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Post by showoff on Aug 26, 2021 22:53:33 GMT
Well, that opened a can of worms... If masks are THAT important, they would be mandated. I speak as somebody at risk of respiratory illnesses. It doesn't mean I can't do my own risk evaluation. I don't need to be surrounded by masked up folk to feel safe, nor do I need lectures on the rights and wrongs. We've had the lockdowns, we've had the rules and regs. We are now in a more free and open interpretation of the rules because the science allows it. So, yes, those who can't handle a more relaxed approach should stay at home if it causes them anxiety or stress. Why should the vast majority be expected to tolerate the kind of restrictions we've had for over a year when death rates are low? It's like asking everybody to take preventative paracetamol because the person in seat A10 has a headache. It's time to manage your own risk - I've seen very many shows in the last two months... I've not been pinged at all nor contracted or spread Covid. Let's stop all the flakey nonsense and enjoy getting back to normal. Millions of people have died around the world of this, it's not 'flakey nonsense'. in other countries they still have mask mandates, it was a political statement that meant it was dropped,certain areas still do require one,like TFL, as masks are important. People are still dying,you can feel as safe as you like, like a lot of other people, but you can still die of it or end up with severe illness. What kind of restriction is a piece of cloth? Seriously? And you call others who want them flakey? Also,you cannot manage your own risk,other people put you at risk, that's the whole point of this, you catch it from others.
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Post by showoff on Aug 26, 2021 20:06:17 GMT
There's so many shows I don't want to miss out on and I'm so fed up of just not doing anything. I have Singin tickets for next week, I tried to get tickets where there are less people in the slips, and I've also booked Anything Goes and a few tickets for the ROH ballet season. I'm really worried hearing that people aren't wearing masks, it just doesn't seem fair that people don't want to just wear a small piece of fabric to give everyone freedom. It's as if we're just forgetting it now in the UK, when people are still dying of it. The vulnerable are expendable and not even worth thinking about. Sorry, I'm just kind of annoyed about it..... We seem to have similar theatre tastes: I too am eyeing up the slips at Sadler's Wells & have booked several Royal Ballet tickets. Though it's depressing booking tickets knowing that there's a pretty high chance that I may not be able to use them. My feelings about the whole situation are way beyond annoyance, more like devestation. I was thinking the same thing, we seemed to be eyeing the same shows. I have the slips seats for next Tuesday so I'll let you know how crowded they were and what the situation was like. I feel the same, I even wonder what the situation will be like this winter too and may have to cancel the ones I have booked. Yeah, devastation pretty much sums it up perfectly.
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Post by showoff on Aug 26, 2021 19:39:28 GMT
I mean,the thing is, it's on everyone to help everyone else. So, I am more vulnerable, I've had the two vaccines, and I will wear a mask, but it's not just about what I do for myself because it's about the spread. So what a lot of people are saying is people who are at risk should stay home and never enjoy anything again because people are fed up now. It's creating a two tier society, I know many people who have still not left their house since last March. It's sad that they can no longer enjoy things like going to the theatre anymore or risk their husband who has dialysis catching this and dying. Exactly. This is pretty much the situation I'm currently in. Before covid I'd average seeing a couple of performances a week. Since covid I've been to the theatre once in the last 17 months, when I saw Mischief Movie Night in at the Open Air theatre last August. I am now agonizing over whether I can risk seeing their repeat performance there on Sunday & see Singin' In The Rain before that closes at the end of next week. (I've already written off Anything Goes, which I'd also really like to see, given the reports on this thread.) I'm so desparate to go to the theatre that I feel my life isn't worth living if I can't go. But I live with my mother, who is currently on immunosuppressant medication. So I've got a hopeless clash between my mental health & my mother's physical health. If I knew the rest of the audience would be wearing masks then I'd be more likely to risk theatre attendance. God, I'm so sorry. I just don't know what we're doing over here, it's not fair to create a society whereby a huge number of people are being asked to either stay home and never enjoy anything ever again or go out and risk your life. It would just be so easy to ask everyone who can to wear a mask so everyone can enjoy life again. It just doesn't make sense to me, but the vulnerable are always bypassed as a whole. I've only been once since last March and it was to the ROH and it was socially distanced and everyone had to wear a mask and did. It's not hard, everyone can wear one on the whole and it's not a hardship. I felt safe the whole time. There's so many shows I don't want to miss out on and I'm so fed up of just not doing anything. I have Singin tickets for next week, I tried to get tickets where there are less people in the slips, and I've also booked Anything Goes and a few tickets for the ROH ballet season. I'm really worried hearing that people aren't wearing masks, it just doesn't seem fair that people don't want to just wear a small piece of fabric to give everyone freedom. It's as if we're just forgetting it now in the UK, when people are still dying of it. The vulnerable are expendable and not even worth thinking about. Sorry, I'm just kind of annoyed about it.....
