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Post by n1david on Apr 28, 2020 17:55:01 GMT
Clicking into the more detailed link, they are also taking the following measures:
Online purchases for parties of 2 or 3 only. Larger parties by phone consultation. (Presumably no single sales?)
Masks are mandatory (not supplied at theatre)
Multiple entrances (very much like the Old Vic when it was under redevelopment)
Shows where possible performed without an interval, to minimise bathroom lines.
Intermediate rows (greyed out in diagram) have been physically removed, presumably to stop in-show self-upgrading.
This is not their previously-announced program; these are concerts and semi-staged readings.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2020 17:55:01 GMT
Unless they double or triple the ticket prices they are going to be losing money hand over fist. The big problem with theatre is running costs, if you don't meet those then you would be economically better off doing nothing. Given that reserves are going to be depleted or have disappeared totally, there will be just no funds there to keep the shows running. I wonder if it might lead to more performances a day? Like the old days when there was first house and second house for variety shows. Otherwise I agree. Putting prices up means less tickets sold anyway Well checking their website it appears that they aren’t, the ticket prices are low as well so these must be barebones performances. One other thing looking at their tickets online. Only seven single seats. I presume that means that, given social distancing, single theatregoers either try and get one of those or have to buy a block of two or three if they miss out. It seems to be predicated on getting small family groups. |
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Post by londonpostie on Apr 28, 2020 18:04:05 GMT
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Post by crowblack on Apr 28, 2020 18:17:23 GMT
Online purchases for parties of 2 or 3 only. Larger parties by phone consultation. (Presumably no single sales?) Masks are mandatory (not supplied at theatre) Multiple entrances (very much like the Old Vic when it was under redevelopment) Shows where possible performed without an interval, to minimise bathroom lines. Intermediate rows (greyed out in diagram) have been physically removed, presumably to stop in-show self-upgrading. This is not their previously-announced program; these are concerts and semi-staged readings. As an audience, how on earth could you summon the mental strength to immerse yourself in a production with all that going on? Maybe instead theatres could stage skeleton productions with friends-and-family audiences and record them for streaming/pay per view, even if just to keep actors feeling that they're in the game and to keep the live theatre flame alive for audiences until a vaccine is found or we somehow achieve a New Zealand-like situation with no new cases (unlikely, I know). I get the impression from social media that many of those working in theatre/TV have had the virus already and as they're generally drawn from the fit, slim, well-nourished middle classes they're probably demographically at lower risk than the audiences. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2020 18:26:33 GMT
Perhaps this has been mentioned yet, but apart from social distance in the audience, how about the social distance on stage? Certainly in case of productions with a large number of people on stage, this will be a challenge to re-arrange, unless the actors will wear protection masks. But also for the more small scale theatres and productions the challenge of keeping social distance won't be an easy exercise. I personally love good quality small scale productions, but also realise that in most cases the audience is so close to the performers. But in a creative sector as theatre is, I'm sure many of them will come up with original solutions. There can't be any social distancing onstage, unless for a staged concert/reading it just won't work. Going to theatres will have to be as voluntary for cast and crew as it is for the audience. Frankly all it will take to get me back to the theatre is an empty seat or two between people, some hand sanitiser each side of each door, disposable glasses, staff wearing gloves and a promise the theatre is thoroughly cleaned each night. And I might wear a mask or scarf. Anything more is unrealistic and unnecessary provided there is access to soap and water. |
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Post by showgirl on Apr 28, 2020 18:27:03 GMT
I jolly well hope there isn't going to even more discrimination against solo theatregoers, especially given that they are arguably those most likely to book, ie if not having to think about accommodating the different wishes and health concerns of others as they would if attending as a pair or part of a group. They may also live alone and therefore generally have the greatest flexibility, eg not shielding other household members.
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Post by talkingheads on Apr 28, 2020 18:32:15 GMT
I wonder if it might lead to more performances a day? Like the old days when there was first house and second house for variety shows. Otherwise I agree. Putting prices up means less tickets sold anyway Well checking their website it appears that they aren’t, the ticket prices are low as well so these must be barebones performances. One other thing looking at their tickets online. Only seven single seats. I presume that means that, given social distancing, single theatregoers either try and get one of those or have to buy a block of two or three if they miss out. It seems to be predicated on getting small family groups. If this is the case then I'm buggered - I always go to the theatre alone and can scarcely afford that never mind block booking just for one space! |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 28, 2020 18:43:09 GMT
So we’ve found a theatre doing something that sounds really positive to get a production on, and to find a way of getting an audience in. And now we’re shooting them down for being too expensive and when that fails we go in on them for not having enough single seats?
Seriously. I despair sometimes.
