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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2017 13:12:51 GMT
Found 111 is no more - at least not at that space. But the scars (on my butt, from their seats) run deep  |
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Post by Marwood on Apr 6, 2017 13:49:19 GMT
Not keen on the outer areas of the Young Vic, the entrance where the front desk is located comes across as something more suited to a factory than a day out, and the rest of the ground floor is more geared to people eating and drinking rather than going to see a show.
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Post by cheesy116 on Apr 6, 2017 13:49:30 GMT
I love the Theatre Royal! I love it's big open grand foyer.
I felt incredibly cramped waiting to go into see Miss Saigon at the Prince Edward. I had to squeeze through everyone in a crammed room to get to the desk with the programmes!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2017 13:57:57 GMT
Not keen on the outer areas of the Young Vic, the entrance where the front desk is located comes across as something more suited to a factory than a day out, and the rest of the ground floor is more geared to people eating and drinking rather than going to see a show. I believe that entrance part of the building used to be a butcher's shop and they've decided to own it rather than gloss over it.  |
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Post by Snciole on Apr 6, 2017 13:58:48 GMT
I always find the Almeida a desperately awful place to visit. The space is horrid, they have the worst FOH staff I've ever come across and the patrons are just hideous on the whole. It is too small and too white (the space, not the patrons) but I will have nothing said against the hot ginge usher (has he left? Screw them all if so) |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2017 14:03:35 GMT
He was still there when I saw Hamlet. There's a possibility I'd just stop going to the Almeida all together if he ever left.
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Post by londonmzfitz on Apr 6, 2017 14:19:43 GMT
I like the Prince Edwards, that bar upstairs where you can stand on the balcony and look out on Old Compton Street, worth getting there early for. And the art deco nick nacks. And the Aladdin foh staff have been universally lovely on my two recent visits, one with a disabled friend, we were positively cossetted. We were told (before the show started) of an exit without steps for our departure (I love the loges), but my friend mentioned she wanted to look at the tat (sorry, merchandise). The foh sent over a member of staff with a tray full of goodies to our seats. To our very seats!
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Post by nick on Apr 6, 2017 14:37:47 GMT
The Manchester Royal Exchange is my absolute favourite - a lovely space and so friendly. Here here. I shall never forget seeing Ben Kingsley as Faustus there in the 80s. My all time favourite production ever in an amazing space. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 6, 2017 16:00:43 GMT
The Crucible Sheffield! Beautiful.
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Post by bellboard27 on Apr 6, 2017 16:16:47 GMT
I like the ambience at the Unicorn.
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Post by schuttep on Apr 9, 2017 7:59:09 GMT
I love the Southwark Playhouse now it has reserved seating, but had a rather unpleasant experience last week at The Life. From the surly box office young man to the older usher who never smiled and barely clapped when he was sitting in the performance and in full view of everyone, to the young man showing people to their seats, who tried to sit a row A ticket holder (me) into row B (despite having a seating plan in his hand, to which he referred!)
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Post by alece10 on Apr 9, 2017 8:49:30 GMT
I thought the staff at Drury Lane this week we're great. Very friendly and helpful and the ice cream lads up for having their pics taken with a group of ladies who had obviously had a glass or two of wine. They even gave me a 42nd street sticker which was great.
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Post by profquatermass on Apr 9, 2017 18:25:07 GMT
I like a lot of fringe theatres. The staff at the Union and the Tristan Bates are friendly (and the later has pretty much the cheapest wine in Covent Garden). Ditto the Park Theatre though I don't often have a reason to visit
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Post by showgirl on Apr 10, 2017 3:41:25 GMT
I'm always surprised when I have more interaction with the staff than usual, and even more so when they are friendly and welcoming - not to disparage them generally but because in most cases, all that's involved is collecting my ticket if I don't already have it (or showing my e-ticket) and taking my seat.
That's why I find it particularly incongruous when some theatres start tweeting and pleading to receive audience votes for "Most Welcoming Theatre" or the like, as even when it's one of my favourites and somewhere I regularly visit, e.g. the Park Theatre, I think "But what have you ever done even to acknowledge me, let alone welcome me?"
Ironically the only way in which many theatres seek to engage with me is after, or unrelated to, a visit, when they email or write to me asking for donations. Again, I think I might be more inclined to support them if they made a small effort to find out more about their audience and to create a dialogue. Surveys don't really do this so I've given up completing those; all the occasions on which I've fed back information relevant to my own concerns have failed to elicit even a response, let alone any change, so I've concluded that it's not a genuine attempt to engage but a box-ticking exercise.
