5,148 posts
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Post by Being Alive on Jun 19, 2019 15:56:45 GMT
I sat back row upper at the weekend - I'm 6 foot 4 and the legroom was fine (it wasn't spacious but I wasn't uncomfortable.) View is great for the choreography too - it really highlights how impressive it actually is, so I'd say they are fine on a budget
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541 posts
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Post by drowseychap on Jun 22, 2019 22:23:40 GMT
Gutted .... this really won’t make me popular I know but for the first time ever seeing a show I felt like just leaving halfway through ... and I’ve seen bat boy and hard times and found something I enjoyed in both of them .
Can’t put my finger on it really as on paper it’s right up my street and the cast were flawless but I just didn’t connect with the piece on any level ...the rest of the audience jumped to its feet standing ovation lots of cheering etc ... now on reflection this may be why
The disrespectful disruptive few people in the circle tonight would be really interested to hear if anyone else was in tonight and had similar experience? They seemed to have no self awareness or that they weren’t at home watching tv but in a public space a theatre full of people who like them have too come out for a treat to enjoy watching live show
I really don’t think allowing large bottles of wine into a auditorium is a good idea 💡 they search your bags then let people take glass into a dark theatre
One couple few rows in front continually filling up raising glasses in the air to check they have right ones then cheers to each other during the show ?? Then need the loo jump up from seat so it clanks back up this happens at various times all around the circle ... I mean if you have to go at least hold the seat till it’s upright
Then group of girls in front again bottle of wine 3 glasses chinking eachothers glasses at every top up ... leaning forward to put bottle down and again to pick it up disturbing the lady in front each time ... then one drops glass on the floor Sound of glass hitting metal parts of seat .... then raising the bottle up to check how much is left affecting eyeline of the 7 rows behind them ..... repeatedly whispering to each other moving around lady in front got up in the end and stood at back for last 15mins
Then she starts to text !!!! I lean forward to ask her to put phone away so she raises it higher into the air at this point i went out to speak to staff who to be fair were concerned and sent someone to stand by the row they then quietened down and put phone away
Arghhhhhhhh. Whole night ruined 240 mile round trip lots of money as missed rush seats ...
and came out really miffed 😡
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Post by theatre241 on Jun 22, 2019 22:45:45 GMT
Gutted .... this really won’t make me popular I know but for the first time ever I felt like just leaving halfway through ... and I’ve seen bat boy and hard times and found something I enjoyed in both of them . Can’t put my finger on it really as on paper it’s right up my street and the cast were flawless but I just didn’t connect with the piece on any level ...the rest of the audience jumped to its feet standing ovation lots of cheering etc ... now on reflection this may be why The disrespectful disruptive few people in the circle tonight would be really interested to hear if anyone else was in tonight and had similar experience? They seemed to have self awareness or that they weren’t at home watching tv but in a public space a theatre full of people who like them have too come out for a treat to enjoy watching live show I really don’t think allowing large bottles of wine into a auditorium is a good idea 💡 they search your bags then let people take glass into a dark theatre One couple few rows in front continually filling up raising glasses in the air to check they have right ones then cheers to each other during the show ?? Then need the loo jump up from seat so it clanks back up this happens at various times all around the circle ... I mean if you have to go at least hold the seat till it’s upright Then group of girls in front again bottle of wine 3 glasses chinking eachothers glasses at every top up ... leaning forward to put bottle down and again to pick it up disturbing the lady in front each time ... then one drops glass on the floor Sound of glass hitting metal parts of seat .... then raising the bottle up to check how much is left affecting eyeline of the 7 rows behind them ..... repeatedly whispering to each other moving around lady in front got up in the end and stood at back for last 15mins Then she starts to text !!!! I lean forward to ask her to put phone away so she raises it higher into the air at this point i went out to speak to staff who to be fair were concerned and sent someone to stand by the row they then quietened down and put phone away Arghhhhhhhh. Whole night ruined 240 mile round trip lots of money as missed rush seats ... and came out really miffed 😡 This sounds awful! I feel so bad as its such an amazing show! Its so unlucky when your near bad audiences. |
