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Post by Mark on Nov 29, 2020 10:03:09 GMT
My 4x£65 grand circle seats are still showing in future bookings... Do we think it is the cheaper seats that are being scrapped? Seems hugely unfair to scrap the most affordable seats at a time like this, but as a poster above says, it’s all in the maths. Certainly looks like it. Mine were the cheapest of the cheap seats because we just couldn’t justify the expense for the more costly tickets at the moment. |
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Post by alece10 on Nov 29, 2020 10:06:09 GMT
I have just had a look at my bookings on their website and my dress circle seats are not showing so doesn't appear to be only the cheaper seats cancelled, mine are £95 each.
However my booking for Life of Pi (which was cancelled) and tickets on hold until new dates arranged is also not showing so I am wondering if the website is not that accurate.
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4,786 posts
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Post by Mark on Nov 29, 2020 10:20:48 GMT
I have just had a look at my bookings on their website and my dress circle seats are not showing so doesn't appear to be only the cheaper seats cancelled, mine are £95 each. However my booking for Life of Pi (which was cancelled) and tickets on hold until new dates arranged is also not showing so I am wondering if the website is not that accurate. It's possible I guess. Was just looking through the t&cs. Plenty on there about refunds/exchanges if a performance is cancelled. Nothing mentioned about refusal/denied entry when a performance does go ahead. Really hoping it's all just a mistake on the website. |
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Post by CG on the loose on Nov 29, 2020 10:46:15 GMT
I have two singles booked (Stalls and Dress Circle), both still showing. Ironically, I'm likely to have to relinquish them anyway. I don't suppose they had time to do a 'volunteers for a refund' sweep first (a bit like the airlines do when everyone turns up for a double-booked flight, but maybe without the cash incentive!), but it might have made something of a dent in the numbers.
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Post by saral on Nov 29, 2020 10:48:20 GMT
My £45 UC seats are missing also, as you say don't know if it is a glitch. I had thought when I heard about the capacity issue that they could just close the UC assuming this would be a way of losing least money..all have to be revealed pretty soon
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1,349 posts
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Post by CG on the loose on Nov 29, 2020 10:56:52 GMT
Not any help to those who may have had tickets cancelled, but for anyone now unable to travel due to Tier restrictions, there's this in the FAQs:
"Following the latest Government announcement, London moves into Tier 2 restrictions from 2nd December. If you have purchased tickets for LES MISÉRABLES - THE STAGED CONCERT or THE COMEBACK and your local area will move into Tier 3, you are entitled to request an exchange of your tickets, a credit voucher, or a refund."
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1,736 posts
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Post by fiyero on Nov 29, 2020 11:16:30 GMT
From a business point of view cancelling the cheap seats makes most sense. I just hope they decide soon so I can book something else. If I lose panto too for the same reason I’ll be destroyed though.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2020 13:12:05 GMT
If the Upper Circle is a separate entrance, I kinda wonder if they could argue it's a separate venue for these purposes. I mean, of course, I know it isn't. But the group of people up there do not mix with rest of the theatre at all so I'd argue the risk of transmission from UC to Stalls/Circle and vice versa is almost negligible so a pragmatic approach could be taken.
That said, I do of course understand the moral argument that the right thing to do is to follow the rules, not look for ways around them. Mark Drakeford has spoken intelligently about this over the last few weeks.
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1,736 posts
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Post by fiyero on Nov 29, 2020 13:26:21 GMT
People keep mentioning a different entrance for the upper circle. I’m sure it is possible but I don’t think it normally has one.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2020 13:49:37 GMT
If the Upper Circle is a separate entrance, I kinda wonder if they could argue it's a separate venue for these purposes. I mean, of course, I know it isn't. But the group of people up there do not mix with rest of the theatre at all so I'd argue the risk of transmission from UC to Stalls/Circle and vice versa is almost negligible so a pragmatic approach could be taken. Unfortunately that wouldn't solve the problem, as each new "venue" would still be subject to the 50% capacity. And you would no longer be able to include the upper circle seats in the total capacity of the theatre, so could still only have 50% of the lower tiers. |
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Post by tsxmitw on Nov 29, 2020 14:12:27 GMT
Online booking now closed for all performances
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Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2020 14:15:59 GMT
Online booking now closed for all performances There are still seats available - mostly £165 premium seats - for a lot of performances if you go via the DMT+ link. |
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Post by tsxmitw on Nov 29, 2020 15:12:41 GMT
Online booking now closed for all performances There are still seats available - mostly £165 premium seats - for a lot of performances if you go via the DMT+ link. Ah I see. I did look through my DMT+ account but must have looked at the wrong link. |
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Post by fiyero on Nov 30, 2020 10:05:48 GMT
We have to hear something today right? They are due to open in 5 days!
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Post by TallPaul on Nov 30, 2020 10:19:03 GMT
Parliament doesn't vote on the new measures until tomorrow, so perhaps CamMack is hoping there will be some last minute concessions or amendments.
Or maybe he's working with Westminster City Council on a 'creative' solution. I read yesterday that the Council has advised its licensed premises that a catering kitchen is not a requirement to serve substantial meals.
