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Post by daniel on Sept 26, 2023 22:26:11 GMT
The fire alarm… On entering, we were handed a slip of paper that advised of a fire alarm test at the conclusion of the performance. I thought it was a gag. But when the show ended, lights flashed and sirens sounded all of which I suspected was to provide some authentic 1940’s air raid feeling to the show on stage. There was no evidence of fire or police authorities on the street. If they wanted to clear the house in a hurry, if that was the intention, they succeeded. By the by, it’s a grungy dirty little venue, overdue for renovation. They say the entire theatre can fit on the stage of the glittering Drury Lane across the street. I was last there for that awful ghost thing that played for decades. West End theatres are required to carry out regular(ish) audience evacuation drills as part of their licensing conditions.
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Post by daniel on Jun 28, 2023 11:05:00 GMT
I feel like people have said it multiple times on numerous threads but I’ll say it again: pricing strategy is controlled by the producer not the theatre. Mincemeat’s pricing is absurd, but it’s down to Avalon, not ATG.
Every theatre has a small number of seats (usually between 8-12 per show) which are owned by the venue, and they keep all of the revenue from these. These are the ones that ATG tend to add their packages onto, and these were the ones for Shirley Valentine which were priced at a level against the wishes of the producer.
Aside from that small number of seats, the lion’s share of Box Office revenue goes to the producer, and they are the ones who make the call on pricing. I know we all love to hate ATG but they’re not responsible for this, the responsibility lies entirely at Avalon’s door.
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Post by daniel on Feb 26, 2022 22:13:46 GMT
Jessie is back on tonight.
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Post by daniel on Jan 6, 2022 11:28:45 GMT
Grand Circle was definitely open last night because I was up there!
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Post by daniel on Nov 5, 2021 1:14:11 GMT
How do producers and to an extent theatre owners decide what theatre is the right one for a show? I've assume that there is a lot of schmoozing and tours of theatres in order for a theatre owner to secure a hot show from Broadway or elsewhere and for a producer that they have more than one option in case the theatre they have in mind isn't available. Ultimately yes lots of schmoozing. And negotiating a deal! Sometimes a producer will have their eye on a particular house, eg. Cursed Child to the Palace. Some shows don't really care where they go and will opt for the best financial deal for them. Sometimes theatre owners who are also producers can put money into a show to have more of an input, eg Cameron Mackintosh putting money into Hamilton which helped steer it to his venue. But this doesn't always end up being the case. ATG Productions are producers on Dear Evan Hansen yet that went to a DMT venue.
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Post by daniel on Oct 28, 2021 11:26:23 GMT
You also can't upgrade to them...new bookings only if you booked through ATG and are willing to wait on hold for an hour to speak to them on the phone, they will upgrade you.
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Post by daniel on Oct 18, 2021 15:27:24 GMT
So apparently the Broadway production has put on an extra ‘fan performance’ free of charge the night before it was supposed to reopen. Has anyone heard anything about similar for London? Bit of a slap in the face to those of us who bought tickets months ago, with the specific purpose of being at the announced reopening night, if so. Sorry but yes, 15th November won’t be the first performance. Really understand your frustration, it was the same for me with Frozen when they added an earlier first preview for competition winners. I just tried to convince myself that the being at the first public performance is still great, but of course it’s not the same is it.
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Post by daniel on Sept 3, 2021 0:46:39 GMT
There isn't an orchestra pit for this one. They're backstage somewhere. I mean on the tour! Grrr. Let me pose the question in full. When this goes out on tour, for example to the opera house manchester, there is an orchestra pit. So, how do they do the splashy splashy bit without drowning the orchestra? Is the stage built out over the pit and the orchestra placed somewhere else(or just down there but not visible?). And therefore is the edge of the stage and splashy dancing literally a couple of feet from the front row? This has toured before so someone must have seen it? I saw the last tour in Birmingham so can’t comment on Manchester but I assume it would have been a similar setup. The pit was in place, but empty. The band were off stage. So the empty pit took most of the splashes; me on the front row in the “splash zone” stayed dry. I suppose that some venues may add seats over the orchestra pit, but this wasn’t the case in Brum.
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Post by daniel on May 19, 2021 15:30:03 GMT
Most of the centre stalls £150. I find it so frustrating when theatres give a price range plus "premium seats available" and then proceed to have all of the decent seats at that premium price. Just be up front. Tell people the actual prices. If your product is good enough the price will be justified.
