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Post by missthelma on Jan 8, 2019 19:05:43 GMT
Ah yes, happy memories of browsing in this shop only of course to be met with either withering condescension or titanic indifference if you braved the counter! Seems to be a habit of many 'specialist' shops (especially for music, rarely for books in my experience), The Cinema Store about 250 yards down the road had similar staff and attitude; well the DVD/model half not the book half to be fair. Really does make you wonder how all these independent shops went out of business with the advent of the internet and the mighty Amazon? With such impeccable customer service and welcoming behaviour you would have thought we would have had brand loyalty!!
It reminds me of my favourite encounter with a snobby staff member in Tower Records when I dared to enquire after a certain singer in the gospel section, the contempt and disdain with which he responded was so virulent it almost took human form and strangled me. I never asked anything again.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2019 20:15:13 GMT
I might be wrong but perhaps part of the success of this shop was during a time when musical theatre stars where still mostly known from the theatre itself (not from television), they became a name purely because of their stage work. It was more that it was run by and for the community it served. The location meant anyone at any level in theatre would come in because they usually had to hand something needed urgently - a vocal score or audition backing track or something. People knew each other and it was a bit like a real life version of this board in a way. I mean it also HAD a version of this board as well, which was, aside from the American forums a leader in the online theatre community as well. I also agree that the theatre cafe would be a great way to bridge that gap- if they sold merch, CDs, had signings etc (I know they do a bit of the latter with their events) obviously their size is prohibitive but still. I do like that the Theatre Cafe exists, even if it is a teenage stagey hell at times, I'm glad there's a place for that to exist. |
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Post by notmymuse on Jan 9, 2019 8:31:17 GMT
I loved that shop. I still miss visiting it on days I go to London for a theatre trip. I bought my (signed) copy of theatre monkey's book there! I think they were even the record label for Rebecca Caine's CD although I may have made that up, but I remember going there to buy it. It was great browsing all the stuff that pre-internet you had no way of knowing existed.
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Post by TallPaul on Jan 9, 2019 12:06:35 GMT
I've been thinking about this book of yours, @theatremonkey . We are all familiar with the infinite monkey theorem, which even gets a mention in Kiss Me, Kate, but less well known is the infinite Shakespeare theorem... And it must be nice to be well thumbed by Anita.  |
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Post by Dawnstar on Jan 9, 2019 17:47:52 GMT
We are all familiar with the infinite monkey theorem It's true. I can confirm it, having lived it. I've just looked it up, to check it was what I thought it was, and according to Wikipedia some scientists gave it a go with actual monkeys. It didn't go well. Clearly the mistake they made was failing to invite @theatremonkey to participate. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infinite_monkey_theorem |
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Post by distantcousin on Jan 13, 2019 14:49:27 GMT
I have fond memories of their theatre evenings - they used to get great deals - best seats in the house - a nice glass of bubbly and some crisps at the shop beforehand and walk t'theatre together.
So nice, and almost "homely" - nothing seems to exist like that anymore and the gentrifcation, corporatisation and blandification of London marches on relentlessly....
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Post by frankubelik on Jan 13, 2019 15:29:07 GMT
Does anyone remember (like me) when they started trading upstairs in the piazza Covent Garden??? I mean we are talking pre-CDs here....... A devoted if slightly intimidated customer (I always felt judged by what I bought there), I followed them to Monmouth Street and was truly upset when they closed. Mind you I did sell my extensive vinyl collection to them.....
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Post by george on Jan 13, 2019 19:38:50 GMT
Yes! I fondly remember when they were in Covent Garden. I live in the U.S. and on my first trip to London in the mid-eighties, I stumbled upon the Covent Garden location. I was so excited to find some old Playbills from Broadway shows and current London cast albums. The store became my first stop on every subsequent trip to London (currently 26 times). I loved the free brochures near the door as I always found some show that wasn't on my radar. Just like Footlight Records in New York, this store is much missed.
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Post by anthony40 on Jan 13, 2019 21:05:20 GMT
Great avatar.
Welcome the board George
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Post by daisy24601 on Jan 13, 2019 22:15:59 GMT
I was about to buy two posters on the website, £13 delivery charge! For two bits of paper! I will take my business elsewhere.
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Post by mrmushnik on Jan 14, 2019 0:22:03 GMT
To be honest, I often found the owners rude.
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Post by wickedgrin on Jan 14, 2019 0:48:41 GMT
Yes, lots of happy memories of almost a bygone age browsing the shop, spending a fortune, always buying what was playing and being introduced to new shows and recordings.
My biggest memory of the shop though was literally bumping into Barbara Cook who was there to do a signing. I was already in the shop and unaware the signing was happening, turned round and literally bumped into her. She was delightful, and laughed and I was totally star struck and tongue tied although I did manage to burble something along the lines of "oh, I love your work" or something equally inane! I then joined the queue to have the CD signed and when it was my turn she laughed and said "well I hope I bump into to you again!" Sadly we never did.
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Post by dippy on Jan 14, 2019 1:14:20 GMT
I have no bad memories of the place but then I never really spoke to anyone there. I just quietly popped in looked at things, sometimes bought something (but rarely, it was all too expensive for me) but didn't engage in conversation, just paid and left. I think more than anything I used it as a place to pick up leaflets for shows. I loved that they had leaflets for everything and I could browse them and take them from there. Since then I've picked up a lot less leaflets than I used to.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2019 8:33:25 GMT
I was about to buy two posters on the website, £13 delivery charge! For two bits of paper! I will take my business elsewhere. Bloody hell! That's as bad as (boring comment alert) some dog disinfectant I tried to buy online the other week that was £9 for the actual product (about the size of a washing up bottle) and £12 for postage. So I popped to the local Pets at Home. I know small businesses are struggling, but also with elements like that, it's no wonder consumers go elsewhere. I don't mind paying a slightly higher price to support a small business but nobody has money to throw away! |
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Post by Mr Snow on Jan 16, 2019 9:02:50 GMT
I'd have bought more if they'd paid any attention to people they weren't already on best name terms with. I can recall trying to pay for a CD and giving up and leaving!
Shame but I've spend countless hours in Music Shops and I never felt comfortable in either venue. I don’t want a favour, I just want service.
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Post by alex90 on May 6, 2022 12:41:55 GMT
Has anyone used the Dress Circle website recently to order? I had bought some CDs from their site a while back which haven't arrived yet though I can see I've been charged for them. No joy getting in touch via email (bounces back) or phone (dead line) either so thought I would check in case anyone here has had a similar experience or may know a better way to get in touch with them?
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Post by anthony40 on May 6, 2022 13:50:49 GMT
I ordered a couple of posters from them on separate occasions and in each case, there was an error (one or two missing, or not the right quantities) forcing them to have to re-post what was not originally delivered.
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Post by TallPaul on May 6, 2022 15:54:20 GMT
It would seem that a new company rises from the ashes every time the previous one is dissolved by Companies House.
Dress Circle Ltd was reinvented as Show Tunes Ltd, which has now been reinvented as Showtunes Ltd, all with Leon Anthony Allan as director.
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