Sam Wanamaker Playhouse

[Bungle73]

It's a new construction at the Globe Theatre in London; a recreation of a Jacobean indoor theatre. Entirely lit by candles.

I went there today, to see The Duchess of Malfi. Absolutely wonderful; the candle light was so atmospheric. At certain points the light was from the candles the actors were holding, and at one point it was pitch black with only the actors' voices breaking the darkness.

Much smaller than I'd imagined - quite intimate in fact.

 

[Bungle73]

One of the actors in the play was the journalist from Ripper Street btw!

 

[strung out]

I really really want to go to a show here, but given that I'm not in London, I'd need to plan a special trip which would be fairly pricey with travel and accomodation (if I go to an evening showing).

Still, I think I'll try to go later in the year.

 

[Bungle73]

I think the idea is that the Playhouse shows plays only in the winter, and the Globe only in the summer.

 

[Belushi]

Can't wait to go here, I love the Globe, brings a whole new perspective to see a play in the kind of theatre it was originally written for.

 

[tufty79]

Sounds ace

 

[Bungle73]

I was a "Friend" until recently. I did the behind the scenes tour. Got to see all the behind the scenes area, above and below the stage; even got to stand on the stage which normally only the actors get to do.

 

[Belushi]

It also has the best bar on the Southbank, the Swan, which a lot of people don't appear to realise is there and I hope stays that way

 

[Orang Utan]

I think the idea is that the Playhouse shows plays only in the winter, and the Globe only in the summer.

The Globe is definitely open in March cos I'm going then.

 

[Bungle73]

The Globe is definitely open in March cos I'm going then.

The first production in the Globe Theatre this year is in April: http://www.shakespearesglobe.com/theatre/whats-on

What is it you're going to see?

 

[Bungle73]

Last year I did a Midnight Matinee (A Midsummer's Night Dream), and also their "Three Plays in a Day" which was an offer to Friends to see Henry VI Parts 1,2 and 3 in one day and get a free cushion, lunch box, programme and drink. Saw a few "regular"plays too.

 

[Lord Camomile]

Went to a little talk about this when I volunteered as a Globe steward a couple of years back. Would certainly like to get to a play there soon

 

[spanglechick]

What's the seating like in the Sam Wanamaker? I can't do the bench seating in the globe proper any more because it makes my back seize up.

 

[Lord Camomile]

What about the seating causes problems? There are seats with backs to them in various parts of the theatre, and you can also buy little things that fold out like a very mini-deckchair, which give you a bit of lower back support.

 

[Bungle73]

What's the seating like in the Sam Wanamaker? I can't do the bench seating in the globe proper any more because it makes my back seize up.

The benches have actually have a little padding on them.....at least the ones where I was in the upper gallery did. I'm not sure about the ones lower down by the stage.

I did find that the benches could have done with being a bit wider. I couldn't sit too far back as there was the metal rails behind me, and sometimes I could feel the feet of the person behind me if they were sticking them out too far.

I was at the front, so I had the rail to lean on, although I had a post to the left of me so it was a bit more awkward.

TBH I always try to get a seat at the front at the Globe itself, as then you can rest by leaning on the rail.

 

[Bungle73]

If you got for a seat right at the back (in the Globe) there is wall to rest against, but I tried that and tbh I found it more uncomfortable than not having there at all.

 

[Orang Utan]

The first production in the Globe Theatre this year is in April: http://www.shakespearesglobe.com/theatre/whats-on

What is it you're going to see?

Merchant of Venice

 

[Bungle73]

Merchant of Venice

Um, are you sure? Because as far as I can tell they are not doing that play this year.

 

[Orang Utan]

Um, are you sure? Because as far as I can tell they are not doing that play this year.

Yeah they are. Think it's a schools event, sponsored by Deutsche Bank.

 

[Bungle73]

Yeah they are. Think it's a schools event, sponsored by Deutsche Bank.

So not a regular public performance then?

Ah, found it: http://www.shakespearesglobe.com/education/discovery-space/playing-shakespeare

It's not part of the Globe's proper season.

 

[Bungle73]

I notice that says TMoV will be 100 minutes (because it's aimed at kids?) where as regular Globe plays are usually around 3 hours.

 

[spanglechick]

What about the seating causes problems? There are seats with backs to them in various parts of the theatre, and you can also buy little things that fold out like a very mini-deckchair, which give you a bit of lower back support.

The seats with backs cost £££. I know about the foldy things but I don't know if they'd do the trick and it's a lot to gamble on.

 

[spanglechick]

The benches have actually have a little padding on them.....at least the ones where I was in the upper gallery did. I'm not sure about the ones lower down by the stage.

I did find that the benches could have done with being a bit wider. I couldn't sit too far back as there was the metal rails behind me, and sometimes I could feel the feet of the person behind me if they were sticking them out too far.

I was at the front, so I had the rail to lean on, although I had a post to the left of me so it was a bit more awkward.

TBH I always try to get a seat at the front at the Globe itself, as then you can rest by leaning on the rail.

The padding won't help: a cushion doesn't in the main globe.

 

[Orang Utan]

I notice that says TMoV will be 100 minutes (because it's aimed at kids?) where as regular Globe plays are usually around 3 hours.

Oh shit, are there seats for those who want them or do most people stand? I can't stand for 100 minutes, let alone 3 hours! I may have to pull out if it's standing only

 

[Bungle73]

Oh shit, are there seats for those who want them or do most people stand? I can't stand for 100 minutes, let alone 3 hours! I may have to pull out if it's standing only

Well at a normal Globe performance you only get a seat if you pay for one. If you're in the Yard you have to stand for the whole performance. You can sit down during the interval (which the timings usually include) though.

The seats with backs cost £££. I know about the foldy things but I don't know if they'd do the trick and it's a lot to gamble on.

The Gentleman's Rooms haver proper chairs.

 

[Orang Utan]

My back siezes up after a few minutes of standing.

 

[Lord Camomile]

The Gentleman's Rooms haver proper chairs.

They're quite expensive too, aren't they?

The seats with backs cost £££. I know about the foldy things but I don't know if they'd do the trick and it's a lot to gamble on.

They're available elsewhere, in fact you can buy them yourself; could you roadtest one and see if it does any good before shelling out for a Globe ticket?

 

[Bungle73]

They're quite expensive too, aren't they?

Looking at this year's brochure: £30 and £26, depending on the play. Not the most expensive seats in the house.

 

[Bungle73]

My back siezes up after a few minutes of standing.

You're probably best off sending an enquiry about it to the Globe, as that isn't a regular public performance and things may be different, and I have no idea how it wil work.

 

[Orang Utan]

I need to get a shooting stick!