Hello, Dolly! - London Palladium (2024)

I think a lot of it is to do with the architecture of both buildings. Having three specific doors into the Pal only works if you know where you’re sitting; and given todays levels of self-involvement it is quite a lot to ask of people to check before lining up 🤣.

…and the Savoy is just a tiny rabbit warren before you hit the magnificent auditorium. I wouldn’t like to have to shepherd anyone around either building and would most likely get similarly cranky or apathetic of such a public, being asked the same ?’s constantly when the answers are written on a sign less than 4 feet away from someones head.

Forty years of Theatre going means I am (probably over) familiar with West End houses yet am constantly amazed at the lack of warmth, greeting, service and knowledge displayed by staff.

I do feel I have to stick up for the FOH staff at the Palladium. I have access requirements and the staff are always really helpful and friendly. I go to quite a lot of the concerts there as well as the shows and they always go out of their way to help. In fact, I find LW Theatre staff to be amongst the best and have written in several times to thank them.
I know everyone's experience can be different but just wanted to put my side across.

I would say they were very friendly when I went. Also very patient helping a man with a stick decide which was the best way to get to his seat.

I wonder if the London Palladium is too lucrative revenue wise to close for nearly 2 and a half for a proper refurb.

I was in on Thursday and have access needs and they were amazing- helpful and not condescending which unfortunately is often the case with people when they see you have to use a mobility aid.

The separate queues and entrances makes sense for separating people going in, but needs to be better communicated. As you look at the front of the Palladium, you have one queue going left along the pavement for Stalls, and one going right along the pavement for the dress circle. If you come at the theatre, as I did, from Oxford Circus station, the first thing you encounter is a long queue going into the Palladium - so the natural thing to do is to get in that queue. There's no way of knowing there's an equivalent queue snaking the opposite way from the entrance until you get near the front. 

I will however defend the actual Palladium staff - very helpful and friendly, including a lady at the Dress Circle bar. I'd got there just as she pulled the rope across to close it, but I asked if I could just swoop in and grab some water from the jugs on the bar, and she let me go through and do that. Too many staff would be 'nope, too late' and stick to the rule, but she used common sense and helped me out when I needed it.

Does anyone know how they manage to fit the staircase backstage??

Was also amazed when that train appeared…SR wing is notoriously small!

There have been enormous set pieces in Palladium shows over the years, so I just assumed the pieces for Hello Dolly were normal for the venue. Perhaps the staircase breaks down into sections? It didn't seem unfeasibly large for a major West End stage.

Ι think the staircase is broken into three sections. We saw one of them during the London Palladium tour.

Saw it last night, and couldn't stop smiling throughout - it was pure joy. The whole cast are fantastic, but Imelda Staunton is absolutely marvellous in this role - the title number was a real highlight. I was blown away by the quality of the set design bearing in mind it's only a 10 week run. If I lived closer, I would definitely be re-visiting this a number of times before it closes.