289 posts
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Post by southstreet on Sept 18, 2020 8:14:19 GMT
Same for me, both seats directly in front and behind me are now on sale? Like Dom, I don't mind in terms of safety, but I do mind that I now have a head right in front of me when I was excited about having an empty row for better sight lines.
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7,439 posts
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Post by alece10 on Sept 18, 2020 8:43:52 GMT
Well I'm pleased as when tickets went on sale I couldn't get a single seat and so have just managed to get a lovely aisle stalls seat.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2020 8:55:36 GMT
It is bonkers. They had a safety plan. They sold out. So suddenly they decided they COULD sell every row.
Open Air could have done this for JCS. Outdoors and with steep rake would be MUCH safer than having someone breathing on your neck in the Palladium!
Like I said, I am not personally especially worried, but at a time when theatres really must build trust with a tentative audience, it really isn't the one.
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Post by geraldine64 on Sept 18, 2020 13:00:19 GMT
It is bonkers. They had a safety plan. They sold out. So suddenly they decided they COULD sell every row. Open Air could have done this for JCS. Outdoors and with steep rake would be MUCH safer than having someone breathing on your neck in the Palladium! Like I said, I am not personally especially worried, but at a time when theatres really must build trust with a tentative audience, it really isn't the one. It also looks from the plan as though there is just one empty seat between bookings, which is not even 1 metre, much less 2!! I was about to book, as the test event at the Palladium looked really well done and reassuring, but will need to check this out first. If this really is the policy, which doesn't seem to be observing the guidelines (so how would they get round that?), I would sadly not consider booking, as I would not feel comfortable or confident about attending.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2020 13:06:06 GMT
It is bonkers. They had a safety plan. They sold out. So suddenly they decided they COULD sell every row. Open Air could have done this for JCS. Outdoors and with steep rake would be MUCH safer than having someone breathing on your neck in the Palladium! Like I said, I am not personally especially worried, but at a time when theatres really must build trust with a tentative audience, it really isn't the one. It also looks from the plan as though there is just one empty seat between bookings, which is not even 1 metre, much less 2!! I was about to book, as the test event at the Palladium looked really well done and reassuring, but will need to check this out first. If this really is the policy, which doesn't seem to be observing the guidelines (so how would they get round that?), I would sadly not consider booking, as I would not feel comfortable or confident about attending. You're right - it is only one seat between groups now. Open Air have 2 or 3. That doesn't bother me as much. Total unproven pseudoscience but I'd think having someone breath directly behind you could spread respiratory droplets into your breathing space much more than someone 2 seats away facing the same way. But yes, this really won't bring confidence to people understandably anxious about these things.
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Post by geraldine64 on Sept 18, 2020 13:28:56 GMT
Yes, I'm sure you're right, someone sitting in the row right behind would make me really uneasy. I felt completely comfortable with the set-up at both Open Air and the Bridge Theatre, and am looking forward to seeing The Last Five Years at Southwark Playhouse, which seems to have made a huge effort to reopen safely, but the rather short-sighted attitude of LW Theatres in ignoring the guidelines (and quite sneakily as well, in selling tickets in two separate tranches, so making the set-up unclear) has really put me off.
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4,458 posts
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Post by poster J on Sept 18, 2020 19:24:30 GMT
Has everyone forgotten that masks are compulsory, which means that 2m social distancing is not in fact required. Better, of course, but not required.
If they police everyone to ensure masks are kept on then the only issue I have is that there now might be a head in the way in front of me!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2020 19:42:38 GMT
I actually do understand people’s confusion or discomfort over sitting closer to a group than was originally assumed, based on the booking. I don’t think people have forgotten the masks rule, that doesn’t stop people being nervous about travelling on public transport (and understandably). As long as they’re not breaking the restrictions, I think it’s entirely fair that some are returning to normality at their own pace, some are more wary than others.
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4,458 posts
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Post by poster J on Sept 18, 2020 20:15:10 GMT
I actually do understand people’s confusion or discomfort over sitting closer to a group than was originally assumed, based on the booking. I don’t think people have forgotten the masks rule, that doesn’t stop people being nervous about travelling on public transport (and understandably). As long as they’re not breaking the restrictions, I think it’s entirely fair that some are returning to normality at their own pace, some are more wary than others. Oh I understand that, I meant more that it seemed people don't understand why the Palladium can perfectly legally do what they have, and I suppose someone has to be the first. It would have been much better if they had done it that way in the first place of course.
