Free Theatre/Concert Tickets Discussion Thread

[superhero]

I think it's more of a location issue, it's abit "out of the way" for tourist to accidentally wander into (well not as out of the way as the Old Vic)

So maybe the production could move to a smaller and more central venue if one became available? There has been a lot of shunting around lately amongst West End shows/plays.

[Ms Thrifty]

I think it's both a little off the beaten track and a bit of a barn. I can't recall the last show I saw at the Shaftesbury, actually, and I think my heart sinks slightly at the prospect. Though from reports here, the atmosphere at RoA would be good enough to overcome that.

[canadian_turtle]

I thought the theatre itself looked fine actually. But then they had major refurbishments a few years ago, so maybe the last time you went was before that? I personally don't like the Theatre Royal Drury Lane that much, the upper seats are ridiculously steap with no legroom whatsoever...

[superhero]

the atmosphere does overcome that....but I think the producers were aiming for a Mamma Mia kind of atmosphere and I don't think it's quite that...

[Celini]

I saw Fame at Shaftesbury Theatre
That was my first musical (ever!)! We had pretty bad seats a the back of the stall with the Royal Circle hanging over us, obstructing all the scenes taking place high up on ladders

[canadian_turtle]

Yeah that is usually the problem with back of upper circle seats, whichever theatre you go to. Sometimes the set itself can obstruct view too (Wicked and The Lord of the Rings have quite a few set pieces int he way on the sides)

Still jealous you saw Fame btw! My favourite show growing up and I remember my English teacher in high school at the time had a poster up from it in the classroom which made me want to see the show so badly! Instead I just ended up with the poster... Must've been a different production though now I think about it because what I'm talking about was in the late nineties!

[funthing29]

I thought the theatre itself looked fine actually. But then they had major refurbishments a few years ago, so maybe the last time you went was before that? I personally don't like the Theatre Royal Drury Lane that much, the upper seats are ridiculously steap with no legroom whatsoever...

It can't be as bad as the gallery at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. Everytime I sit there I go home with back problems! *shudders*

In regard to shows not always being full, it really depends how early you go after they open. I am a big musical fan so I tend to book well in advance to get cheap tickets, so I saw some of the first performances for Wicked, Billy Elliot, Shrek, LOTR, Oliver, The Wizard of Oz, Ghost etc.

[canadian_turtle]

I was lucky witht he gallery there having an aisle seat so I had space to much around and change my seating position a few times. But I find the nosebleed seats at Royal Drury Lane worse, it's so steap that you fear you're gonna topple over! (at least the Royal Haymarket has a barrier )

Funthing, how was Ghost?

[funthing29]

In regard to shows not always being full, it really depends how early you go after they open. I am a big musical fan so I tend to book well in advance to get cheap tickets, so I saw some of the first performances for Wicked, Billy Elliot, Shrek, LOTR, Oliver, The Wizard of Oz, Ghost etc.

Oops, I didn't finish my sentence.

I meant to say that because I go to shows within a month or two of a new production opening, they tend to always be full. The Wizard Of Oz was absolutely heaving and I had to queue just to get in the building!

I really liked Ghost. It had some good songs and was well acted. I thought the effects and transitions between the ghost/human moments were executed quite well. It also made me teary eyed without the story being overly soppy. I would definitely recommend it (but I did not enjoy it as much as RoA).

[Rainey]

London Theatre Breaks FB page http://www.facebook.com/londontheatrebreaks are running a competition to win 2 tickets and over night hotel stay, you need to vote for you favourite show.......Rock of Ages is last.