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Post by couldileaveyou on Apr 28, 2020 18:54:12 GMT
Unless they double or triple the ticket prices they are going to be losing money hand over fist. The big problem with theatre is running costs, if you don't meet those then you would be economically better off doing nothing. Given that reserves are going to be depleted or have disappeared totally, there will be just no funds there to keep the shows running. I wonder if it might lead to more performances a day? Like the old days when there was first house and second house for variety shows. Otherwise I agree. Putting prices up means less tickets sold anyway If you increase the number of performances you must also increase the cast's salary, so it's not going to be very profitable. Barrington Stage's solution is lovely but it can't work in commercial venues with production costs similar to the ones of Broadway and the West End. Besides, some of Barrington Theatre's future shows will be performed without intermission in order to cut down on toilets usage. Considering the board's reaction every time a show runs for over 90 minutes without an interval, the solution seems to work well more on a theoretical level than on the practical one. |
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Post by talkingheads on Apr 28, 2020 19:19:07 GMT
So we’ve found a theatre doing something that sounds really positive to get a production on, and to find a way of getting an audience in. And now we’re shooting them down for being too expensive and when that fails we go in on them for not having enough single seats? Seriously. I despair sometimes. I'm not shooting down anybody. I want a safe theatrical experience as much as the rest of us. I don't think it's unreasonable to respond to the comment about there being no single seats as somebody who only buys single seats That said, it will be interesting to see what the first post Covid productions are. I would guess musicals would take up a lot of spaces. Either that or a lot of two handers. |
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Post by d'James on Apr 28, 2020 20:09:37 GMT
Spain has announced its plans for de-escalation. It’s in stages by province but when Theatres are allowed to open they will only be allowed 30% of capacity which will then rise to 50% if there are no sudden jumps in cases.
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Post by lynette on Apr 28, 2020 20:21:21 GMT
That idea of the seating in the diagram above looks like the old cinemas in the very old days on a rainy matinee: kids bunking off school, old guys in macs...you get the idea. That or a very exclusive club of people who can afford the sky high prices and acquire the hard to get tix. Better have tables and cocktails, right back to the clubs of the Weimar.
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Post by Jonnyboy on Apr 29, 2020 6:59:13 GMT
I’ve had an arena gig rescheduled for October. Seriously, how can they have Manchester Arena packed out by then?
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Post by joem on Apr 29, 2020 10:22:58 GMT
I’ve had an arena gig rescheduled for October. Seriously, how can they have Manchester Arena packed out by then? They will, sooner or later. It's simple. They've realised we have to find ways of living with the virus because it isn't going to go away anytime soon and because any cure or vaccine simply isn't on the horizon. So we either choose to take precautions and get on with a semblance of normal life accepting that some people will catch the virus or we may as well start thinking of collective suicide as, eventually, there will be no-one to save the NHS because there will be no funds to do so. Ditto theatre and flights and everything else. |
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Post by crowblack on Apr 29, 2020 10:39:59 GMT
Ditto theatre and flights and everything else. The BA layoff news that broke last night suggests otherwise. I can see things for younger people, whose lifestyle means they do not come into contact with vulnerable adults, restarting, gigs in studenty venues etc., but with big arena gigs there's the issue of public transport too, rammed trains or coaches, rammed local pubs or cafes, all that overspill exposing people who did not 'opt in' to the risk of the main event. As it is, I wonder if we will soon start to see lawyers and inquiries into events like the Liverpool/Madrid match, Cheltenham and the Stereophonics gigs. People, now, sue tobacco companies and for asbestos exposure. Will people start suing for negligence over this? |
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Post by distantcousin on Apr 29, 2020 10:42:06 GMT
You can prob get the article online as it is in the actual paper not on their online platform, if you see what I mean. The article did make me start thinking when it asked what would I want to make me go back to the theatre.So I was thinking- So remove all the doors. Use curtains as they do anyway. So you remove one touchy feeling risk. Cover the stair hand rails with paper and change it for each performance and other such covering devices. Toilets: do what the Old Vic did, put them outside with attendants and plenty of HOT water and soap. Close the bar, either sell packaged drinks outside or have staff wearing clean white gloves ( psychological thing) hand round free water and juice in the intervals. I bet you’d get sponsors of drinks to do this. Even hot drinks could be provided with some caution. Better regulate the air con and heating, investigate the systems that don’t circulate the air but filter it. Extend the cloakrooms so people can leave their stuff more easily and with no cost. Might have to move out some seating in the old WE places to accommodate this but would be worth it. Start earlier, say 7pm so people can come straight from work and don't have to hang about. Cafes will adjust. Lower the prices, yes, counter intuitive but make it a cheap option for a date. And put on only the very best, maybe reduce the clutter of big sets if too expensive but you know the mantra - if it is good, they will come. So some loss of income to start with but much goodwill and theatre to build on. Obviously back stage facilities should be refurbed for the actors and creatives so they are comfortable. Spend money guys!
