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Post by duncan on Jan 10, 2019 9:43:59 GMT
Maybe former actress Rachel Markle will give it a bit of a springclean in her new role.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2019 21:39:41 GMT
What a brilliant thread! And just so British.
Is almost as good as the one last year where we revealed who did and didn't have bladders that could face a no interval Follies.
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Post by lynette on Jan 11, 2019 20:22:14 GMT
Maybe former actress Rachel Markle will give it a bit of a springclean in her new role. Well considering they used to put in new toilets to wherever the Queen visited, the least we can expect is clean toilets. I hope we see a lot of the new royal at the theatre, though of course when little new royal she might have to stay at home for a while. But o, think of the great children's theatre ......
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Post by caa on Jan 19, 2019 8:48:44 GMT
I still miss the foyer music and probably spend less time at the NT. I also think that the book shop is full of tat!
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Post by shady23 on Jan 19, 2019 21:27:54 GMT
The next time I am in the NT sheltering from the cold, using the wifi or using the "facilities" I will also be purchasing a coffee, due to the overwhelming recommendations on this thread.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Jan 19, 2019 21:32:13 GMT
I still miss the foyer music and probably spend less time at the NT. I also think that the book shop is full of tat! I absolutely agree that the old book shop was far better - it was a regular destination for me in search of scripts. Now it is more of a gift shop. Having said that, the RSC shop offering is also woeful. The RSC shop should be a haven for those seeking books about Shakespeare and his contemporaries. Yes, there is a place for tourist tat - but that can be elsewhere in the building. I would love to curate a collection of books for the RSC! (And the Nash too!)
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Post by joem on Jan 19, 2019 21:40:22 GMT
End of the day the NT is a theatre, at least that's what it says in the name, so it does seem like a pity that at times people who are going to the theatre cannot enjoy the facilities because they are being hogged by people who are not going to the theatre.
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Post by sf on Jan 19, 2019 21:51:16 GMT
End of the day the NT is a theatre, at least that's what it says in the name, so it does seem like a pity that at times people who are going to the theatre cannot enjoy the facilities because they are being hogged by people who are not going to the theatre.
As someone who goes to the theatre there several times a year, pays for a membership, and travels some distance to get to London - which means I usually arrive at the National very early for a show, get lunch or a coffee or both, browse the bookshop and maybe buy something, look at the exhibition spaces etc, and check my bag in to the cloakroom - I do not ever remember feeling that I "cannot enjoy the facilities because they are being hogged by people who are not going to the theatre". The worst I can say is that I've occasionally had to walk a little further with a cup of coffee to find a place to sit down.
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Post by NeilVHughes on Jan 19, 2019 23:01:41 GMT
For me the National is the hub of Theatre in London and find it the perfect place to chill between plays whether at the National or not.
Today was a perfect example, a matinee at Jermyn St and an evening performance at the Young Vic.
A natural place to while away the couple of hours between plays, an opportunity to support the Theatre financially, a revenue stream gaining in importance as funding continues to be squeezed.
When you think about it the foyer is only required for the 45 minutes prior to a show and the inconvenience if it exists is a price I am welcome to take to have the use of such a special space.
In another thread,vaguely remember something about our aversion to stairs, the balconies, terrace spaces etc are rarely fully utilised and in the summer are especially pleasant outdoor spaces to experience the Southbank.
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Post by TallPaul on Jan 21, 2019 16:44:54 GMT
The worst I can say is that I've occasionally had to walk a little further with a cup of coffee to find a place to sit down. Some regulars (myself included) take a pride in knowing the venue so well, that we know where the quiet places are. It's different for you though, TM. You can literally hang about anywhere. 🙂
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Post by peggs on Jan 21, 2019 18:00:30 GMT
True, and those light-fittings are comfy. Must play havoc with the coffee though
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Post by Backdrifter on Jan 21, 2019 18:14:14 GMT
End of the day the NT is a theatre, at least that's what it says in the name, so it does seem like a pity that at times people who are going to the theatre cannot enjoy the facilities because they are being hogged by people who are not going to the theatre.
