5,691 posts
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Post by lynette on Oct 27, 2017 14:01:55 GMT
Well I can’t remember what was on the door when I popped in last Saturday. But it must have looked alike gals were welcome and it was only what I would call females in there.
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7,059 posts
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Post by Jon on Oct 27, 2017 14:05:13 GMT
Hytner and Starr did an interview for the Stage and they mentioned they rejected a site because the walk from the tube to this location was unpleasant, the only clue they gave was it was a riverside location that will be fantastic in 20 years time. Must be south of the river with a big development going on. Battersea probably. I was thinking Battersea or Vauxhall as that has a lot of development at the moment |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2017 15:18:08 GMT
Get rid of urinals, call them all "Toilets" and job done! We make it so complicated these days! We would soon get used to the change! Would soon sort out the current issue where women can spend the whole interval queuing for the loo whilst men walk straight in and then have time left for a drink/ice cream/chat, etc. What madness is this?? I don't want to have more people restricting my access to the bar! Or those madeleines. Insanity. I really don't think that's what Emmeline Pankhurst fought for.  |
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3,040 posts
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Post by crowblack on Oct 27, 2017 15:31:16 GMT
I like women-only toilets... Yes - if someone's obviously trans then fair enough, but I don't like the idea of a free for all, partly for safety reasons and because I really hated the unisex bogs at university - I know some women can be unhygenic but I think the proportion of apparently non-house-trained, non-hand-washing males is probably bigger. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2017 16:09:11 GMT
I like women-only toilets... Yes - if someone's obviously trans then fair enough, but I don't like the idea of a free for all, partly for safety reasons and because I really hated the unisex bogs at university - I know some women can be unhygenic but I think the proportion of apparently non-house-trained, non-hand-washing males is probably bigger. Though I did have one particularly distressing experience in a public loo when I looked around me and was forced to wonder how on earth someone could get their menstrual blood that high up on the walls... But back on topic - a decent set of reviews on the whole today, I think? And a good amount of positive publicity which should help with shifting tickets. |
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Post by Jon on Oct 27, 2017 16:11:46 GMT
Yes - if someone's obviously trans then fair enough, but I don't like the idea of a free for all, partly for safety reasons and because I really hated the unisex bogs at university - I know some women can be unhygenic but I think the proportion of apparently non-house-trained, non-hand-washing males is probably bigger. Though I did have one particularly distressing experience in a public loo when I looked around me and was forced to wonder how on earth someone could get their menstrual blood that high up on the walls... But back on topic - a decent set of reviews on the whole today, I think? And a good amount of positive publicity which should help with shifting tickets. Maybe someone had a nose bleed! |
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4,984 posts
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Post by Phantom of London on Oct 28, 2017 0:05:36 GMT
I was there tonight and there was both a coupe de theatre and a coupe de gastronomy, by which I mean those Madeleine's were bloody gorgeous and I think I will be back, not neccasarilly to visit a show!!! It kind of reminded me, what you made in primary school and took home in those paper bags.
The theatre itself reminded me of a large scale Hampstead and I guess it will try to match them artistically, so the people who live in North London and Moan about getting there are the same as the people in South London that moan about getting to Hampstead, except the Bridge Theatre is in a lot better area for guest services, with many fine restaurants, bars and coffee shops around it. I live in South East London and work in Baker Street so get the best of both worlds.
The theatre aims to do new plays, which I suspect after the novelty wears off, of a new theatre, this could become a very hard sell for such a big house, especially where other theatres are doing new plays more so now, (we are spoilt for choice) so they may need to tweak their business management plan, but only time will tell this. However except exiting from the stalls, as already pointed out on here, the theatre is lovely and I imagine this would be a great venue to do something like Angels in America or a Sondheim piece etc. the theatre was airy, comfortable and everyone seemed to have more than reasonable sight lines, toilets nice, loved the water fountain. A great addition to the West End real estate and seems better than the Other Palace, which was recently built.
The play itself though and yes it's standard Richard Bean fare, where the more of his plays you see, the less funnier it gets and the humour when not vulgar seems to be recycled. So artistically a poor start from me, things can only get better, I hope. You need a decent play to do those wonderful Madeleine's justice.
Play**
Madeleines*****
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4,984 posts
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Post by Phantom of London on Oct 28, 2017 17:11:07 GMT
The odd revival, which means to me, to be Seldom.   I cannot see this being a continuous producing house and will have to receive shows as well, especially as it doesn't get Art Council funding. |
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Post by Jon on Oct 28, 2017 17:13:53 GMT
The odd revival, which means to me, to be Seldom. I cannot see this being a continuous producing house and will have to receive shows as well, especially as it doesn't get Art Council funding. I imagine they’ll have co-productions but its not going to a receiving house. The Old Vic has 1000 seats and they produce all their shows in-house |
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Post by Jon on Oct 28, 2017 17:16:00 GMT
The Stage article says they have multiple wealthy backers involved, and the commercial aspect isn't quite the concern. Producing house is the business plan, and it's well-covered by the look of it. It’s a long term thing so I imagine it’s not going to profitable for a while I suspect they’ll be looking for another venue if The Bridge is a success. Hytner and Starr mentioned they may have other venues along with The Bridge down the line |
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Post by Phantom of London on Oct 28, 2017 17:33:51 GMT
No way would I ever decry the knowledge of the Monkey and Jon, who must have many years of observing theatre habits and business practices, both seem like me are curious of the producing and artistic side just like me. However I am fascinated to see where this theatre goes, as I need to get back for those awesome Madeleines cakes.
