304 posts
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Post by MrBraithwaite on Nov 6, 2019 8:48:27 GMT
Yes, I had that experience. Wanted to buya ticket for Woman in White online, but the system wouldn't accept my credit card. No real help from staff. So I tried 1-2 times during my next London visit to go by the box office to buy a ticket in advance... it was never open despite signs saying it should be. Ended up going just before the performance and buying a ticket. Remember the theatre being half-full at that matinee and while I loved the show I didn't like the theatre much, auditorium felt very old and dark.
While I was at first interested in the current production I don't like the current layout of the auditorium, so that decided it for me basically.
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Post by austink on Nov 6, 2019 11:09:13 GMT
Agree with your partially here in understanding they pay properly but that is the same as any in town theatre (Southwark notably bad here out of town). You have to look at the broader market in pricing tickets and this show is being relatively punchy compared to what else is on. If this show sold well, they would likely make a profit (even with discounting) but noting that they have over 15,000 seats to cover, they need to be more dynamic in their approach to marketing and ticket pricing. They haven’t done any discounting with the ticket agents and they are fighting against not being on TKTS or Today Tix, which would likely benefit their audience demographic. Also, the Park and Southwark have more inbuilt audiences and the benefit of shows in regular rotation, which helps with your indirect marketing. As you point out, this theatre has become infamous for papering, and I know many of my friends that wait until shows on on the services before going. They have covered the Six fans and whatever Jamie fans want to see this but that (plus the related twitter echo chamber) is only going to move the needle so far. I am sure lots of theatres have this issue but as CC do longer runs and a larger house, it is more notable than the rest of the Off West end houses. Hope they can do some rethinking of how to make this house work again (starting with a new ticketing service). Reducing the ticket prices from the outset might make the show uneconomical before it starts. In my experience of working in a variety of venues the ticket prices are set by the costs of putting on a show. I know from friends that have worked on productions there, that the venue insists that anyone who works on shows produced at the venue are paid properly (unlike at some venues, who keep ticket prices low by underpaying actors and crew). I would imagine the overheads of running a theatre in that location as opposed to some of the other comparably sized off west end theatres must be considerably larger. Also while I agree that there is little to no passing trade at the venue, I can’t imagine that some other venues such as Southwark Playhouse or the Park Theatre have much passing trade and yet they manage to survive and sell their shows. I may be wrong, but I am not sure if fringe venues generally rely on passing trade as much as the larger venues. I would think their stock audiences are local theatre fans (who know about what shows are playing) as opposed to tourists who don’t mind what they see but just want have a night out in a London theatre.
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Post by austink on Nov 6, 2019 18:52:33 GMT
So eating the booking fee. First small £2.50 discount on top price seats appeared with Londontheatredirect today.
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Post by stagemanager on Nov 7, 2019 0:28:14 GMT
Agree with your partially here in understanding they pay properly but that is the same as any in town theatre (Southwark notably bad here out of town). You have to look at the broader market in pricing tickets and this show is being relatively punchy compared to what else is on. If this show sold well, they would likely make a profit (even with discounting) but noting that they have over 15,000 seats to cover, they need to be more dynamic in their approach to marketing and ticket pricing. They haven’t done any discounting with the ticket agents and they are fighting against not being on TKTS or Today Tix, which would likely benefit their audience demographic. Also, the Park and Southwark have more inbuilt audiences and the benefit of shows in regular rotation, which helps with your indirect marketing. As you point out, this theatre has become infamous for papering, and I know many of my friends that wait until shows on on the services before going. They have covered the Six fans and whatever Jamie fans want to see this but that (plus the related twitter echo chamber) is only going to move the needle so far. I am sure lots of theatres have this issue but as CC do longer runs and a larger house, it is more notable than the rest of the Off West end houses. Hope they can do some rethinking of how to make this house work again (starting with a new ticketing service). Reducing the ticket prices from the outset might make the show uneconomical before it starts. In my experience of working in a variety of venues the ticket prices are set by the costs of putting on a show. I know from friends that have worked on productions there, that the venue insists that anyone who works on shows produced at the venue are paid properly (unlike at some venues, who keep ticket prices low by underpaying actors and crew). I would imagine the overheads of running a theatre in that location as opposed to some of the other comparably sized off west end theatres must be considerably larger. Also while I agree that there is little to no passing trade at the venue, I can’t imagine that some other venues such as Southwark Playhouse or the Park Theatre have much passing trade and yet they manage to survive and sell their shows. I may be wrong, but I am not sure if fringe venues generally rely on passing trade as much as the larger venues. I would think their stock audiences are local theatre fans (who know about what shows are playing) as opposed to tourists who don’t mind what they see but just want have a night out in a London theatre. I agree with you with the discounting for the ticket agents would be helpful to them. I think you are right that’s it’s madness they are not on Today Tix, but I believe TKTS only sells tickets for producers and venues who are members of UK Theatre or SOLT and if the venue was a member it would have to pay west end wages and the shows would be uneconomical. I am also aware that another venue, I know, approached TKTS about them selling their tickets and the West End Managers rejected it firmly as they didn’t like the idea off Off West End shows being sold there and being given the same exposure and credibility of their own shows.
