227 posts
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Post by galinda on Jul 24, 2016 12:11:41 GMT
What with the hot weather this week just thought I'd start a thread on air conditioning in theatres. There's nothing worse than sat in a hot and stuffy theatre for three hours. Can anyone think of any particularly good or bad theatres? The Charing Cross theatre a few weeks ago was unbearable, would like to see titanic again but put off by how warm it was in there.
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Post by firefingers on Jul 24, 2016 12:19:43 GMT
The Arts theatre was like being sat in the 7th circle of hell last summer.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2016 12:41:39 GMT
The Arts theatre was like being sat in the 7th circle of hell last summer. Was that Josefina Gabrielle "comedy" back then? |
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352 posts
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Post by Raven on Jul 24, 2016 18:46:50 GMT
The Savoy was great for air conditioning when I was there to see Funny Girl back in June. Obviously, it wasn't nearly as hot then as what it has been lately, but the air conditioning kept the auditorium pleasantly cool.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2016 18:52:10 GMT
Haven't been there for a while but the Criterion has very good air conditioning I think. So much so that for the Reduced Shakespeare (we're talking over twenty years ago here) was freezing during a heatwave. The National is always very pleasant temperature wise, I've found.
I really, really, hate hot weather. Occasionally in Edinburgh I've been in a sauna of a venue and, unsurprisingly, it doesn't dispose me kindly towards the production I am watching. Give me the middle of December any time (although the BAC can be a bit nippy if you don't dress accordingly).
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2016 18:57:50 GMT
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433 posts
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Post by DuchessConstance on Jul 24, 2016 23:56:29 GMT
The Haymarket's always bloody freezing.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2016 9:08:04 GMT
The Royal Court is quite good for air conditioning, especially upstairs. I seem to remember passing some extremely chilly evenings in the Soho Theatre on otherwise baking hot nights too.
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4,024 posts
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Post by Dawnstar on Jul 25, 2016 17:02:38 GMT
Haven't been there for a while but the Criterion has very good air conditioning I think. So much so that for the Reduced Shakespeare (we're talking over twenty years ago here) was freezing during a heatwave. The Criterion is still doing nicely on the air conditioning front, which is fortunate for me as I've practically taken up residence & I don't like heat at all. The Duchess & the Royal Opera House have also been good recently. The Lyric was so-so last Monday but admittedly it was a very hot evening. ETA The Lyric is fine this evening. And in case anyone is wondering, I am definitely not repeat-viewing Thriller! |
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Post by SamB (was badoerfan) on Jul 26, 2016 20:29:44 GMT
The Dominion has good air-conditioning, parts of the auditorium (particularly the rear of the stalls) was actually quite chilly.
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Post by Jan on Jul 27, 2016 14:24:43 GMT
Worst by far I've encountered was in the Circle at the Roundhouse on a hot day. I think when they redeveloped it they put it something they called passive air conditioning or similar which was supposed to be better for the environment and so didn't work at all.
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1,346 posts
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Post by tmesis on Jun 18, 2017 15:43:28 GMT
Thinking of going to Blondel next Saturday but....is the Union baking at the moment? Also how's Southwark Playhouse coping with 30c+? These places seem to be very hit and miss. I expected the worst at the Arcola for Richard III recently. I have been both the coldest ever and nearly the hottest in downtown Dalston previously but, although a hot evening, they had excellent air con and it was lovely. I note from reviews that others weren't so lucky.
Excellent temperature control at both ROH (Otello) and NT (Common) yesterday but, unlike the fringe, they have comparatively lots of dosh.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2017 16:41:16 GMT
Would far rather be too hot than too cold; have got a list of theatres I don't go to past October, with the Union at the top...
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37 posts
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Post by Elisa on Jun 18, 2017 16:45:37 GMT
Air conditioning is always an issue everywhere. Always too little, or too much, or when it hits a few spots (and maybe people too) and the rest of the room is still hot.
Last summer I was absolutely freezing in row F of stalls at the Garrick. I could feel the cold air coming down from the ceiling. Then - who knows - maybe they were hot at the back or in the circles.
