The "new" Royal Opera House, Covent Garden

[Bluebird]

56 minutes ago, bangorballetboy said:

I haven’t been in yet but my understanding is that there will be a flexible unit that will be both the box office and cloakroom (ie more box office desks available during the day and more cloakroom space during shows):

 

The box office assistants I've spoken to don't seem to have been given this information.  They were under the impression that the location of the box office in the main building has  yet to be decided.  They weren't even certain that there would eventually be a box office there.

[John Mallinson]

22 minutes ago, Bluebird said:

The box office assistants I've spoken to don't seem to have been given this information.  They were under the impression that the location of the box office in the main building has  yet to be decided.  They weren't even certain that there would eventually be a box office there.

 

A piece in the links today talks of "roaming ticket vendors" in the new foyer.

[Lizbie1]

1 hour ago, John Mallinson said:

 

A piece in the links today talks of "roaming ticket vendors" in the new foyer.

 

Not sure how long that idea will survive!

[penelopesimpson]

What is a roaming ticket vendor?  Is it a sort of stop-me-and-buy-one or another word for touts?  Seems a very strange idea.  I always liked the original box office which had an air of quiet dignity about it.  

[alison]

You know those trays with straps that go round the neck that ushers use for selling ice creams in the interval? (do they still, or has the strap been dropped on health and safety grounds?  Now I come to think of it, I keep seeing them with those fold-out stands to put the trays on).  They're going to wander round the tables with a selection of tickets they haven't managed to sell yet and see if they can find a home for them.

 

 

[alison]

BTW, I only stuck my head briefly into the Shop, but were there any dance and opera magazines there?  I didn't notice any signs of them.

[alison]

Okay, some random thoughts, based on a couple of brief visits today:

 

I don't suppose anyone will be particularly surprised at this, given various related comments higher up in this thread and elsewhere, but I noticed that the price of the cakes has been increased by about 1/3 since last season.  (Getting my priorities right here, you notice )  It looks to be the same caterers as previously.

 

The Piazza revolving doors are still there, although apparently not working automatically as yet.  The concept of the former box office area as a link between Bow Street and the Piazza appears to have been abandoned, with the doors where the former Bow Street revolving door was now seemingly being only an emergency exit, and the entrance doors being rather further along.  So I wouldn't be able to use it as much of a short cut any more, if I were still working in the area.

 

Well, the Linbury Theatre looks very swish and new, and I hope all the wood will indeed improve the acoustic.  As others have mentioned, I'm not convinced that the new design will improve the traffic flow in and out, but we'll have to wait and see about that.  I'm also not convinced that the legroom has been significantly improved in problematic areas.  Sightlines from the slips seem pretty poor - as they are for the standing places behind them, of which I think there are 7 on either side.  They may be bearable for a relatively static opera, but I think they'll be extremely frustrating for watching dance.  There are another 7 central behind the seats of one tier, which I trust will be fine view-wise.  The bottom part of the theatre was roped off, so I acouldn't say whether there are any more standing places down there.  Is the theatre still designed to be flexible?  Would they, for example, still be able to run things like Hansel & Gretel and Metamorphosis down there?  I wasn't clear about this.

 

The amphi bar area has a pale beige? grey? (can't tell too well) carpet.  I trust it's been heavily dirt/stain-proofed, because it seems a rather odd colour to choose for an area of such heavy footfall.  The amphi terrace now has big (heavy) glazed doors rather than the previous revolving door, which was introduced because of complaints about the draught.  Presumably something has been done to mitigate that, or we may end up with another revolving door again.  If you turn to the left, virtually the whole of that length up to the end facing Tuttons - i.e. extended from previously - is now glassed in as the bar/restaurant - except a small section at the end through glass doors, which is presumably available to non-diners, except that you'd have to walk through the restaurant to get at it - and not mind being exposed to the elements when it rains.  The other "leg" of the terrace has I think also been extended: half of it is now a bar with stools and counters, and only beyond that can you go and sit freely and get some fresh air, not to mention whatever precipitation is going, because there is still no covering between the edge of the building and the roof over the terrace, and it's not currently possible to avoid walking in the exposed area.

 

 

[yvonnep]

17 hours ago, Rob S said:

 

At least some of these titles and more are available in the shop.....and if you go right this second Vadim is on display in Floral Street (probably on his lunch break) 🙂

 

Thanks, Rob! Unfortunately I live in the U.S. so I have to rely on the online ship most of the times I'd like to get a DVD of Royal Ballet. Fortunately I had just ordered most of those from the online shop the day before the new version went live, but I do wonder if ROH has decided to remove them from the online shop permanently 🤔

[capybara]

Went there yesterday  and liked it a lot because, to me, it did feel 'open'. So what if it does look a bit like the Hilton Hotel? The colour palette is light and does not scream expense/exclusivity at one.

 

The staff, including Alex Beard, were welcoming (no bag checks), visitors were free to wander through all the 'new' areas (there was a rehearsal in the auditorium) and all the enlarged socialising and eating areas looked good (not altogether sure about the refectory style tables in the foyer, though). Members of the public were snacking/dining alongside opera patrons - great stuff!