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4,549 posts
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Post by Mark on Nov 7, 2019 23:10:19 GMT
I went to the matinee today, A few returning cast members from the Union but in an all new production. Michaela Stern and Natalie Harman again stealing the show as the ugly sisters - I’m so over men was one of the standout number for me today, such high energy. I also think “You Shall Go To The Ball” is one of the best act one closers there is. I’ve seen a few incarnations of Soho Cinders and I thought the staging and production values here were very good. The score is so strong and it’s nice to see a fully realised production.
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213 posts
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Post by frosty on Nov 8, 2019 12:16:32 GMT
Just had an email from Charing Cross Theatre with this discount offer when booking direct with them:
"A limited special offer is now available: use promo code FIFTEENMINUTES online, by phone or in person to get £10.00 off top price tickets*! Discount offer is valid on all performances until Saturday 16th November, so don't leave it too late!"
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153 posts
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Post by james1969 on Nov 9, 2019 18:42:35 GMT
What do we reckon the chances of an extension are now that it doesn’t appear to be doing so well ?
You would think they would want to put it on sale soon for the lucrative Christmas market if so
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642 posts
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Post by Stasia on Nov 11, 2019 8:32:43 GMT
What do we reckon the chances of an extension are now that it doesn’t appear to be doing so well ? You would think they would want to put it on sale soon for the lucrative Christmas market if so I have the tightest schedule so I am wishing fo these to extend and not to at the same time. If they extend, I won't see &Juliet till March!
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Post by FrontroverPaul on Nov 11, 2019 10:56:50 GMT
What do we reckon the chances of an extension are now that it doesn’t appear to be doing so well ? You would think they would want to put it on sale soon for the lucrative Christmas market if so The opening post on this thread gives the end date as 4 January 2020 but Soho Cinders is currently scheduled to close on 21 December. Was the 4 January date never correct, or has the run already been reduced by the two weeks over Christmas and New Year ?
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153 posts
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Post by james1969 on Nov 11, 2019 11:55:22 GMT
Was the 4 January date never correct, or has the run already been reduced by the two weeks over Christmas and New Year ? Apparently the cast are contracted to 4th January but the final two weeks have not been announced to date.
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1,718 posts
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Post by stevejohnson678 on Nov 13, 2019 17:25:31 GMT
This looks so empty tonight (and indeed for most upcoming performances). Where did it all go wrong for the Charing Cross Theatre?
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4,588 posts
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Post by Someone in a tree on Nov 13, 2019 17:51:14 GMT
Did it ever get it right? With the exception of Titanic I can't think of a successful run of any show.
I think the auditorium could do with another reconfiguration and the theatre some major rebranding.
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1,423 posts
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Post by showtoones on Nov 13, 2019 17:53:47 GMT
I think the issue is there isn't much publicity and tourists don;t even know about thew theater. Its a cute space, if not a bit dated. They need to do tube posters and out of the box thinking for pitches to media. The leads - Luke and Millie - aren't household names and the fans of Six and Jamie may go once or twice but this isn't a large enough group to make a dent. This was seen when Oak from Hamilton went into Great Comet on Broadway. They thought he'd have the "hamilton" factor and bring over Hamilton fans but that didn't happen.
Plus it is a destination theater, like the Menier - you don't happen upon it on Shaftsbury Avenue. You go with the intent of going...
They also need a stronger social media campaign. This shouldn't be discounted as it's replaced the importance of traditional media. Getting some young lad or lass as an intern who is a wiz at social media would be the way to go.
They also need to create partnerships with local businesses, restaurants, etc so these businesses can act as ambassadors for the shows. There also should be promotions like bring your ticket to a restaurant partner after a show to get a free glass of wine with the purchase of an entree?
Just my two cents...
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4,549 posts
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Post by Mark on Nov 13, 2019 18:05:48 GMT
There was also a bit of a falling out with TodayTix around the time of “The Woman in White”. TodayTix always used to sell tickets for here and it all suddenly stopped. For a show like this, TodayTix is how a lot of people will get exposure to it.
Also, pricing it an issue. You can see one of the big West End shows for a comparable price.
