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Post by marob on Aug 31, 2021 11:06:57 GMT
Going there tonight, with a slightly heavy heart. I’m all for COVID precautions, but from reports on here they seem to be taking it to the point that people don’t feel welcome. I’ve had a few different emails telling me the importance of arriving in my designated timeslot, yet none of them actually tell me what it is. Maybe they’re not bothered with the Dorfman so much as there’s fewer people? Will aim for 15 minutes before and hope for the best.
Are they selling programmes? Email only mentions preordering drinks.
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Post by cavocado on Aug 31, 2021 11:35:43 GMT
Programmes have been free at the shows I've seen there since Covid. |
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Post by cirque on Aug 31, 2021 12:04:45 GMT
when...when.....when will NT reopen fully...?
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Post by juicy_but_terribly_drab on Aug 31, 2021 12:09:18 GMT
Going there tonight, with a slightly heavy heart. I’m all for COVID precautions, but from reports on here they seem to be taking it to the point that people don’t feel welcome. I’ve had a few different emails telling me the importance of arriving in my designated timeslot, yet none of them actually tell me what it is. Maybe they’re not bothered with the Dorfman so much as there’s fewer people? Will aim for 15 minutes before and hope for the best. Are they selling programmes? Email only mentions preordering drinks. I initially thought it told me on my ticket when I went but checked and I had misremembered. My timeslot was in an email titled "Important info for your visit to [title of play]" if that helps you any in your search. Just for an idea of how early they could be expecting you to come, mine was 1:40-2:00 for a 2:30 show (but I imagine they probably aren't really that strict, there were still latecomers allowed in ten minutes after the start so I doubt that you being late to your timeslot but early for the show itself will cause an issue if you have no luck finding it). |
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Post by marob on Aug 31, 2021 12:17:51 GMT
Going there tonight, with a slightly heavy heart. I’m all for COVID precautions, but from reports on here they seem to be taking it to the point that people don’t feel welcome. I’ve had a few different emails telling me the importance of arriving in my designated timeslot, yet none of them actually tell me what it is. Maybe they’re not bothered with the Dorfman so much as there’s fewer people? Will aim for 15 minutes before and hope for the best. Are they selling programmes? Email only mentions preordering drinks. I initially thought it told me on my ticket when I went but checked and I had misremembered. My timeslot was in an email titled "Important info for your visit to [title of play]" if that helps you any in your search. Just for an idea of how early they could be expecting you to come, mine was 1:40-2:00 for a 2:30 show (but I imagine they probably aren't really that strict, there were still latecomers allowed in ten minutes after the start so I doubt that you being late to your timeslot but early for the show itself will cause an issue if you have no luck finding it). Email only says: “Your tickets and arrival times Staggered arrival times help us welcome our audience back safely. Please plan your journey in advance to ensure that you arrive with your group in your allocated time slot. On arrival at the theatre, please make sure you come to the Dorfman Theatre entrance, situated on the side of the building nearest IBM.” I assume as long as I get there with plenty of time to spare I’ll be ok. Just seems odd that they’re making such a big deal about arrival time, but don’t seem to have actually allocated one. |
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Post by Someone in a tree on Aug 31, 2021 16:21:05 GMT
I don't want to sit any longer than necessary on those uncomfortable Olivier seats
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Post by lynette on Aug 31, 2021 16:43:53 GMT
I don't want to sit any longer than necessary on those uncomfortable Olivier seats I thought I was alone…. |
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Post by lynette on Aug 31, 2021 16:47:14 GMT
For all its faults the NT must be one of the most spacious foyers in theatre land. And let’s be frank here, probably the best behaved punters so why the overkill? The tone seems a bit ‘off’.
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Post by distantcousin on Aug 31, 2021 17:04:03 GMT
I'm a bit more positive. I've seen/booked for everything post-Covid apart from Hex (but I'm just not in the target audience for that). I enjoyed After Life and thought Paradise and UMW were a bit disappointing but worth seeing, and I'm looking forward to a few of the forthcoming shows, especially ROckets and Blue Lights and Manor. It doesn't worry me that there's been no standout show yet, and I think there's still a lot of goodwill from the free NT@Home shows. But I do really miss the foyer spaces. I like being able to go straight to the NT after work and hang around for an hour or two, getting something to eat, browsing in the bookshop, sometimes listening to the live music, or just sitting with a book. It's one of the reasons I really like the NT - lots of space and it works for all kinds of people, whether you're alone or in a group, chatty or prefer to keep to yourself - it's always felt like a really comfortable and welcoming space, and I think the NT loses a lot by not using it. And the current policy of herding audiences straight out through the nearest external door is a bit grim. Both times I've been to the Olivier I've ended up having to use the Waterloo Station loos rather than join the long queue for the only loos I was allowed to use before the exit. It's a small thing but I think a large part of what makes the National is that it's a big public building with lots of facilities and social spaces. I hope it will be fully open in the next few weeks, and I agree they could have been more creative about welcoming people back into their public areas and not just ticketholders.
Sounds like a typical jobsworth, public sector mentality, if you ask me...
