874 posts
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Post by daisy24601 on Oct 12, 2020 19:15:42 GMT
So few single seats! 😫
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Post by christya on Oct 12, 2020 19:47:58 GMT
I'm just glad there were any, but it did rather limit the choices.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 12, 2020 20:31:17 GMT
What are people’s thoughts on the distancing in place? Yes, I was a little concerned about the spacing, but did Michael Ball not say on BGT the other night that he's seen the theatre and it looks amazing and that audiences will be safe, so I assume they've reconfigured the auditorium. The seating plan is a grid version, and looking at the spread of seats on sale, I imagine will be set differently in real life. I also wonder if they're using plastic screens too, although not sure how that will work for the view. Someone said on Twitter that the dynamic seating plan automatically removes groups as other seats around are sold, but I'm not sure if that's true. Anyone know?
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Post by cheesy116 on Oct 12, 2020 21:13:28 GMT
Does anyone what time the tickets go on sale tomorrow for the people who signed up ?
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518 posts
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Post by ruby on Oct 12, 2020 21:45:23 GMT
Does anyone what time the tickets go on sale tomorrow for the people who signed up ? Midday
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Post by princeton on Oct 12, 2020 21:46:45 GMT
Cameron Mackintosh said today that the Sondheim's capacity had been reduced to just over 750 - which I'm assuming takes into account the reconfigured stalls and the empty seats in the dress and upper circles. So by my reckoning that's about 70% of the usual capacity.
There's definitely an understandable move to increasing the potential capacity. The Open Air Theatre and The Bridge both did around 30% of their usual capacity (which felt sparse but very safe); The Olivier is going to be around 45% as is Nottingham Playhouse, and the Theatre Royal Bath around 50%; LWT are saying that they are currently operating a model of around 50% usual capacity - though whether this the same for the panto isn't clear. As far as I know Nimax haven't actually said how what percentage of the usual capacity their theatres are planning to have - and they have that curious algorithm so it's not obvious from the seating plans.
I know that there are stringent rules in place about what is and isn't possible. However these are rules on paper and work on the assumption that people will be well behaved and take some responsibility - which as any visit to a supermarket demonstrates - often isn't the case. An empty socially distant theatre looks safe - a full one with people queuing to get to their seats, eating, drinking, going to the loo etc - possibly less so. And that's before you get into the sense of privilege which comes with having spent £165 a ticket!
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Post by solitaire on Oct 12, 2020 22:03:39 GMT
Does anyone what time the tickets go on sale tomorrow for the people who signed up ? We should get an e-mail around midday with a link to the sale site 🤞
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695 posts
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Post by cheesy116 on Oct 12, 2020 22:27:01 GMT
Does anyone what time the tickets go on sale tomorrow for the people who signed up ? We should get an e-mail around midday with a link to the sale site 🤞 Thank you! I couldn’t find an exact time anywhere. I hope you get the date and seats you want 👍🏻
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Post by ceebee on Oct 12, 2020 22:28:13 GMT
Some Tuesday JOJ perfs held back. More to be released. Done to stop his perfs selling out. Makes you wonder why they bother with Boe if they know JOJ is such a banker. Do you know when they'll be released? I have priority access for tomorrow but won't bother if it is only his Sat matinees on sale as I want a JOJ show and need a single seat (or a pair of cheap ones). Will be honest, I don't know. Could be tomorrow - there are only a couple of Tuesdays on right now and many seats already sold. Plenty of singles in dress and grand but you need to hunt about. Tip - aim for later in the run when yiu get in. 16th Jan final JOJ perf still has good availability. Pricing is £20 in gods to £165 centre stalls premium. Average is £90.
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Post by ceebee on Oct 12, 2020 22:31:38 GMT
Email today was at 11.51am. The theatre has been reconfigured for social distancing. Flexible seating was part of the spec on refurb. Good luck to those buying on Tuesday - I've just looked and there are seats of all price and group size left.
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Post by ceebee on Oct 12, 2020 22:32:52 GMT
Oh, impt note, click the email straight away, don't wait til 12pm. You go straight in to booking and/or queue when that email arrives.
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Post by princeton on Oct 12, 2020 22:35:44 GMT
The DMT website now says the performance times are:
Tuesday - Saturday 7.15pm Saturday: 2.00pm Sunday: 3.00pm
So presumably all Tuesday performances will appear tomorrow (though who knows?!)
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Post by ceebee on Oct 12, 2020 22:39:39 GMT
I have booked for the first night. I notice that although the seats are socially distanced to your left and right, the seats are grouped directly in front of each other. Will this not compromise social distancing? No - seat configuration has been re-racked with wider spacing.
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Post by ceebee on Oct 12, 2020 22:40:55 GMT
The DMT website now says the performance times are: Tuesday - Saturday 7.15pm Saturday: 2.00pm Sunday: 3.00pm So presumably all Tuesday performances will appear tomorrow (though who knows?!) Some Tues perfs were held back as they knew JOJ would sell out quicker than AB. I would guess they'll release the rest tomorrow.
