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Post by poster J on Jul 14, 2021 16:41:27 GMT
I wish the owners would move past the romanticised history of these places (as seen in Cameron Mackintosh’s letter to Boris) and give more thought to the customer’s comfort, because a lot of these theatres really aren’t fit for purpose anymore. I guess they went with the Vaudeville because the proscenium wouldn’t be a problem with Six? It's not so much to do with the owners, it's planning law. You need a huge number of consents to do so much as change a light bulb in a Grade II listed building, and it's not as if additional floor space can be magicked out of thin air in somewhere as densely populated in terms of buildings as the Strand... Access obviously needs to be improved, but people are being very naive about timescales and what is possible. It isn't possible do anything like what you are all demanding before Six opens in September. Logistically and legally that will inevitably take years. It's complicated and it can't be done overnight.
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Post by Seriously on Jul 14, 2021 17:00:03 GMT
I wonder why people haven't made this much noise with previous productions going in there?
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Post by Mark on Jul 14, 2021 17:17:41 GMT
I wonder why people haven't made this much noise with previous productions going in there? I wonder this too. It's had some fairly high profile productions over the years. Either way I do hope they're able to find a solution to the access to allow heavier wheelchairs in.
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Post by FairyGodmother on Jul 14, 2021 17:31:09 GMT
I would guess the people affected in the past phoned the box office and chatted through options with them. And I suspect in a lot of cases there's a way around it. Some people use a power chair day-to-day, but for a theatre trip could either go in a manual chair or transfer at the theatre before the steps — people who do para sports for example will be used to changing from chair to chair, and lots of people have separate 'home' and 'out' chairs. So if they spoke to the venue and came up with a way that was safe and they were happy to do, they've probably just gone and enjoyed the show!
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Post by alison on Jul 14, 2021 17:52:10 GMT
And for those people, that's not ideal but if they can find a way round it then good for them. For others, that's just not an option. I know two people, one of whom is a huge Six fan and has been following the show since the first London run, who use a power chair all the time and so are just unable to access the theatre at all. One of them really wanted to see the play Emilia when it was on but it was just physically impossible. And yes, they have complained in the past but like so much disability access, it was completely ignored by the abled majority.
The reason people are making such a noise now is probably because it is a more popular show with a younger audience. And yes, I do agree that sometimes the younger Twitter mob can go too far on calling for things to be cancelled, but in this case I don't think that's what most people are asking for - and they're not wrong. The fact that in 2021 this level of inaccessibility is allowed, and justified based on the structure of a building, is completely unacceptable. People should be more important than buildings, sorry not sorry!
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Post by inthenose on Jul 14, 2021 18:12:11 GMT
So why *is* this show so popular with people with disabilities? Looking through Twitter, there are several mentions of people with autism and other mental conditions as well as physical impairments. Disproportionately high, or at least disproportionately vocal about it.
Oh, and dozens of angry teenagers saying it should be cancelled and considering protesting at the theatre.
They look like you'd expect, use pronouns and have pride flags next to their names.
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Post by fiyero on Jul 14, 2021 18:29:06 GMT
Oh my gosh there’s a lot of anger in the Twitter posts and retweets. They announce the show doesn’t have to close (basically) but he theatre has issues so people aren’t happy. They announce they’ll open a conversation but people aren’t happy it’s an image of text. They repost with alt text but people aren’t happy as they should t have to give ideas for free.
I genuinely feel bad for those with issues but as has been mentioned there is often a solution, even if not ideal. Keyboard warriors going hammer and tongs won’t help. I hope nimax and the producers work out a better solution than going to a hotel nearby to use the loo but that is a solution that seems suitable with planning, Six has no interval so no rush with planning. The more important thing is physical access to the auditorium I think, my local big theatre built access at the side, not possible with the Vaudeville’s location I guess.
Please don’t think I’m belittling the issues some patrons have and will have but this is smelling of cancel culture right now!
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Post by danb on Jul 14, 2021 19:00:13 GMT
I kind of agree. For everybody with the actual issue I’m pretty sure there are 5 being appalled on their behalf. A solution/work round will be found.
