1,873 posts
|
Post by Dave B on Nov 27, 2024 19:31:38 GMT
Having noticed a number of recent posts and experienced it a bit myself, I thought a thread about bad behaviour by theatres might be interesting.
So here are some recent examples I've seen mentioned here or experienced myself
|
|
|
|
Post by keyspi on Nov 27, 2024 19:41:57 GMT
Having noticed a number of recent posts and experienced it a bit myself, I thought a thread about bad behaviour by theatres might be interesting.
So here are some recent examples I've seen mentioned here or experienced myself
Is that Royal Court story true though? I only saw one poster having experienced it. I'm booked for the same date and have not been contacted regarding a cancellation. |
|
|
|
Post by ladidah on Nov 28, 2024 7:54:50 GMT
The Menier shared all their customers emails? Eek
|
|
1,519 posts
|
Post by mkb on Nov 28, 2024 8:55:46 GMT
When the National cancels a show, which they seem to do far more than any other venue, they refuse to let you move your ticket to another date. You have to take a refund and re-book at current, often substantially higher, prices. Kerching!
|
|
1,519 posts
|
Post by mkb on Nov 28, 2024 9:13:53 GMT
The Belgrade Theatre in Coventry used to run a loyalty offer where for getting on for a thousand quid, you could have two free house seats for up to 40 shows a year.
It was a generous scheme, but meant we spent well over twice as much as we otherwise would and saw many more productions than we would have been prepared to pay for individually, so a win-win.
Then in late 2019, after several successful years of use and two months into that membership year, the theatre announced they were retrospectively withdrawing the access to free tickets and would not be refunding any of the membership fee.
Their own scheme terms and conditions did not give them any rights to make such changes. However, it took the threat of legal action from me before the theatre backed down by agreeing to honour the free tickets for the remainder of the membership year.
That was a Pyrrhic victory though, as it left a very bitter taste that the management could consider it acceptable to take your money only to withdraw benefits, and because the year was foreshortened by Covid, so there were no shows to see.
|
|
1,519 posts
|
Post by mkb on Nov 28, 2024 9:34:45 GMT
On a similar theme of retrospectively applied changes, after the first Covid lockdown, I renewed my Leicester Curve membership which promised ticket discounts plus 2-for-1 on selected first performances, and 20% off at the bar and café.
A second shutdown meant there were few shows to book, and one month in, the bar/café discount was reduced to 10% and the 2-for-1 offer on tickets was withdrawn.
The scheme does not offer any discounts on previews, and subsequent dates are usually extortionately priced in their now far more densely arranged (and claustrophobic and hot) main auditorium, so is no longer worth subscribing to.
|
|
19,855 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 28, 2024 11:15:03 GMT
The Menier shared all their customers emails? Eek I do hope someone at the Menier understands their obligation to data security and reports the incident to the ICO if it qualifies. And if they’re not sure if it qualifies they should get advice. By the sounds of it they’re not in a position to pay a hefty fine. |
|
|
|
Post by jr on Nov 30, 2024 6:36:01 GMT
Haymarket theatre charging £10 to exchange a ticket and then you need to book at regular prices on their website, when the show is discounted everywhere else. A joke.
|
|
|
|
Post by marob on Nov 30, 2024 17:47:34 GMT
I think membership programmes can be a double-edged sword. I was a member of a couple of theatres that I went to all the time, tried to see all their in-house shows, and as many of the touring shows as I could as well. It was nice to get stuff like priority booking and (slightly) discounted tickets while supporting the charitable side of the theatres. Then Covid came along and trying to get my money back took months with every excuse under the sun. They’re quite good at making you think you’re part of a community, but you’re really not. Since they reopened I’ve only been to one the once and am far more selective about what I see at the other. I am still a member at both my local theatres but there’s precious little on in way of actual theatre, so am considering sacking them both off.