As someone who goes to the theatre there several times a year, pays for a membership, and travels some distance to get to London - which means I usually arrive at the National very early for a show, get lunch or a coffee or both, browse the bookshop and maybe buy something, look at the exhibition spaces etc, and check my bag in to the cloakroom - I do not ever remember feeling that I "cannot enjoy the facilities because they are being hogged by people who are not going to the theatre". The worst I can say is that I've occasionally had to walk a little further with a cup of coffee to find a place to sit down.
Even before moving out of London I was rarely using the NT for just stopping off to browse and graze etc. But now when I'm in town I'll make a point of doing just that, so I can experience the naughty buzz of being inconsiderate and 'hoggy'.
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Post by sf on Jan 21, 2019 18:17:32 GMT
As someone who goes to the theatre there several times a year, pays for a membership, and travels some distance to get to London - which means I usually arrive at the National very early for a show, get lunch or a coffee or both, browse the bookshop and maybe buy something, look at the exhibition spaces etc, and check my bag in to the cloakroom - I do not ever remember feeling that I "cannot enjoy the facilities because they are being hogged by people who are not going to the theatre". The worst I can say is that I've occasionally had to walk a little further with a cup of coffee to find a place to sit down.
Even before moving out of London I was rarely using the NT for just stopping off to browse and graze etc. But now when I'm in town I'll make a point of doing just that, so I can experience the naughty buzz of being inconsiderate and 'hoggy'.
Later this year I've got a day booked where I'm seeing a performance in the Dorfman in the afternoon and a performance in the Olivier in the evening. If I take a coffee into the lobby area from the espresso bar between shows, perhaps I should pin my tickets to my shirt so that the more judgmental participants in this discussion, should they be passing, don't assume I'm just one of the Great Unwashed who is only there for the free wifi.
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Post by Backdrifter on Jan 21, 2019 18:29:10 GMT
Even before moving out of London I was rarely using the NT for just stopping off to browse and graze etc. But now when I'm in town I'll make a point of doing just that, so I can experience the naughty buzz of being inconsiderate and 'hoggy'.
Later this year I've got a day booked where I'm seeing a performance in the Dorfman in the afternoon and a performance in the Olivier in the evening. If I take a coffee into the lobby area from the espresso bar between shows, perhaps I should pin my tickets to my shirt so that the more judgmental participants in this discussion, should they be passing, don't assume I'm just one of the Great Unwashed who is only there for the free wifi.
That'll mean you can sit back and smile while I'm frogmarched out by the Prole Police. Struggling and shouting "You all think you're better than me?!" and "Our common goal should be a society WITHOUT CLASSES!"
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Post by lynette on Jan 22, 2019 17:23:15 GMT
God luck finding a chair.
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Post by sf on Jan 22, 2019 18:38:49 GMT
God luck finding a chair.
I have never not found a place to sit when I needed one.
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Post by lynette on Jan 22, 2019 21:16:06 GMT
God luck finding a chair.
I have never not found a place to sit when I needed one.
We'd better stick together then. 😁
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Post by Snciole on Jan 24, 2019 15:31:33 GMT
I am sorry but the South Bank/Waterloo/Strand area has lots of nice restaurants, why would audience members choose to hang around the NT Foyer? Whenever I go to the NT, which isn't often, I never struggle to find a seat before the show or during the interval. It helps they let audience members in quite early too.
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Post by duncan on Jan 24, 2019 15:35:03 GMT
I go the BFI, I got to sit next to some original artwork from Captain Pugwash last time - that was more thrilling than the production in the National!
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Post by couldileaveyou on Jan 29, 2019 18:56:50 GMT
I'm on the sofas outside the Olivier and a little mouse just popped out to say hello #awkward
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Post by sf on Jan 29, 2019 19:01:18 GMT
I'm on the sofas outside the Olivier and a little mouse just popped out to say hello #awkward
Did it at least buy a coffee and a theatre ticket before it logged on to the free wifi?
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Post by lynette on Jan 29, 2019 21:05:24 GMT
O dear. So I won’t put my open handbag on the floor then. Actually you might find me kneeling on my seat. Pity the person behind me.