To be honest with all that faff, I'd raher not bother. Doesn't sounds like a pleasurable experience at all to me.
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Post by distantcousin on Apr 29, 2020 10:43:10 GMT
There are two TVs in my house and neither of them are smart. I bought my TV because it was 3D but it came with Smart features built in. I tried them but didn't see the point because what they offered was essentially a restricted version of what I could already do far more easily on my computer. It was very much a matter of "Love the Internet but want it to be a pain to use and wish there was less on it? Well good news!" And now those smart features don't work at all, because the web services they connected to have changed over time and the TV manufacturer hasn't updated the firmware to match because they want me to keep buying new TVs instead of sticking with the old one. So my TV is just a TV; it displays pictures just fine, which is all I ever wanted of it anyway.
Because you can view on a bigger screen? Most people don't have 42 inch plus PC monitors, plus you get better sound on a TV
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Post by theatreian on Apr 29, 2020 11:14:41 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 29, 2020 11:14:58 GMT
We’re likely going to see a difference, in any period while the virus is not controlled, between necessities and luxuries. Flights, for all but a few, are luxuries so will be one of the first to really suffer. I doubt that many see theatre as a necessity, so those at the business end must be planning for smaller audiences (maybe skewed younger than previously). Today’s article in The Stage, gives us a fair insight into planning. Article behind paywall (you get one free one per month, more if registered) www.thestage.co.uk/news/coronavirus-theatres-prepare-for-2021-reopenings-under-worst-case-scenario “Theatres and producers are preparing for venues to remain closed until 2021, warning that they will suffer huge financial losses if government support does not remain in place until they are allowed to reopen. Theatres including the National Theatre, Curve in Leicester and the Birmingham Hippodrome have shared their plans for different scenarios relating to when theatres are allowed to reopen, having closed their doors on March 16. All have warned that under the worst-case scenario they could be forced to remain closed until next year, with Birmingham Hippodrome even planning for the possibility of not reopening until late spring 2021. National Theatre director Rufus Norris said last week that he had “flexible” plans for any time between July and January, but warned there was a chance “it could be worse than that”.” |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 29, 2020 11:26:47 GMT
As it is, I wonder if we will soon start to see lawyers and inquiries into events like the Liverpool/Madrid match, Cheltenham and the Stereophonics gigs. People, now, sue tobacco companies and for asbestos exposure. Will people start suing for negligence over this? I doubt it (or at least doubt many would advise them to) - most of those events took place at a time when the seriousness of the spread risk was not entirely clear, and where the risk of going on had to be balanced with the financial loss of cancelling and risk of a claim for breach of contract, which at the time was probably the higher risk. Would that sort of advice stand up now? Possibly not, but if it wasn't negligent at the specific time then claims will struggle. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 29, 2020 11:46:50 GMT
Will people start suing for negligence over this? This is why companies in the States are asking the government to shield them from liability if they choose to reopen. |
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Post by crowblack on Apr 29, 2020 12:33:07 GMT
Would that sort of advice stand up now? Possibly not, but if it wasn't negligent at the specific time then claims will struggle. There was certainly a lot of disquiet about the football match. At the time, the whole of the UK had fewer confirmed cases than the city of Madrid, and Madrid itself was in semi-lockdown, with no attendance at home matches allowed, but 3000 fans were allowed to travel from Madrid to Liverpool. Liverpool's team manager and the former public health officer for NW England expressed anger about it going ahead beforehand, and a Merseyside MP expressed concern to the health secretary in the Commons that day. Liverpool now has a higher than average rate of infections and deaths (I've lost a relative to it) and an investigation has started. Cheltenham also had a spike in local admissions after the races. I suspect we'll see a lot of buck-passing in the coming months. |
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Post by lynette on Apr 29, 2020 12:45:25 GMT
It was very silly to let the match and the races meet go ahead. Bold action was required and the moment was lost. Makes you think who had the final say in both instances. Looks so much like money talking. The gambling industry is trying to get racing going again. Ain’t the horses, is it?
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Post by crowblack on Apr 29, 2020 14:23:04 GMT
Piece in the Telegraph (not paywalled) about 'TV returning to its theatrical roots' which could be a very good thing, if they commission new work from new/underrepresented writers and performers. With lower budgets forced on them and a lot of space to fill, maybe TV can afford to take risks with new people rather than going for tried-and-tested familiar names.
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Post by TallPaul on Apr 29, 2020 15:36:45 GMT
The SJT in Scarborough has shared some of its early responses to the 'After the Interval' survey many of us have been receiving in our inboxes. It is encouraged that a substantial majority of us are missing live theatre "a lot", especially the "buzz".
It also revealed that each participating theatre is limited to just 1,000 responses, so the survey has been sent to "a randomly selected representative cross-section of our audience." I've now completed my sixth, for six different theatres, so I must be very random! 😉
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