 

The new Linbury looks smart and, yes, the seats are more comfortable. However, there are sightline issues at the highest level (guardrail) and in the 'stalls', which are barely raked. Moreover, the access problems of yore (very narrow stairs and a lift on one side only) may remain. The little clips on Acosta, Cojocaru and Yanowsky on continuous play  gave the place some necessary life.

 

So, a promising start with an Open London weekend and lots of people wanting to come in out of the rain.......... Next week, we will see how it all pans out when The Ring is on and there are Insights in the Clore (which wasn't open to view yesterday).

[Yaffa]

5 hours ago, capybara said:

The new Linbury looks smart and, yes, the seats are more comfortable. However, there are sightline issues at the highest level (guardrail) and in the 'stalls', which are barely raked.

 

Would that be affected by the seating flexibility mentioned in the Guardian article?  At https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2018/sep/19/royal-opera-house-linbury-theatre-open-up-stanton-williams it says : The seating can be raked in a steep configuration for ballet, or shallow for opera, or disappear completely at the touch of a button, while a state-of-the-art electro-acoustic system allows the reverberation time to be finely tuned according to what kind of production is being staged. 

[capybara]

44 minutes ago, Yaffa said:

 

Would that be affected by the seating flexibility mentioned in the Guardian article?  At https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2018/sep/19/royal-opera-house-linbury-theatre-open-up-stanton-williams it says : 

 

Ah, that's helpful. Thanks.

We weren't allowed down into the stalls area as it wasn't finished; but it was clear that there was scope for a moving floor, perhaps arena-style as well.

[Yaffa]

On 21/09/2018 at 14:28, Fonty said:

Regarding allowing non ticket holders into the building during the day, broadly speaking I have no problem with this.  There have been times when I have wanted to linger over the photos or costume exhibitions, but haven't had the time during a performance after queueing for the loos.   I like the idea of being able to wander in during the day, and just soak up the atmosphere of a beautiful building.  Not sure about the increased restaurant space.  I would imagine that the number of people not attending a performance who want to eat rather indifferent food at vastly inflated prices would be quite small.

 

But I assume they will not be allowed in to the building in the evenings?  Seating is in extremely short supply, I don't want to see it taken up by people who have popped in to pick up their email!

 

 

 

 

Um, not that I would do anything like that, heaven forbid... but I'd be interested to know what the power outlets and wifi are like in the new 'open' areas. 

[alison]

Can't say I noticed any power outlets, but then I wasn't looking for any.  I'm not sure where you'd put any: certainly not at the tables.  I forgot to try out the wifi, but I assume it's much the same as it ever was - reception in the old box office area was usually okay.

[JohnS]

On 22/09/2018 at 19:53, JohnS said:

'A box office is conspicuously absent - roaming ticket vendors will occupy the space instead.'

 

Does any one know what the queuing etiquette might be for a roaming box office?   Or does the queue also roam?

 

I'm sure all will be well but I can't help wondering if Alice and one or two of her friends might be escaping from stored productions.

[penelopesimpson]

Etiquette:

 

First identify roaming box office person.  (this may be tricky unless they have a roaming desk with them)

Next ask if there are any tickets for tonight.  They will gesture at the crowds and raise their eyes in a 'what do you think' gesture

You can move on to enquiries for next season but someone will ring the bell at that point and the roaming box office will disappear like magic.

Buy a drink instead!

[Bruce Wall]

On 22/09/2018 at 19:53, JohnS said:

I saw the reference to the absence of a box office in today's links from the Metropolis and wondered what it might mean:

 

'A box office is conspicuously absent - roaming ticket vendors will occupy the space instead.'

 

Oh, dear; oh, dear:  For health and safety reasons let's just pray they are not (assuming they are in civilian dress) mistaken for ticket touts and arrested.  Of course, with cuts to the constabulary that may not be too much of a practical concern.   

 

Edited September 24, 2018 by Bruce Wall

[FLOSS]

Remind me what level of security alert is London on at present? I hate to pour cold water on all of this democratisation, accessibility and openess as I am sure that the Opera House is not at all motivated by the desire to increase the earning power of every square metre of the building. But as someone who has had to access a large number of other public buildings, identified by the powers that be, as  high risk sites I can't help thinking that it is going to be very interesting, to say the least, to see just how the Opera House is going to strike the right balance between security for those using the building for the purpose for which it was originally built and giving access to the general public. Perhaps it is not going to bother.

Edited September 24, 2018 by FLOSS

[Mary]

10 hours ago, alison said:

Can't say I noticed any power outlets, but then I wasn't looking for any.  I'm not sure where you'd put any: certainly not at the tables.

Thank heavens for that at least!

 I don't really want to go for my special night out and be surrounded by people doing their homework, watching films and skyping etc.

[bangorballetboy]

35 minutes ago, Mary said:

Thank heavens for that at least!

 I don't really want to go for my special night out and be surrounded by people doing their homework, watching films and skyping etc.

 

Pretty sure the "main theatre" part of the building will not be open to non-ticket-holders during a show.

[John Mallinson]

No doubt we'll find out today with the opening of Rheingold but I was told by an usher that ticket checks would be performed at each entrance to the auditorium.