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Post by daniel on Dec 19, 2020 12:58:28 GMT
This is when I wish I had a DMT+ account. Just logged on to get one of those £20, £30, £40 tickets only to find that they don't exist. Normal prices and cheapest are £37.50 at back of stalls and £22.50 for back row of dress circle. I guess the offer was for members who had pre-booking opportunities. But looking at the prices they aren't silly money. It is a show I would like to see again next year but as they operate dynamic pricing I think I will hold out as if the tourists don't come back next year, which is quite possible, then prices could be lower nearer the time. I have a DMT+ membership, didn’t get an email about the offer, and didn’t get a response when I emailed (twice!) to enquire as to why. Frustrating.
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Post by daniel on Dec 15, 2020 22:30:02 GMT
I would’ve thought Prince of Egypt would make the 2021 Christmas season, if it does open next year. If it did issue closing notices I would have though it would be for January 2022. Wicked was doing fair business, nut was no where near selling out and relied on tourists, this show could be at risk. The key thing keeping Wicked going is that the Apollo Victoria is an absolute barn and no other show wants the space. Yes it’s often only half full but that’s still more people than a sold out Les Mis (for example). It still makes a boatload of cash for ATG so they’ll be in no rush to show Wicked the door unless a really promising proposal comes along. And if sales really slow down I would expect there to be a greater likelihood of Wicked being able to negotiate a rent reduction rather than being booted. Owing to its roots as a “super cinema” the AV has a small stage compared to the other theatres of similar capacity (looking at Dominion/Drury Lane//Lyceum/Palladium) so a mega production might not fit. Wicked is by no means a small show but it was downsized from Broadway. I believe the London production is modelled on the 1st US tour (I’m sure someone will correct me on that if I am mistaken!) I know there has been talk in the past of Wicked using its U.K. tour set and downsizing to a smaller venue - obviously that hasn’t happened yet but I wouldn’t rule it out in the future if they feel that it makes economic sense. Anyway I’ve veered a little off topic! Dominion would be a great shout for BATB. Again it’s a barn but a limited run should do well. As I understand it, Prince of Egypt’s sales weren’t anywhere near where they needed to be. It really wouldn’t surprise me if when it does come back it Is announced as a limited season. Time will tell I guess.
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Post by daniel on Dec 10, 2020 23:14:36 GMT
Thrilled it is coming “back”, but slightly disappointed we aren’t getting it “back back”. If a show like Jamie can reopen then why can’t this? Surely it’s the same cost to run as the full show? Atleast this will hopefully allow the cast to be fully rehearsed and ready for when the full show will hopefully reopen. I completely agree, though I suspect the difference is in the distancing. By fully distancing they probably negate the need to test so frequently, and possibly also can reduce the amount of backstage staff required.
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Post by daniel on Dec 10, 2020 21:40:13 GMT
It’s not a reopening announcement. You were saying...
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Post by daniel on Aug 31, 2020 23:50:27 GMT
Thanks everyone .... from looking further looks like theatre recommend Wembley red or yellow car parks on non event days ... may call the theatre and just check before ... as I’ve got a 220 mile round trip .... and don’t know the area Wembley Park Yellow Car Park is five minutes walk from the theatre, Red car park is about 10 minutes walk. Both are currently open and £1 per hour for your first 6 hours
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Post by daniel on May 20, 2020 22:30:35 GMT
Got through to ATG on the phone, morning of 6th May. Got the "We’re pleased to confirm your refund has been processed. Please note your bank or payment provider may take up to a further 7-14 days to recognise the payment." email today.. I received that email today too. Let's see how long it takes. my first one took exactly 7 days. Three more refunds to go!
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Post by daniel on May 7, 2020 18:50:58 GMT
Delighted that my selected performance in Bristol has been rescheduled to over two years later to June 2022. I am overwhelmingly reassured that I don't need to do anything to sit in the same seat I booked 742 days later than requested. Lunacy. They were only £13 each so I’m not arsed about the money but the lengths that the producers and ATG are going to to keep hold of our cash is hilarious. I’ve just got the exact same email- seeing as we were going because Rob & Sharon were in it and their contract has now been ended, I’ve emailed back and asked for a refund. Not holding my breath though! I requested a refund following Mamma Mia being rescheduled for Liverpool - I’ve now had confirmation that it has been processed at their end and the money will be in my account soon. Yes it’s taking a few weeks, but if you request a refund you will get it.
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Post by daniel on Mar 23, 2020 19:15:26 GMT
CHF, VHB, OMG . in ALW’s show too LOL! IMO, ATG would have loved it in one of their venues TBH
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Post by daniel on Mar 18, 2020 18:26:29 GMT
Postponed - now running 3rd May-28th June
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Post by daniel on Feb 14, 2020 11:27:31 GMT
As it seems to be so successful, anyone think this will tour? Next year, apparently!
