[kjb]

Seeing as my recent theatre habit shows no signs of abating, I need to reduce expenditure and one way to do this will be to book some cheaper seats.

However, I love seeing the detail in acting - not only in the actors' faces, but also in the set and costumes etc so I'll miss this if I sit further away/higher up.

So, I'm thinking of getting some theatre binoculars. Does anyone else use them, and if so would you recommend them?

Or, is it possible to hire them from the theatre? (I remember from going to panto as a kid, that they used to have them on the seat in front of you to use for 10p - I guess too many got broken or stolen so that is why this doesn't happen anymore)

Thanks

kjb x

[jaqs]

Most theatres have the red ones for 50p hire.

I use some freebie cardboards ones from the Olympic parade

Have used 'proper' little compact ones before, but prefer not to carry them around.

[Weez]

I got a nice little pair of opera glasses (the technical term for theatre binoculars) for Christmas one year. Apparently they were from a very exclusive boutique called e'Bay, so if you know it at all, it could be worth a browse. Failing that, a nice little pair of binoculars from any camera or similar shop would do the trick. They'd be stronger than opera glasses so better for those trips where you're REALLY FAR from the stage, but to be used with caution if you're not *that* far back. You can often still rent the horrible red plastic ones from seat backs for 50p (inflation ), or you can buy your own pair from the National bookshop for... I forget the precise price but think it's in the region of £4. But if you're a regular theatre-goer, it's probably worth the expense of getting a decent pair of either opera glasses or binoculars, instead of using nasty cheapo ones.

[adamc]

Sorry to hijack this thread but I wear glasses and have never been able to use binoculars for that reason. Does anyone who wears glasses have a solution for this? thanks

[kjb]

Thanks for the replies. I will hunt out the boutique mentioned and see what comes up. For my impromptu visit tonight (£5 ticket - what's a girl to do - refuse? ) I'll see if I can hire some.

Sorry to hijack this thread but I wear glasses and have never been able to use binoculars for that reason. Does anyone who wears glasses have a solution for this? thanks

I have some large binoculars I used for a safari holiday a few years ago when I wore glasses. I found I just needed to adjust the focus so that the image wasn't blurry - and then didn't need to wear my glasses with the binoculars.

I don't know if smaller opera glasses are adjustable in this way, or if they just magnify the image. I guess I'll find out when I buy some.

[Weez]

I wear glasses and have never had a problem wearing them and looking through opera glasses at the same time. Or binoculars, for that matter. O_O

[itsuckstobeme]

I got some opera glasses for £4 from the National Theatre book shop and they have been great.