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Post by Marwood on Mar 9, 2020 15:41:48 GMT
I like the theatre space too (but have never tried sitting in the upper level so might not be so keen after trying sitting up there): the actual bar is...ok (you can get a drink and a snack and that’s about it) but there is not enough space for people to sit down and actually eat/drink what you’ve bought, I always go in the main foyer area or The Understudy prior to a show, and certainly wouldn’t be tempted to try it after a she (if it’s actually open after shows, that is)
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Mar 9, 2020 16:06:54 GMT
Merged
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Post by alece10 on Mar 9, 2020 16:40:02 GMT
Weren't they going to put some big glass dome over the whole NT complex at some point. What happened to that?
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Post by peggs on Mar 9, 2020 17:04:56 GMT
I suppose a condition of that very expensive panel like concrete? Interior walls is that they can't cover it with 50 plus years of posters? It's funny a totally the national is one of the few theatres that doesn't reference it's past achievements via permanent photos or posters in some way. Is it because it's always moving forwards?
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Post by n1david on Mar 9, 2020 17:10:11 GMT
I've said this before, but I thought one of the goals of the last NT refurb was to link the Dorfman more strongly with the rest of the NT, so I had assumed that some internal linkage would be done - I guess that's not possible given where the stage door is and the upper levels of that corner are (I believe) all the NT admin offices. I do think it's disappointing that they couldn't make the Dorfman foyer more appealing, it always feels like standing in an anteroom rather than a theatre foyer. The cloakroom queues and mixing with toilet-goers and the odd box office where the two people can't do the same thing so you can get redirected to the other person, it just doesn't seem well thought-through.
I don't mind the auditorium, but I'm always in the pit or first level. Again, the circulation seems poorly-designed (I remember reading that the Bridge was conceived as a giant Dorfman, and it has the same issues of egress at the end of a show). I'm a fan of the Olivier auditorium but it takes a special type of production to do it justice. The Lyttleton is a bit meh for me - its width makes it difficult to convey intimacy but again when it works it can be pretty special.
I am a fan of the NT building (I like concrete), but I go less often than I used to, and I'm generally less excited when I do, but that's probably because they've stopped super-serving my demographic, and I'm OK with that.
(PS dontcha love it when a mod mods another mod)
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Post by NeilVHughes on Mar 9, 2020 17:16:08 GMT
Not sure why the room used for training and meetings to the left of the corridor is not opened up, it would double the size of the foyer of the Dorfman.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2020 17:28:28 GMT
Yes, the first time I went to the refurbished Dorfman that room was open and it made a nice foyer. No idea why they shut it! I generally go upstairs as its more roomy. And agree the bar queues (which generally reach as far as the tables) which people have to walk through to get to the looks and cloakrooms, make it a very unpleasant space.
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Post by londonpostie on Mar 9, 2020 18:04:29 GMT
I love the theatrical space of the Dorfman but the approach and entrance makes me feel I'm signing up for Universal Credit in Croydon.
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Post by peggs on Mar 9, 2020 19:38:55 GMT
The room to the left sometimes seems to be used for stuff, when I went last there was clearly some invite only thing going on as people wandered in and go ejected as it wasn't really clear that it wasn't just a continuation of the room.
If I ever go there at any time other than just before a performance to have a look on the viewer gallery thing (which is generally less interesting than it could be) I always feel like I might be in a place i'm not allowed and will be asked to leave as if you didn't know you could be there, there's precious little to show you. And yes it's a right pain to leave unless you're right by the exist doors, seems to take as long as much larger spaces.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2020 19:43:19 GMT
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Post by Someone in a tree on Mar 9, 2020 20:51:52 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2020 21:52:43 GMT
Interesting - I guess the 2013 proposal was a cheaper version of the same concept.
Now, about that garden bridge ...
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Post by lynette on Mar 10, 2020 15:19:14 GMT
Thanks for posting the articles and photos which I had not seen before. What a mess. No idea have they?
And David - 👀 I’m watch’ ya.
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Post by Someone in a tree on Mar 10, 2020 15:52:24 GMT
Interesting - I guess the 2013 proposal was a cheaper version of the same concept. Now, about that garden bridge ... Boris should link the Garden Bridge to the glass wave thingy and then a HS3 to the Scotland Northern Ireland bridge. I think you will find its just what the nation needs |
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Post by lynette on Mar 10, 2020 17:00:17 GMT
We don’t need another bridge but more gardens would be nice. Was at The Bridge theatre t’other night and thought that they should have extended the garden, Potters’ Fields to the walks beside the river.
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Post by malvolio on Mar 12, 2020 19:02:35 GMT
I love the theatrical space of the Dorfman but the approach and entrance makes me feel I'm signing up for Universal Credit in Croydon. That is too funny. |
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Post by malvolio on Mar 12, 2020 19:07:44 GMT
Not sure why the room used for training and meetings to the left of the corridor is not opened up, it would double the size of the foyer of the Dorfman. Great idea. I have never seen that training and meeting theatre ever used? Surely when they do use this is, it is during the day, why not just use the Dorfman space for that instead and open up that space for better ambiance. |
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Post by Forrest on Mar 12, 2020 23:18:54 GMT
I absolutely love the look of the NT. Part of its charm is exactly in the bare, 'cold' walls, and the old fashioned carpets...
It's one of my favourite places, not just for theatre, but for an afternoon coffee when I have something to do on my laptop that I don't need to do in the office. Part of the charm of it is that it is so inviting: you can sit anywhere, work, get something to eat/drink... In London, which has so few spaces where you can literally just occupy space without feeling like you are supposed to leave as soon as you are done with your flat white, to make space for other people, I find it a rare wonderful exception. (Also, the staff are always so incredibly nice.)
I do agree the entrance to the Dorfman could be a bit cosier, but that auditorium is also my absolutely favourite space there: I find the intimacy, simplicity and the primarily practical, utilitarian look and feel of it just wonderful. The Olivier and the Lyttelton are a bit too vast for my taste, although they are undoubtedly quite lovely too.
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Post by londonpostie on Mar 12, 2020 23:41:08 GMT
Not sure why the room used for training and meetings to the left of the corridor is not opened up, it would double the size of the foyer of the Dorfman. Yes, I've been in there. I think the last time was for part of a half day with the team behind Hansard, inc. Simon Woods the writer.
It's a general purpose space. It's name might be Clore Learning Centre - has book shelves at the back. I would imagine it's primarily a day-time space, possibly for school trips. I agree, if it's not used much, why not open it up.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2020 21:45:01 GMT
Friday Rush still on sale.........
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Post by intoanewlife on Mar 13, 2020 21:49:48 GMT
Friday Rush still on sale......... I was going to get tickets to a few things but I highly doubt they'll be open next week. |
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Post by londonpostie on Mar 13, 2020 21:53:20 GMT
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Post by peggs on Mar 13, 2020 22:27:15 GMT
Gosh what bargains indeed but even if it's still opting to be open there's a heck of a load of tickets available, soon surely won't be viable to stay open? I put off seeing things till nearer the end of their runs to avoid possible winter snow etc. that has not played out well this year.
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Post by lynette on Mar 14, 2020 0:40:47 GMT
I dunno, something odd about the only way to get punters into a theatre is to lower the prices but hey, you take the risk of being infected with an unpleasant virus we don’t know too much about.
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Post by londonpostie on Mar 15, 2020 15:44:20 GMT
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