cabaret style seating

I was looking forward to seeing ‘Educating Rita’ at the Koorliny Centre, until I went to book on-line and found out the seating arrangements. It is cabaret style, which I don’t like under any circumstances. Koorliny had this for their recent short plays season, which wasn’t too bad, but for a proper full length, quality play what has possessed the organisers to have the whole audience sitting sideways to the stage? About a third will also have their backs to the actors.

A table in the centre of the chairs usually means that there will be drinks clinking, packets of crisps crackling away and not to mention other home prepared goodies that will stink the place out.

Sorry but I think I may very regrettably give this show a miss.

I agree having worked both shows like 'The Old time Music Hall ['n Hole) & Diamond Lill's Wild West Saloon. Your warm props need to rehearse well with punter interjections & sudden nioses, like the crash & tinkle of glass & of punters going to the heads!

I agree with Gordon, Dormaara and Joe. All have raised valid points.

Yes Joe, the "warm props" (cruel - but accurate) have the additional workload of punter distractions instead of an immobile background to work against, yes Gordon there are the problems of less than perfect sightlines and noisy, sometimes UN-savoury nibbles and yes Dormaara it does depend heavily on the show as to whether or not cabaret seating "works".

Like Dormaara I too remember shows where the seating actually enhanced the appreciation of the work being performed. Strangely enough, the show I was thinking of was also at Koorliny - the show? "CABARET" - one which I seem to remember brought the company glowing reviews.

 In this age of downloadable movies and  digital "at home" entertainment, all our Community Theatre companies are hard pressed to achieve desirable audience numbers and Koorliny (in particular Kwinana Theatre Workshop) struggle harder than some others due to their "out-of-the-way" location. With this in mind I ask that people give the production the opportunity to be seen before dismissing it out of hand as "not worth the effort" in a public forum.

   I was speaking to a representative of  Koorliny Arts Centre this morning at rehearsals for another production, and this topic was raised.

It appears that, on the strength of Gordon's initial "review", drastic actions have been taken.

The result is that he, and all the other prospective audience members that were not happy with the cabaret style seating for "Educating Rita" at Koorliny, will be pleased to know that the seating plan has been completely re-formatted, the tables removed and tiered seating re-installed.....unfortunately though - all of you that wanted to share a more "intimate" experience have missed your chance to enjoy a table with your friends.

Perhaps Gordon will get the opportunity to see the show he was looking forward to.

Thank you for changing the seating arrangement. I hope to fit your play back into my schedule.

I understand from a couple of friends that there are several theatrical groups that are really struggling financially, has any one any suggestions of money sources - such as the Lottery? I would hate to think that I had caused a drop in revenue or funds for this show by raising the topic of seating, so I will pay for the printing of the programmes for this production as an apology.

Chookas for a good run.

Gordon

No flames from me, Mutt. Good to see the honest and measured response. Hope this doesn't cause any hiccups in your aspirations at direction. Keep it up.

Absit invidia (and DFT :nono:)

Jeff Watkins

Looking for an Agent? Read this first!!

  Apologies... I was informed that they had returned to "the usual", which from my memory of  KTW's home, has "usually" been tiered.

Apologies to any I have unintentionally misled.

"Each morning is the dawn of a new error" - anon.