Old theatres in London not fit for purpose

I’m pretty sure the massive man is always that he is large all over. I would go as far as to say he probably shops in the big and tall place and finds shoes hard to get. His head is was an appropriate size for his big frame! And his huge head blocked over half the stage!
Like I said though, in a modern theatre it wouldn’t have mattered because the floor would have been more sloping or the seat angled in such a way that Mr Big Head’s big head ( and shoulders) wouldn’t have blocked so much of the view.

Yes I go with a morbidly obese person, the seats are so small for everyone never mind her. The person in front ends up with their head between her knees and they have to sit forward to avoid this.

Me getting personal? That's ironic.

Why are you getting all personal and arguing about it?

Someone big sat in front of someone small and blocked the small persons view.

Would you tell somebody to their face they had a giant head? It's a shitty way to describe someone.

I’m stating a fact! Old theatre - bloke who was about 6’4 - long legs, big head equals me not being able to see cos I’m a foot shorter! Wouldn’t have been an issue in a modern theatre… people generally tell me I’m short, which Inam, as you were wondering. Gulliver sat in front of me probably gets told he’s tall a lot… which he was .

I didn't mention anything about my body did I? The way you describe other people is less than desirable, I wonder how others would describe your body.

Apologies if you have a giant head and are feeling sensitive about this post! The fact is I could see fuck all.

DH isn’t obese or even overweight. But he’s 6ft 5in, so legroom is an issue, and he’s generally bigger all over (ooo err!). Try as he might, he just finds it hard to lose height.

Having worked in the industry I can tell you a refit is not going to happen. The loss of revenue from having to close for a refit plus the cost of the actual refit would not be doable for many theatres.

😆😉

It’s because you haven’t exactly endeared yourself to people on here by obviously over-exaggerating the issue, speaking about the woman in such a disparaging way, and the tone you’ve taken in replying to some of the comments. We don’t know you from Adam, your birthday treat doesn’t matter that much to us.

her stomach was hanging over onto my neck

No it wasn't. It bloody well was not. That isn't physically possible. Do you think people are stupid?

Next time you decide to fat-bash, how's about you try and make it a little more plausible?

Have you not read the comments that prove this never happened you absolute roaster? 😂

Since she doesn't exist, probably not.

I've not had that issue OP. I love going to the theatre, but I'm tall so I usually have a good view.

I sympathise about the obese person. I sat next to someone equally large on a flight back from the US and her body invaded my seat space, enveloping the arm rest and pressing up against me for 7 hours, all humid & sweaty. It was not pleasant 🙁

There are some advantages to being short then 🤣 although even I find old theatres can be cramped and uncomfortable. And the 7 foot man always has the seat in front of me at concerts 😫

The Leeds Grand seemed to have compromised well when they did their refit several years ago. The stalls were completely rebuilt to more modern standards - I don’t know how many seats they lost but they removed the middle aisle so maybe not too many. The upstairs seats are the old Victorian layout.

OP while I have some sympathy I can’t believe she was so wide that you and your family (presumably at least three of you) and the visibly distressed woman all had her gut sticking into their necks. As for the declaiming man, what a rude prick.

Agree that the raking in some of these theatres is non existent so sitting in the stalls usually results in being unable to see unless I crane my neck around the person in front

How is it the theatres fault of people are to fat to fit in the seats. It’s on the person themselves.

Just go to more modern ones. National theatre, the Barbican, Sadler’s wells East

What makes you think they are making a loss?

Sounds like this chick should have bought the seats either side and two in front and maybe two behind as well. I’ve got visions of her head stuck to some poor bastard’s crotch and her legs over the OP’s shoulders. Fuck me.

Yes, I actually think it's considerate of obese people to buy the seat next to them, so that they can 'overspill' into it.
If I go to the theatre, I wouldn't even want the person I'm with, who I know, leaning on me the whole time, so why would I want a stranger pressing against me for two hours.

If they really wanted to, I'm sure they could get permission to update - a few provincial ones have done this - but it would be a big undertaking and they likely don't feel the need. I definitely prefer the sightlines and comfort of modern theatres. It might have been fine for audiences to be stuck behind pillars or straining to see past balcony overhangs when seats cost half a penny, but when you're handing over a week's wage for a family of four it's annoying.

I agree. The old Victorian theatres are terribly uncomfortable, but I understand the reasoning behind keeping the original furnishings and decor. I just don't bother to go to those theatres. They are so expensive for incredibly uncomfortable seats. No wonder they are making a loss.