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Post by Phantom of London on Feb 4, 2016 17:59:35 GMT
I agree the ticket system at Southwark Union is a good idea and very fair.
However I saw Grey Garden and didn't bother queuing and enjoyed a drink and got up as the queue neared the end and still got a very good seat, not that there is a bad seat in the venue. Don't really get why people need to sit face on, dead centre and would queue for a long time to achieve this, all very sad and selfish ultimately.
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Post by CG on the loose on Feb 4, 2016 18:09:33 GMT
I agree the ticket system at Southwark Union is a good idea and very fair. However I saw Grey Garden and didn't bother queuing and enjoyed a drink and got up as the queue neared the end and still got a very good seat, not that there is a bad seat in the venue. Don't really get why people need to sit face on, dead centre and would queue for a long time to achieve this, all very sad and selfish ultimately. Not sure I'd call it selfish... if people want to queue, surely they earn the right to whatever they consider to be the 'best' seats? I do agree though that for most productions there, there isn't really a bad seat, so personally it's never been an imperative. Any theatre where I can get a PAYG Scheme ticket for £10 for most of the run is quite simply brilliant value, wherever I sit! (Just checked and see it's £12 now, which doesn't change my view one iota.) |
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Post by Phantom of London on Feb 4, 2016 20:46:35 GMT
I didn't know that Southwark Playhouse has re-opened its pay-as-you-go subscription up again, albeit with a £2 increase per show, but this still does represent the best value ticket in London and one I will be renewing and will use on my first show on my carnet will be Orphans.
I recommend this to everyone, if you go to theatre often, except for the people who queue 45 minutes before the curtain grrrrr.
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19,856 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 4, 2016 20:55:17 GMT
I agree the ticket system at Southwark Union is a good idea and very fair. However I saw Grey Garden and didn't bother queuing and enjoyed a drink and got up as the queue neared the end and still got a very good seat, not that there is a bad seat in the venue. Don't really get why people need to sit face on, dead centre and would queue for a long time to achieve this, all very sad and selfish ultimately. If I'm not on an aisle I get panicky and start wanting to punch people in the face. But that's probs just me  |
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Post by Coated on Feb 4, 2016 21:08:51 GMT
If I'm not on an aisle I get panicky and start wanting to punch people in the face. But that's probs just me Nope, not just you - and you'll probably be wanting to punch me, already sitting immovably in the last available aisle seat... |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 4, 2016 21:12:52 GMT
GET OUT OF MY SEAT  sorry! |
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Post by Coated on Feb 4, 2016 21:31:21 GMT
Well, you should have been here earlier if you wanted an aisle seat  |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 4, 2016 21:36:40 GMT
I took jaqs advice and bought a tuna melt on ciabatta. With chips.
Wasn't this enough?
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Post by caa on Feb 4, 2016 23:24:10 GMT
I like to be able to choose where to sit depending on the layout of the production, changing from unreserved to allocated seating seems to allow theatres to increase their ticket prices. That said I too like the Union theatre's policy which is fair to those who arrive early and allows people to get a drink without having to queue up
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2016 17:35:33 GMT
The Cottesloe had unreserved seating for its first two decades. So did the RSC, at The Other Place, the Warehouse and the Pit. Then people got more [fill in the blank with your own word]. I blame Margaret Thatcher.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2016 18:50:05 GMT
The Cottesloe had unreserved seating for its first two decades. So did the RSC, at The Other Place, the Warehouse and the Pit. Then people got more [ fill in the blank with your own word]. I blame Margaret Thatcher. I genuinely don't understand why it's wrong to care about where you seat or want to sit in a specific area/place - what am I missing? |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2016 12:07:29 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2016 12:13:15 GMT
!!!!! Well, I'm not very interested in the show, but I might book it anyway just to positively reinforce this decision of theirs! See how your lost lamb comes homes to the flock when she doesn't have to scramble for a place at the udder, Southwark Playhouse!
