On Monday we took delivery of 27 boxes containing 8,000 brochures for our autumn season and so the box office is a hive of activity of the 'stuffing envelopes' and 'printing labels' variety as we get them sent out to everyone on the mailing list. They are, of course, also available from the theatre foyer and, over the next week or so, will start to find their way into the usual display racks around the county. The brochure has also been redesigned to an A5 stapled booklet and, so far, the reaction has been very positive. For the first time, the brochure is also downloadable as a pdf file direct from the home page of the theatre website, so do feel free to have a peruse online!
Yours truly was interviewed yesterday by roving reporter Joanna Durrant for BBC Radio Gloucestershire and the first in a two-part segment was broadcast this morning at 9.45 on John Rockley's mid-morning show. The first part focused primarily on the changes to the theatre since the refurbishment - as a general bit of profile-raising for the venue - while tomorrow's part (which should be broadcast sometime between 9.30 and 10.00) focuses on the cult, classic and foreign films we are showing in September. Full details can be found in the brochure, but for quick reference:
Monday 7 September: Blazing Saddles (12A) at 7.45 pm
Tuesday 8 September: The 11th Hour (PG) at 7.45 pm
Wednesday 9 September: Moj Nikifor (12A) at 7.45 pm
Thursday 10 September: Casablanca (U) at 2.00 pm
Friday 11 September: The Shining (18) at 7.45 pm
Saturday 12 September: Shrek (U) at 2.00 pm
Saturday 12 September: The Rocky Horror Picture Show (15) at 7.45 pm
We have already received bookings for several of these films, including a block booking for Rocky Horror, so if you are interested in attending any of the films, it may well be worth your while booking now. Remember, we don't have a huge number of seats to sell and each film is only being shown the once.
Thursday 20 August 2009
Monday 3 August 2009
Drinking in theatres
This is a subject that occasionally gets aired around The Playhouse - namely, should audiences be allowed to take drinks into the auditorium? At present, they are not, although the practice has been allowed for specific events, such as Old Time Music Hall, where it is part of the whole experience and re-creating the atmosphere of Victorian music halls.
However, some people feel quite strongly that patrons should be allowed to take their interval drinks - or even pre-performance drinks - into the auditorium with them to continue drinking during the show. In theatres where this is allowed, glasses are usually replaced (for obvious health and safety reasons) with plastic glasses. This, in turn, tends to result in the sound of cracking plastic as people step on empties placed on the floor.
I, personally, don't agree with the practice and it seems that many performers, playwrights and producers are siding with me (wise people) according to an article in today's Daily Mail! West End theatres have noticed an increasing trend in bad behaviour, some of it seemingly alcohol fuelled, to the extend that BOUNCERS are being employed by some venues! At performance of the recently-closed A Little Night Music, one audience member actually walked over to the side of the stage and 'relieved himself'. Door staff at another theatre have actually been assaulted by drunk patrons. Producer Nica Burns, who co-owns five London venues, is among those hiring security staff because audiences can "get quite hectic and boisterous". Playwright Ronald Harwood, who has two plays on in London at present, has called for a ban: "I am deeply opposed to the taking of drink into the auditorium. I think it is an insult to the actors and the play. The audience should be in the play, not the pub."
The Mail article also relates many instances of performers being interrupted by mobile phones ringing, or texting, or taking photos with phones and cameras. Greta Scacchi relates how one audience member called out during a dramatic moment during The Deep Blue Sea last year and when other people told him to 'sssh' he shouted back "Chill out, I'm only having a bit of fun!"
I shall be keeping a close eye on this one. I suspect the debate will continue for some time.
However, some people feel quite strongly that patrons should be allowed to take their interval drinks - or even pre-performance drinks - into the auditorium with them to continue drinking during the show. In theatres where this is allowed, glasses are usually replaced (for obvious health and safety reasons) with plastic glasses. This, in turn, tends to result in the sound of cracking plastic as people step on empties placed on the floor.
I, personally, don't agree with the practice and it seems that many performers, playwrights and producers are siding with me (wise people) according to an article in today's Daily Mail! West End theatres have noticed an increasing trend in bad behaviour, some of it seemingly alcohol fuelled, to the extend that BOUNCERS are being employed by some venues! At performance of the recently-closed A Little Night Music, one audience member actually walked over to the side of the stage and 'relieved himself'. Door staff at another theatre have actually been assaulted by drunk patrons. Producer Nica Burns, who co-owns five London venues, is among those hiring security staff because audiences can "get quite hectic and boisterous". Playwright Ronald Harwood, who has two plays on in London at present, has called for a ban: "I am deeply opposed to the taking of drink into the auditorium. I think it is an insult to the actors and the play. The audience should be in the play, not the pub."
The Mail article also relates many instances of performers being interrupted by mobile phones ringing, or texting, or taking photos with phones and cameras. Greta Scacchi relates how one audience member called out during a dramatic moment during The Deep Blue Sea last year and when other people told him to 'sssh' he shouted back "Chill out, I'm only having a bit of fun!"
I shall be keeping a close eye on this one. I suspect the debate will continue for some time.
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