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241 posts
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Post by justafan on Jun 23, 2019 14:15:34 GMT
Gutted .... this really won’t make me popular I know but for the first time ever seeing a show I felt like just leaving halfway through ... and I’ve seen bat boy and hard times and found something I enjoyed in both of them . Can’t put my finger on it really as on paper it’s right up my street and the cast were flawless but I just didn’t connect with the piece on any level ...the rest of the audience jumped to its feet standing ovation lots of cheering etc ... now on reflection this may be why The disrespectful disruptive few people in the circle tonight would be really interested to hear if anyone else was in tonight and had similar experience? They seemed to have no self awareness or that they weren’t at home watching tv but in a public space a theatre full of people who like them have too come out for a treat to enjoy watching live show I really don’t think allowing large bottles of wine into a auditorium is a good idea 💡 they search your bags then let people take glass into a dark theatre One couple few rows in front continually filling up raising glasses in the air to check they have right ones then cheers to each other during the show ?? Then need the loo jump up from seat so it clanks back up this happens at various times all around the circle ... I mean if you have to go at least hold the seat till it’s upright Then group of girls in front again bottle of wine 3 glasses chinking eachothers glasses at every top up ... leaning forward to put bottle down and again to pick it up disturbing the lady in front each time ... then one drops glass on the floor Sound of glass hitting metal parts of seat .... then raising the bottle up to check how much is left affecting eyeline of the 7 rows behind them ..... repeatedly whispering to each other moving around lady in front got up in the end and stood at back for last 15mins Then she starts to text !!!! I lean forward to ask her to put phone away so she raises it higher into the air at this point i went out to speak to staff who to be fair were concerned and sent someone to stand by the row they then quietened down and put phone away Arghhhhhhhh. Whole night ruined 240 mile round trip lots of money as missed rush seats ... and came out really miffed 😡 Really sorry your evening was ruined. If you are old enough to remember the events as they happened it really is a very poignant piece of theatre and having seen it three times With a 4th booked I can only suggest a return visit to a matinee showing if that’s possible in the restricted view stalls seats if you can’t dayseat. Regrettably Saturday night audiences tend to be a different breed but the matinee audiences I’ve experienced have been nothing less than totally respectful |
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Post by xanady on Jun 23, 2019 15:46:41 GMT
drowseychap....on the two occasions I have experienced the same behaviour as you I have received a full refund for the two shows ruined which were Mama Mia snd Starlight.I wrote to the Customer Services at the two companies that owned the theatres in which my enjoyment was ruined and spelt out the detailed facts of what happened.I avoided opinions,judgements and rudeness about the offenders.I included a photo-copy of just the tickets as proof of purchase and contact details.I did not send any payment details such as Credit Card numbers etc.By looking at my tickets, the theatres traced my booking details and refunded.It is always a good idea to bring problems to the attention of a theatre employee as quickly as you can at the time of an incident which you clearly did.As the usher had to intervene,the incident should have been logged with a Duty Manager.I am sure other more legally-minded experts on the site would be able to offer further advice,but the above worked for me if you choose to take things further.Being insistent on our rights is something we should all do more often imo.