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289 posts
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Post by southstreet on Sept 19, 2020 10:22:05 GMT
Has everyone forgotten that masks are compulsory, which means that 2m social distancing is not in fact required. Better, of course, but not required. If they police everyone to ensure masks are kept on then the only issue I have is that there now might be a head in the way in front of me! It’s 2m if possible but still 1m+ though even with masks, so having people directly in the row in front and behind means there won’t be 1m between patrons in different groups.
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Post by intoanewlife on Sept 19, 2020 15:33:02 GMT
If they pull this stunt with Six I will be getting a refund and not going.
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4,458 posts
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Post by poster J on Sept 19, 2020 15:44:56 GMT
Everyone will be temperature checked, facing away from each other and wearing masks, I really don't see any need to be concerned. This is life now and for the foreseeable future, so people just have to get used to it if they want to go out (which is of course their prerogative, but I'm not going to spend my life cooped up when I don't have any health reason to do so). Paranoia needs to be discouraged and sensible mask wearing encourage, it really isn't more difficult than that despite the hysteria of certain branches of the press.
I don't think any theatre can be blamed for trying to make a bit more revenue to survive given the government have woefully failed them, and there is clearly demand for it.
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Post by intoanewlife on Sept 19, 2020 15:56:09 GMT
Everyone will be temperature checked, facing away from each other and wearing masks, I really don't see any need to be concerned. This is life now and for the foreseeable future, so people just have to get used to it if they want to go out (which is of course their prerogative, but I'm not going to spend my life cooped up when I don't have any health reason to do so). Paranoia needs to be discouraged and sensible mask wearing encourage, it really isn't more difficult than that despite the hysteria of certain branches of the press. I don't think any theatre can be blamed for trying to make a bit more revenue to survive given the government have woefully failed them, and there is clearly demand for it. I bought my ticket on the proviso that safety measures were going to be carried out in a certain way and I was comfortable enough with them to purchase a ticket. If that changes I have every right to change my mind if 'I' don't feel safe attending when they reneged on their end of the deal. Their profit margins are not my concern, my safety and well being is.
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4,458 posts
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Post by poster J on Sept 19, 2020 16:31:26 GMT
Everyone will be temperature checked, facing away from each other and wearing masks, I really don't see any need to be concerned. This is life now and for the foreseeable future, so people just have to get used to it if they want to go out (which is of course their prerogative, but I'm not going to spend my life cooped up when I don't have any health reason to do so). Paranoia needs to be discouraged and sensible mask wearing encourage, it really isn't more difficult than that despite the hysteria of certain branches of the press. I don't think any theatre can be blamed for trying to make a bit more revenue to survive given the government have woefully failed them, and there is clearly demand for it. I bought my ticket on the proviso that safety measures were going to be carried out in a certain way and I was comfortable enough with them to purchase a ticket. If that changes I have every right to change my mind if 'I' don't feel safe attending when they reneged on their end of the deal. Their profit margins are not my concern, my safety and well being is. No-one is stopping you from changing your mind, but what they are doing is clearly within guidance or they wouldn't be doing it - everything is risk assessed for COVID safety at the minute (even the church I visited today!), so if it wasn't approved it wouldn't happen in a venue as high profile as this. Yes, they should have just put all the tickets on sale at the start, but it wouldn't have stopped me booking in the slightest. I see no reason to panic rather than just be sensible. I feel much safer sitting down with a mask on around other people wearing masks who have been temperature checked than I do walking down the street where people don't social distance, aren't wearing masks and might cough all over me. I do find it really hard to understand why people who are up in arms about having to sit close to someone wearing a mask aren't equally up in arms about that, but nobody seems to care about anything other than venues which are an easy target even though what they are doing has been sanctioned. Perspective and rational thinking appear to have gone out the window.
