The Stoll Theatre on Kingsway, where
Kismet was playing at the time of this photograph....
Inside it looked rather grand apparently...
And now we've got
this (so we can imagine what that looks like on the inside even if we haven't been in and had the misfortune of sitting through
The Snowman...
)
Is there anything else I can do for you, my old china,
TallPaul ?
The mention of the Barbican Theatre (not my idea of "cosy" to be honest) made me think of two things I
love about that place- the long, long rows of seats, each with its own door, all closing as if by
magic just before the performance starts!
And yes, I agree, I feel that certain
magic when I first walk into an auditorium. There's a smell too... I always have to look around before I sit down, and then once I've sat down, and if there's no-one to disturb, I might have to get up and walk to the front, look back, look up, look into the orchestra pit. Drink it all in... Mmmmmmmmm, yes. (As Kate Bush once said.)
When I go to the theatre I want the experience to begin
outside- the building should make me want to go in. Then the
foyer's got to welcome me. I want to feel excited on my
journey, walking up, down, along to the auditorium. Touring Radio City Music Hall in NY some years back, we were told that the architect wanted patrons to feel that they were boarding a magnificent cruise ship, at a time when cruises were only for the rich and famous. There's a vast sloping foyer you take in before you discover the beauty inside.