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Post by loureviews on Jan 21, 2017 10:06:49 GMT
Can anyone advise what the seats are like? Wooden benches without backs or something more substantial? Thanks.
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Post by Marwood on Jan 21, 2017 11:00:01 GMT
Only ever sat in the pit, but benches without backs pretty much covers it (although they're a bit more substantial and comfortable than bench seating elsewhere), don't know what you get sat higher up though.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 21, 2017 11:04:29 GMT
Yep, padded benches, no back (except for back row), no legroom, poor sightlines from pretty much everywhere, expensive
Pit is the best option in terms of cost vs view. Especially front row as you have legroom. Think there may be more legroom elsewhere though
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Post by Someone in a tree on Jan 21, 2017 11:06:56 GMT
I sat in the pit - view was great but I'll never go back. I had cramps and back ache during and after performance
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Post by loureviews on Jan 21, 2017 18:52:59 GMT
Ok thanks. We have tickets for White Devil but I'm having second thoughts now.
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Post by rumbledoll on Jan 21, 2017 19:34:51 GMT
Sat in stage seats on one side at Farinelli (which I loved!) - so closed to the action, but at times particually restricted as you can imagine. Still amazing experience it was.
Also sat in the Gallery behind the pillar which was not as annoying as some restricted views I've been through at other theatres but it was only opera and the cheapest seat in the house (apart from standing) so I'm not complaining. Bit uncomfortable though (considering no back).
My friends who've been in SWP loads always recommend sitting at the last row of the pit since you have both perspective and a wall behind you to lean on.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 21, 2017 19:55:35 GMT
I sat in one of the Lords' Boxes both times I went. First time, for Farinelli, I sat front row but learned my lesson: spent the whole evening with the knees of the person behind uncomfortably close to my back. When I went back to see The Tempest, I made sure I booked the rear row so I had a wall to place my back against!
I would say it's definitely worth at least one trip to this theatre, though. It has a lovely, intimate feel and is very pretty. Plus everyone else in the audience is raising their eyebrows about the comfort levels, too, so you can have a bit of a laugh with people.
Both shows I've seen, the actors kept moving so although there will always be times, even in the expensive seats, when your view isn't great, within a few minutes your view should be fine again. (I can't imagine any directors would want their cast too static in that space.)
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Post by peggs on Jan 22, 2017 16:09:53 GMT
I would say it's definitely worth at least one trip to this theatre, though. It has a lovely, intimate feel and is very pretty. Plus everyone else in the audience is raising their eyebrows about the comfort levels, too, so you can have a bit of a laugh with people. Both shows I've seen, the actors kept moving so although there will always be times, even in the expensive seats, when your view isn't great, within a few minutes your view should be fine again. (I can't imagine any directors would want their cast too static in that space.) Agree with jeanhunt it's well worth a visit even if you vow never to go back, I've sat in the pit a few times and once on the side in a slightly restricted seat. It is painful, the bit made me feel as if I and my back were trying to face in two different directions and you get very friendly with everyone around you, you feel like you should have been introduced first but it's a beautiful space and the intimacy, lighting and music are well worth seeing. |
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Post by rumbledoll on Jan 22, 2017 16:33:29 GMT
I also found it extremely cold despite loads of candles. But I do love this space, it's awfully charming and very special!
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Post by lynette on Jan 22, 2017 17:24:23 GMT
Totally crippling but I've not seen a dud show there yet! I would advise back row of middle section near the doors. That gives you a back though for some weird reason they have put a dado along the back that digs into your back. Being near the door allows for some wriggle room if you turn slightly sideways. I think the view from most places is fine unless you are behind a pillar. People do squash up but I'm at a loss to understand why when they realised they had a blueprint for a Jacobean theatre they couldn't make it more accommodating for us now with just a few centimetres here and there.
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Post by peggs on Jan 23, 2017 20:06:03 GMT
I think the view from most places is fine unless you are behind a pillar. People do squash up but I'm at a loss to understand why when they realised they had a blueprint for a Jacobean theatre they couldn't make it more accommodating for us now with just a few centimetres here and there. Perhaps it's a secret ploy to get us all the slim down to Jacobean sizes and shed some pounds?! |
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Post by mistressjojo on Jan 24, 2017 1:52:54 GMT
I think the view from most places is fine unless you are behind a pillar. People do squash up but I'm at a loss to understand why when they realised they had a blueprint for a Jacobean theatre they couldn't make it more accommodating for us now with just a few centimetres here and there. Perhaps it's a secret ploy to get us all the slim down to Jacobean sizes and shed some pounds?!
I wish them joy with that!
I spent an agonising few hours in the pit, squeezed between 2 very large men on either side, and a tall & large woman behind who had her knees in my neck the whole time.
Most uncomfortable theatre I have ever sat in.
But as others have said, very beautiful.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 24, 2017 9:26:43 GMT
Imagine you've been knocked over the head and kidnapped. You wake up strapped onto a plank of wood while an anesthetic is being slowly injected into every muscle of your body, gradually numbing every part of you until you can't feel anything. And then Kathy Bates walks in with a sledgehammer.
It's like that. But worse.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 24, 2017 9:31:45 GMT
It's a beautiful theatre and I've worked out which seats are better, but I can't remember a single production I've seen there even half as well as I remember how uncomfortable I was while I was seeing it. Ultimately it's sort of a waste of money. The best one was when I went to an unpopular play where the row behind me was empty, so I was able to sit a little further back and have something to lean on.
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Post by bellboard27 on Jan 24, 2017 10:15:18 GMT
Pain and pleasure can combine in exquisite ways. If a theatre can bring this off, ecstasy is possible. Long-term physical impairment is a small price to pay.
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Post by Dawnstar on Jan 24, 2017 20:47:28 GMT
I must either be lucky or have a high pain threshold as I've been to the Sam Wanamaker playhouse 4 times & don't remember it being unbearably uncomfortable on any occasion. I've sat 3 times in the pit and once in the circle. The biggest problem I've had is where to put my fairly large handbag as, the benches being solid, you can't tuck bags under them like you can with most theatre seats. One piece on inauthenticity I'm glad they've gone for is installing air conditioning as when I went in August 18 months ago I was afraid it'd be boiling but it was beautifully cool.
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