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Post by ceebee on Oct 12, 2020 22:41:41 GMT
What are people’s thoughts on the distancing in place? Its fine - reconfigured seating.
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Post by ceebee on Oct 12, 2020 22:42:41 GMT
Does anyone know if Bradley Jaden and Rob Houchen are going to be in it? Yes, they are in it.
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Post by FrontroverPaul on Oct 12, 2020 22:58:46 GMT
Agreed... hence my concerns below. The seats are very close together. I have booked for the first night. I notice that although the seats are socially distanced to your left and right, the seats are grouped directly in front of each other. Will this not compromise social distancing? I was also surprised how many seats have been put on sale. I expected only alternate rows to be available. If this does still comply with social distancing it should be possible for more theatres to reopen. Perhaps there will be some kind of barrier between the rows though it would be difficult to maintain clear view and sound with something like that in place.
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Post by poster J on Oct 12, 2020 23:16:41 GMT
Agreed... hence my concerns below. The seats are very close together. I was also surprised how many seats have been put on sale. I expected only alternate rows to be available. If this does still comply with social distancing it should be possible for more theatres to reopen. Perhaps there will be some kind of barrier between the rows though it would be difficult to maintain clear view and sound with something like that in place. Reconfigured rows, so just like every seating plan that has ever existed it isnt really accurate! Plus everyone is wearing masks, which means that 2m social distancing is not actually required. I really do despair about the extent to which people (Shenton etc) seem to be trying to find problems with this and reasons for it not to succeed, and assuming it is non-compliant when anyone with an ounce of common sense can work out that if it hadn't been assessed and certified as Covid-compliant then an organisation as big as DMT would not be doing it, as that would be the risk to their reputation. Shenton appears not to have engaged brain on anything except creating issues where there are none. God forbid people are actually trying to get theatre up and running again...
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Post by poster J on Oct 12, 2020 23:20:53 GMT
An empty socially distant theatre looks safe - a full one with people queuing to get to their seats, eating, drinking, going to the loo etc - possibly less so. And that's before you get into the sense of privilege which comes with having spent £165 a ticket! A theatre enforcing everyone wearing masks (as the Palladium generally was on Sunday night) is about as safe as you are going to get anywhere that has any number of people and certainly much safer than a supermarket I would think, judging by mask levels in there. Anyone who is paranoid about someone in a mask walking past them for half a second to get to the loo is probably better off not going, as they'll be at far greater risk on their journey to the show than that.
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Post by ceebee on Oct 13, 2020 0:26:37 GMT
All JOJ perfs now available including first couple of Tuesday perfs previously missing.
For those baulking at the layout or distancing, the answer is simple. Don't go.
The theatre is certified Covid compliant - if it still freaks you out then stay in your bubble and let the rest of us go without fear.
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Post by greeny11 on Oct 13, 2020 5:30:59 GMT
It is a valid point, but I am guessing if masks are enforced, that minimises the risk somewhat.
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Post by alece10 on Oct 13, 2020 6:03:00 GMT
I'm currently sitting on a London overground train on my way to work. I would estimate about 50% of the train, which is busy, are wearing a face mask or wearing it correctly. In a few minutes I will get to Barking when there will be a scramble to get off the train and up the stairs with absolutely no regard for social distancing. When I get to work I will spend 8 hours in closer contact with colleagues than I would like to be. Do I feel safe? Absolutely not.
I have, so far been to the Bridge Theatre, Southwark Playhouse and the London Palladium. Everyone wearing face masks, keeping their distance and very organised entry and exit. They couldn't do more for your wellbeing. Did I feel safe? Absolutely yes.
Just wanted to share this with anyone feeling a bit concerned about returning to the theatre.
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Post by 141920grm on Oct 13, 2020 6:23:33 GMT
Wow- has anyone read this "interview" (aka. Cammack PR exercise) on WhatsOnStage: www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/cameron-mackintosh-les-miserables-opening_52573.htmlCameron is not paying royalties to the original creatives for this show; he's got out of paying rent for the theatre (this confuses me, Delfont Mackintosh owns the Sondheim); and he's managed to make everyone take a pay cut, all so he can minimise his personal losses, it seems to me. His level of greed knows no bounds and honestly makes me sick. Full quote:
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Post by Dr Tom on Oct 13, 2020 6:36:18 GMT
His level of greed knows no bounds and honestly makes me sick. Remember this isn't his personal money. This is produced by a private company responsible for keeping many people employed in which Mackintosh holds a stake.
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Post by poster J on Oct 13, 2020 6:57:14 GMT
His level of greed knows no bounds and honestly makes me sick. Remember this isn't his personal money. This is produced by a private company responsible for keeping many people employed in which Mackintosh holds a stake. Exactly. People criticising commercial enterprises for trying to make money should really try to acquire some understanding of what doing business means before posting! And given Cameron himself most likely has some sort of stake in original production royalties and any profits from the rent you may find he personally isnt making anything from this... Yet again more people seem determined to create negativity around this for no reason. Given the number of people this will employ and the fact we are getting theatre back, it is absolutely baffling.