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Post by daniel on Jan 31, 2020 13:48:15 GMT
Thanks for the tip - just watched. The 25th tour was underrated I truly believe. Yes I agree it's not as good as the original, and certainly it's not as good as it's older sister, the 25th Les Mis. But it was good, and provided a great solution to touring the show easily to more venues. Shows should be re-staged and re-conceived. And although on this occasion it didn't click how the original did and (unlike Les Mis) could not replace it; it was still a good effort and a very enjoyable evening. Interestingly I saw the tour before I saw the London show, and I really enjoyed it. As a contrast, I found the London production to be tired, dated and phoned-in by some of the cast. Personally I’m excited for this tour as I would love to see the original designs etc, but a slightly fresher production than that which is currently running in town.
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Post by daniel on Jan 31, 2020 13:13:19 GMT
On the most recent UK tour, the chandelier started (as I recall) hanging above the front stalls, approximately 2/3 of the way towards the ceiling, covered in a sack. During the auction scene, when they are talking about the chandelier, it slowly lowered, and then at the start of the overture the sack pulls away revealing the chandelier, lit in all of it's sparkly glory. It would then rise vertically to the ceiling during the overture.
At the end of Act I, Erik would appear in the fake box, fire his magic shooty wand stick towards the chandelier, it would wobble, kinda pop and some sugar glass would fall to the floor.
In the US tour (which used the UK set) the chandelier actually falls vertically towards the stalls, but still doesn't go anywhere near the stage. (there is footage of this on a well-known video sharing site. I won't link to it for copyright reasons but it's easy enough to find).
As for what will happen with this tour, given how angry people were to see now chandelier drop, I would like to think that they would implement the US-style vertical drop, but equally I wouldn't be surprised if we get the same sequence as the last UK tour.
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Post by daniel on Jan 27, 2020 12:55:09 GMT
how much are the tickets coming out at? Balcony: mostly £39.50, a handful £20 Grand Circle: a few at £59.50, mostly £69.50, front and centre £89.50 Royal Circle: back couple of rows £89.50, mostly £99.50, front and centre £130 Stalls: back rows £69.50, then a mixture of £89.50 and £99.50 with the front and centre £130
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Post by daniel on Jan 26, 2020 20:31:44 GMT
They do £20 day seats at the box office. That’s great to hear. Do you know where these seats are and how many they have? My friend and I want to go and try for a Saturday matinee end of February. We are arriving early so going to the box office when it opens or even before shouldn’t be a problem. I would love to sit in the stalls for this as I’ve always been in the royal or grand circle. But stalls tickets are very expensive for that day... Front row - think there’s 18.
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Post by daniel on Jan 18, 2020 17:52:26 GMT
Might be wrong but I’m sure I also read somewhere that the people who own or operate (can’t remember which) the Arts are also producers on the show. I’m sure they know that they’re not going to get another hit like Six into the Arts any time soon, so in addition to all of the points already raised against a transfer, keeping their own venue busy will be a huge factor.
Of course I may have just made all of that up 🤷🏻♂️
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Post by daniel on Dec 22, 2019 23:58:26 GMT
There were A4 notices around the front of house areas and a pre-show announcement was made. No "due to the indisposition of..." but just a "at this performance the role of..."
Chris was fine - there were a few jokes referencing the fact that he wasn't Paul. Obviously no budget for understudy costumes, he was wearing converse and jeans with Paul's jacket over a leapord print shirt!
Great show as it is every year.
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Post by daniel on Dec 22, 2019 12:16:53 GMT
Paul O'Grady off today. Chris Howell in his place.
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Post by daniel on Oct 4, 2018 0:17:31 GMT
Thanks all for the input! May avoid the merch stand and just get a programme then. Dont want to end up in a fight with a teenage girl over a t shirt... Just seen on Instagram carrie is under the weather. Hoping she’s better for this Saturday matinee. Any idea who the understudy Veronica is? I think it's Olivia Moore.
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Post by daniel on Oct 4, 2018 0:13:19 GMT
Any news on casting? Probably a long shot but any chance Rachel John would go back on the road after her stint in Hamilton? She was great as Nikki Marrron the last time. I'd love her to be Alternate Rachel Marron, taking over once Alexandra leaves!
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Post by daniel on Oct 2, 2018 21:57:37 GMT
Joanna Riding and Ruthie Henshall need roles in this... whilst I rate both of these actresses, I don't think either would be a patch on La Tucker as Beverley.
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Post by daniel on Oct 1, 2018 11:03:37 GMT
ohhhhh no it isn't!! Wait, wrong show. Yes, it's Rachel.
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