A very minor gripe this, but once every few months I’ll cave and treat myself to an ice cream in the interval, as I did last week. Except I didn’t because it was actually a ‘plant-based’ alternative made from coconut milk. Different texture, tasted alright. But surely they shouldn’t be selling it as ice cream if it isn’t.
|
|
|
|
Post by sph on Dec 1, 2024 15:17:32 GMT
A very minor gripe this, but once every few months I’ll cave and treat myself to an ice cream in the interval, as I did last week. Except I didn’t because it was actually a ‘plant-based’ alternative made from coconut milk. Different texture, tasted alright. But surely they shouldn’t be selling it as ice cream if it isn’t. To be fair, the companies that sell vegan versions of products market them this way, so the container will say ice cream on it and that isn't the theatre's fault. It's probably easier to call something "vegan ice cream" or "plant-based ice cream" so people know basically what it's supposed to be. |
|
|
|
Post by max on Dec 1, 2024 16:39:27 GMT
A very minor gripe this, but once every few months I’ll cave and treat myself to an ice cream in the interval, as I did last week. Except I didn’t because it was actually a ‘plant-based’ alternative made from coconut milk. Different texture, tasted alright. But surely they shouldn’t be selling it as ice cream if it isn’t. To be fair, the companies that sell vegan versions of products market them this way, so the container will say ice cream on it and that isn't the theatre's fault. It's probably easier to call something "vegan ice cream" or "plant-based ice cream" so people know basically what it's supposed to be. The term 'coconut milk' has been around for hundreds of years, and you can buy coconut cream too - so I guess the link to dairy has been long broken, creating an artful segue to the familiar and sellable. It wouldn't hurt for the manufacturer to be clearer about content though - it might even attract some vegans who wouldn't buy otherwise. |
|
|
|
Post by marob on Dec 1, 2024 16:58:56 GMT
To be fair, the companies that sell vegan versions of products market them this way, so the container will say ice cream on it and that isn't the theatre's fault. It's probably easier to call something "vegan ice cream" or "plant-based ice cream" so people know basically what it's supposed to be. The term 'coconut milk' has been around for hundreds of years, and you can buy coconut cream too - so I guess the link to dairy has been long broken, creating an artful segue to the familiar and sellable. It wouldn't hurt for the manufacturer to be clearer about content though - it might even attract some vegans who wouldn't buy otherwise. Just to add: I have no objections to them selling it. Just think the sign saying “Ice cream £3.50” should have mentioned it being a dairy-free alternative. Particularly with regards to the focus on allergies and proper labelling of food. I still would have bought, just would have been nice to know before hand. |
|
1,519 posts
|
Post by mkb on Dec 1, 2024 20:54:21 GMT
Even most dairy ice creams in theatres are full of additives such as guar gum and xanthan gum. Birmingham Rep used to do an excellent locally made one (Rachels) that was just cream, sugar, egg and flavouring, but no more.
|
|
3,589 posts
|
Post by showgirl on Dec 2, 2024 4:15:02 GMT
Even most dairy ice creams in theatres are full of additives such as guar gum and xanthan gum. Birmingham Rep used to do an excellent locally made one (Rachels) that was just cream, sugar, egg and flavouring, but no more. Just about every ice cream brand sold in theatres is ludicrously over-sugared so on the rare occasions when I do succumb, I always regret it & afterwards feel as though I need to clean my teeth. Given that manufacturers have very noticeably reduced the salt content of many foods (some ready-made items, eg fresh pesto, are now too under-seasoned for me), I don't understand why they haven't done the same with sugar. And I don't mean replacing it with artificial sweetener. |
|
|
|
Post by max on Dec 2, 2024 11:44:21 GMT
I don't mind what's in the ice cream - there are far more important issues to hand: like the need for enforcement of a "no incessant scraping of plastic micro-spade on cardboard for the 30 mins after t h e r e ' s n o n e l e f t ! " rule.  |
|
3,556 posts
|
Post by ceebee on Dec 2, 2024 12:30:58 GMT