I've noticed that at West End theatres, the staff are generally much more pro-active, friendly, helpful and genuinely welcoming, which always gets my visit off to a good start and still quite surprises me because it's not the norm for my own theatre-going. Making it clear to the audience from the outset that the staff are on the ball probably helps to minimise bad behaviour (I'm not saying avoid it!) and easier for staff to speak to a patron about this if necessary later.
In fairness to the smaller venues I prefer, their tight budgets doubtless mean they don't have the staff to do more than hand out tickets and usher, and this doesn't mean I don't have a good time there, as I do and they are some of my favourite and most-frequently-visited venues; it's just that the good ambience/experience is more despite the staff than due to them.
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Post by tmesis on Apr 12, 2017 17:11:04 GMT
The ones I like -
London mainstream:
The Novello - a very attractive theatre with a really sympathetic restoration. Saw 'Crazy for you' there a few years ago, unlikely to go again now it's stuck with 'Mamma Mia'
Theatre Royal Drury Lane - very nice experience the other night with very friendly and helpful FOH
National Theatre - very good and even better now the foyers have had a makeover but I miss the live music!
Coliseum - OK
Royal Opera House - my favourite of the lot. I've probably been about 400 times over the years and now that they have incorporated the Floral Hall I think the place looks fabulous. I find the staff very helpful and friendly.
London Fringe:
Hampstead - easily my fringe favourite. Great, comfortable auditorium, attractive and spacious foyer and really nice staff, particularly behind the bar. The punters are very friendly too.
The Park - nice feel to it.
Southwark Playhouse - love it here too. Nice friendly bar area and genuine, amiable punters. I also loved it when at London Bridge.
Young Vic - like the feel of the auditorium but foyer a bit of a trial.
The Union - like it's new home but weirdly it had more atmosphere when over the road.
Menier Chocolate Factory - surprised there is some antipathy to this place, always look forward to going.
The Arcola - on balance I like but a bit up itself
Lyric Hammersmith - I like but a bit up itself
Theatre Royal Stratford East - love this place with a great, friendly crowd at most shows. I really like that they have not prettified it and it's still got it's rough edges. However, the foyer is a bit cramped.
Wilton's Music Hall - quite an experience! I love the decaying atmosphere.
The Gatehouse. - excellent, friendly pub theatre (I do miss The Landor!)
Regional Theatres:
Royal Exchange - great in every way
Crucible - I love this place and they are so friendly.
Curve - I know this place divides people a bit I really like.
Chichester Festival Theatre - particularly since it's redevelopment I always enjoy a day out to Chichester. It's in a great setting, comfy seats, spacious foyer and very friendly and helpful staff.
Yvonne Arnaud - has a great setting by the river/navigation with elegant foyer/restaurant/bar areas. Helpful FOH.
After a pause I'll post the venues I dislike...
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Post by showgirl on Apr 12, 2017 18:25:59 GMT
Great list, tmesis, and featuring lots of my favourites, though oddly also the odd one that I really don't like, e.g. Wilton's.
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Post by Tibidabo on Apr 12, 2017 18:55:40 GMT
I can never remember which west end one is which!  I hate the Menier's dark, uneven stairs, sharing bum space with strangers and general pokiness. Has anyone been to the Gordon Craig in Stevenage? It's like walking into 1971 Formicaland and the stage is so wide the actors need a hopper bus to get from one side to the other. But I did enjoy my Babycham at the interval. I really like Southwark Playhouse - very friendly and I once managed it on crutches no problem. I also like the whole Jack the Ripperness of Shoreditch Town Hall. (Definitely not a place for crutches.) Not sure if this counts, but I loved the colour scheme at Aylesbury Waterside so much I went home and replicated it on my kitchen walls! |
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Post by Dawnstar on Apr 12, 2017 20:14:32 GMT
Not sure if this counts, but I loved the colour scheme at Aylesbury Waterside so much I went home and replicated it on my kitchen walls! Is that the one with little multi-coloured light embedded in the walls or am I mixing it up with another theatre? I've only been there once, 3 years ago. |
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Post by tmesis on Apr 12, 2017 20:36:16 GMT
Whoops - forgot my all time favourite regional theatre which is the Watermill at Newbury. I know of no Theatre in Britain with a more idyllic setting, they put on great productions in a fantastically atmospheric theatre with excellent meals/ bar snacks before the performance. The staff are fantastic and the audiences very friendly.