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Post by intoanewlife on Sept 19, 2020 17:06:53 GMT
I bought my ticket on the proviso that safety measures were going to be carried out in a certain way and I was comfortable enough with them to purchase a ticket. If that changes I have every right to change my mind if 'I' don't feel safe attending when they reneged on their end of the deal. Their profit margins are not my concern, my safety and well being is. No-one is stopping you from changing your mind, but what they are doing is clearly within guidance or they wouldn't be doing it - everything is risk assessed for COVID safety at the minute (even the church I visited today!), so if it wasn't approved it wouldn't happen in a venue as high profile as this. Yes, they should have just put all the tickets on sale at the start, but it wouldn't have stopped me booking in the slightest. I see no reason to panic rather than just be sensible. I feel much safer sitting down with a mask on around other people wearing masks who have been temperature checked than I do walking down the street where people don't social distance, aren't wearing masks and might cough all over me. I do find it really hard to understand why people who are up in arms about having to sit close to someone wearing a mask aren't equally up in arms about that, but nobody seems to care about anything other than venues which are an easy target even though what they are doing has been sanctioned. Perspective and rational thinking appear to have gone out the window. It's not about me, it's about other peoples behaviour. I am happy to wear a mask and be around other people who are following the rules, but from my experience this does not happen. I wear mine everywhere, even in the street and cross the road if someone is coming toward me without a mask. Frankly I don't care about this Governments 'guidance' on anything, as it is a complete joke and totally contradictory on so many levels. I have been out in a busy public space once since lockdown apart from going to the corner shop (where no one wears masks) and HAD to get a tube. Less than half the people in my carriage had masks on and every one of them looked like they were itching for a fight if anyone said a word about it. I am not willing to deal with that kinda crazy just to be in a theatre, I am quite happy to take a year out until things return to normal. I'm not up in arms about anything, y'all can do whatever you like and even if this does go ahead which I highly doubt it will anyways the way things are going, I will just get a refund if their safety measures change.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 20, 2020 11:23:39 GMT
Have returned a top price single seat for the evening performance if anyone still looking for one!
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Post by jgblunners on Oct 6, 2020 7:51:29 GMT
Just returned a single stalls seat for the matinee - should be up for resale through the official website later today if anyone's Interested!
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1,623 posts
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Post by fiyero on Oct 11, 2020 11:23:05 GMT
Who else is on their way to this today? I’m just having a pre-match TGI Fridays before stepping foot in a End Theatre for the first time in nearly 7 Months.
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Post by alece10 on Oct 11, 2020 11:39:39 GMT
Who else is on their way to this today? I’m just having a pre-match TGI Fridays before stepping foot in a End Theatre for the first time in nearly 7 Months. I'll be leaving home shortly to be there. Quite excited
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7,439 posts
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Post by alece10 on Oct 11, 2020 14:59:57 GMT
Half time. What a show! Quite emotional as well.
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Post by LaLuPone on Oct 11, 2020 15:02:59 GMT
I’m absolutely loving this. But £15 for a programme, really taking the p*ss to be honest 😳
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Post by alison on Oct 11, 2020 15:13:02 GMT
I cried even walking into the auditorium, so there was no hope for me once the show started.
The programme price is ridiculous, but I bought one anyway as a memento. I guess that’s what they’re hoping for.
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Post by anthony40 on Oct 11, 2020 16:24:33 GMT
I walked past The Palladium this afternoon and they were setting up the security barriers.
Looked like it was all systems go
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Post by alece10 on Oct 11, 2020 17:00:07 GMT
I’m absolutely loving this. But £15 for a programme, really taking the p*ss to be honest 😳 I resisted the programme especially when I heard the people next to me say there wasn't much in it.