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431 posts
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Post by alison on Jun 18, 2017 16:56:15 GMT
The Coliseum was very pleasant last Saturday afternoon - at least once I got inside. The waiting in the queue outside in the direct sunshine, however, was less pleasant.
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3,574 posts
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Post by showgirl on Jun 18, 2017 17:11:49 GMT
I'm not keen on those fan systems some smaller venues have, though accept that it's probably how they have to compromise. Very noisy when working and can leave you far too cold, e.g. at the Old Red Lion.
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591 posts
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Post by lou105 on Jun 18, 2017 17:15:51 GMT
Also how's Southwark Playhouse coping with 30c+? It was OK on Friday. There's a cellist in the band and there was no sign of a repeat of the issues the Titanic strings had. |
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4,024 posts
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Post by Dawnstar on Jun 18, 2017 17:20:21 GMT
Thinking of going to Blondel next Saturday but....is the Union baking at the moment? Also how's Southwark Playhouse coping with 30c+? These places seem to be very hit and miss. I expected the worst at the Arcola for Richard III recently. I have been both the coldest ever and nearly the hottest in downtown Dalston previously but, although a hot evening, they had excellent air con and it was lovely. I note from reviews that others weren't so lucky. Excellent temperature control at both ROH (Otello) and NT (Common) yesterday but, unlike the fringe, they have comparatively lots of dosh. Glad to read the ROH is doing well on the air con front as I have L'Elisir booked there on Thursday (though I'll only go if Kurzak is back on). Would far rather be too hot than too cold; have got a list of theatres I don't go to past October, with the Union at the top... I'm the opposite. I have no problem in sitting in a coat in a cold theatre but in a hot theatre there's only so much you can take off. I have a list of theatres I won't go to in summer. The Union is 2nd from top, top being Southwark. |
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5,029 posts
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Post by Phantom of London on Jun 18, 2017 17:35:13 GMT
Thinking of going to Blondel next Saturday but....is the Union baking at the moment? Also how's Southwark Playhouse coping with 30c+? These places seem to be very hit and miss. I expected the worst at the Arcola for Richard III recently. I have been both the coldest ever and nearly the hottest in downtown Dalston previously but, although a hot evening, they had excellent air con and it was lovely. I note from reviews that others weren't so lucky. Excellent temperature control at both ROH (Otello) and NT (Common) yesterday but, unlike the fringe, they have comparatively lots of dosh. I was at the Union theatre last night and it was pretty unbearable, I was just sitting inactive with no costume and still felt my energy being sapped, so guess the heat affected the quality of the performance as well, as it did for Jesus Christ Superstar in the outdoors last year when it was wet, which is always a great shame. I understand that the Union are going to have air conditioning put in soon. Also was at the Stratford East Theatre in the afternoon and it was hot, but not as bad. keep that bottle of water with you when visiting and travelling to the theate. |
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4,155 posts
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Post by kathryn on Jun 18, 2017 18:06:12 GMT
Young Vic was nice and cool yesterday.
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2,338 posts
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Jun 18, 2017 18:10:20 GMT
The Coliseum was very pleasant last Saturday afternoon - at least once I got inside. The waiting in the queue outside in the direct sunshine, however, was less pleasant. Things looking up for the Coliseum if there is a queue to get in? |
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19,738 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jun 18, 2017 18:29:21 GMT
Give it to me chilly, any old time.
And, sexist comment alert.... it's always the girls who are too cold never the boys!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2017 18:32:35 GMT
Young Vic was nice and cool yesterday. Seconded, I was fine. I'd much rather be too cold than too hot. I don't cope at all well in heat, there's no way I could concentrate on a play if I was overheating. |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2017 18:41:29 GMT
Give it to me chilly, any old time. And, sexist comment alert.... it's always the girls who are too cold never the boys! Not me! It's really really rare that I'm cold. I grew up in a drafty old house up a mountain in North Wales in the 70s with a father who believed in windows open all year round, and unless there are icicles inside the bedroom, I'm pretty much too hot. |
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1,346 posts
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Post by tmesis on Jun 18, 2017 18:59:54 GMT
Thanks for all your help. Anyone know about temperature control/general comfort levels at Tristan Bates theatre. I've never been but quite fancy going to Quentin Dentin.
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