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Original poster

Theatres should stop selling shitty view seats

169 replies

Icantseebecauseofyou · 29/06/2024 00:28

I took my son to the theatre today, we were both so looking forward to it but I can't help feeling that the view was so shit that I've basically paid to see if the guy in front of had nits or not?

The seats were expensive so it was definitely a big treat for us, but still, it was a bit shit.

Why do theatres cost so much? Especially when seats have rigging, barriers etc across the view? Why do seat on the floor cost £300 each then we get people asking why people don't go to the theatre more?

If they are going to sell shitty view seats then they should take a picture from each seat to show this is the shitty view you'll get with all the rigging included and maybe a big fat head in the view too so you know that, actually, it's not worth paying £££ for these crappy view seats?
If I'd seen this photo first, I wouldn't have paid for this seat.

OP posts:
Lovemycat2023 · 30/06/2024 20:51

That does look awful. I would recommend Witness for the Prosecution at County Hall. Because it’s still the original set up rather than a traditional stage it works better for views, and the seats are big too.

Sharptonguedwoman · 30/06/2024 20:27

Icantseebecauseofyou · 30/06/2024 20:14

I get that but your initial response was just silly. I know you can't help being tall, this wasn't a "tall people are twats" thread!

Fair point and sorry. It’s miserable for you and your boy.

Original poster
Icantseebecauseofyou · 30/06/2024 20:25

Doubledenim305 · 30/06/2024 20:14

Just don't go.

Okaaay! I shall sit indoor forever so therefore no need to say anything ever again!

I feel sorry for you.

OP posts:
Grammarnut · 30/06/2024 20:23

Sharptonguedwoman · 30/06/2024 20:01

Honestly I do feel bad for shorter people sitting behind me, but also helpless. My DP is 6’3 which is worse. We really struggle with leg room and try and book end of row seats. It’s not easy, OP and maybe the newer theatres are better as has been suggested.

Show quote history

Frequently the rake is appalling, which is something it is difficult to address once the theatre is fitted.

Grammarnut · 30/06/2024 20:23

Icantseebecauseofyou · 30/06/2024 19:42

Thank you so much for your wisdom

Show quote history

She has a point. I choose the dress circle (more comfy seats) or the stalls if I go to the theatre. It's worth the money. Not that I am paying £300 for the seats!

Doubledenim305 · 30/06/2024 20:14

Just don't go.

Original poster
Icantseebecauseofyou · 30/06/2024 20:14

I get that but your initial response was just silly. I know you can't help being tall, this wasn't a "tall people are twats" thread!

OP posts:
Sharptonguedwoman · 30/06/2024 20:01

Icantseebecauseofyou · 30/06/2024 19:54

Really?

Show quote history

Honestly I do feel bad for shorter people sitting behind me, but also helpless. My DP is 6’3 which is worse. We really struggle with leg room and try and book end of row seats. It’s not easy, OP and maybe the newer theatres are better as has been suggested.

sleekcat · 30/06/2024 19:56

I always look at Seat Plan and I'm short so I try to get close to the front. I always worry about having someone tall in front of me, I've been lucky recently although sometimes have to lean to the side a bit.

Original poster
Icantseebecauseofyou · 30/06/2024 19:54

Sharptonguedwoman · 30/06/2024 19:44

Well I could unscrew my head and store it under the seat….

Show quote history

Really?

OP posts:
Tara336 · 30/06/2024 19:48

Went to the London Palladium a couple weeks ago, we had good seats luckily but I realised I'd seen something else there before and had a terrible view from the balcony as effectively your staring at the ceiling decoration rather then able to see the stage.

CocoPlum · 30/06/2024 19:46

Vgbeat · 29/06/2024 00:50

Can very much recommend the new soho place theatre. We watched Heather's and ot wad amazing

I actually saw this in the restricted view seats on the balcony - we were at the side of the stage and missed a lot of the front action (we've seen Heathers many times so we weren't as bothered), but as the side balcony had no one behind we could lean right over and we were so close to the stage. Kind of wish we'd been on the other side so we could have seen the faces of the parents below us in certain scenes, who were there with a maybe 7yo ... 🤣

Sharptonguedwoman · 30/06/2024 19:44

Icantseebecauseofyou · 30/06/2024 19:42

Thank you so much for your wisdom

Show quote history

Well I could unscrew my head and store it under the seat….