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4,631 posts
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Post by Phantom of London on Jul 14, 2021 19:20:54 GMT
The Vaudeville was built in the days when patrons didn't need comfort provisions.
I am a disabled toilet (radar key holder) user, I don't however have any mobility issues and can manage stairs. This theatre has the worst provisions and especially now the other Gents with just 2 cubicles have now been made gender neutral, especially with my disability.
This theatre used to have an arrangement with the Adelphi Theatre next door to use their toilets. The theatre staff have always been very understanding and allowed me to use the toilet in the circle, when it has been closed and have used the Adelphi also.
Six is the ideal show has having no interval, goes someway to alleviating this issue.
The Vaudeville has a glorious auditorium, so wonder if there is a way they could build a decent theatre, whilst preserving the auditorium?
The Ambassador Theatre is a worse theatre. Also Broadway who theatres are more recent are much worse than the West End.
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3,927 posts
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Post by Dawnstar on Jul 14, 2021 19:46:02 GMT
So why *is* this show so popular with people with disabilities? No one has yet answered my similar query a page back. I was under the impression that SiX had a younger audience than your average musical. Therefore I would have thought there would be a smaller proportion of audience members with limited mobility than, say, a Rodgers & Hammerstein revival which would attract an older audience who would be more likely to require wheelchairs or walking frames. (Before anyone jumps on me, I'm not saying their are no younger people requiring wheelchairs but that the proportion of people needing them increases with age.)
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Post by Jon on Jul 14, 2021 22:35:21 GMT
Short of demolishing the theatres which thankfully will not happen, making venues which are old more accessible is a challenge.
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Post by Seriously on Jul 14, 2021 23:01:00 GMT
So why *is* this show so popular with people with disabilities? No one has yet answered my similar query a page back. I was under the impression that SiX had a younger audience than your average musical. Therefore I would have thought there would be a smaller proportion of audience members with limited mobility than, say, a Rodgers & Hammerstein revival which would attract an older audience who would be more likely to require wheelchairs or walking frames. (Before anyone jumps on me, I'm not saying their are no younger people requiring wheelchairs but that the proportion of people needing them increases with age.) I would imagine a show about empowerment against the odds would strike a much stronger chord with disabled audience members. An older audience is probably more used to the reality that theatres built in the 1920s don't easily gain the infrastructure that modern audiences demand, and as they usually have more funds, perhaps they're happier to pay for a more expensive seat in the stalls rather than trek up to the higher levels?
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Post by l0islane on Jul 14, 2021 23:34:47 GMT
It seems like there possibly is a solution to the access part but they just aren't willing to invest the money? (see whole twitter thread)
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3,927 posts
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Post by Dawnstar on Jul 15, 2021 12:02:49 GMT
I would imagine a show about empowerment against the odds would strike a much stronger chord with disabled audience members. An older audience is probably more used to the reality that theatres built in the 1920s don't easily gain the infrastructure that modern audiences demand, and as they usually have more funds, perhaps they're happier to pay for a more expensive seat in the stalls rather than trek up to the higher levels? Wouldn't all wheelchair spaces be at the same price irrespective of where in the theatre they were located? I thought most theatres had a standard price for access seats, and that that price was usually a fair bit lower than the top price tickets. Though that's only the impression I have from general theatregoing; as my problems are mental rather than physical I've never looked at access seats in detail.
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Post by Seriously on Jul 15, 2021 13:48:02 GMT
I would imagine a show about empowerment against the odds would strike a much stronger chord with disabled audience members. An older audience is probably more used to the reality that theatres built in the 1920s don't easily gain the infrastructure that modern audiences demand, and as they usually have more funds, perhaps they're happier to pay for a more expensive seat in the stalls rather than trek up to the higher levels? Wouldn't all wheelchair spaces be at the same price irrespective of where in the theatre they were located? I thought most theatres had a standard price for access seats, and that that price was usually a fair bit lower than the top price tickets. Though that's only the impression I have from general theatregoing; as my problems are mental rather than physical I've never looked at access seats in detail. Yes, but my post was answering someone who was talking about limited mobility and walking frames too.