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Post by Tibidabo on Apr 12, 2017 20:37:40 GMT
Not sure if this counts, but I loved the colour scheme at Aylesbury Waterside so much I went home and replicated it on my kitchen walls! Is that the one with little multi-coloured light embedded in the walls or am I mixing it up with another theatre? I've only been there once, 3 years ago. Ha ha! I'm not sure I could live with a multi-coloured light kitchen Dawnstar - I was talking about the mandarin and olive green between the lovely wood. But I think it does sometimes do the embedded light thing. The wood paneling is made of irregular sticking-out long blocks - it's quite unusual. I think they serve the same purpose acoustics-wise as the ceiling mushrooms at the Royal Albert Hall. It's quite a new theatre but I haven't been for ages either so maybe someone else can confirm what you've said. |
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Post by showgirl on Apr 13, 2017 4:11:00 GMT
I'd love to visit the Watermill and toy with the idea every time a production receives a good review, but for one thing it's very hard to reach by public transport from my area and for another, lots of plays/shows originating there go on to tour - e.g. The Wipers Times, currently in London and then touring. Shame is getting to see the work but not the theatre.
I'd also love to visit Aylesbury Waterside but it's just a bit too far by public transport from the southern home counties; furthest north I usually manage in a day is Watford, though I used to go to a more independent space in Hemel Hempstead for touring productions, mainly by Lip Service. On the other hand, Aylesbury and Newbury are a bit too close for a weekend away - Sod's Law!
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Post by tmesis on Apr 13, 2017 7:27:31 GMT
I'd love to visit the Watermill and toy with the idea every time a production receives a good review, but for one thing it's very hard to reach by public transport from my area and for another, lots of plays/shows originating there go on to tour - e.g. The Wipers Times, currently in London and then touring. Shame is getting to see the work but not the theatre. I'd also love to visit Aylesbury Waterside but it's just a bit too far by public transport from the southern home counties; furthest north I usually manage in a day is Watford, though I used to go to a more independent space in Hemel Hempstead for touring productions, mainly by Lip Service. On the other hand, Aylesbury and Newbury are a bit too close for a weekend away - Sod's Law! Now if you like walking (I do)... Train it to Newbury from the station locate the Lambourn Valley Way you then have a beautiful 2.5 mile walk to Bagnor where the theatre is (that would take 1hr but is a very attractive walk) This would be doable for a Saturday or mid week matinee You could even vary the walk back by taking the Kennet and Avon canal route. Frankly I can't think of a nicer day out combining my two favourite things:walking and theatre. Of course it could rain... |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2017 7:52:31 GMT
Not sure if this counts, but I loved the colour scheme at Aylesbury Waterside so much I went home and replicated it on my kitchen walls! Is that the one with little multi-coloured light embedded in the walls or am I mixing it up with another theatre? I've only been there once, 3 years ago. You seem to be mixing it up with the police station. Did you enjoy your hen party in Aylesbury? |
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Post by showgirl on Apr 13, 2017 8:06:30 GMT
I'd love to visit the Watermill and toy with the idea every time a production receives a good review, but for one thing it's very hard to reach by public transport from my area and for another, lots of plays/shows originating there go on to tour - e.g. The Wipers Times, currently in London and then touring. Shame is getting to see the work but not the theatre. I'd also love to visit Aylesbury Waterside but it's just a bit too far by public transport from the southern home counties; furthest north I usually manage in a day is Watford, though I used to go to a more independent space in Hemel Hempstead for touring productions, mainly by Lip Service. On the other hand, Aylesbury and Newbury are a bit too close for a weekend away - Sod's Law! Now if you like walking (I do)... Train it to Newbury from the station locate the Lambourn Valley Way you then have a beautiful 2.5 mile walk to Bagnor where the theatre is (that would take 1hr but is a very attractive walk) This would be doable for a Saturday or mid week matinee You could even vary the walk back by taking the Kennet and Avon canal route. Frankly I can't think of a nicer day out combining my two favourite things:walking and theatre. Of course it could rain... Great idea, tmesis, and I am a fanatical and fast walker - though not so easy in theatre-going clothes - but I will bear it in mind - thank you. |
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Post by tmesis on Apr 13, 2017 9:44:21 GMT
The theatres I don't like:
(Actually it's fewer than I though it would be)
London:
Waterloo East -
A bit depressing with soulless foyer and cliquey ambience. Don't like the way the manager/bloke in charge seems to find it necessary to make an announcement before every performance
Donmar -
Too cramped in the foyer and bar areas, cliquey punters. However, I think it's lost it's way a bit production-wise compared to 5 or 10 years ago so don't feel I'm missing much by not going.
Sadler Wells -
Hard to put a finger on why I dislike, I just do.
Almeida -
The one I dislike the most. Same reasons as Donmar but far worse. Really, really up themselves punters, poncey atmosphere and do the FOH staff still wear those strange Ruritanian, and slightly sinister uniforms?
Regional:
New Wimbledon Theatre -
Big and soulless, no atmosphere
Southampton Mayflower -
Same as the above but worse
New Victoria Theatre Woking -
Always put in a bad mood when I have to visit Woking. Poncey, p*** -elegant bar area with outrageous prices.
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