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Post by 141920grm on Oct 13, 2020 7:01:06 GMT
His level of greed knows no bounds and honestly makes me sick. Remember this isn't his personal money. This is produced by a private company responsible for keeping many people employed in which Mackintosh holds a stake. Aren't the actors as much of an employee as any other person from his company? Why must their value be diminished- actors putting in good, honest work to deliver stellar shows nightly- to cover the losses that the producer/producing company should bear, given that the show is produced by, well, the producers?
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Post by ceebee on Oct 13, 2020 7:10:34 GMT
Wow- has anyone read this "interview" (aka. Cammack PR exercise) on WhatsOnStage: www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/cameron-mackintosh-les-miserables-opening_52573.htmlCameron is not paying royalties to the original creatives for this show; he's got out of paying rent for the theatre (this confuses me, Delfont Mackintosh owns the Sondheim); and he's managed to make everyone take a pay cut, all so he can minimise his personal losses, it seems to me. His level of greed knows no bounds and honestly makes me sick. Full quote: The rent dodge is (ironically) to make the show viable (Rishi). Commercial landlords across the country are offering similar incentives as there are tax breaks attached. This is just sound business sense.
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Post by poster J on Oct 13, 2020 7:14:18 GMT
Remember this isn't his personal money. This is produced by a private company responsible for keeping many people employed in which Mackintosh holds a stake. Aren't the actors as much of an employee as any other person from his company? Why must their value be diminished- actors putting in good, honest work to deliver stellar shows nightly- to cover the losses that the producer/producing company should bear, given that the show is produced by, well, the producers? He's talking about the famous actors in the cast if that quote you provided is accurate - in other words, Matt Lucas and Alfie Boe took a pay cut from salaries that were presumably considerably larger than everyone else's, in order to ensure that all the other actors and production staff (who you seem happy to ignore) can be paid as much as possible while covering the running costs as any business would do. Possibly CHF and the other less famous leads took a bit of a cut, but all voluntary so no issue. Doesn't sound as if the production company is going to make a huge profit out of this. Indeed, there is nothing about that whatsoever, and it seems very likely to me that they are just going to be covering costs given it is deliberately a short run. Please read the quote properly rather than taking it out of context to create entirely unwarranted criticism.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2020 7:23:28 GMT
Wow- has anyone read this "interview" (aka. Cammack PR exercise) on WhatsOnStage: www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/cameron-mackintosh-les-miserables-opening_52573.htmlCameron is not paying royalties to the original creatives for this show; he's got out of paying rent for the theatre (this confuses me, Delfont Mackintosh owns the Sondheim); and he's managed to make everyone take a pay cut, all so he can minimise his personal losses, it seems to me. His level of greed knows no bounds and honestly makes me sick. Full quote: To be fair, he says “our leading artists”, not the entire cast. I’m assuming he’s referring to the likes of Ball, Boe and Lucas, who it’s probably fair to say aren’t struggling too much financially right now compared to those lower down the acting food chain. If they can afford to do it and are happy to do it (which presumably they are, otherwise they could have turned it down), great. It allows a show to go ahead that provides employment for plenty of others who’ll presumably be earning a fair salary, and cheers up audiences.
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Post by 141920grm on Oct 13, 2020 7:25:40 GMT
Aren't the actors as much of an employee as any other person from his company? Why must their value be diminished- actors putting in good, honest work to deliver stellar shows nightly- to cover the losses that the producer/producing company should bear, given that the show is produced by, well, the producers? He's talking about the famous actors in the cast if that quote you provided is accurate - in other words, Matt Lucas and Alfie Boe took a pay cut from salaries that were presumably considerably larger than everyone else's, in order to ensure that all the other actors and production staff (who you seem happy to ignore) can be paid as much as possible while covering the running costs as any business would do. Possibly CHF and the other less famous leads took a bit of a cut, but all voluntary so no issue. Doesn't sound as if the production company is going to make a huge profit out of this. Indeed, there is nothing about that whatsoever, and it seems very likely to me that they are just going to be covering costs given it is deliberately a short run. Please read the quote properly rather than taking it out of context to create entirely unwarranted criticism. I've provided the link to the article if you doubt the accuracy of my quote, which I assure you was done by simple copy & paste, after reading the quote properly Of course it's "all voluntary" otherwise they wouldn't be hired but no one says no to Cammack in the industry Apparently I am happy to ignore the rest of the cast who "can be paid as much as possible" (where did you find that quote?) but I am simply pointing out that for every concession his PR people are willing to admit to the public there are dozens more left unsaid or forbidden to mention. Call it reading between the lines, rather than taking Cameron's PR manoeuvres word for word like you are happy to do so Enjoy your show!
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