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541 posts
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Post by drowseychap on Jun 23, 2019 15:48:15 GMT
Gutted .... this really won’t make me popular I know but for the first time ever seeing a show I felt like just leaving halfway through ... and I’ve seen bat boy and hard times and found something I enjoyed in both of them . Can’t put my finger on it really as on paper it’s right up my street and the cast were flawless but I just didn’t connect with the piece on any level ...the rest of the audience jumped to its feet standing ovation lots of cheering etc ... now on reflection this may be why The disrespectful disruptive few people in the circle tonight would be really interested to hear if anyone else was in tonight and had similar experience? They seemed to have no self awareness or that they weren’t at home watching tv but in a public space a theatre full of people who like them have too come out for a treat to enjoy watching live show I really don’t think allowing large bottles of wine into a auditorium is a good idea 💡 they search your bags then let people take glass into a dark theatre One couple few rows in front continually filling up raising glasses in the air to check they have right ones then cheers to each other during the show ?? Then need the loo jump up from seat so it clanks back up this happens at various times all around the circle ... I mean if you have to go at least hold the seat till it’s upright Then group of girls in front again bottle of wine 3 glasses chinking eachothers glasses at every top up ... leaning forward to put bottle down and again to pick it up disturbing the lady in front each time ... then one drops glass on the floor Sound of glass hitting metal parts of seat .... then raising the bottle up to check how much is left affecting eyeline of the 7 rows behind them ..... repeatedly whispering to each other moving around lady in front got up in the end and stood at back for last 15mins Then she starts to text !!!! I lean forward to ask her to put phone away so she raises it higher into the air at this point i went out to speak to staff who to be fair were concerned and sent someone to stand by the row they then quietened down and put phone away Arghhhhhhhh. Whole night ruined 240 mile round trip lots of money as missed rush seats ... and came out really miffed 😡 Really sorry your evening was ruined. If you are old enough to remember the events as they happened it really is a very poignant piece of theatre and having seen it three times With a 4th booked I can only suggest a return visit to a matinee showing if that’s possible in the restricted view stalls seats if you can’t dayseat. Regrettably Saturday night audiences tend to be a different breed but the matinee audiences I’ve experienced have been nothing less than totally respectful Hi yep I may try rush tickets again in the future or a matinee in cheap seats ... I really don’t think allowing bottles of wine into theatre is a good move every other theatre insists only taking single drinks on in plastic cups maybe it’s reduce plastic move ? Really wanted to love it and looked forward to it but every time I tried to listen and let myself get absorbed was another distraction and you right with the subject matter you would think people would show even more respect |
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541 posts
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Post by drowseychap on Jun 23, 2019 15:51:43 GMT
Xanady thanks for advice I may just do that we had thought and spoke after at length about writing to the theatre as I spoke to an usher then had to go out of auditorium as was so wound up and spoke to couple more staff. Think one may have been the duty manager he was concerned and said would send staff in its 240 mile round trip for me and very expensive to visit London ... and would like to get a true reflection of the show 👍
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Post by xanady on Jun 23, 2019 15:59:19 GMT
^The staff at the Phoenix are imo,consummate professionals and as you had such a dreadful and stressful experience,I am convinced that they would welcome the opportunity to address the issues raised.CFA needs full-focus as it’s the words/lyrics that ‘sell’ the story and the selfish,rowdy and arrogant behaviour around you prevented that.Good luck to you and I hope you get some positive closure on this matter.
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541 posts
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Post by drowseychap on Jun 28, 2019 22:01:25 GMT
Well I wrote a very comprehensive and fair email to the Phoenix today .... and got a reply but defensive I thought and no mention in their reply regarding the texting holding their phone in the air when I asked them to stop the lady in front of them having to stand at the back for the last 20mins just to get some peace ... allowing glass and wine bottles is risk assessed and adds to the premium experience ? Very disappointing Not impressed birthday treat lots of money and 240 mile round trip ruined oh well shan’t be going back there again
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234 posts
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Post by Jane Parfitt on Jun 28, 2019 22:38:01 GMT
We were there yesterday and I too saw alot of bottles and glasses being taken in. I also noticed that they were offering a deal at the bar which was buy 2 or 3 glasses of wine (not sure which) and get the rest of the bottle free, so I'm pretty sure that may have been behind it.
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1,306 posts
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Post by londonmzfitz on Jun 28, 2019 23:04:50 GMT
Is this because there's no interval, do we think? I had this at the last visit but nothing like as disruptive as above. Couple behind me clinked glasses but quietly. Woman across the aisle, centre aisle seat, continually topped up her glass through the show.
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541 posts
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Post by drowseychap on Jun 29, 2019 0:48:20 GMT
Of course being in the circle too everything was in the eye line as well as the noise and constant going up and down to the bar and loo ... I was really disappointed by the reply to my email ... all my comments about my night being ruined and unable to watch listen or enjoy the show and the texting incident and holding the phone in the air were ignored just thanked me for saying how nice the welcome was and the staff being friendly and going to stand at the end of the row after I complained..... but really having one member of staff standing against the wall at the back of the circle with a walkway and partition in front not the best place really as can’t even see the audience...... not one member of staff even stood at front for even a few minutes ?