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310 posts
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Post by showoff on Aug 26, 2021 15:35:31 GMT
I think folk need to accept that risk management is now a personal responsibility rather than something that should be mandated by government, theatres or other organisations. If people feel uncomfortable with the Covid risk, either take the precautions that work for you or simply avoid public gatherings. I mean,the thing is, it's on everyone to help everyone else. So, I am more vulnerable, I've had the two vaccines, and I will wear a mask, but it's not just about what I do for myself because it's about the spread. So what a lot of people are saying is people who are at risk should stay home and never enjoy anything again because people are fed up now. It's creating a two tier society, I know many people who have still not left their house since last March. It's sad that they can no longer enjoy things like going to the theatre anymore or risk their husband who has dialysis catching this and dying.
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Post by showoff on Aug 25, 2021 22:36:01 GMT
It's really crazy that in the UK, we're not doing any checks at all for COVID tests or vaccine status for indoor events.
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Post by showoff on Aug 22, 2021 10:48:14 GMT
I've been in a complete bubble where I've not been fully aware of everything. So I knew Cabaret was coming, but I wasn't aware of the ticket situation or that it was a big thing. I've been on a booking thing these past few days and wanted to get on this and realised what I'd been missing.
Anyway, managed to get some tickets for next year.
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Post by showoff on Aug 21, 2021 17:10:19 GMT
I'm looking to book this, are there any shows or dates Sutton isn't on for? She finishes 3 weeks early, on the 10th October. But scheduled at all shows Oh, thanks for this, I was looking at dates after this time, so good thing you let me know!
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Post by showoff on Aug 21, 2021 16:06:23 GMT
I'm looking to book this, are there any shows or dates Sutton isn't on for?
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Post by showoff on Aug 21, 2021 10:03:43 GMT
Has anyone sat in the dress circle slips here? I'm looking to go, but because of COVID (I'm more vulnerable, but have had both vaccines) I would ideally not like to be surrounded by people, so thought these would be good as there's minimal people surrounding me. Can you see the stage from them? Thanks for any help. For other shows yes and the view is great although you are not square on to the stage. For Rain I was the stalls slips, furthest away from the stage and view was great Thanks, I'm fine not being square on, so long as the view is OK. Thanks again.
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Post by showoff on Aug 21, 2021 10:02:02 GMT
Yes, you'll see (almost?) everything from there. Nearly all the action happens in the area that fills with water and you'll definitely see all of that from there. You should be fine there. Thanks for the reply, I'm definitely going to book them then. Thanks.
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Post by showoff on Aug 21, 2021 7:19:38 GMT
Has anyone sat in the dress circle slips here?
I'm looking to go, but because of COVID (I'm more vulnerable, but have had both vaccines) I would ideally not like to be surrounded by people, so thought these would be good as there's minimal people surrounding me.
Can you see the stage from them?
Thanks for any help.
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Post by showoff on Jun 6, 2020 7:14:51 GMT
But most people will only support the theatre they like, when theatres finally reopen there aren't suddenly going to be people who hate musicals buying up tickets for musicals. They'll be buying tickets, as before, in relation to their tastes. I don't like rugby so it would be odd for me to support sport by buying tickets to rugby. Rugby isn't a great comparison. What would be good is within a sport you do like, because you do like theatre. So, I love tennis, in particular Roger Federer. I don't really like Andy Murray, but as everything is on it's knees, right now I would (if I could safely) buy tickets to see him in the hopes of supporting the sport and therefore it would mean I could hopefully see those I do love eventually. If you see what I mean.
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Post by showoff on Apr 14, 2020 20:22:35 GMT
I wonder how long they leave it till this postponed due to not being able to rehearse before first performance. I so hope it goes ahead as it will probably be the first show ive already booked that's not cancelled. I've booked the first preview with a VIP package so it will be a real treat. I just don't see it happening. Even after this initial lockdown is over, the virus won't be gone, and looking at other countries who are starting to plan their emergence, things like theatre's will still be closed and anywhere where there will be masses of people. We will still be advised to keep a distance from other people, and there's a possibility of a second wave. I just don't see it opening on time.