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Post by ceebee on Nov 30, 2020 10:21:16 GMT
My view is that he set up shop based on the old rules - what has changed since then? Oh, London has dropped DOWN a tier. Pretty compelling argument right there to keep the capacity as is around 750 rather than down to 530.
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Post by fiyero on Nov 30, 2020 10:33:30 GMT
Parliament doesn't vote on the new measures until tomorrow, so perhaps CamMack is hoping there will be some last minute concessions or amendments. Or maybe he's working with Westminster City Council on a 'creative' solution. I read yesterday that the Council has advised its licensed premises that a catering kitchen is not a requirement to serve substantial meals. If we have a substantial meal can we watch a show at the same time? Dinner theatre in the West End! |
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Post by TallPaul on Nov 30, 2020 10:42:15 GMT
A while ago, we did have some reminiscences on a thread about afternoon tea being served at matinees, with crockery still being passed along the rows as Act II began, so there is a precedent. 🙂
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Post by CG on the loose on Nov 30, 2020 10:50:12 GMT
My view is that he set up shop based on the old rules - what has changed since then? Oh, London has dropped DOWN a tier. Pretty compelling argument right there to keep the capacity as is around 750 rather than down to 530. The only thing that has changed are the rules - London was never Tier 3, it's coming out of lockdown at the same Tier 2 it went into it with. |
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Post by partytentdown on Nov 30, 2020 11:05:00 GMT
It's been extended to the end of Feb
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2,383 posts
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Post by theatreian on Nov 30, 2020 11:09:41 GMT
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Post by saral on Nov 30, 2020 11:10:48 GMT
Just had my sorry we have cancelled your booking email
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Post by Mark on Nov 30, 2020 11:10:49 GMT
Absolutely Gutted.
Dear Mark,
I am writing to you regarding your booking to see LES MISÉRABLES: THE STAGED CONCERT on behalf of Cameron Mackintosh, the producer of the show and owner of the Sondheim Theatre.
Last week the Prime Minister presented his winter plan for the country to come out of lockdown on December 2nd. As part of that announcement, he surprised everyone in the theatre industry with new restrictions that limit the number of patrons in indoor theatres to 50% of the venue's capacity up to a new maximum of 1,000 people. This is a whole new concept over and above the social distancing measures we have been assiduously following.
When we first announced LES MISÉRABLES: THE STAGED CONCERT in October, we reconfigured the seating plan of the newly rebuilt Sondheim Theatre in order to socially distance patrons and make the auditorium COVID secure. As a result, the capacity had to be reduced to 757 seats. With the new restrictions in place, we are now being forced by the Government to further reduce the number of patrons at each performance to under 600 in order to meet the 50% maximum capacity which has considerable financial implications on the viability of the season.
Sadly, we have no other choice but to reconfigure the seating plan of the theatre once more and I am afraid that we will no longer be able to fulfil your existing booking for Thursday 17 December 2020. We do not underestimate the disappointment this may cause and whilst this limited season was due to finish on January 31st, the cast of LES MISÉRABLES: THE STAGED CONCERT have all come together and offered to stay for an extra week until 7th February 2021, including Michael Ball, Alfie Boe, Carrie Hope Fletcher and Matt Lucas in order that as many as possible of the displaced patrons can be accommodated whilst they're in the show.
We will contact you by 6pm on Tuesday with further information specific to your booking, and the options available to you.
We will also be releasing a limited number of the production seats (normally reserved for the artists) in the Stalls and Dress Circle throughout December and January should you wish to upgrade your booking. Finally, we will be extending the run of the Concert for at least another 3 weeks in February with the acclaimed stars of the new full production of LES MISÉRABLES including Jon Robyns, Bradley Jaden, Gerard Carey, Josefina Gabrielle and Shan Ako, which opened earlier this year at the Sondheim theatre, plus the stars of the UK National Tour, Dean Chisnall and Nic Greenshields. John Owen-Jones will continue to play the role of Jean Valjean at certain performances. You will have access to all of these tickets ahead of their release to the general public.
The financial implications of the Government's new directive have put a massive strain on this production which was, in any event, designed to simply break even under current circumstances. It is now almost certain to make a substantial loss. It is worth pointing out that despite some misleading press stories, the entire commercial sector of the British theatre has received less than 1% thus far of the much vaunted £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund. None of the leading producers, including Cameron Mackintosh Ltd, have been given any help to get through this unprecedented disaster. Yet the commercial sector is responsible for generating over 80% of all revenues across the theatre industry as well as contributing huge sums to the general economy and Exchequer.
We are deeply sorry that your booking has been affected but we hope you understand that the actors (who have been unable to work over the last 9 months) and the production have been put into the most difficult position. We are immensely grateful for your support and understanding during these difficult times.
We will be in touch within the next couple of days, but if we can be of any assistance in the meantime please do not hesitate to get in touch with our Customer Service team.
We hope that those of you who are able to see the show enjoy this incredibly special production.
Best wishes
Richard Johnston
Chief Executive Officer
Delfont Mackintosh Theatres
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Post by ceebee on Nov 30, 2020 11:23:50 GMT
So sorry, Mark. I've had to let down people myself following cancellation of some tickets I'd booked. Feel terrible about it.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 30, 2020 11:27:50 GMT
John Owen Jones and Nic Greenshields would be a formidable pairing. |
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