I don't mind what's in the ice cream - there are far more important issues to hand: like the need for enforcement of a "no incessant scraping of plastic micro-spade on cardboard for the 30 mins after t h e r e ' s n o n e l e f t ! " rule. Indeed - thanks for raising this important and often overlooked rule. Along with the "stop rattling your ice in the vain hope that you'll be able to slurp another 2 millilitres of ice juice from your overpriced G&T" rule. |
|
503 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by nick on Dec 2, 2024 16:21:35 GMT
Even most dairy ice creams in theatres are full of additives such as guar gum and xanthan gum. Birmingham Rep used to do an excellent locally made one (Rachels) that was just cream, sugar, egg and flavouring, but no more. Just about every ice cream brand sold in theatres is ludicrously over-sugared so on the rare occasions when I do succumb, I always regret it & afterwards feel as though I need to clean my teeth. Given that manufacturers have very noticeably reduced the salt content of many foods (some ready-made items, eg fresh pesto, are now too under-seasoned for me), I don't understand why they haven't done the same with sugar. And I don't mean replacing it with artificial sweetener. But that's what happened with sweet drinks. It drives me mad. I like sugar and am able to be moderate about it but I avoid artificial sweeteners at all costs. The change has made buying a soft drink very difficult. On the other hand I'm very happy about under-salted food. At least it's usually possible to add more. Although both my wife and son have a condition that gives them very low blood pressure so they're encouraged to take extra salt to raise it. Opposite problem to most people. |
|
19,855 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Dec 2, 2024 16:50:58 GMT
I don't mind what's in the ice cream - there are far more important issues to hand: like the need for enforcement of a "no incessant scraping of plastic micro-spade on cardboard for the 30 mins after t h e r e ' s n o n e l e f t ! " rule. The whole etiquette and body language around interval ice creams is fascinating to observe. The impatience/anticipation in the queue The discussion with FOH about flavours/prices (may involve alarm at discovery of cost of thimble sized serving) The desperate peering back into the stalls upon finding out the companion’s chosen flavour is sold out. The walk of shame/guilt/triumph back to the seat The prolonged, frustrated jabbing of rock hard ice cream with inadequate spoon Incessant scraping (see above) Its sometimes more entertaining than the show. |
|
|
|
Post by aingidh on Dec 2, 2024 17:42:28 GMT
When they have tickets sent to you through a link that can't be added to digital wallet or screenshotted. Signal in and around theatres is often hit or miss so often trying to get scanned in is a chore.
|
|
1,762 posts
|
Post by fiyero on Dec 2, 2024 22:20:19 GMT
When they have tickets sent to you through a link that can't be added to digital wallet or screenshotted. Signal in and around theatres is often hit or miss so often trying to get scanned in is a chore. The extension of this was at Come Alive. Blocked from printing the ticket (even though it wasn’t a smart one like Abba voyage and similar used) and awful signal so the ticket checkers out front had to recommend screenshotting as it likely wouldn’t work indoors! |
|
|
|
Post by aingidh on Dec 2, 2024 22:25:10 GMT
I don't mind what's in the ice cream - there are far more important issues to hand: like the need for enforcement of a "no incessant scraping of plastic micro-spade on cardboard for the 30 mins after t h e r e ' s n o n e l e f t ! " rule. The whole etiquette and body language around interval ice creams is fascinating to observe. The impatience/anticipation in the queue The discussion with FOH about flavours/prices (may involve alarm at discovery of cost of thimble sized serving) The desperate peering back into the stalls upon finding out the companion’s chosen flavour is sold out. The walk of shame/guilt/triumph back to the seat The prolonged, frustrated jabbing of rock hard ice cream with inadequate spoon Incessant scraping (see above) Its sometimes more entertaining than the show. From an usher's POV for FAQs regarding this controversial frozen dessert: No the theatre doesn't decide how much they are; someone high up in head office does. Pricing is not in our hands. No I can't give you a free ice cream because your friend/dad/brother/goldfish is the artistic director No we don't have honeycomb. Best I can do is salted caramel. Yes it really is that much for 2 100ml tubs. No you can't swap your flavour, I can see you have already opened and started eating this one. What would I recommend? Salted caramel or vegan raspberry ripple. Any further questions, do write x |