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Post by showoff on Apr 8, 2020 10:02:27 GMT
Oh no. This is really sad news. I hope nothing is wrong.
I agree with so many posts, I never book to see any show without the TM pages open, and I'm so relieved I'm not the only one who felt a little jolt of joy to read TM had liked one of my posts.
When I joined here, I was surprised and so happy to see THE Theatre Monkey as a mod on here and posting and everything. I had used the website for so many years, it was like having contact with a real life celebrity!
Thank you for everything, but I do hope this isn't the end of TM posting here.
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Post by showoff on Apr 6, 2020 15:29:59 GMT
I was going to ask if anyone thinks they are taking a bit of a risk, and may well have to issue another round of refunds again. I personally don't see theatres being open by September. I think even after this initial lockdown, things won't go back to normal, and then there could well be other rounds of lockdowns as e get new peaks and spikes in the disease as we gradually come back out. Not booking anything until they're open. It will be down to companies like TodayTix etc to try and sell the tickets to that first week or so of performances - can imagine it will be a very slow start. I'm reading on my Disneyland forum (I'm an annual passholder) about people planning their trips for July and I'm thinking they are absolutely crazy. My August trip is already out of the window. No, me neither. To be honest, I don't see myself getting out of here until maybe next year. I have health conditions, so I'm at risk from this with my asthma. When the lockdown comes to an end, it won't mean the virus has gone, it just means more people are allowed to catch it again because the NHS can cope with more people getting it again. My aim is to avoid getting it, so even when it's over I won't be emerging. Then I would imagine there may be another form of lockdown when it appears that they are on the verge of being overwhelmed again.At which point, if theatres have attempted to reopen, they'll probably have to close again (and that's a big IF anyway).
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Post by showoff on Apr 6, 2020 10:09:10 GMT
I don't feel confident enough that theatres will reopen in September to rebook and think personally there still might be social distancing in effect so staggered seating if they are open. I was going to ask if anyone thinks they are taking a bit of a risk, and may well have to issue another round of refunds again. I personally don't see theatres being open by September. I think even after this initial lockdown, things won't go back to normal, and then there could well be other rounds of lockdowns as e get new peaks and spikes in the disease as we gradually come back out.
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Post by showoff on Mar 19, 2020 11:21:40 GMT
It's just such a shame. I missed the televised recording last year. I hope the air a lot of these performances on Sky arts, we will all be missing many performances of so many shows, it would be nice to treat us while we're isolating at home. I believe this will be the end of the season now. I'd prefer they were aired somewhere that is free to view rather than Sky Arts! Yes, I should think it will be. Even if theatres were to re-open in 3 months, which doesn't look likely, they won't be able to get all the non-UK-based singers in to rehearse & I shouldn't think the dancers will be able to stay fit enough go straight back into performances after 3 months of being stuck at home. It looks as if they've all been cancelled now, I can't see even the May dates.
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Post by showoff on Mar 18, 2020 12:07:42 GMT
I was thinking about this too. And also with the Royal Ballet, that's it for Swan Lake for this season. I'm glad I managed to sneak a ticket to the first evening and was lucky enough to see Marianela Nunez and Vadim Muntagirov when I did. It's worrying times all round for the industry though. I am now really regretting having booked for a May Nunez/Muntagirov performance rather than a March one. With the other casts I wanted to see - Hayward/ Corrales, Naghdi/Ball, Magri/Sambe - all coming later in the run, it means I still have never managed to see a live Swan Lake. Guess I'll have to dig out the recording from the original run that was on the TV last Christmas. Oh well, on the plus side at least I now don't have to feel guilty about not booking for The Dante Project! It's just such a shame. I missed the televised recording last year. I hope the air a lot of these performances on Sky arts, we will all be missing many performances of so many shows, it would be nice to treat us while we're isolating at home. I believe this will be the end of the season now.
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Post by showoff on Mar 17, 2020 13:34:27 GMT
Very sad for shows/casts/crews etc. who may have performed their last shows without realising. I was thinking about this too. And also with the Royal Ballet, that's it for Swan Lake for this season. I'm glad I managed to sneak a ticket to the first evening and was lucky enough to see Marianela Nunez and Vadim Muntagirov when I did. It's worrying times all round for the industry though.
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Post by showoff on Mar 16, 2020 20:48:17 GMT
I have been, had to go out to get some supplies and medication today and then back to it.
I'm asthmatic and whenever I get a cough it turns into a bad lung infection which gives me attacks, so I'm playing it safe.