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169 posts
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Post by jess173 on Nov 13, 2019 18:08:13 GMT
Do they comp all of those tickets close to showtime or does it really stay that empty for the show? I’ve got a ticket for mid December. So far 32 other tickets have been sold for that performance. Do I have to stay put in my seat in the back row or will they allow me to get a little closer? 🙈
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1,718 posts
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Post by stevejohnson678 on Nov 13, 2019 18:14:01 GMT
It doesn't look like they're comping tonight. Twelve rows are still completely empty for this evening's performance with eighty minutes to go.
Hard not to feel sorry for the cast. Certainly quite a different experience for Millie after playing to full houses at Six every night.
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2,519 posts
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Post by n1david on Nov 13, 2019 18:20:47 GMT
Is it just too soon for a revival of Soho Cinders? It's only three years since it was at the Union, and while I enjoyed it, I don't think it closed with an enormous amount of pent-up demand for more shows...
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Post by intoanewlife on Nov 13, 2019 18:22:40 GMT
Sounds like the whole scenario is a rather lucrative tax write-off for the people involved...
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544 posts
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Post by amp09 on Nov 13, 2019 18:34:11 GMT
Sounds like the whole scenario is a rather lucrative tax write-off for the people involved... Oh interesting, how does this work?
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544 posts
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Post by amp09 on Nov 13, 2019 18:34:52 GMT
Do they comp all of those tickets close to showtime or does it really stay that empty for the show? I’ve got a ticket for mid December. So far 32 other tickets have been sold for that performance. Do I have to stay put in my seat in the back row or will they allow me to get a little closer? 🙈 I’ve not seen it pop up on any sites I’m a member of.
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83 posts
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Post by highonahill on Nov 13, 2019 18:39:53 GMT
Do they comp all of those tickets close to showtime or does it really stay that empty for the show? I’ve got a ticket for mid December. So far 32 other tickets have been sold for that performance. Do I have to stay put in my seat in the back row or will they allow me to get a little closer? 🙈 I’ve not seen it pop up on any sites I’m a member of. I've booked for the 27th in the back row. Partly because the friend I'm going with likes to be further back and on an aisle, but I'm hoping to get moved closer. When I saw Violet (which I loved) and had booked 2nd row for, the audience was told to sit in the front four rows only as there were so few sold. Shame for the theatre really if things don't sell as I've enjoyed much of what I've seen there.
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734 posts
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Post by dippy on Nov 13, 2019 18:40:04 GMT
I definitely saw a Woman in White poster in the tube, but haven't seen a tube poster for any of their shows since.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2019 18:41:00 GMT
Is it just too soon for a revival of Soho Cinders? It's only three years since it was at the Union, and while I enjoyed it, I don't think it closed with an enormous amount of pent-up demand for more shows... It's kinda not a revival? Kind of is, kind of isn't. Haha. It's the same creative team and alot of the same cast as the Union. I never saw the one at the Union but I'm pretty sure that rehearsals were short and intense like 2 weeks, 10-10 because alot of the cast already knew what they were doing. I think the only major difference between this production and the Union is the set.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2019 18:46:46 GMT
Also, pretty sure I saw a tube poster for It Happened in Key West and maybe even Mythic. I don't mind the Charing Cross Theatre. I just wish they hadn't made it traverse/in the round. For me, it just doesn't work in this layout. Or, should I say, I'm yet to see a show that works in this layout.
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Post by xanady on Nov 13, 2019 18:57:18 GMT
^Some great ideas by showtoones to boost attendance.It is a shame if it is not selling as I feel it could do well if more people knew about it.Word of mouth could help sell it,but publicity,box office etc all feels a little half-hearted.A real missed opportunity.
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4,588 posts
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Post by Someone in a tree on Nov 13, 2019 19:51:33 GMT
Do they comp all of those tickets close to showtime or does it really stay that empty for the show? I’ve got a ticket for mid December. So far 32 other tickets have been sold for that performance. Do I have to stay put in my seat in the back row or will they allow me to get a little closer? 🙈 You can move forward, the two nuns and your mother will not notice. I moved twice during Queen of mist and no one batted an eye lid.
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211 posts
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Post by Jane Parfitt on Nov 19, 2019 12:35:47 GMT
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540 posts
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Post by freckles on Nov 19, 2019 14:03:48 GMT
That's nice, but someone should tell their website...
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734 posts
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Post by dippy on Nov 19, 2019 14:48:39 GMT
It seems to be working now which is good.
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614 posts
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Post by jamb0r on Nov 19, 2019 14:54:53 GMT
Though it looks like they've just raised the price of the back row tickets from £18.50 (which is what the price was last time I checked) to £23.50 so they're still the same price as they were previously after you apply the discount!
(I may have misremembered the price of the back row and got confused with the balcony seats which are still £18.50 thinking about it!)
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