1,013 posts
|
Post by talkstageytome on Sept 14, 2016 11:33:32 GMT
Oh I agree, I don't think it's unreasonable that they charge £35-50, especially given the calibre of performers/creatives they get on board, and how intimate the venue is. However, personally I'm a student and I don't live in london, so £35 plus transport (can be up to £25 with tube) plus a programme (what, £4?) means one trip is around £65/70. That's not nothing. Not everyone has that sort of cash to splash willy nilly, especially if you want to see multiple shows in a fairly short time period. Plus if you're not quick off the mark when booking then those cheaper tickets do get snapped up, leaving only the £45-50 ones available for a lot of dates. I am always surprised that there aren't really 'cheap' seats at the menier (normally you can see almost any musical in london for around £10-20 if you're canny enough with schemes, discounts, dayseats etc. etc.), whereas even our restricted view ones for funny girl were around £40. Surprising that there are no concessions for students/ young people/ the elderly (I rang up to enqure about concessions last year, and they do have them for disabled/wheelchair using members of the public, which is something at least). Of course there is the menier golden ticket scheme, but it doesn't cover many of their shows, especially the musicals. So no, £35 may not be a lot, and I think it's very reasonable, but that still doesn't mean that everyone can afford it. Thankfully I've just received some birthday money, so I booked anyway!  Didn't mean to go off on a tangent, but I do think that it's nice to consider that not everyone is as well off as some on here appear to be. Plus, given how many shows many of us on the forum see per week, I don't think we're the people who are causing problems by seeking cheaper tickets. Imagine if you saw one show a week ( as I do and I know many on here do much more than that), and had to spend £60 on a ticket and transport every time. That's £240 a month. That's a lot of money. If you're only seeing a show one a year at christmas time then yes, moaning about a £35 ticket could be described as stingy maybe, but if you're an avid theatre goer, as we all are, then for many, discounted tickets/cheap options are the only way to do it. |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2016 11:34:02 GMT
Friday 2nd December for me. Loved Scarlett Strallen in Candide, her Glitter And Be Gay was wonderful. Loved She Loves Me with Ruthie Henshall and John Gordon-Sinclair. Win Win. Prices seem the same at Funny Girl to me. Oh no Fitzy! I'm there the day before! I shall leave an empty tub of vanilla ice cream on your seat as a 'hello'. |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2016 11:35:50 GMT
This attitude on a so called "theatre forum" is actually quite funny People moaning at having to pay £35 Too hilarious How would people like it if THEY were employed on the cheapest possible terms? Just about sums up the modern world Everyone wants everything on the cheap
I take it not many of you will be coming to Der Rosenkavalier with Rennee Fleming at the ROH then? You are missing the point, parsley old chap (or is it young?)... Surely on a theatre forum we are allowed to share our views on how much we are prepared to pay and where and why...? We are not having to pay anything; we all have a choice. Some forum members have chosen to pay happily, some have chosen to pay even though they know it's rather over-priced for the venue, and given that only one name has been mentioned in the casting at the time of booking, and some have chosen to vote with their feet. All is good. I wouldn't want to see a performer perform against their will, which may or may not mean that they are employed on the cheapest possible terms, although I have sat through several productions at the Menier now thinking that the set has been put together for a couple of quid, so it's fairly obvious where my money has been spent. What the Menier pays their performers is between them and the agent. None of my business... The modern world entices us with all sorts of goodies at all sorts of prices. Some indulge, some don't. Some can afford Selfridges: some only Primark. Some might even deny themselves a guity pleasure or two to enable them to throw a bit in the direction of a charity that might hold a special place in their heart. Anonymously too... Not everyone wants something on the cheap. Didn't you tell us all a while back that you are comped for a lot of the stuff you go to see? So you go for nothing then..! It's cheaper than cheap. Now, as you know, I have agreed with quite a lot that you have posted on this forum in the past, have defended you to some posters, and have admired your individual style. But here I can't see eye to eye with you. And I wanted to tell you. |
|
97 posts
|
Post by aksis on Sept 14, 2016 11:37:29 GMT
Got tickets for the first preview. Payed 35 for Assassins (not preview) too so was not much surprised by the price.
|
|
|
|
Post by profquatermass on Sept 14, 2016 11:52:15 GMT
Along with Caiaphas I definitely remember Parsley boasting about not paying for theatre tickets in the past. As someone who *does* pay for theatre tickets I feel perfectly entitled to comment when I feel that the price of a ticket may be a disincentive, if not for this production but for future productions at the same venue
|
|
1,819 posts
|
Post by stevej678 on Sept 14, 2016 12:07:20 GMT
This attitude on a so called "theatre forum" is actually quite funny People moaning at having to pay £35 Too hilarious I wasn't one of those commenting on the cost but I'm not sure what this being a theatre forum has to do with it. Just because people enjoy theatre does that mean they're not allowed an opinion on the price? |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2016 12:08:02 GMT
Just a bit hard for me to pay that price when I paid $25 to see the Tony-winning production on Broadway and especially when we don't know the cast here!
|
|
50 posts
|
Post by cmcphail on Sept 14, 2016 12:16:02 GMT
Booked to see this on the first of December. 35 was more than I would have liked to pay, but it could be worse and I honestly couldn't resist this one. Really looking forward to it.
|
|
141 posts
|
Post by blobble84 on Sept 14, 2016 12:22:10 GMT
Of course people are allowed to have opinions on price, but let's think about it for a moment, the prices aren't that crazy if you want a decent production...