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Post by distantcousin on Aug 31, 2021 17:06:10 GMT
It is not just the National that is suffering from this malaise. I was in Stratford last week for a brief break and the RSC is just not putting in the effort. The town is dying because the RSC has not attempted to return to full time theatremaking. The viewing tower is shut. The RSC shop is shut. The new outdoor theatre is over engineered and not being fully used. They did a costume day on Friday which was overstaffed and under developed as an event. A small marquee with a few costumes is an inadequate response to the needs of Shakespeare lovers. The Birthplace Trust isn't helping either. The main visitor attractions are closed on Thursdays and Fridays each week. Mary Arden's farm is completely closed. Stratford businesses are crying out for help and the two organisations with the power to help have just given up. Norris and Doran need to go and go quickly. New leadership is vital otherwise the public funds should be cut off.
publicly funded institutions don't have the drive or impetus that the commercial venues do?
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Post by justsaying113 on Aug 31, 2021 17:27:18 GMT
I too tend to agree Kathryn - and, if they're not very careful, pricing is going to have a detrimental (possibly disastrous) impact on theatre. It'll become like the opera, well it almost has. £90 cheapest for 'Cabaret' is just pure greed! A few years back I'd have booked for that immediately. No more!
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Post by oxfordsimon on Aug 31, 2021 18:17:34 GMT
It is not just the National that is suffering from this malaise. I was in Stratford last week for a brief break and the RSC is just not putting in the effort. The town is dying because the RSC has not attempted to return to full time theatremaking. The viewing tower is shut. The RSC shop is shut. The new outdoor theatre is over engineered and not being fully used. They did a costume day on Friday which was overstaffed and under developed as an event. A small marquee with a few costumes is an inadequate response to the needs of Shakespeare lovers. The Birthplace Trust isn't helping either. The main visitor attractions are closed on Thursdays and Fridays each week. Mary Arden's farm is completely closed. Stratford businesses are crying out for help and the two organisations with the power to help have just given up. Norris and Doran need to go and go quickly. New leadership is vital otherwise the public funds should be cut off.
publicly funded institutions don't have the drive or impetus that the commercial venues do?
They should have more. They have the security and clout to take real risks. |
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Post by londonpostie on Aug 31, 2021 18:24:41 GMT
I'm no fan of what's happening at the National but the public gets a very good deal for its almost £17 million a year - must get that back in VAT on sales and tax/NI on 4,000 employed alone.
Does a massive amount online with schools, huge international ambassador for the Arts, training, support etc - the public get a great deal for the investment.
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Post by Dawnstar on Aug 31, 2021 19:09:32 GMT
I too tend to agree Kathryn - and, if they're not very careful, pricing is going to have a detrimental (possibly disastrous) impact on theatre. It'll become like the opera, well it almost has. £90 cheapest for 'Cabaret' is just pure greed! A few years back I'd have booked for that immediately. No more! I feel that is unfair to opera! At the ROH this coming season ticket prices for popular operas include £12-£250 for Rigoletto & £11-£225 for La Traviata. That is cheaper than Cabaret's £20-£325 at both ends of the price spectrum. |
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Post by londonpostie on Aug 31, 2021 19:49:32 GMT
What's Cabaret got to do with anything - isn't it a straight up West End commercial job; big names, fixed run? We all know the score with that.
The Opera House has its cheap Standing and Amphitheatre prices, the National has its £20 front rows, both becasue they take the public purse and have to have accessibility options.
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Post by Jan on Sept 1, 2021 6:43:49 GMT
I'm no fan of what's happening at the National but the public gets a very good deal for its almost £17 million a year - must get that back in VAT on sales and tax/NI on 4,000 employed alone. Does a massive amount online with schools, huge international ambassador for the Arts, training, support etc - the public get a great deal for the investment. In what way is NT an international ambassador ? Their international engagement, particularly with EU countries, is close to zero. |
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Post by cavocado on Sept 1, 2021 9:05:29 GMT
Lehman and Hadestown about to reopen in New York?
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Post by marob on Sept 1, 2021 9:07:06 GMT
FWIW It wasn’t so bad visiting the Dorfman. Just a queue with a quick bag check on the door. They’ve cleared the foyer/bar area so it’s a much more open space now and you don’t have to fight your way through the crowd any more. Everybody told to wear a mask on the way in, only saw the odd person who didn’t.
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Post by londonpostie on Sept 1, 2021 9:13:38 GMT
Lehman and Hadestown about to reopen in New York? This kind of thing plus the international success of NT Live and NT at Home was what I had in mind. |
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Post by londonpostie on Sept 5, 2021 10:58:48 GMT
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Post by londonpostie on Sept 14, 2021 12:02:43 GMT
Is the National the only box office only available via email, only; even the legendarily unavailable ATG answered the phone today!
I feel like putting up a plaque somewhere.
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Post by cavocado on Sept 14, 2021 15:14:46 GMT
From the NT website:
Need help with tickets?
If you are having trouble buying tickets, please contact the Website Booking Helpline:
Open Monday - Saturday, 9.30am - 8pm.
Call: 020 7452 3060.
Email: boxoffice@nationaltheatre.org.uk
Edited to say that I haven't tried ringing them since pre-pandemic, so I can't guarantee they'll answer, just that they have a phone number.
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Post by londonpostie on Sept 14, 2021 15:34:45 GMT
Hmmm, a new box office phone number - the old one is still saying "Our phone lines are currently closed".
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Post by cirque on Sept 18, 2021 15:05:42 GMT
Wonder if anyone has been to NT recently.....is shop/FOH /bar/etc now open....?
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Post by cavocado on Sept 20, 2021 8:00:31 GMT
Wonder if anyone has been to NT recently.....is shop/FOH /bar/etc now open....? Not according to their website. All still closed apart from the Understudy Bar. I wonder if that will change when East is East opens in a couple of weeks and all three theatres are back open. |
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