30 replies to this topic

[Pharaoh's number 2]

Sounds great: new plays by Caryl Churchill, Lucy Kirkwood, Martin Crimp, Jez Butterworth...

Except for the fact that "The River" by Jez Butterworth, dir Ian Rickson, will have no advance ticket sales. All tickets available only on the day. Why? Are they trying to draw attention to themselves by the no doubt huge queues they'll get? Some tickets too will be available online on the day- cue website crash.

[drmaplewood]

That's very strange, won't this annoy members too?

[Pharaoh's number 2]

I'm not a member, but I'd be v annoyed if I was. The hottest ticket (and upstairs as well)- that's exactly why one becomes a member! To get those tickets.

[jaqs]

Quite risky, what if its pants? It would no doubt sell out the run in the usual way.

[Pharaoh's number 2]

I complained to them on twitter, and they tweeted this reply:

Quote

We hope this way is fairer - meaning anyone can see the show (not just high level supporters). It's an intimate 3-hander & JTU best suits the play artistically. It's a v small capacity & if sold in advance there wouldn't even be enough tix for members to buy 2 each. We wanted everyone to have a fair chance of seeing Jez's new play.Day seats available online and in-person.

I don't agree with this personally, since if well reviewed, it'll no doubt transfer to a bigger venue (just like Constellations), and thus the whole "artistic" excuse will be thrown out the window. They've had 3 handers downstairs before, and they know this is going to be popular- why not put it there? And if they're really keen on the small space, make the run longer. It's running for less than a month.

Anyway, no point complaining as they're not going to change their policy. It's worth pointing out though that members cannot, by the looks of it, buy £10 Monday tickets for upstairs shows in advance anymore. Seems the membership is meaning less and less.

[young offender]

This certainly looks a stronger season for the Royal Court, which seems to have been a bit off form recently.

I'm sure The River will do brisk business whoever is cast, but we know that at least one Jerusalem alumnus won't be involved - he'll be busy with Shakespeare at the Apollo.

[Latecomer]

drmaplewood, on 11 June 2012 - 11:44 AM, said:

That's very strange, won't this annoy members too?

Yes. It's all very well if you can get up early and queue in London but if you have to travel (eg from Oxford) you have to turn up hideously early in the hope that you haven't traveled all that way in vain! Grrrrr

[Pharaoh's number 2]

Some tickets will be available online at 9am (cue crashing servers), but if you're a) working then or b ) have to leave before 9am to get to London if you live some distance away, then you're stuck. I don't think it's fairer. What would be fairer is to put the damn thing in the main house and be done with it. I'd rather be able see it in a larger space, than not see it at all.

[xanderl]

Yes, a ridiculous policy! Fairer if you live in Sloane Square and can pop to the box office on the way to Peter Jones I guess

I will be giving Choir Boy a miss after the dreadful "American Trade" but the rest sound good and more varied than recent seasons

[Pharaoh's number 2]

The Choir Boy sounded really interesting, and then I saw the writer and thought, nah, not seeing that.