My god! I could start a new thread about my escapades in the upper circles of Londons theatres in the late 70s,80s and early 90s. Anyone ever hid in the toilets of Drury Lanes gallery between shows just to see the second performance for free???
Royal Circle all seats aren't too bad really. Such a shame Cameron didnt have the sense to put this into The Edward and evict Jersey Boys or do what everyone thinks and transfer to a much more suitable smaller space. Im convinced if Priscilla was at the Edward the show would have a much healthier advance and have better views allround.
I think Webber... (It is a Webber theatre its in aint it?) should have drove the bus into Drury Lane, and put Oliver in Palace.... or just not have Oliver at all! (Drury lane is a webber theatre as well right?)
Sadly, when 'Priscilla' decided to come to London, every house that was considered perfect for it was already taken and waiting around would have meant a long delay and the possibility of losing the wondrous Tony Sheldon and a lot of its original production team. 'Jersey Boys' isn't in the house it wanted when it was announced for London.
Oh i know things aren't that simple, but i wish they were, is such a shame about Priscilla, it deserves a MUCH better house! The only thing going for the palace is that is a beautiful building!
Has the Palace had such big problems with any of its shows beforehand?
Would this show have fit into the Cambridge?
Personally I think all London theatres that have a gallery should be refurbished to remove said gallery. Its a way for producers to charge higher than average ticket prices for average upper circle seats and then put pretty much ALL the cheap seats in the HORRIBLE Gallery. I have sat in the gallery 3 times in different theatres, Her Majestys, Sunderland Empire and Newcastle Theatre Royal. Her Maj and the Empire I couldn't see hardly anything, especially the empire because of the bars that obscure the whole stage and you are enclosed like prison bars.
And then theatre royal Newcastle is alright for what you pay. £16 for Elaine Paige where all other seats were £30+. And there isn't massive bars to obscure the view.
So is there any chance of Priscilla transferring to a theatre which better suits its needs - or is it far too early to to tell?
I have to say I was v amused when I realised it was playing the Palace - the venue which probably ignited my love of WET all those years ago (Les Mis) and then RE-ignited it after a lengthy love affair with Broadway (Spamalot).
And I can't imagine this show without the wonder that is Tony Sheldon - to transfer it to London without his Bernadette would have been an absolute crime!
Having said that, I'm very disappointed that the limitations of this theatre as a venue for a musical as big as this seem to have detracted from the impact it's made in the press. It deserves FAR better! (And I'm quite ashamed to admit I had no prior knowledge of 'Priscilla the Musical' before my friend invited me to the first preview - I hope I've made up for it since with my subsequent ticket-buying and rave reviews to everyone I know)!