They reason they said for allowing bottles is to make the night feel premium and add the the occasion... instead of asking people to pour in to plastic glasses .... really it’s to make££££ encouraging people to spend more as no interval to spend money in do getting people to have bottles .... which then leads to people getting tipsy or drunk
As accident waiting to happen girls in front of me lost the bottle at one point spent 5 mins fiddling under the seats then one dropped the glass 🤔
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4,361 posts
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Post by shady23 on Jun 29, 2019 6:04:41 GMT
They're trying to make their interval money.
Having a glass of drink is one thing, but pouring from big bottles is another.
Income from the bar seems to matter more than the disruption it causes to paying audience members, it seems.
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13 posts
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Post by joshb on Jun 30, 2019 14:22:31 GMT
Finally got round to seeing this yesterday at the matinee, with half the cast being standbys (including Jennifer Tierney's first show as Beverley!). Truly, truly loved it and any discomfort caused by the heat was truly swept away by the joy and energy of this show. I was continually crying for the last 10 minutes!
Jennifer was really excellent and you'd never know it was her first show in this track, particularly when hearing her sing Me and the Sky.
We also had: Kirsty Malpass as Bonnie, Chiara Baronti as Diane, Tania Mathurin as Hannah, Brandon Lee Sears as Bob and Bob Harms as Kevin T/Garth. All equally brilliant as were the rest of the regular cast.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2019 16:27:56 GMT
I'm in in a few weeks for the matinee before heading to Wicked's cast change for the evening.
Hoping to see Rachel, but I will be more than happy to see a standby. I'm more interested in the show's storyline and subject more than anything.
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Post by xanady on Jun 30, 2019 16:36:39 GMT
drowseychap,sorry only just seen this...very disappointed for you...perhaps escalate the complaint now to ATG Head Office if you feel inclined?
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4,361 posts
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Post by shady23 on Jun 30, 2019 16:36:41 GMT
Her holidays are booked for the beginning of July so, good health willing, she should be on.
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642 posts
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Post by Stasia on Jul 2, 2019 7:35:16 GMT
Her holidays are booked for the beginning of July so, good health willing, she should be on. do you know where one can find the dates? my frien goes to the UK soon and she's been dreaming of seeing Rachel in the show |
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234 posts
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Post by Jane Parfitt on Jul 2, 2019 7:53:30 GMT
Stasia According to a post on Rachel's fan blog on Twitter dated 12th May Rachel is on holiday for the rest of this week and also 12th - 21st August. This blog is endorsed by Rachel so is probably accurate, at least at the time of posting.
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642 posts
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Post by Stasia on Jul 2, 2019 8:35:56 GMT
Stasia According to a post on Rachel's fan blog on Twitter dated 12th May Rachel is on holiday for the rest of this week and also 12th - 21st August. This blog is endorsed by Rachel so is probably accurate, at least at the time of posting. Thanks loads, will message that friend so that she reschedule her visit for the next week if possible. |
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541 posts
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Post by drowseychap on Jul 4, 2019 15:28:24 GMT
drowseychap,,sorry only just seen this...very disappointed for you...perhaps escalate the complaint now to ATG Head Office if you feel inclined? Thanks again for your advice following the email from assistant manager I contacted manager via head office who really took on board everything and invited us back to see the show hopefully this time with a better behaved audience 😊x that the second ATG theatre I’ve visited with excellent staff |
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Post by xanady on Jul 4, 2019 16:57:31 GMT
Really pleased for you,drowseychap...Hope you enjoy such a wonderful show without any bad behaviour this time.
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Post by d'James on Jul 9, 2019 23:00:39 GMT
Show stop tonight. I want to know how the cast all knew to leave at the same time without there being a sound?!
Anyway. 4.5 Stars overall.
3 Stars for whoever taught the cast French and Spanish.
4 Stars for direction/script.
5 Stars for everything else.
(I feel bad for the 4 Stars but there some bits that really got my back up in the script.)
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Post by d'James on Jul 10, 2019 0:44:57 GMT
P.S. As expected at that theatre, it was impossible to find out who was playing which role tonight.
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4,361 posts
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Post by shady23 on Jul 10, 2019 4:23:21 GMT
The cast board is at the left of the main lobby. There's also a great Twitter account dedicated to the Standbys that usually posts when one of them are on. Www.Twitter.com/illwriteSTFDFrom the looks of things, you can full cast bar one last night |
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