To know I won't be going out until June seems crazy though. But being out today, I don't feel as if I'm missing much, everyone is frazzled and I was worried to touch anything.
I hope everyone stats safe.
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Post by showoff on Mar 16, 2020 18:05:15 GMT
With the announcement from the Prime Minister that people should avoid ‘non essential contact’ means all theatre will be cancelled for the foreseeable future. Sad times ahead. Not quite though. He phrased it in such as a way, not a ban, only recommended, I'm not sure theatres will be able to use that in their insurance, so we may have some stay open for a while until his hand is forced. Honestly, the man is not suited to the job. No decisive action, all bluster, and it leaves people in an awkward position.
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Post by showoff on Mar 16, 2020 18:03:21 GMT
What do we think about ATG and Delfont being so adamant about staying open? Is it bone headedness at this point given how seriously Broadway et al are taking it and going dark?
As much as I really don't want the theatres to close, I do understand why they should.
But really I think it should be down to the theatregoers themselves to decide if they're well enough to attend without putting themselves/others at risk. Not everyone would follow this though, not wanting to miss out on a show as it may be their only chance to go.
If all the theatres shut, who knows when they'll re-open? Who decides it'd be "safe" enough?
It really shouldn't. The thing is, someone may make the decision they are fine, go and give it to their whole family, resulting in at least one death. It puts seeing a show into perspective, just because it's their one chance to go.
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Post by showoff on Mar 16, 2020 14:02:19 GMT
They'll stay open and until otherwise. If they shut voluntarily they'll be responsible for payments to staff etc even if it is two weeks severance or similar. If government do it, it's force majeure and they don't have to pay. Simple as that. Audience numbers are collapsing but producers hanging on so that force majeure works for them. That's my guess anyway. Yes, I agree, they're waiting for the government and then they can claim insurance. The trouble is the government don't care either, so it's just the general public who will suffer.
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Post by showoff on Mar 16, 2020 13:10:05 GMT
Honestly, I find this highly irresponsible.
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Post by showoff on Jan 14, 2020 12:30:11 GMT
I'm looking to go in this box when I go. Which seats did you have? Do you think the ones towards the front of the box are better, or the back? So glad you enjoyed it, and happy Birthday! The seating was unassigned in the box, as I was the first one in there I tested each seat and preferred the view at the back of the box. The chairs can be moved. I also liked the back because I meant I could lean over as much as I wanted without disturbing anyone. Thank you! Thanks for this. I guess the same must be true of the dress circle box 2 as well? This is what I'm looking at for later in the month. I want to see the flying up close!
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Post by showoff on Jan 11, 2020 22:03:00 GMT
Saw this tonight on a whim, and there is a tradition to see a Disney show for my birthday if one is available. I was sat in Grand Circle box 2 and I'm not ashamed to admit I completely cried when Mary flew past me at the end. I cannot fault this show and wish it's predecessor Aladdin had been of the same calibre. In no rush to see Mary Poppins again but what a brilliant show, this is the quality Disney should be at. (Also brilliant to see so many well behaved children at the theatre!) I'm looking to go in this box when I go. Which seats did you have? Do you think the ones towards the front of the box are better, or the back? So glad you enjoyed it, and happy Birthday!
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Post by showoff on Dec 20, 2019 19:00:36 GMT
He does have a feel of 'creepy man who lives in the woods in a tatty old caravan' He does, and I just found it cringe worthy, I don't really understand where the humour was at all, but some were killing themselves at a man grunting. Different strokes and all that, but for me, I could have done without him, he added nothing and I found it embarrassing.
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Post by showoff on Dec 20, 2019 15:26:53 GMT
I saw this the other day, it was just nice and pleasant, and pretty much what I was looking for after the effects of the GE, nice escapism.
I loved the tapping in particular, and some of those classic songs, it was pure feel good stuff.
The only part I absolutely hated was that grunting man with the beard. I have never felt to out of sync with the general populace as when he would come on and people were in hysterics and I was cringing for it to be over and he leave the stage.
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Post by showoff on Dec 15, 2019 18:01:39 GMT
Thank you for this, I always find these so useful on these boards every year, there's lots I would have missed in other years.
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Post by showoff on Dec 13, 2019 11:35:52 GMT
I wonder what the effect will be on theatre. I am from abroad and for over 30 years I have been visting London, 3/4 times a year to see new shows. The whole brexit issue has made an impact on me and from the moment I need a visa to get in, I will stop visiting London. Then I will shift focus to New York. I wonder what the effect of brexit will be on London theatre economics. Will you not need a Visa to go to New York though?
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