|
3,556 posts
|
Post by ceebee on Dec 2, 2024 22:33:36 GMT
The whole etiquette and body language around interval ice creams is fascinating to observe. The impatience/anticipation in the queue The discussion with FOH about flavours/prices (may involve alarm at discovery of cost of thimble sized serving) The desperate peering back into the stalls upon finding out the companion’s chosen flavour is sold out. The walk of shame/guilt/triumph back to the seat The prolonged, frustrated jabbing of rock hard ice cream with inadequate spoon Incessant scraping (see above) Its sometimes more entertaining than the show. From an usher's POV for FAQs regarding this controversial frozen dessert: No the theatre doesn't decide how much they are; someone high up in head office does. Pricing is not in our hands. No I can't give you a free ice cream because your friend/dad/brother/goldfish is the artistic director No we don't have honeycomb. Best I can do is salted caramel. Yes it really is that much for 2 100ml tubs. No you can't swap your flavour, I can see you have already opened and started eating this one. What would I recommend? Salted caramel or vegan raspberry ripple. Any further questions, do write x When will waffle cones or chocolate sprinkles get to enjoy their twenty minutes of interval fame and will the choc ice ever get an encore? |
|
|
|
Post by aingidh on Dec 2, 2024 22:35:04 GMT
From an usher's POV for FAQs regarding this controversial frozen dessert: No the theatre doesn't decide how much they are; someone high up in head office does. Pricing is not in our hands. No I can't give you a free ice cream because your friend/dad/brother/goldfish is the artistic director No we don't have honeycomb. Best I can do is salted caramel. Yes it really is that much for 2 100ml tubs. No you can't swap your flavour, I can see you have already opened and started eating this one. What would I recommend? Salted caramel or vegan raspberry ripple. Any further questions, do write x When will waffle cones or chocolate sprinkles get to enjoy their twenty minutes of interval fame and will the choc ice ever get an encore? Cones and sprinkles are an immediate no, try the sweet shop across the street. Choc ice maybe if you ask nicely or write into the powers that be? Otherwise we have Calippos. |
|
|
|
Post by fiyerorocher on Dec 3, 2024 8:39:20 GMT
The whole etiquette and body language around interval ice creams is fascinating to observe. The impatience/anticipation in the queue The discussion with FOH about flavours/prices (may involve alarm at discovery of cost of thimble sized serving) The desperate peering back into the stalls upon finding out the companion’s chosen flavour is sold out. The walk of shame/guilt/triumph back to the seat The prolonged, frustrated jabbing of rock hard ice cream with inadequate spoon Incessant scraping (see above) Its sometimes more entertaining than the show. From an usher's POV for FAQs regarding this controversial frozen dessert: No the theatre doesn't decide how much they are; someone high up in head office does. Pricing is not in our hands. No I can't give you a free ice cream because your friend/dad/brother/goldfish is the artistic director No we don't have honeycomb. Best I can do is salted caramel. Yes it really is that much for 2 100ml tubs. No you can't swap your flavour, I can see you have already opened and started eating this one. What would I recommend? Salted caramel or vegan raspberry ripple. Any further questions, do write x You forgot the most used answer of all: 'you do have a spoon, it's in the lid'  |
|
|
|
Post by aingidh on Dec 3, 2024 9:59:03 GMT
From an usher's POV for FAQs regarding this controversial frozen dessert: No the theatre doesn't decide how much they are; someone high up in head office does. Pricing is not in our hands. No I can't give you a free ice cream because your friend/dad/brother/goldfish is the artistic director No we don't have honeycomb. Best I can do is salted caramel. Yes it really is that much for 2 100ml tubs. No you can't swap your flavour, I can see you have already opened and started eating this one. What would I recommend? Salted caramel or vegan raspberry ripple. Any further questions, do write x You forgot the most used answer of all: 'you do have a spoon, it's in the lid' Mustve surpressed that one from my memory with how often I say it ahaha |
|
