5 replies to this topic

[alywin]

While looking for suggestions for Christmas presents for myself, I tried to have a look at London theatre seating plan guides (I'm currently operating from the Evening Standard guide from about 1994 and an even older one, but obviously they're becoming more and more redundant!).  As far as I can see, there are at least 3 available: the SOLT guide, TheatreMonkey's guide and another one.  Do you use a printed seating plan guide, and if so, which, and what do you think are its good and bad points?

Ideally, I'm looking for something that goes further than just West End theatres: I'd like coverage of the Barbican, South Bank Centre, Royal Opera House, Royal Albert Hall, Sadler's Wells, and maybe places like Shakespeare's Globe, the O2 and so on.  And other information apart from seating plans, like location of bars and toilets, number of cubicles and so on, would be helpful, too.

Any recommendations, please?

[fringefan]

I like Theatremonkey's book/website best (and having the combination is good), but I think the coverage could usefully be extended/updated as you suggest, since for instance, the Jermyn Street Theatre isn't included, yet that's a central, if small, theatre, where comfort varies hugely depending on where you sit.  I sometimes fare better by simply searching online, but to have all this information covered in one place, comprehensively and independently, would be great.  I suspect though that time and cost are the issues, and any promoter would potentially threaten the independence issue.

[xanderl]

Yes, the Theatremonkey book and website are great. It's the most accurate source of info on the theatres it covers, and very helpful on comfort and access as well as sightlines. I agree it's a shame about some of the omissions you mention but he explains his reasoning on the site!

The Barbican is covered on by Theatremonkey. There are useful guides to the ROH and ENO here - http://intermezzo.typepad.com/

[alywin]

Thanks.  I'm going to the South Bank today, so will see if I can find the whole range at the NT.  What I did like about the Evening Standard guide was that I could write comments all over it, which I don't think I shall be able to do on any of the book-type ones.

[Becky La Rou]

alywin, on 08 December 2012 - 01:36 AM, said:

While looking for suggestions for Christmas presents for myself, I tried to have a look at London theatre seating plan guides (I'm currently operating from the Evening Standard guide from about 1994 and an even older one, but obviously they're becoming more and more redundant!).  As far as I can see, there are at least 3 available: the SOLT guide, TheatreMonkey's guide and another one.  Do you use a printed seating plan guide, and if so, which, and what do you think are its good and bad points?

Ideally, I'm looking for something that goes further than just West End theatres: I'd like coverage of the Barbican, South Bank Centre, Royal Opera House, Royal Albert Hall, Sadler's Wells, and maybe places like Shakespeare's Globe, the O2 and so on.  And other information apart from seating plans, like location of bars and toilets, number of cubicles and so on, would be helpful, too.

Any recommendations, please?

Hiya ... I found a great one called Seat Plan the other day. www.seatplan.co.uk although I'm not sure it does beyond west end? It looks really nice though.

RE bars and stuff...this site has good facility info when you click on a theatre and seat plans too: http://www.officialtheatre.com/ it also has like the Globe and Old  Vic as beyond West End theatres.

Everyone has said Theatre Monkey...I use that too. A lot of information on there.

Hope this helps!

[Becky La Rou]

alywin, on 08 December 2012 - 01:36 AM, said:

While looking for suggestions for Christmas presents for myself, I tried to have a look at London theatre seating plan guides (I'm currently operating from the Evening Standard guide from about 1994 and an even older one, but obviously they're becoming more and more redundant!).  As far as I can see, there are at least 3 available: the SOLT guide, TheatreMonkey's guide and another one.  Do you use a printed seating plan guide, and if so, which, and what do you think are its good and bad points?

Ideally, I'm looking for something that goes further than just West End theatres: I'd like coverage of the Barbican, South Bank Centre, Royal Opera House, Royal Albert Hall, Sadler's Wells, and maybe places like Shakespeare's Globe, the O2 and so on.  And other information apart from seating plans, like location of bars and toilets, number of cubicles and so on, would be helpful, too.

Any recommendations, please?

Also you mentioned Christmas.... do you have any show recommendations? I really want to see something festive with my family next week. I saw Scrooge last week but that was a bit of a cheesy let down (DID NOT like Tommy Steel AT ALL!). I found this christmas theatre post with a few suggestions...I WOULD LOVE to see the Nut Cracker but I can't get tickets for love or money! Anyone know about the Snowman at the Peacock? It was there last year but I didn't see it?

Thanks! xx