows would you be prepared to pay more for, or think should be a bit cheaper?
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Post by shady23 on Oct 17, 2017 21:44:51 GMT
Well, Gary Barlow is touring theatres and other venues next year and for my local theatre the first front eight rows are vip at £178 (you get a signed program with "G", his lazy signature there days and a yet to be decided exclusive bit of tour merchandise. Maybe a GB branded nibble box ...) Rest of stalls, upper circle and grand circle, ALL seats, are £74. I know lots of these side stalls seats have a very restricted view yet are the same price.
Restricted view in gallery £55. Ouch!
A few standing spots at back of each level £41.
First Take That related tour I've ever missed but those prices are just ridiculous.
Also to be "entitled" to enter the pre sale tomorrow you have to have pre ordered his new book on Amazon. His new book is released October 18th. No, not tomorrow. 2018! He's not written it yet!
Give me strength! 😂
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Oct 18, 2017 6:58:31 GMT
I do hope we get a massive Beckham-style fall from grace by Gary Barlow. If he ever gets the knighthood he’s after I’ll be bloody livid. I’m beginning to despise him.
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Post by viserys on Oct 18, 2017 7:05:31 GMT
This whole "verified fan"-system seems to be the latest money-making scam on the ticket market, making people buy new albums/books etc. in order to be able to access pre-sales. Bruce Springsteen (for who I generally have lots of respect) did it for his Broadway run and Taylor Swift took it to new levels. Now Barlow is jumping the bandwagon and he probably won't be the last.
I wish fans would just boycott this nonsense and say "enough is enough" - there are countless good singers and bands around who'll provide you with a good evening without these rip-off ideas. But fools will buy so I expect this to stick around. Someday we'll also have musicals where you can boost your access to pre-sales by buying the cast recording, the mixtapes, the coffee table book and the souvenir mug.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Oct 18, 2017 7:23:04 GMT
Madonna doesn’t mess about with books and albums. Want to be in the pre-sale? Hand over your card details and pay for it. Been doing it for years, the cheeky cow. Still love her though
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Post by shady23 on Oct 18, 2017 12:35:11 GMT
They're not allowed by law for some reason to say you have to have to buy the book so usually found hidden down the announcement is a link where you can get the code without a purchase!
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Post by shady23 on Oct 18, 2017 12:37:50 GMT
I do hope we get a massive Beckham-style fall from grace by Gary Barlow. If he ever gets the knighthood he’s after I’ll be bloody livid. I’m beginning to despise him. He was knighted for doing the Queens concert wasn't he?! OBE! Robbie has raised millions upon millions for Unicef over the years and not a sniff. Not that I am bitter about this outrageous injustice...
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Oct 18, 2017 14:05:41 GMT
I do hope we get a massive Beckham-style fall from grace by Gary Barlow. If he ever gets the knighthood he’s after I’ll be bloody livid. I’m beginning to despise him. He was knighted for doing the Queens concert wasn't he?! OBE! Robbie has raised millions upon millions for Unicef over the years and not a sniff. Not that I am bitter about this outrageous injustice... He’s not a Sir Gary yet though. Despite all that shmoozing round the royal family. It’s so obvious what he’s up to... Makes me PUKE
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Post by kathryn on Oct 18, 2017 22:27:16 GMT
I do hope we get a massive Beckham-style fall from grace by Gary Barlow. If he ever gets the knighthood he’s after I’ll be bloody livid. I’m beginning to despise him. He was knighted for doing the Queens concert wasn't he?! OBE! Robbie has raised millions upon millions for Unicef over the years and not a sniff. Not that I am bitter about this outrageous injustice... An OBE is not the same as a Knighthood, it's a couple of grades below. The Order of the British Empire (yes, we know - but the whole shebang is an anachronism) goes MBE (member) OBE (officer) CBE (commander) KBE/DBE (Knight or Dame Commander) and GBE (Knight or Dame Grand Cross).
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Post by shady23 on Oct 19, 2017 18:08:31 GMT
Obviously I caved in and booked Barlow tickets despite my early rantings. I'm weak, sorry.
I know some fans who are up to ten shows bought in pre sale alone, I expect more tomorrow. The good old friendly "I've booked more than you" competition in a fandom!
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Post by Phantom of London on Oct 19, 2017 20:29:50 GMT
ntly that the Rose Theatre in Kingston, formerly one of the worst offenders (you had to book in person to Beverages only cost a lot of money if you insist on buying inside the venue, give the Palace Theatre, Manchester for example as I know this is local to Burly Bear. The interval is 20 minutes and I use some imagination in making my own ATG box up, except I do this at the Sainsbury's local just over the road, you get a great meal deal Fajitas, Crisps and 500ml bottle of pop for £3, I normally push the boat out and get a deluxe sandwich, which used to be in the meal deal, but not now. It isn't unusual for me to walk into a venue without a Caffe Nero's Cappuccino in my hand, the only theatre that doesn't like this is the Adelphi. I have been know to go out in the interval for my dose of Caffe Nero's Caffeine, did this last for Oslo. Never drink alcohol when at the theatre, 2/3 through doing Stoptober challenge.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Oct 19, 2017 22:01:48 GMT
ntly that the Rose Theatre in Kingston, formerly one of the worst offenders (you had to book in person to I normally push the boat out and get a deluxe sandwich, which used to be in the meal deal, but not now. I always had you down as the reckless type PoL, and now you’ve confirmed it. You devil.
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Post by daniel on Oct 19, 2017 23:43:12 GMT
One of my favourite interval tricks that works best at the Noel Coward...when I fancy an interval ice cream but really don't fancy paying £4 for a little tub of Haagen-Dazs...as soon as the house lights come up, I'm out of my seat, up the stairs and out of the front door, and over the road to McDonald's. Dairy Milk McFlurry with an extra shot of chocolate, £1.29. Bish bash bosh job done. Back in my seat with about five minutes to go, McFlurry in hand, everyone else looking at me thinking "damn I wish I'd thought of that."
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Post by Phantom of London on Oct 20, 2017 14:20:18 GMT
One of my favourite interval tricks that works best at the Noel Coward...when I fancy an interval ice cream but really don't fancy paying £4 for a little tub of Haagen-Dazs...as soon as the house lights come up, I'm out of my seat, up the stairs and out of the front door, and over the road to McDonald's. Dairy Milk McFlurry with an extra shot of chocolate, £1.29. Bish bash bosh job done. Back in my seat with about five minutes to go, McFlurry in hand, everyone else looking at me thinking "damn I wish I'd thought of that." Back in my seat with about five minutes to go, McFlurry in hand, everyone else looking at me thinking "damn I wish I'd thought of that." Or thinking something, anyway Unfortunately doesn't work with a Big Mac, haven't thought of the McFlurry and is small enough to get into your pocket, many other London theatres you can do that too. I remember going to see the last revival of All My Sons at the Apollo. Anyway I had a £10 day ticket and the ticket was situated in a box, which I shared with these 2 other middle aged women, who by the way they spoke prim and proper (no Eliza Doolittle here) you could tell they didn't go to the local comprehensive. Anyway before the show started I had a little convivial chat with them and ascertained they come from Bickley, which is 5 miles from where I live and houses in Bickley start North of £2m. Anyway come the interval they got theses 2 glasses out yes glasses not plastic, this little icebag, unzipped and produced 2 tins of Pimms, which they poured and enjoyed. So you had these 2 ladies who were public schooled, reside in very expensive palatial pads, who had the cheapest day seats and helping themselves to their own drinks in proper glasses, that would cost no more than £2.50 for the 2x Pimms, if you please, I think it's fair to say I liked these ladies immediately.
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