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19,856 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 17, 2016 19:20:36 GMT
I am of course taking FULL CREDIT for this.
*curtseys and exits stage left*
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Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2016 21:23:10 GMT
I am of course taking FULL CREDIT for this. *curtseys and exits stage left* Now get the bogs sorted... |
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Post by geweena on Feb 17, 2016 21:36:54 GMT
I think I am probably in the minority of disliking this decision. I enjoy going to the Southwark and choosing my seats when I go in depending on what I feel the setup will be of the show. I'm 5ft 2 and will no doubt end up being sat behind someone extremely tall (as the steps aren't that high), where I could previously choose to sit behind someone else short aswell!  I also like the fact that I can book my ticket when I want and then my friends (who are those people who always take such a long time to decide if they want to go!) can book at a later time and we can still sit together. I've never found the queue to be that much of an issue as always plan to arrive at least by 7pm and have always had the seats I've wanted. It won't put me off going, but it might restrict me going to see a show twice if the seats that I would like aren't available any longer on the seating plan. |
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Post by geweena on Feb 17, 2016 21:38:42 GMT
I am of course taking FULL CREDIT for this. *curtseys and exits stage left* Now get the bogs sorted... Agreed....Although compared to The Union they are positively 5*! |
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Post by showgirl on Feb 18, 2016 5:01:52 GMT
I think I am probably in the minority of disliking this decision. I enjoy going to the Southwark and choosing my seats when I go in depending on what I feel the setup will be of the show. I'm 5ft 2 and will no doubt end up being sat behind someone extremely tall (as the steps aren't that high), where I could previously choose to sit behind someone else short aswell! I also like the fact that I can book my ticket when I want and then my friends (who are those people who always take such a long time to decide if they want to go!) can book at a later time and we can still sit together. I've never found the queue to be that much of an issue as always plan to arrive at least by 7pm and have always had the seats I've wanted. It won't put me off going, but it might restrict me going to see a show twice if the seats that I would like aren't available any longer on the seating plan. Not saying you and your friends are in this category, geweena, but I did think that allocated seating would deal with the large groups you seem to see at this venue - for musicals rather than plays - who all expect to sit together but don't arrive in sufficient time to do so, and who, if like me you are on your own, can rather dominate the area in which you are sitting and make you feel invisible as they all talk across you and repeatedly pass back and forth before the show and during the interval. Even if I don't want to leave my seat myself, I have sometimes felt driven to it simply to avoid the constant traffic and being talked, or yelled over. So far as view is concerned, if you are quick you should be able to book one of those aisle seats (depending on configuration) where the row extends beyond the one in front, so that you have nobody directly in your line of vision - or a front row seat if you are brave! |
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Post by Snciole on Feb 18, 2016 11:16:18 GMT
I hope they only introduce this for musicals/special events because plays just do not sell out or attract groups to justify allocated seating in this venue. The last full play I saw was Casa Valentina and even then I had no trouble getting a decent seat.
I speak as someone who panics when with friends about unallocated seating.. I made a poor friend get to Finborough so early we were the second and third people to take seats!
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Post by showgirl on Feb 18, 2016 11:58:53 GMT
Yes, I'd be happy with reserved seating for musicals only here, but it might be awkward for the theatre publicly to justify the distinction. Allocated seating also forces them to decide on the configuration earlier than they otherwise might - what about last-minute tweaks or extra seats being released - are they a no-no now?
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 18, 2016 22:56:56 GMT
I am of course taking FULL CREDIT for this. *curtseys and exits stage left* Now get the bogs sorted... There are limits to my superhero powers. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 19, 2016 11:49:21 GMT
what about last-minute tweaks or extra seats being released - are they a no-no now? West End theatres manage that issue all the time, and it will work to public advantage as it does there. Extra seats suddenly available for a sold out show, over all performances, I'd say. There are limits to my superhero powers. In other words, BB only has a limited number of underpants suitable for wearing over his trousers. They're in the wash! |
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