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Post by alece10 on Oct 11, 2020 17:20:51 GMT
Well that was something special! You kind of knew it would be when they said "ladies and gentlemen welcome to the London Palladium" and there was a huge prolonged round of applause. Songs for the new world is a strange thing. I can't say its a musical as, from what I can see, there isn't a plot, and if there is, I don't have a clue what it is. For me it's a series of songs telling stories. But I love it. Some of Jason Robert Browns best music for me. Cast were superb and impossible to single one out as they each brought their own special talent to the show. Band on stage and more of a concert performance with some great lighting. Plus the cast didn't use scores. Well done. Now can anyone who went tell me who sang "steam train" as he wasn't one of the 4 cast members. If I had paid out £15 for the programme!!! I guess I would know. Usually the show is done straight through but they put an interval in which didn't really add to it. But I guess they need to make as much money as they can so it gave them an opportunity of extra drinks revenue so I am not going to complain. As the last note played the whole audience rose to their feet and gave a huge ovation that went on for several minutes. They had to bring the cast back again as people wouldn't stop clapping and you could see the performers were overjoyed. I think it was partly due to a great show but also the fact that we are out at the theatre again after such a long time so the applause was also for everyone in the business to show our appreciation.
Correct me if I am wrong but I think this is the biggest theatre event so far since the theatres closed and the Palladium coped really well. Only thing was the getting in. I arrived in time for my allotted slot of 1415-1430 and joined the queue for the stalls round about the start of Regent Street and past Liberty. By 1430 we hadn't moved very far and I could not see how everyone was going to get in within 30 mins for the 1500 start, but they seemed to do it. Luckily one of the staff saw me in the queue with my stick after i'd been there for about 30 mins and took me to the front and escorted me in through a side door. So well done Palladium, that was great customer service and I really appreciated it. Well organised inside with hand sanitisers, special "things" on the door handles and drinks brought to your seats. They were very hot on you wearing your mask all the time and I saw staff walking up and down and telling people off. Now for anyone sitting in the stalls and for those who have booked Panto you have a treat in store as they have reduced the number of rows of seats. This means that they can now sell every row but with seats blocked off betweeen party sizes. The result is massive amount of leg room between each row. Enough that people can even walk past you to their seat without you having to get up. So if I go to anything else there in the next months I don't need to get an aisle seat. Don't know what they have done on the other 2 levels though. Anyway a bit of an emotional wreck at the end, the face masks can fortunately hide a lot! but a wonderful afternoon. Anyone going tonight is in for a real treat.
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Post by poster J on Oct 11, 2020 17:28:46 GMT
Sounds fabulous!
I'm just having a coffee on Carnaby Street waiting for my slot to go in for the evening show. Walked past Rachel John on her way in earlier.
So looking forward to this, fingers crossed the evening show audience is as good as the matinee sounds!
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4,458 posts
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Post by poster J on Oct 11, 2020 18:14:11 GMT
In my aisle seat in the circle now. The two seats in front of me are crossed out as are the two next to me and the entire row behind but people further down my row have people directly in front of them and I wouldn’t really feel happy about that if it was me. Feeling emotional before the show has even started, it’s so good to be back in a West End theatre again! Edited to add: I don’t think they’ve done anything to space out the rows in the circle, I’m short and there’s not much room between my knees and the seat in front. I can't see any people with others directly in front of them from where I'm sitting - I'm in the middle section of the Royal Circle and have 2 free seats in front, behind and on each side. Plus a whole row a couple of rows in front is blocked out. So anyone with people directly in front is a significant minority. There is nothing they can do to space the rows in the circle, but given you have no-one beside you there is more space anyway.
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Post by CG on the loose on Oct 11, 2020 19:24:17 GMT
Now can anyone who went tell me who sang "steam train" as he wasn't one of the 4 cast members. If I had paid out £15 for the programme!!! I guess I would know. Shem Omari James @_S_H_E_M - a 2020 graduate of Arts Ed. Songs for a New World marks both his professional and West End debut. That aside - I echo all you say. A brilliant afternoon in all respects, and very emotional.
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Post by andrew on Oct 11, 2020 19:26:45 GMT
Definitely lots of people directly in front of each other down here in the stalls. It feels relatively spacious. The atmosphere is ELECTRIC.
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Post by alece10 on Oct 11, 2020 19:30:17 GMT
Now can anyone who went tell me who sang "steam train" as he wasn't one of the 4 cast members. If I had paid out £15 for the programme!!! I guess I would know. Shem Omari James @_S_H_E_M - a 2020 graduate of Arts Ed. Songs for a New World marks both his professional and West End debut. That aside - I echo all you say. A brilliant afternoon in all respects, and very emotional. Thanks for that. He was great. A star in the making for sure.
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