431 posts
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Post by alison on May 21, 2019 18:29:50 GMT
Does anyone know if the full cast was on last night or was anyone out sick or away? Brandon Lee Sears will have been Kevin J/Ali. Otherwise I think it was full. |
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1,562 posts
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Post by showtoones on May 21, 2019 19:10:19 GMT
Row F back in the stalls, seats beside the premium ones. Dress circle row E behind the premium ones - also D if shorter than 5ft 6. Real bargains are the ends of F to D in that order in the stalls - restricted view but miss nothing. Low numbers side first. Monkey - in your expert opinion would you choose Stalls row J center for 79.50 or row K center for 69.50? I appreciate your help and thanks in advance... |
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Post by sparky5000 on May 23, 2019 9:17:19 GMT
Saw this again with friends last night for the first time in ages and it put a smile on my face. Really is a beautiful uplifting show. One of my friends loved it but the other was more ambivalent and hated the score and style of music. I guess it’s not for everyone!
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2019 17:59:10 GMT
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172 posts
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Post by Sean on May 24, 2019 18:15:17 GMT
This is very sad. No one should be made feel like that. Hopefully they can resolve those issues sooner rather than later. |
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2019 18:20:49 GMT
In my last job I was effectively the disability officer. We wrote software, and it was my responsibility to sit there with a blindfold and a screen reader and make sure the software could be used by someone who couldn't see the screen. The first time I tried it did not go well. Changes were made.
In situations like this we don't know what constraints the theatre is under, but it really should be every public building's responsibility to do things like put someone in a wheelchair to see what problems they encounter and then address them as far as possible, and also make a list of what difficulties remain. I've had a few physically disabled relatives and it helps a lot when a building lets people know what they're in for in advance, and it doesn't take long to do that.
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2019 18:25:39 GMT
In my last job I was effectively the disability officer. We wrote software, and it was my responsibility to sit there with a blindfold and a screen reader and make sure the software could be used by someone who couldn't see the screen. The first time I tried it did not go well. Changes were made. In situations like this we don't know what constraints the theatre is under, but it really should be every public building's responsibility to do things like put someone in a wheelchair to see what problems they encounter and then address them as far as possible, and also make a list of what difficulties remain. I've had a few physically disabled relatives and it helps a lot when a building lets people know what they're in for in advance, and it doesn't take long to do that.Well theres the obvious physical constraint of the building but staff awareness seems to be lacking - bins next to toilets preventing use and chairs in the box which should be removed prior. It's a duty of care that seems lacking. From the review I get the impression Phoenix Theatre has a longstanding reputation for inaccessibility, as the writer says she avoided Chicago because of it's rep. It can't be that the venue is unaware, but they don't seem to be doing anything about it, not even the bare minimum. |
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Post by Dawnstar on May 24, 2019 20:05:12 GMT
Given the restricted view from that box (though I confess that as a habitual frequenter of the ROH stalls circle it didn't actually look unbearable to me!) I'm surprised that the Phoenix can't manage an other alternatives. I see from the next post on the blog that she is able to walk a bit so you'd think the theatre would be able to get a wheelchair to at least the back of the main auditorium - the box looks to be at dress circle level? - for someone who has some mobility to be able to transfer into a seat.
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2019 20:12:51 GMT
Given the restricted view from that box (though I confess that as a habitual frequenter of the ROH stalls circle it didn't actually look unbearable to me!) I'm surprised that the Phoenix can't manage an other alternatives. I see from the next post on the blog that she is able to walk a bit so you'd think the theatre would be able to get a wheelchair to at least the back of the main auditorium - the box looks to be at dress circle level? - for someone who has some mobility to be able to transfer into a seat. Indeed it does, which would be street level. Most stalls sections are actually sunk and below street level, so even getting to the back of the main auditorium may not be a step-free route. |
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4,021 posts
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Post by Dawnstar on May 24, 2019 20:59:47 GMT
Given the restricted view from that box (though I confess that as a habitual frequenter of the ROH stalls circle it didn't actually look unbearable to me!) I'm surprised that the Phoenix can't manage an other alternatives. I see from the next post on the blog that she is able to walk a bit so you'd think the theatre would be able to get a wheelchair to at least the back of the main auditorium - the box looks to be at dress circle level? - for someone who has some mobility to be able to transfer into a seat. Indeed it does, which would be street level. Most stalls sections are actually sunk and below street level, so even getting to the back of the main auditorium may not be a step-free route. I know the Phoenix stalls are below street level. By "the back of the main auditorium" I meant at dress circle level. I consider the "main auditorium" of most normally-shaped theatres to encompass both the stalls & however many circles the theatre has, not just the stalls as you've interpreted it. |
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431 posts
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Post by alison on May 24, 2019 21:42:01 GMT
The author of that blog post is a friend of mine, and I'm gutted that she wasn't able to enjoy a show that I know she would have loved with a better access experience. Although she can walk a bit, sitting in a normal chair for the length of the show rather than her power chair would not be an option for her unfortunately, so the box is her only option.
We first met at Bat Out of Hell, where the view from the access box was not as restricted as at CFA, but certainly not complete. It took me a while to appreciate just how frustrating that was for her, as the view was very much like the circle slips where I regularly sat at the Coliseum. The difference, though, is that I have the choice. I've seen the full stage, I know what I can't see, and if I want to have that full experience I can pay for a different seat, or I can choose the cheaper more restricted view, but it's my choice. For Shona, and may other wheelchair users, it's not her choice and it's just a "this is what you get, deal with it" situation. That's frustrating enough when the front of house staff do everything they can to make the experience positive (like at the Dominion). When they don't even seem to care enough to move a chair from the box? That's heartbreaking.