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Post by inthenose on Jul 15, 2021 17:40:11 GMT
It seems like there possibly is a solution to the access part but they just aren't willing to invest the money? (see whole twitter thread) Yes, I personally think the entire theatre should be rebuilt so it only has wheelchair spaces. And I think the audience should be paid to go, and paid per clap, and they should be given free back rubs by the Chippendales during the show.
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3,088 posts
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Post by david on Jul 15, 2021 21:28:27 GMT
A really last minute trip to see this tonight. Having not planned anything this evening after a day trip to Chichester to watch South Pacific and just rest up, for some unknown reason I thought it might be worth seeing if I could get a ticket 15 minutes before the show started. Thanks to some idiots near Crawley getting onto the train tracks, my train back to Victoria was delayed so a mad dash to the Lyric was made and thankfully got a slightly discounted Dress Circle ticket.
The Lyric has been on my list of theatres yet to visit, so at least it’s ticked off the list tonight. A great seat and and absolutely fantastic show. With Athena Collins playing Catherine Parr, the cast really delivered tonight. A cracking atmosphere in the auditorium tonight. Heart of Stone is still the best number in my opinion. A really well written ballad.
If anything, I’m not attempting this kind of 2 day show again. It’s too hectic and stressful but it’s been a great day of theatre and I’ll definitely sleep well tonight.
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Post by FrontroverPaul on Jul 15, 2021 23:06:42 GMT
A really last minute trip to see this tonight. Having not planned anything this evening after a day trip to Chichester to watch South Pacific and just rest up, for some unknown reason I thought it might be worth seeing if I could get a ticket 15 minutes before the show started. Thanks to some idiots near Crawley getting onto the train tracks, my train back to Victoria was delayed so a mad dash to the Lyric was made and thankfully got a slightly discounted Dress Circle ticket. The Lyric has been on my list of theatres yet to visit, so at least it’s ticked off the list tonight. A great seat and and absolutely fantastic show. With Athena Collins playing Catherine Parr, the cast really delivered tonight. A cracking atmosphere in the auditorium tonight. Heart of Stone is still the best number in my opinion. A really well written ballad. If anything, I’m not attempting this kind of 2 day show again. It’s too hectic and stressful but it’s been a great day of theatre and I’ll definitely sleep well tonight. Is that Merseyside to Chichester to London and back to Merseyside all in one day ? I've done some crazy train mileage for musical theatre but couldn't match that. Kent to Newcastle and Kent To Lancaster same day returns are my best shots.
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Post by david on Jul 15, 2021 23:13:05 GMT
A really last minute trip to see this tonight. Having not planned anything this evening after a day trip to Chichester to watch South Pacific and just rest up, for some unknown reason I thought it might be worth seeing if I could get a ticket 15 minutes before the show started. Thanks to some idiots near Crawley getting onto the train tracks, my train back to Victoria was delayed so a mad dash to the Lyric was made and thankfully got a slightly discounted Dress Circle ticket. The Lyric has been on my list of theatres yet to visit, so at least it’s ticked off the list tonight. A great seat and and absolutely fantastic show. With Athena Collins playing Catherine Parr, the cast really delivered tonight. A cracking atmosphere in the auditorium tonight. Heart of Stone is still the best number in my opinion. A really well written ballad. If anything, I’m not attempting this kind of 2 day show again. It’s too hectic and stressful but it’s been a great day of theatre and I’ll definitely sleep well tonight. Is that Merseyside to Chichester to London and back to Merseyside all in one day ? I've done some crazy train mileage for musical theatre but couldn't match that. Kent to Newcastle and Kent To Lancaster same day returns are my best shots. Thankfully not. Just London to Chichester and back while I’m down here. Kent to Newcastle, now that is a long day FrontroverPaul
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Post by Dawnstar on Jul 16, 2021 11:30:04 GMT
Is that Merseyside to Chichester to London and back to Merseyside all in one day ? I've done some crazy train mileage for musical theatre but couldn't match that. Kent to Newcastle and Kent To Lancaster same day returns are my best shots. Thankfully not. Just London to Chichester and back while I’m down here. Kent to Newcastle, now that is a long day FrontroverPaul I once did Cambridge to Newcastle in a day and I thought that was bad enough but Kent to Newcastle is even worse. I think my longest ever day trip was Cambridge to Cardiff. The craziest one I've done was Cambridge to Cornwall via Birmingham but that was only one way in a day, then I came back the following week via Guildford.
