Old theatres in London not fit for purpose

Quite 🙄

Some of them up in the highest part you might as well be sitting on a fucking ladder!

Well I’d probably never go to the theatre again if I’d had some random woman’s stomach squashing my neck, so YANBU. You go for a night out and almost get suffocated!

I love the atmosphere of the theatre. But they are very inconvenient. A lot of stairs, view obstructions, no leg room, toilet facilities limited and seats very narrow

I love old theatres and think they’re amazing but I agree, they need to do something about the seating and the legroom. They need to rip them out and start again with more comfortable, wider seats, and fewer rows.

I’m sure that could be done while retaining the character and structure of the old theatres.

The big issue is, of course, money. Doing that will cost them big time and fewer seats = more expensive tickets.

Sohoplace is a nice new theatre. I love the Bridge and also Regents Park

I must admit I do like the theatre seats at the Barbican and the Bridge theatre. Plenty of space, comfortable and not precipitously steep.

Bristol hippodrome is the most uncomfortable theatre I’ve ever been to. Royal theatre Bath however is great.

I’m always sat next to the empty seats that inevitably get filled once the performance has begun meaning I have to get up and let people in when I’m watching the beginning of the show. I wish they’d be stricter about late arrivals.

When we watched phantom a very large lady was supported getting up the stairs to the balcony. Staff helping her suggested multiple times that they could sit her in stalls but she refused. Once seated at the end of our row the stewards had to open a side door they didn’t usually use and we had to go out that way rather than past the lady as she was not able to move once seated without 2 staff helping her. The staff seemed really lovely helping her but they were going above and beyond and were grateful we were all happy to use the side door (uneven steps and very narrow corridor). I felt the woman was quite selfish insisting on the balcony seats and seemingly oblivious to the chaos she was causing. They positioned additional staff at the back in case of fire as they’d need to help her. These are theatre employees not carers. It was fascinating but the staff were so patient with her as she was quite rude to them too.

Almost all the boxes in theatres are a. up stairs, and b. have narrow access as a result of being side on.

Yes! DD1 and i went to see a children's ballet show at Sadlers Wells East over the easter holidays and i was so impressed at the building, sightlines, space. It was a great experience.

Edit to add - and the number of loos in the ladies toilet!!

I am bloody ginormous but often go to the theatre including old London west end. Went to the savoy recently that was horrendous! Never have I ever though had my stomach resting on the seat in front or touching the persons neck! I am very confused.

Exactly!

To the PP asking about Oliver - we sat second row on the balcony (first floor up) and it was a good choice. Was taking a ten year old and couldn’t risk the stalls as I knew someone taller would likely block his vision. End of the row was slightly cheaper and a good choice

Surely easier for you to just choose to go to modern theatres?

Me too, before the show and during the interval!

It's not just the London theatres. I had a very uncomfortable evening in the front row of the dress circle in the Bristol Hippodrome. I am normal weight but have long legs and I had to sit at an angle as there was not enough room for my legs.

I am impressed. I have to go, whether I drink or not!

I went to the theatre on Saturday and DH asked if I'd had a drink. I was like "are you mad?" No way I was risking having to go to the loo in a London theatre!

If we see a post shortly by a woman who’s theatre experience was ruined by the presence of a giraffe sat in front of her we know why

This is why I try to only go to the National theatre. I love the old theatres but some of so uncomfortable.

I go to the theatre quite a lot. I'm very overweight and I've never had an issue fitting in my seat without interfering with the space of my neighbours. Leg room is pretty tight even though I'm not tall. Refits would cost extortionate amounts and most of the theatres in London would be listed buildings so it's not easy to refit. I'd like to think that when they HAVE to do it, they'll think of seat size of the modern era then.

OP maybe get an aisle seat next time as it definitely makes things a little easier.

I absolutely get your frustration and disappointment OP. I agree that the charm of London theatres is fantastic, but they were built for people of 100 years ago dimensions.
At 5’10 I am painfully aware there are theatres that just don’t fit me, and worse I am so paranoid about kneeing seats as it’s something that drives me doolally. The Savoy has already been mentioned as one I will not return to.

To the people intent on making this a fat issue; how is fat different from being too tall and being considerate to others. When I fly I book an aisle seat as my legs don’t fit lots of economy flights. If I was as large as Theatre Lady I would have booked an aisle or front row seat.

Maybe she was one of the twits

Im guessing the lady had a large apron stomach

id email in and ask for a full or partial refund
as your experience was compromised and unpleasant

physical contact with someone else would of made me feel very uncomfortable

this isn’t a dig at fat people it’s unfortunate circumstances

a lot the buildings can’t be refit and to some it’s part of the charm

it’s like Blackpool tower ballroom on the balconies the stair are literally vertical