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2019 23:37:15 GMT
The writer of the blog makes some very valid points that should be addressed (the bin, the ramp, the chair in the box). But she does rather overstate her case in places. The fact it’s a hit Broadway transfer is neither here nor there - the type of show doesn’t alter the fact it’s playing in a listed building, so there may be no option on the narrow corridors. That view, while partially restricted, really doesn’t look too bad either...?
Anyway, hopefully the theatre will use it as a learning opportunity and change what they can (eg boost staff awareness around disability issues). Overall I am sympathetic - the world at large is definitely not geared enough towards those who are differently abled.
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371 posts
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Post by popcultureboy on May 25, 2019 7:06:52 GMT
the type of show doesn’t alter the fact it’s playing in a listed building, Exactly. It's awful, but like many other houses, the Phoenix is Grade II listed and was built long before any access considerations needed to be, well, considered. Trying to make the necessary changes in 2019 is pretty much impossible due to the listed status. At least the Phoenix can accommodate, however narrowly, the electric wheelchair she is in. The Wyndhams cannot and are unable to make any changes either, and not for lack of trying. Or she could try going to the Shaftesbury, where the accessible entrance is on one side of the venue, the accessible seating on the other. Getting to it involves some frighteningly steep ramps put down by front of house staff. Every West End venue does all they can within their limited parameters to allow everyone access, but they're all aware more needs to be done and are constantly looking at ways to improve. |
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2019 7:52:01 GMT
I think that these days an argument can be made for relaxing some aspects of a listed status. Exceptions can be made and often are, and given that it's now possible to record a building in exquisite detail and create a fully three dimensional virtual experience we need to ask whether we actually need to keep every part of a venue physically intact for people to walk past without noticing. What are we keeping them for? Obviously we shouldn't be ripping out historic staircases and installing escalators, but a discreetly placed lift and converting short runs of two or three steps into ramps would make a huge difference.
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Post by christya on May 28, 2019 10:17:57 GMT
Odd question about booking tickets for this. I'm looking at tickets for a group of five people, however I've noticed that booking tickets for six people gets a group rate and saves over £100 for the particular seats we were looking at.
Does anyone know if there's any reason why we couldn't just book six tickets and five people go?
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Post by Rukaya on May 28, 2019 10:20:39 GMT
Odd question about booking tickets for this. I'm looking at tickets for a group of five people, however I've noticed that booking tickets for six people gets a group rate and saves over £100 for the particular seats we were looking at. Does anyone know if there's any reason why we couldn't just book six tickets and five people go? You could absolutely do that, they won't question it when you get to the theatre if that's what you're worried about. If you've paid for a ticket it's up to you whether it'll actually be used or not.  |
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Post by christya on May 28, 2019 19:51:38 GMT
Hah, that's not a problem. Ticket in my hand? Nobody else's arse in the seat! Thanks for the replies folks. |
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Post by danb on Jun 15, 2019 16:55:34 GMT
Why did nobody tell me about this show? What a beaut! The cast recording didn’t really get my interest so I never bothered again but I found it incredibly lovely. Sitting next to my son who didn’t live through it, having a totally different experience. One of my best friends was in nyc at the time and it took a few days to hear from her which was pretty awful. No biggie but it mattered at the time. It was maybe ten minutes too long for a one act-er (specifically between about fifteen & twenty five minutes in) but I will definitely revisit.
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Post by grannyjx6 on Jun 18, 2019 22:10:58 GMT
I keep looking to see if there are any kind of offers for this, but the £125 seats are still there. Has anyone day seated, and if so, what sort of tickets are offered?
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Post by drowseychap on Jun 19, 2019 0:46:30 GMT
Really want to see this but have limited funds what’s my best bet for sat eve ?? What’s upper circle view like ? As have some £35 seats up there ?
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Post by andrew on Jun 19, 2019 2:14:44 GMT
I keep looking to see if there are any kind of offers for this, but the £125 seats are still there. Has anyone day seated, and if so, what sort of tickets are offered? Dayseats are front row, the stage is quite high but it's not really restricted view. Also the TodayTix rush offers quite decent seats. |
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Post by danb on Jun 19, 2019 4:39:51 GMT
We got row E Dress Circle in the Today Tix rush on Saturday. Clear view, bit squished cos I couldn’t choose an end seat but fine. Its a small theatre so it mattered less where we sat.
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Post by shady23 on Jun 19, 2019 6:53:49 GMT
Even the very back row of the circle (marked as restricted) is OK.
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Post by grannyjx6 on Jun 19, 2019 15:30:42 GMT
Thanks everyone for your advice. We aren't going until August so rush tickets no help for us (yet) and I'm a bit worried that leaving it until we get there might be risky. I think I might just bite the bullet and go for the cheap seats. The old knees are a bit arthritic though if I can't stretch out much. (I know I can't have it both ways).
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Post by sabrina90 on Jun 19, 2019 15:53:00 GMT
I keep looking to see if there are any kind of offers for this, but the £125 seats are still there. Has anyone day seated, and if so, what sort of tickets are offered? Dayseats are front row, the stage is quite high but it's not really restricted view. Also the TodayTix rush offers quite decent seats. It's not super restricted but if you're on the shorter side I'd try to get the dayseats as central as possible. I dayseat it twice and the difference from whether you sit in one of the first seats off the middle isle vs. sitting at the end of the row is huge, the end parts get much closer to the stage and therefore limits your view quite a bit, especially if you're short. |
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