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Post by Dave B on Jan 24, 2022 11:00:53 GMT
JUST ANNOUNCED: Arcola Theatre reopens its doors with world première of Barney Norris' #WeStartedToSing.
We Started To Sing is a love song to the people who raised him, and a hymn to the bravery of our brief lives.
19 May - 18 June 2022
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Glad to see this reopening. I've enjoyed a number of shows there over the past few years.
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Post by Jan on Jan 24, 2022 11:45:03 GMT
Glad to see this reopening. I've enjoyed a number of shows there over the past few years.
Agree but given they obtained funding in both rounds of the cultural recovery programme and had additional money from Hackney Council I think they are very slow to reopen. I know they had some sort of ill-conceived outside space but they barely used it. |
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Post by Someone in a tree on Jan 24, 2022 12:10:19 GMT
Glad to see this reopening. I've enjoyed a number of shows there over the past few years.
Agree but given they obtained funding in both rounds of the cultural recovery programme and had additional money from Hackney Council I think they are very slow to reopen. I know they had some sort of ill-conceived outside space but they barely used it. I totally agree with you Jan. I hope the put the dosh in premium bonds because I can't see how they spent it. Friends did go to the outdoor space and struggled to hear due to its positioning just off a big crossroads that is Dalston Junction. This is my local theatre and I wish I wanted to go to it. |
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2,496 posts
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Post by zahidf on Jan 24, 2022 12:31:34 GMT
I think they used the outside space between May and August last year: was decent enough the couple of times I went!
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Post by imstillhere on Jan 24, 2022 12:44:21 GMT
Very slow to reopen. I'm interested if Arcola can ever make a comeback? Can the work there ever feel like event theatre?
I think the problem is they often follow trends instead of lead on them.
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Post by Jan on Jan 24, 2022 13:01:50 GMT
I think the problem is they often follow trends instead of lead on them. I'm not sure I entirely agree with that. For example a few years ago I saw their production of "The Rivals" - that's so far off-trend it counts as radical programming, no-one in London does straightforward productions of restoration comedies these days. Their programming is usually a reasonably good mix of classics and new plays in my view. I was interested in the Philip Prowse/Greg Hicks production of Death in Venice which I suppose got cancelled due to Covid - two of our greatest theatre names who apparently don't get offered anything at other London venues. |
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Post by showgirl on Jan 25, 2022 4:29:21 GMT
I'm boycotting the Arcola partly due to the fact that I lost most of the tickets on my pre-paid passport due to operations and they wouldn't help with an extension. More, however, due to their discrimination against solo bookers - who were, after all, arguably those most free to attend - when they re-opened. They were charging more for a single seat AND not even allocating a seat - whereas those booking 2 or more tickets could choose theirs - but relegating solo guests to an unallocated pen at the rear of their open air space. I emailed them twice about this, pointing out that this was hardly inclusive or welcoming yet I didn't even receive an acknowledgement, let alone a reply. So the Arcola has had it with me and I won't forget this.
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Post by tmesis on Jan 25, 2022 8:42:19 GMT
I'm pretty positive about the Arcola. I don't go very often but I have enjoyed everything I've seen there. Highlights have included Kenny Morgan and a stonking Richard III. I also really like the acting space of the main theatre.
They've also done some good musicals - a really affecting Carousel and a dynamic Sweet Smell of Success. The latter sparked the interest of one S. Sondheim who rocked up to Dalston to attend (though sadly not on the day I was there.)
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4,988 posts
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Post by Someone in a tree on Jan 25, 2022 9:08:17 GMT
I'm boycotting the Arcola partly due to the fact that I lost most of the tickets on my pre-paid passport due to operations and they wouldn't help with an extension. More, however, due to their discrimination against solo bookers - who were, after all, arguably those most free to attend - when they re-opened. They were charging more for a single seat AND not even allocating a seat - whereas those booking 2 or more tickets could choose theirs - but relegating solo guests to an unallocated pen at the rear of their open air space. I emailed them twice about this, pointing out that this was hardly inclusive or welcoming yet I didn't even receive an acknowledgement, let alone a reply. So the Arcola has had it with me and I won't forget this. Sorry to hear about your experiences, they sound shocking but I'm not suprised. |
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