A brief letter about theatre tickets and their prices. After seeing the photograph and caption of Tim Supple’s splendidly reviewed version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream (November 2, front page), I decided this was an opportunity for students of the London Dramatic Academy to see the show and asked my assistant to book tickets for 34 students and staff. You may be interested in the following:
The seat prices range from £10 to £47.50. In all the lower ranges the nature of the Roundhouse seems to mean that the view of the action is likely to be partially obscured. Only in the top price seats is there a clear view. The reduction for students and I presume all other groups, is one free seat in every 10. Further there is a booking charge of £2.50 on every ticket. Do I need to say more?
My memories of the Roundhouse extend back to stupendous theatre such as Michael Elliot’s production of The Lady From The Sea, Ariane Mnouchkine’s great evocation of the year 1789 and the bizarre experiences that were The Living Theatre.
Then the Roundhouse represented popular and experimental theatre at its best and at reasonable prices. Even allowing for inflation and sheer profit, are these West End prices and individual booking fees appropriate in what is supposed to be a democratic venue? We and presumably other groups did a great deal better at, for instance, The Duke of York’s in the centre of the West End.
Richard Digby Day
Director
London Dramatic Academy
Fordham University London Centre
Brownlow Mews
London
WC1N
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