[alison]

It's occurred to me, after a total of 3 trips to the place, that -- barring the new Linbury season - I didn't really see any literature around anywhere.  If part of the idea is to encourage people actually to try a performance, why not put something handy that they can take away with them so that they can think about it?  I suppose they don't want all that nasty paper cluttering up the place?  Otherwise, surely what will happen is largely that people will come in and make use of the facilities, make the café a nice earner, listen to the free concerts, but not actually take that last step?

[capybara]

37 minutes ago, alison said:

It's occurred to me, after a total of 3 trips to the place, that -- barring the new Linbury season - I didn't really see any literature around anywhere.  

 

I got the feeling that some signage and 'poster-boards' were not yet in place. You're right, we could have been anywhere (for the most part, not even in a theatre). They need to put out some tempting bait.

[alison]

You could be right, capybara.  OTOH, they have already signalled their intention to become rather more paperless by doing away with the booking brochures.  I'm sure we will see some more tweaks being made as we get into the autumn season.

[Lynette H]

So if there is currently no booking office what happens when people turn up to queue for returns ? 

[alison]

I notice the pre-show box office in the Bow Street entrance was still there at the weekend.  Perhaps that's deliberate?

[Coated]

Was there a competition to see how many pillars you can add to an auditorium? The new linbury looks very...pillary 

 

ETA: The brown and purple combo makes the theatre look the closest to puce the 21st century might get outside of  some NHS waiting rooms. 

Edited September 25, 2018 by Coated

[Richard LH]

On 20/09/2018 at 08:10, JohnS said:

 

Thanks Richard - it is a mess.  If you click on a DVD in any of the pages for productions or dancers it takes you to the collections page where there's no simple way of getting to what is of interest.  Good luck with your complaint!

 

I have had this reply from the ROH: 

 

Thank you for your email. I am very sorry about the new layout design, we are working to fix an issue with the filters on the recording pages as you should be able to select opera or ballet and recording type. I can send you an email once this is done as it will be easier to browse this way. I will forward your email to our online time about the search issues too
Sorry again for the inconvenience caused.
 

[Quintus]

On 23/09/2018 at 19:10, Yaffa said:

 

The seating can ......... disappear completely at the touch of a button

 

That should make for a quicker audience turnaround 

[bridiem]

I haven't seen the building yet, but the new website home page is a mess. Huge graphics that are slow to load, and almost no information provided about the ROH. The only Menu options = Account (which for a lot of people isn't going to be relevant and even for those who have an account it's not necessarily relevant at this stage), Basket (not relevant at this stage for anyone), and Search (which brings up a horribly basic search screen). None of it seems to fit on my laptop screen (which is probably intentional - no doubt it's meant to be edgy and interesting; in fact it's just messy). Clicking on 'Find an Event' brings you to the old page of productions (which as before initially only shows those in the autumn booking period, so for those who don't know about the ROH's labyrinthine booking arrangements they'll wonder why there's nothing showing in the much-touted new Linbury). This home page clearly doesn't know who it's aiming at  and what it wants to tell them. It doesn't work for newcomers and it doesn't work for regulars either.

[Richard LH]

Bridiem I agree it is messy, but there are  more options than you seem to have found, as MENU itself is clickable and leads to  the familiar menu of: 

What's on / Your visit/ Eat & Drink/ Shop/ News/ Learning/ Support us/ About  --- each of which lead in turn to the original pages (apart from Shop which has the problems previously identified).

[bangorballetboy]

38 minutes ago, bridiem said:

I haven't seen the building yet, but the new website home page is a mess. Huge graphics that are slow to load, and almost no information provided about the ROH. The only Menu options = Account (which for a lot of people isn't going to be relevant and even for those who have an account it's not necessarily relevant at this stage), Basket (not relevant at this stage for anyone), and Search (which brings up a horribly basic search screen). None of it seems to fit on my laptop screen (which is probably intentional - no doubt it's meant to be edgy and interesting; in fact it's just messy). Clicking on 'Find an Event' brings you to the old page of productions (which as before initially only shows those in the autumn booking period, so for those who don't know about the ROH's labyrinthine booking arrangements they'll wonder why there's nothing showing in the much-touted new Linbury). This home page clearly doesn't know who it's aiming at  and what it wants to tell them. It doesn't work for newcomers and it doesn't work for regulars either.

 

If you click on MENU you get the familiar menu

[Richard LH]

Snap !

 

I am trying to avoid the new front page  as much as possible by using bookmarks to link directly  to the main pages I tend to look at. 

Edited September 25, 2018 by Richard LH

[bridiem]

5 hours ago, Richard LH said:

Bridiem I agree it is messy, but there are  more options than you seem to have found, as MENU itself is clickable and leads to  the familiar menu of: 

What's on / Your visit/ Eat & Drink/ Shop/ News/ Learning/ Support us/ About  --- each of which lead in turn to the original pages (apart from Shop which has the problems previously identified).

 

Thanks, Richard LH - I see that now. Though since MENU is in caps above items in uc/lc, I don't think it's at all clear that it's a link itself - it looks simply like a heading.