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Post by emicardiff on Jan 30, 2019 8:27:10 GMT
The above reminds me of a conversation at a staff meeting the other week, one of the gallery duty managers 'Do I need to tell you I saw a dead rat outside?' General manager: 'As long as it wasn't inside and alive, no'
(we are very close to the water so it's not THAT surprising there's a few kicking about)
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Post by Backdrifter on Jan 30, 2019 8:39:50 GMT
O dear. So I won’t put my open handbag on the floor then. Actually you might find me kneeling on my seat. Pity the person behind me. Hang on, aren't women meant to stand on a seat, clutching their skirts and going "eeeek" or "aaiieee" or something? I'm sure I read that somewhere.
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Post by Phantom of London on Jan 30, 2019 9:07:19 GMT
All theatres have mice, they're as everywhere on the Underground too, take comfort that mice and rats wont co-exist, so where there are mice, there are no rats.
The kitchen restaurant serves delicious food, especially if you are a non-meat eater, or follow a plant based diet and it is all very good value for money.
I think the toilets in the Barbican are more dated.
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Post by emicardiff on Jan 30, 2019 9:15:21 GMT
All theatres have mice, they're as everywhere on the Underground too, take comfort that mice and rats wont co-exist, so where there are mice, there are no rats.The kitchen restaurant serves delicious food, especially if you are a non-meat eater, or follow a plant based diet and it is all very good value for money. I think the toilets in the Barbican are more dated. That is a valid and important point. Also personally I'd rather a mouse than a pigeon.
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Post by The Matthew on Jan 30, 2019 9:29:18 GMT
O dear. So I won’t put my open handbag on the floor then. Actually you might find me kneeling on my seat. Pity the person behind me. Hang on, aren't women meant to stand on a seat, clutching their skirts and going "eeeek" or "aaiieee" or something? I'm sure I read that somewhere. I think that's elephants.
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Post by Baemax on Jan 30, 2019 11:16:46 GMT
I once saw a mouse climbing the wall in the Royal Court bar, very brazenly. Also it was a comparatively smooth patch of wall, so it was pretty impressive too.
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Post by Sotongal on Jan 30, 2019 12:42:52 GMT
I guess there's an issue that when these areas were originally set up for public access, wifi and laptops didn't exist and (more) public libraries did exist so you were less likely to get people camped out all day in the space? This is a very good point. Thirty years ago you could have a meal, a snack or just a drink and could listen to some music in the foyer with or without seeing a show. Times change, obviously and people can't keep away from the Internet for long! And it is puzzling it looks tattier now four years after a refit than it did before. If, like us, you're someone who lives a long way from London and going to the NT involves a long drive or train and tube journeys, you may just want to sit/eat/drink in the NT rather than then have to go elsewhere and the recent times we've gone there it has been difficult to find a table to sit at because there are so many people with a laptop and one cup of coffee. There last week for Hadestown, at 6pm before the evening performance there was an announcement asking people not going to a show to leave so theatregoers could have seats and some went and some didn't. I guess one thing the NT could do (but probably won't) is do some sort of survey over various days to see how many hang around for hours with one drink (how much does that add to NT profits?) and don't ever see a show and how many go for a coffee and the wifi and then see a show. Do the older theatres have people in their bars all day? Are they public spaces? Maybe the NT could decide if it's a theatre which happens to have a public space attached or a public space which happens to have a theatre attached? And I wonder if Rufus Norris will hang on to the NT as it's title now, having made a statement about dropping the 'Royal' suffix as having put people off going there, now the Duchess of Sussex is its new Patron or put it back? Can't say I've heard of any other 'Royal' theatres around the country planning to drop their 'Royal', or suggesting it puts people off going. P.S. Whoever thought it was a good idea to put the NT box office by the entrance doors should obviously be forced to spend time there. The poor box office staff have to wear coats to work there in the winter.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2019 16:27:46 GMT
And I wonder if Rufus Norris will hang on to the NT as it's title now, having made a statement about dropping the 'Royal' suffix as having put people off going there, now the Duchess of Sussex is its new Patron or put it back? Can't say I've heard of any other 'Royal' theatres around the country planning to drop their 'Royal', or suggesting it puts people off going. Does having Meghan Markdown as the patron make the place more royal or less?
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