Old theatres in London not fit for purpose

[Theatredisappointment]

I went to the theatre last week for a birthday treat and now remember why we stopped going.

in the past I have paid hundreds of pounds only to have people in front of me wearing hats and obscuring the view, people wearing huge puffer coats who are about 7 feet tall again obscuring the view. I’ve had people squashed up to me in the next seat making it uncomfortably and impossible to move, as a short person even I noticed the lack of leg room which means people behind you have their legs pushing into the back of your chair constantly.

This time I saved up and purchased a seat in the circle with no one in front of me. Amazing I thought I won’t have to worry about getting a tall person in front of me. Of course I hadn’t anticipated there would be a morbidly obese person behind me. She’d bought 2 seats obviously aware there wasn’t room for anyone next to her but instead my family and I and the person sitting next to me had to endure her body pressing into the back of our seats her stomach was hanging over onto my neck. Every time she moved which was constantly the whole row of seats moved and people were complaining.

It was a horrendous experience. I said nothing to this woman as obviously she couldn’t help it. During the interval I and the lady sat next to me asked a member of staff if we could move, explaining the problem, but were told the theatre was full.

I don’t blame this woman I blame the theatre (The Ambassador) who have squashed as many seats in as possible with zero leg room. They knew she’d booked two seats and would have seen why when they checked her ticket and yet they allowed everyone in seats nearby to suffer.

The whole theatre needs a refit. It’s unacceptable that you pay hundreds of pounds to be put in a tiny seat with zero leg room and the seats aren’t even staggered making it OK for only the tallest people to see the stage! Never again.

Some people just need to establish a pecking order, shame isn’t it. Could easily have said the seats are so close together you end up with people’s knees in the back of your chair….easier to be unpleasant

I think we need a diagram 😂

Hang on, so you got a free neck pillow for the duration of the show and youre still whining?

People buy extra seats so that don’t get people whinging at them about invading their space..

Oh this thread restores my faith in people, you are a delight 🫶♥️

I find that the cramped seating at the old London theatres and the fact that the whole row shakes when anyone moves around really takes me out of the experience. It wasn't until I finally went to the National and the Barbican that I realised it's a West End thing and not just part and parcel of the experience of going to the theatre.

How did the lady behind you sit in the two seats?
There's an arm rest between them.
She wouldn't have sat on top of that, would she?

I’m with you OP! Some of the old theatres are so cramped that you can’t see much h less you fork out a fortune for the most expensive tickets.
went to a show and had a really tall man sit right in front of me, his giant head obscured two thirds of the stage! And he was clearly uncomfortable, squirming and moving constantly.
I’ve started to lean towards going to theatres like the National where you have a decent view from every seat.

Some must have accessible boxes? The poor visitor who was say behind OP must not have been comfortable 😔

The worst theatre for me recently was the Lyric in the west end. Went in 2022 so not long after the lockdowns and it was so squashed you were practically sitting in your neighbour’s lap!

Prices will go up, the theatre will have to close for a while, and I'm almost certain from your attitude that you'll still find something to complain about.

You should have been in the show, with such a fantastic display of theatrics!

Why make that totally unnecessary dig when your OP insists you dont blame the morbidly obese person?

Why not “are you the theatre maanger?”

I empathise - most of the theatres have crammed too many seats in to maximise value for money. I have had people's knees rammed into my back and also been barely able to see because of a tall person in front of me. I went to a music concert recently and was in the seated bit and a giant woman (both very tall and very wide) stood up for the whole show so that nobody behind her could see. She didn't sit even when asked nicely to (not by me, by the woman sitting next to me who was directly behind her). The couple next to me ended up leaving early - they said they asked to be moved but it had sold out so there was nowhere to move them to. That's the problem with the theatre these days though - I love it but it's a gamble whether you get to watch the whole (very expensive) show without someone ruining it for you by being in your space, blocking your view, or rustling and talking the whole time. (The latter is my absolute pet hatred, there is a special circle in hell reserved for people who talk through performances in the theatre).

I’ve definitely had theatre trips where I’ve been squished in, had tall people in front of me, zero legroom etc. I’ve also been on boiling hot days with basically non-functioning air con. But, I know it’s just part and parcel of going to see shows in the west end where all the theatres were built over 100yrs ago and are listed. If you can’t cope with that experience then you’re better off not going. Just wait for the shows to tour.
That’s why I love the National Theatre and the Barbican. So much more comfortable.

I do agree to some extent OP, but it's a difficult one because our old theatres are so beautiful and full of history. It would be a shame to rip everything out and redo with new modern interiors, but equally they can feel very squashed these days. My DH and I recently went to a show and he was very uncomfortable for the whole performance as he is over 6ft and there is just no legroom at all unless you're able to sit slightly to the side, which obviously isn't possible with someone next to you.

It could be an idea for them to introduce small sections of of more spacious seating for situations like this, as there are plenty of people who it doesn't bother and would be happy to continue booking the normal seats.

Lots of arm rests flip up, as you must know?

Not in ancient theatres.

Most box seats are reserved for theatre packages where you get the seat alongside nibbles, a programme, drinks, etc. and are extortionately expensive. We had them for Cabaret and they were c.£300 each.

I have had box seats as an access measure with disabled DC but had to demonstrate to the access team that a box seat was the best one to meet their needs (DC has a nimbus card which makes the process smoother).

Love that Northern Stage has been mentioned on the thread, one of the best local theatres. Closely followed by Whitley Bay Playhouse who also have great seating. Theatre Royal isn't particularly bad either for an older theatre, stalls and dress circle are great although the upper circle and gallery are more cramped.

You've made an account just to make this thread. People have shown you photos of the seating, and have pointed out you're being dramatic. Every post you write is dramatic, or defensive, which indicates you're at best exaggerating, at worst lying through your teeth.

None of this happened. No man stood up and "loudly exclaimed" because the seats were moving. If she was so large, how on earth was she ABLE to move so much that the rest of the seats in the row moved?

You're talking absolute rubbish, and everyone on this thread knows it.

I go to the theatre a lot and yes many of the older in need of refurbishment ones can be uncomfortable for even someone like me at 5'2", but I don't know how any theatre can mitigate against someone so large that she physically impacts on at least four people!

my family and I and the person sitting next to me had to endure her body pressing into the back of our seats her stomach was hanging over onto my neck

Are you sure you are not exaggerating just a teeny bit

I don’t like the theatre as I get such bad back ache from sitting at an angle (and I’m “only” 5’7”). So I’ll only go if there’s something I desperately want to see. But I don’t expect the theatre to change. They’re old buildings when people were smaller. So although you’re angry, I don’t think there’s anything that can be done. The fact that theatres are packed out shows that other people aren’t as annoyed as you. You can’t control how fat other people are, so either don’t to the theatre or save up and get a box.

Just go to newer theatres? No one is obliged to cater to your personal comfort and you can make choices based on your tolerances.

It's more the fact you are fat shaming her!

Not fat she was Obese. This is what you said.

The the poor woman feels crap due to the man shouting about the row moving.

Then you think you a superior as you didn't say anything. Really are you better?
You should have called her out to her face so she could defend herself if she was inclined to! Instead you slag her off on MN. Hoping everyone will join in fat shaming or tall shaming people.

Yes it is shit you had a horrible experience this time around.
Only way to avoid it is save up and buy every seat around you if you choose to go again.

More proof of the obese poltergeist! Clearly so morbidly obese she is dead and now haunting the thread.

Surprised she wasn't "gorging" or "guzzling" sweets.