Original poster
Icantseebecauseofyou · 30/06/2024 19:42

Sharptonguedwoman · 30/06/2024 19:39

I’m 5’8” and I can’t help my height. If I’m in front of you, it’s unlucky, I’m afraid. The real problem is that you are up in the gods, the very top seats or nearly. Honestly the only thing to do, apart from checking the seat view is to be nearer the stage. It’s worth the extra money and you can see and hear much better.

Show quote history

Thank you so much for your wisdom

OP posts:
Sharptonguedwoman · 30/06/2024 19:39

Icantseebecauseofyou · 29/06/2024 00:28

I took my son to the theatre today, we were both so looking forward to it but I can't help feeling that the view was so shit that I've basically paid to see if the guy in front of had nits or not?

The seats were expensive so it was definitely a big treat for us, but still, it was a bit shit.

Why do theatres cost so much? Especially when seats have rigging, barriers etc across the view? Why do seat on the floor cost £300 each then we get people asking why people don't go to the theatre more?

If they are going to sell shitty view seats then they should take a picture from each seat to show this is the shitty view you'll get with all the rigging included and maybe a big fat head in the view too so you know that, actually, it's not worth paying £££ for these crappy view seats?
If I'd seen this photo first, I wouldn't have paid for this seat.

I’m 5’8” and I can’t help my height. If I’m in front of you, it’s unlucky, I’m afraid. The real problem is that you are up in the gods, the very top seats or nearly. Honestly the only thing to do, apart from checking the seat view is to be nearer the stage. It’s worth the extra money and you can see and hear much better.

Grammarnut · 30/06/2024 19:01

I've never paid £300 for a theatre seat in my life, even when I lived in London. But theatres usually have a website with pictures of the view from various seats (the theatres I book, anyway), so you can pick your seat with this info in mind. Also, they usually say if a seat has a restricted view and charge less for it.

Blades2 · 30/06/2024 18:58

Icantseebecauseofyou · 29/06/2024 00:46

Yep, especially when big head and big shoulders sat next to him lean forward to rest on the barrier like there's no one behind them!

Show quote history

Don’t be so polite next time, tap him on the shoulder and ask would he mind swapping or moving a bit out of the way

Tiiina · 30/06/2024 18:41

maddiemookins16mum · 30/06/2024 18:37

YANBU, i have stopped going to the West End, I now wait for the big shows to come out to the smaller Theatres. In the last few years I’ve seen Les Mis, Chicago, Six and seeing Come From Away in a few months. All at the fabulous Marlowe in Canterbury. On Saturday we saw Chitty at the Churchill Bromley, all excellent seats and lower prices.

This is a good idea

maddiemookins16mum · 30/06/2024 18:37

YANBU, i have stopped going to the West End, I now wait for the big shows to come out to the smaller Theatres. In the last few years I’ve seen Les Mis, Chicago, Six and seeing Come From Away in a few months. All at the fabulous Marlowe in Canterbury. On Saturday we saw Chitty at the Churchill Bromley, all excellent seats and lower prices.

Toastcrumbsinsofa · 30/06/2024 18:26

I haven’t been to a central London theatre for many years now. The prices are (understandably) high but the experience is so uncomfortable. There's no air conditioning, the seats are squashed together, drinks cost a fortune and there are never enough toilets. DH and I left halfway through the last show we went to because his back was hurting and I had a headache from the heat!

Newgirls · 30/06/2024 18:18

modern theatres are so much better. Milton Keynes is great - you can see well from any seat. Gillian Lyn, Barbican and national are great too. Doesn’t help much if you want to see Harry Potter but worth looking at what these are showing. MK does great touring shows.

BeeStingers · 30/06/2024 18:12

The National is always a good bet too.

BeeStingers · 30/06/2024 18:11

I always do seatview. And as I have got older I have made a decision to go less frequently but to sit in the stalls every time. A privileged position of course. But I would rather see fewer shows and be able to actually see them.

CuteCillian · 30/06/2024 18:06

We are a tall family, DS 6'5', and always book end of row seats. I think this is pretty standard. I would love to be able to pop into the middle of the row if I had short legs but it is an impossibility.

Bellavida99 · 30/06/2024 17:54

Fluffycloudsfloatinginthesky · 29/06/2024 06:39

We went other palace this week. Row C but it looked as if everywhere was great view - and if you look on seatplan I think whole thing was green which never happens! It was very steeply raked so no heads in the way.

I use seat plan before I book anything - have had some great bargains.

Boxes can be good value, they are often sold as restricted and lower price but can still be a good view (just need to lean a little) and the benefit of more space and no one in front of you.

I agree the Other Palace is amazing in every seat. It’s my absolute favourite theatre

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