Not aware of their business plan and backers, but would suggest people behind the scenes have very deep pockets. Walking round the area yesterday, I was wondering if they get a good rental deal, as they bring a lot of business in the area. Not decrying their artistic commitment, whether they do New or Revival or Produce or Recieve, ultimately it is brand new theatre and only adds to the cultural landscape as something we didn't have before, just think new plays can a lot more miss than hit and it's a lot of work putting 5/6 new products in a year.
I wonder it they classify Broadway transfers as new plays? Be great if they did something like All The Way and I appreciate it won't be with Bryan Cranston this time?
Everyone wants to do new plays at the moment..
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1,064 posts
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Post by bellboard27 on Oct 28, 2017 21:56:52 GMT
This hit the spot for both of us tonight. Laughed loads. Liked the theatre. Was in centre of Row A, but exit was quick through a door down a side corridor and back to foyer. Play seems to be picking up speed - all over by 10pm.
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3,040 posts
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Post by crowblack on Oct 28, 2017 22:32:40 GMT
Any more Bridge seat opinions? I've booked one of the cheap seats at the end of row G, the rest of which is a 'premium' row. I'm quite small so presume it'll be ok, but did wonder if the cheapness meant they were very uncomfy. Are front row seats cheap too, and would the view be awkward from there?
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1,970 posts
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Post by sf on Oct 28, 2017 23:12:48 GMT
Any more Bridge seat opinions? I've booked one of the cheap seats at the end of row G, the rest of which is a 'premium' row. I'm quite small so presume it'll be ok, but did wonder if the cheapness meant they were very uncomfy. Are front row seats cheap too, and would the view be awkward from there? I was at this afternoon's matinee, and I sat in one of those cheap folding seats on the end of a row in the stalls (specifically, on the end of row E). I can't say it was the most luxurious seat I've ever sat in, but there's a reason it costs £40 less than the seat next to it. It was not uncomfortable, and I'd happily book one again. For the price, they're a bargain. Picture at the link below. Bridge Theatre folding seat |
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Post by crowblack on Oct 28, 2017 23:24:20 GMT
Thanks! It doesn't look too bad, though a bit school throwback. Might take a sheepskin coat to drape over it for a bit more luxury.
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7,059 posts
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Post by Jon on Oct 28, 2017 23:30:33 GMT
We’ll know if The Bridge needs to fill the coffers when they have a revival with a big name.
And I think Hytner and Starr will have new American plays, we’ve seen Oslo and Heisenberg come to London and Annie Baker’s new play John is going to the National in 2018 so I don’t think it’ll just be British plays and revivals. I’d like to see The Humans go to The Bridge although it could easily go to the West End
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Post by neonsun on Oct 28, 2017 23:44:12 GMT
The poster of this confuses me.
Is this a new play or is Rory Kinnear just auditioning for La Strada?
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Post by dani on Oct 29, 2017 9:56:17 GMT
Personally I thought this was good fun, in parts puerile but entertaining and with a more serious message under the veneer of silliness. Some lovely performances, especially Kinnear. My impression is that there are very few bad seats here and the cheap ones offer good value. One strange thing to me is that the foyer seems like a hangar and when I was there at the interval I felt like a spare part, not quite knowing where to stand. It sounds silly, but that's how it seemed to me!
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Post by crowblack on Oct 30, 2017 18:19:27 GMT
Excellent! Thanks.
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Post by jek on Oct 30, 2017 22:12:05 GMT
We've booked for this Sunday's matinee. Have just had a Facebook post from the Bridge Theatre to say that because it is their first Sunday matinee they are serving free madeleines. My teenage daughter makes a beautiful version of these (each containing a raspberry and an injection of lemon curd) but I'm sure that she (and the rest of us) won't turn down a St John's one. From the post it appears that you don't have to be attending the matinee to get hold of a freebie.........
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3,563 posts
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Post by showgirl on Oct 31, 2017 4:45:09 GMT
I didn't think they were free now; on the theatre's site I saw something about the cost, quantity and how to order them for the interval. But those who have been recently can no doubt clarify.
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Post by jek on Oct 31, 2017 7:38:50 GMT
Maybe I wasn't clear enough. It's only this Sunday that they are offering free madeleines.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2017 12:18:21 GMT
The serving staff are so f***ing stupid
They are working in a cafe
Wearing white bibs
They are hardly at the Dorchester
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Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2017 12:22:09 GMT
That seems a bit... rude and also unprovoked, Pars.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2017 12:49:37 GMT
I suspect that's not their call, to be fair...
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