99 replies to this topic

[xanderl]

Pharaoh, on 01 October 2012 - 09:25 AM, said:

So you gave in too then?!

Yes, I'm weak

Didn't book for The Weir though, so may try the £10 option for that

[Latecomer]

I am holding firm....

[Laughingmonsta]

Having just read this whole thread there are a few things that I found interesting

1) It feels very much like a Mother's Union meeting at a local Methodist church...all so quick to dismiss and be negative and so hesitant to change.

2) Has anyone thought that due to the HUGE funding cuts hitting regional theatre over the last year, that this has had major impact on the Donmar?

3) Because of aforementioned cuts, they have had to look for corporate finance/sponsorship to ENSURE that the level and quality of the productions you have come to love from the Donmar are still achievable, You don't know the negotiations that will have had to have been made, it could well have been one of the conditions of said bank that the scheme and the sponsorship will only happen if X & X happen as well.

4) If 3 is the case, then I would rather the level of quality continue, than this quite petulant moaning about not being able to sit on a front row...if you want the front row then book your tickets two weeks before and save yourself some £££

5) I believe the scheme will bring in a new audience, I have only ever managed to get one ticket previously for the Donmar living outside of London, I had to book on the day public booking opened and it took me nearly 4 hours to do it, if like me which I suspect there are many others in the same position, then this opens up chances of "New" audiences to the theatre and I applaud schemes which aim to do that.

So to sum up, sometimes what might seem a superficial and bizzare change especially in subsidised theatre, may have more elements and conditions set upon it that what might first be seen...and if that means that you who for the past 10 years have been able to sit in the front row for every show means you now have to sit on the 4th row to allow someone who has never visited the theatre before then why not be gracious and show them the courtesy and allow them the enjoyment you have been so fortunate to enjoy of the past decade!

[jaqs]

I dont see how 5 will be addressed, repeated chances to book may dilute the problems of public booking day, or it may make things worse with members, regulars and new people all trying on the same day for a smaller number of seats.

[Epicoene]

Laughingmonsta, on 01 October 2012 - 10:25 AM, said:

Having just read this whole thread there are a few things that I found interesting

1) It feels very much like a Mother's Union meeting at a local Methodist church...all so quick to dismiss and be negative and so hesitant to change.

2) Has anyone thought that due to the HUGE funding cuts hitting regional theatre over the last year, that this has had major impact on the Donmar?

Ah yes, the true voice of the Liberal elite, sneering at the Mother's Union and the Methodist church.

Can you name a single way in which the funding cuts hitting the regional theatre have had a major impact on the Donmar ? The Donmar's grant wasn't cut at all was it ? This scheme is nothing to do with revenue, it is about (apparently) attracting a new audience, which it will if you count a few overpaid bankers in Barclay's marketing department who will now get handed free seats. It's not even Barclays retail operation is it, it's the full-on Barclays Capital casino investment bank who are benefiting from this - surprised the assorted layabouts who turn up to protest whenever BP sponsors something aren't up in arms over this one.

Laughingmonsta, on 01 October 2012 - 10:25 AM, said:

I have only ever managed to get one ticket previously for the Donmar living outside of London, I had to book on the day public booking opened and it took me nearly 4 hours to do it

Why is the fact you live outside London at all relevant ? Were you trying to book by carrier pigeon ? How many times have you tried and failed to book a ticket on the first day of public booking ? I have never failed to get a ticket on the first day of public booking for all their big shows (like today when booking took less than 30 minutes).

Your post really is as stuffed full of self interest as everyone elses, you like the new scheme because you think it will make it easier for you personally to get a ticket. Nothing wrong with that, but dressing it up with holier-than-thou platitudes about extending access and pouring scorn on people who think they may lose out through the new scheme is disingenuous to say the least.

[Pharaoh's number 2]

Laughingmonsta, on 01 October 2012 - 10:25 AM, said:

5) I believe the scheme will bring in a new audience, I have only ever managed to get one ticket previously for the Donmar living outside of London, I had to book on the day public booking opened and it took me nearly 4 hours to do it, if like me which I suspect there are many others in the same position, then this opens up chances of "New" audiences to the theatre and I applaud schemes which aim to do that.

I live well outside London and have never failed to get a ticket at the Donmar since I became a regular there (a couple of years back now). I'm organised and book on public booking day. I got all the tickets I wanted today for example; same last season, and the season before that, and even Grandage's final season.

As for new audience, I think that a large number of those tickets will not go to Donmar-virgins. Looking at my twitter feed this morning, I saw a large number of people who are Donmar regulars and said they'd be holding out, esp since the £10 side circle seats have now gone up to £15 (increasing prices is not exactly making it more accessible, is it?). Same goes for many on this board, and myself too. I have tickets, but that's my insurance policy- I'd be a fool not to try for £10 front row stalls.

[Abby]

Easiest Donmar booking experience for years! I booked for Julius Caesar and Trelawny, left the Weir to give the new front seat system a go since I'm not too bothered about missing it if it doesn't work out. Especially looking forward to the JC - should be really interesting.

Even without the £10 seats, you really can't knock the Donmar for pricing - a top price of £35 is very competitive for the West End, and for most productions they could double that and sell out comfortably.

[Epicoene]

Abby, on 01 October 2012 - 12:15 PM, said:

Easiest Donmar booking experience for years!

I agree, not sure if this signals some sort of decline in their popularity or just the usual crowd deciding to go for the £10 tickets instead.

[Honoured Guest]

Epicoene, on 01 October 2012 - 11:41 AM, said:

Can you name a single way in which the funding cuts hitting the regional theatre have had a major impact on the Donmar ? The Donmar's grant wasn't cut at all was it ?

Donmar Warehouse Projects Ltd.'s ACE RFO grant this year is 7% less than last year's, so a real terms cut of over 10% this year.

Next year's grant is the same in cash terms, so a further cut of several per cent in real terms.

[Epicoene]

Honoured Guest, on 01 October 2012 - 12:50 PM, said:

Donmar Warehouse Projects Ltd.'s ACE RFO grant this year is 7% less than last year's, so a real terms cut of over 10% this year.

Next year's grant is the same in cash terms, so a further cut of several per cent in real terms.

Thanks for answering my second question. Any thoughts on the first ?