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Post by alison on Jul 16, 2021 15:46:12 GMT
The longest day trip I’ve done ever is Edinburgh to London and back in the same day to see Daddy Long Legs when Megan McGinnis was over here with it.
The most recent long distance rush between two shows was a couple of years ago when &Juliet had just opened in the WE. I’d driven over an hour from home to Oxford to see the Six tour matinee, then while I was there found out that one of the &J covers was making his debut. So I left my car at the Oxford park and ride, jumped on the Oxford-London train straight after Six and made it not long before the show. Then afterward I had to get the train back to Oxford, walk the 30 mins back to the park and ride and then drive the hour and a bit home!
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Post by FrontroverPaul on Jul 16, 2021 19:05:26 GMT
Thankfully not. Just London to Chichester and back while I’m down here. Kent to Newcastle, now that is a long day FrontroverPaul I once did Cambridge to Newcastle in a day and I thought that was bad enough but Kent to Newcastle is even worse. I think my longest ever day trip was Cambridge to Cardiff. The craziest one I've done was Cambridge to Cornwall via Birmingham but that was only one way in a day, then I came back the following week via Guildford. Maybe we should have a new thread for this, sorry that we're well OT but I will refer to Six... Kent to Newcastle is probably about the same journey length as from Cambridge. High Speed train to St Pancras, across the road to Kings Cross, 3 hours to Newcastle and a 10 minute walk to the Theatre Royal. As I recall I left home at 8.00am and reached Newcastle about 12.45, returned around 6.00 and was back indoors by 10.30pm The trip to Lancaster one of the very few I regretted. As Six is one of the shortest shows, My Fair Lady is one of the longest, averaging three hours. This amateur version was due to start at 2.15, so I booked the (£18ish with railcard) advance return ticket for 5.50pm. I was immediately concerned when a sign in the foyer said expected finish 5.30, then the show started 10 minutes late, had a 25 minute interval (due to queues for the ladies I understand!!) and must have been the longest version I've ever seen with all the big scenes extended. When I left at 5.35 there was at least 15 minutes still to go . I just couldn't risk travelling on the next train and potentially being charged over £100 for a new ticket.
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Post by Seriously on Jul 16, 2021 19:20:12 GMT
Please.... start another thread!
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Post by danielwhit on Jul 17, 2021 16:49:04 GMT
It seems like there possibly is a solution to the access part but they just aren't willing to invest the money? (see whole twitter thread) Yes, I personally think the entire theatre should be rebuilt so it only has wheelchair spaces. And I think the audience should be paid to go, and paid per clap, and they should be given free back rubs by the Chippendales during the show. I was worried you were going to propose back rubs by the Clapindales for a moment there...
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Post by greeny11 on Jul 23, 2021 18:24:59 GMT
Just taken my seat, and interestingly, they’re leaving a seat either side of each party, so they’re still not going to full capacity even though they now can.
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642 posts
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Post by greeny11 on Jul 23, 2021 21:35:43 GMT
Despite having more requests for masks than the Coliseum or the Phoenix, there appeared to be fewer masks being worn than in either of the other 2 places.
That said, the show was brilliant - the cast we had tonight were on top form, and the audience were incredibly responsive. I love Six anyway, but the changes and the bigger venue have really elevated it for me.
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Post by greeny11 on Aug 12, 2021 10:42:53 GMT
Based on Cherelle's IG story, looks like cast change is in November.
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Post by cjamess on Aug 12, 2021 10:59:32 GMT
Based on Cherelle's IG story, looks like cast change is in November. They were holding auditions at the weekend in central
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Post by sophie92 on Aug 12, 2021 11:22:50 GMT
Based on Cherelle's IG story, looks like cast change is in November. New cast will start on 16th November; it was included in the announcement of the move to the Vaudeville
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Post by Dr Tom on Aug 12, 2021 17:24:53 GMT
I see the tour cast tonight is most of the London swings/alternates. A lot of isolations perhaps?
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