The average ticket cost is £45 - there are 180 seats, so that's a maximum of around £8,000 a show if it's sold out. There are 7 or 8 shows a week depending on the schedule, so that means they can get a maximum of around £60,000 a week in ticket sales. It doesn't sound a bad figure for them, but then break that down. Within that weekly amount, they have to pay all the cast (could be anywhere between 10 to 20 for a musical perhaps, depending on the show), the band, the stage management, lighting and sound operators. Plus there will probably be general overheads at the venue (electricity, etc.), plus box office staff and ushers.
All the above is when the production is running, but what about in the lead up to that - perhaps a month of a rehearsals where the cast and creatives will still all need paying without the production receiving any ticket sales income in that time. Then there's paying the creators for the rights to the show, set design and build, a bit of press and marketing, etc.
It quickly adds up and I can't imagine they're left swimming in cash each week.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mr Snow on Sept 14, 2016 13:39:24 GMT
Just wondering would anyone know what a 'Hollywoood' name would add to the weekly bill if someone was putting on a big show in the west end.
Glen Close? (not for this part, I know she's brilliant actress but...)
Rebel Wilson (I know, I know..)
|
|
1,306 posts
|
Post by londonmzfitz on Sept 14, 2016 13:55:33 GMT
Friday 2nd December for me. Loved Scarlett Strallen in Candide, her Glitter And Be Gay was wonderful. Loved She Loves Me with Ruthie Henshall and John Gordon-Sinclair. Win Win. Prices seem the same at Funny Girl to me. Oh no Fitzy! I'm there the day before! I shall leave an empty tub of vanilla ice cream on your seat as a 'hello'. Ice cream. He brought me ice cream! Vanilla Ice cream! Imagine that! Ice cream, and for the first time, we were together without a spat! Friendly, he was so friendly, that isn't like him; I'm simply stunned. Will wonders never cease? Will wonders never cease? It's been a most peculiar day! source: www.lyricsondemand.com/soundtracks/s/shelovesmelyrics/vanillaicecreamlyrics.html |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2016 14:08:03 GMT
Obviously it's a reasonable price to *charge* for a top quality production at a theatre with a known reputation of providing such quality, but when it comes to prices to *pay*, we make our own decisions. As someone who pays for her own tickets, the Menier's pretty out of my regular financial reach unless a production promises to be SUPER special, so I might lament a bit about the price, but more often, I just won't go. And when I see certain productions sell out with vigour, it honestly doesn't make me worry that they'll miss me that much.  |
|
219 posts
|
Post by PalelyLaura on Sept 14, 2016 14:33:40 GMT
Exactly, I can understand why they *need* to charge those prices, but I see at least 3 shows a week normally and to afford that I rarely spend more than £20 on a ticket. I'm lucky enough to live in London, and to have a decent job, but that doesn't mean I can just splash out £35 on a theatre ticket unless I really, REALLY want to see a show.
If I went to the theatre only once or twice a year, I'm sure I'd see £35, even £50 or more as perfectly reasonable.
|
|
3,564 posts
|
Post by showgirl on Sept 14, 2016 15:01:37 GMT
A discussion about ticket costs and affordablity seems to me entirely appropriate for a theatre forum. Some members will be unwaged/students/pensioners/staff on zero hours contracts or low wages. Plus there is the genuine issue of whether a particular venue and/or production can justify its prices. £35/£40 is absolutely top whack for me, a price I do pay sometimes but about twice a year, usually when seeing a popular West End show via Get Into London Theatre, i.e. for a rare treat.
