The National Theatre General Thread

I'm beginning to think it's not theatre that has a class problem, it's certain theatre-goers. There are some really worrying statements in this thread...

For the past million years I’ve been going on about how poorly the NT has used its river frontage. This must be one of the most sought after and expensive pieces of real estate in the Western world. But the architect decided to block the view of the river and provide windy concrete balconies inaccessible to the general public, not to provide catering or shops or seating. They have been playing catch up ever since. The NT should be a hive of activity all the time. I’ve mentioned before how they should keep the bars and cafes open for after shows instead of sending theatre goers put into a bleak and dark foyer. There should be publicly accessible places to sit and enjoy the view, to have workshops and meetings free and to just use the space. Entertainment should be all the time. The pathetic attempt at pre show stuff in the Lyttleton foyer came to a miserable end and the odd summer weird stuff, large chairs, is equally pathetic. There is never enough seating whether you are there all day on your lap top ( Er, not the great unwashed, I’ve only seen affluent techie equipped , well coiffed indiciduals ) or going to a show and want to perch with a coffee for twenty minutes. I would be delighted it the NT were a destination for tourists and Londoners and children all alike to learn about theatre, see shows and talk about them. As it is there is no buzz, no atmosphere, terrible food and nowhere to sit. Going to the theatre there is like taking your medicine. You hope it will be good for you. I yearn for the day the building will be demolished and we can start again. However, there will never be any money available for that, I know. Ok, that's it for 2019.

All of this is wonderful stuff for Norris as it distracts from the terrible programming

I know, very different climate and all that, but they should take a look at the Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay in Singapore, that managed a very successful mix of free public entertainment, accessibility and performing arts for paying customers. On only two days in Singapore I sort of accidentally caught a very beautiful dance performance and an ear-killingly awful Chinese orchestra performing for free. I wouldn't have wanted to hear more of that Chinese orchestra, but might have booked for a full performance of the dance company if I had been in town longer.

It may be a bit more difficult for a theatre mostly dedicated to drama, but surely the NT could come up with some ideas for free public performances, allow some budding musical performers to do small free concerts, lure parents & children with some short drama workshops for kids, whatever.

And yes, the balconies of the NT are a criminal waste. The ground floor as it is now is at least some progress, but I really don't think the NT looks very inviting to all the people walking past along the river.

The balconies (and the skywalks around the Barbican centre) are a failure of post-war planning philosophy that tried to encourage people to ascend from street level, which was supposed to be left for cars and cargo to move efficiently around. We were all going to be walking in the sky.....

Of course, this was back when the river was polluted and industrial, and the last thing anyone wanted to do was walk alongside it!

There was a rather fascinating talk about this at the NT a couple of years ago by one of the architects involved.

Makes sense (on their side) - After reading this discussion I went to take a look at the area on Google Maps/Earth and realized for the first time that there's a nice garden space of sorts on the building next door (Queen Elizabeth Hall?) - I'm not sure if it IS open to the public, but if it is, I have never known of it before. Why not signpost it better, same with at least the biggest NT balcony, put up the lawn chairs there in the summer months, a little mobile café, and it would all be rather lovely. Similarly, until an American friend went to college in London a few years ago and used the Royal Festival Hall's free wifi sometimes, I had no idea that that place was even open for the public (or where the entrance is)...    I'm sure that we all here know about the NT being open to the public because we're theatre nerds, but how many people are even aware that the're a good bookshop and cafe inside that's open to everyone? 

And human laziness? I mean, when I look at a staircase that MIGHT lead me to a nice café or something, my mental reaction is "oof, no", but when I see an escalator, I can be more easily lured to see where it goes (this way I discovered the Wagamama somewhat tucked away in the new mall/accumulation-of-ugly at Victoria Station whe I looked for somewhere to eat before a show at the Other Palace. 

And then did they chivvy people out by flapping a duster at them and spraying air freshener?

I always assumed and certain I have been told this, that because the National receive public subsidy through the Art Council, it becomes a public building, that the public are free to enter whilst open, However they do not have to provide wi-if.

The South Park is one of the greatest places in London and is now a tourist attraction in itself and is so vibrant now and Ifor one love it, it is in my top 3 places in London now with Covent Garden and Soho. Lambeth and Southwark Council have done a tremendous job in delievering this. How many thousands of tourists walk past dying for pee and not realising they can use clean and free toilets and get a nice substantial meal for £10, also has great meat free dishes.

I would out source the coffee shop to my favourite place in between shows and that’s is Caffè Nero, the problem with the current coffee is that how many of the public realise they can use it and you don’t need to go to the theatre? With a big multi-National company this will break down this barrier and welcome more people.

The National Theatre is a national treasure and should welcome all.

There was an interesting article on this in the Guardian last year - www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/oct/02/walkways-in-the-sky-the-return-of-londons-forgotten-pedways

keep meaning to hunt for the one off Pudding Lane when I'm in the area.