Theatre is after all a product and we are considering whether this one is overpriced compared to the competition. Granted, an individual show or venue may not be directly comparable to another, but for a fringe venue I still think the Menier's prices are steep.
|
|
1,936 posts
|
Post by wickedgrin on Sept 14, 2016 15:16:39 GMT
Everybodies time and money is finite. I could easily afford £100 a ticket if I only went to the theatre say 4 times a year but I go to the theatre sometimes 4 times a week. SO in order to do that I have to pay as little as possible!
|
|
7,059 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by Jon on Sept 14, 2016 15:36:49 GMT
The Menier always say that they are "one flop away from total disaster" financially, so, rather like a lot of regional theatres who rely on a good panto season, they likewise hope for a great Christmas musical. Given the tiny number of seats and huge costs involved, I think they do their best on pricing. If they really wanted to, they could easily still sell a fair few seats at double the price. The fact they didn't, even with the FG wide open goal last year, says a lot. The musicals are loss leaders for the Menier which they balance out with smaller shows and plays for the rest of the year. A successful musical like Funny Girl, Color Purple can be a good moneymaker since they'll get royalties. I dont think of the Menier as a fringe venue and given they've charged these prices for their musicals and also the plays, it's not exactly been bad for business since Travesties has sold out its entire run. |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2016 16:02:01 GMT
Well whatever the economics, let's hope they haven't been unwise charging what are they are for this. While I've been uploading photographs onto a Moonpig card- quite a time-consuming activity as it goes- I thought I'd click on twenty or so different dates throughout the run. Curiously, the same eighteen seats in the premium priced centre block are sold for every performance I checked. Likewise the same side seats at 2nd class prices are sold for every show I checked too. Ain't that a coincidence?  |
|
2,850 posts
|
Post by couldileaveyou on Sept 14, 2016 16:39:48 GMT
Unsuccessfully tried to get myself a nice golden ticket  |
|
617 posts
|
Post by loureviews on Sept 14, 2016 17:13:23 GMT
Booked two front row seats for a Saturday matinee in January. I love this musical. Anyone remember the 1970s TV version?
|
|
1 posts
|
Post by joseph on Sept 14, 2016 17:30:09 GMT
This attitude on a so called "theatre forum" is actually quite funny People moaning at having to pay £35 Too hilarious How would people like it if THEY were employed on the cheapest possible terms? Just about sums up the modern world Everyone wants everything on the cheap I take it not many of you will be coming to Der Rosenkavalier with Rennee Fleming at the ROH then? I agree £35 per seat is a large amount especially if you have a family. I think there should be group discounts to improve access to the theatre from a wider section of society. We should have an open door policy so that the theatre is not just for the elite and privileged. |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2016 18:23:55 GMT
I thought I'd click on twenty or so different dates throughout the run. Curiously, the same eighteen seats in the premium priced centre block are sold for every performance I checked. Likewise the same side seats at 2nd class prices are sold for every show I checked too. Ain't that a coincidence? Probably a mixture of house seats and allocations out to agencies. Both Lovetheatre and Encore normally take allocations at the Menier for a start. So "allocated" rather than "sold" then... Still didn't look like it had got a huge advance with the Chocoholics and the rest. |
|
4,021 posts
|
Post by Dawnstar on Sept 14, 2016 20:19:11 GMT
I take it not many of you will be coming to Der Rosenkavalier with Rennee Fleming at the ROH then? I'm dithering over that one because I swore never again to see Alice Coote in a trouser role after being disappointed by her Octavian, Ruggiero & Xerxes all within a few months in 2014. On the other hand I found Rachel Willis-Sorensen a very bland Countess at the ROH in 2012 so the B cast doesn't appeal much either. If only I could have the A cast Marschallin with the B cast Octavian. Dragging this back on topic, as I am probably the only person on the board who cares about the above, I've booked for a matinee January. The prices are rather steep but I know the Menier will sell out and I'd rather be paying £40 for the front row than the back & I can't make the only preview matinee. I can't say I'm a massive Scarlett Strallen fan so I'm hoping when they announce the rest of the cast there will be some actors I like in it. |
|
736 posts
|
Post by dippy on Sept 14, 2016 21:40:35 GMT
I can't say I'm a massive Scarlett Strallen fan so I'm hoping when they announce the rest of the cast there will be some actors I like in it. Glad it's not just me, I'm hoping that too. I think when I watched Candide it was the only time I've managed to kind of see what other people seem to love about her. |
|
|
|
Post by Mr Snow on Sept 15, 2016 5:35:35 GMT
I take it not many of you will be coming to Der Rosenkavalier with Rennee Fleming at the ROH then? I'm dithering over that one because I swore never again to see Alice Coote in a trouser role after being disappointed by her Octavian, Ruggiero & Xerxes all within a few months in 2014. On the other hand I found Rachel Willis-Sorensen a very bland Countess at the ROH in 2012 so the B cast doesn't appeal much either. If only I could have the A cast Marschallin with the B cast Octavian. A premium friend! I will be trying for a package this morning. Fingers crossed. |
|
313 posts
|
Post by macksennett on Sept 17, 2016 6:06:44 GMT
I can't wait to see this new production of She Loves Me - one of my favourite musicals. I remember loving it at the Savoy (Ruthie, John Gordon, Tracie Bennett etc all terrific), and more recently the Chichester production was superb. Will be great to see Scarlett as Amalia - wonder if they'll cast her sister Summer as Ilona.
|
|
Didn't mean to go off on a tangent, but I do think that it's nice to consider that not everyone is as well off as some on here appear to be.
