[What Is This Feeling?]

Here's a thread to compare the theaters! I've only seen the Broadway version twice, so I have no idea what the Apollo Victoria looks like . Are they relatively the same? Which one is bigger? Just curious.

[Luc]

Where is the Apollo Victoria?

Sorry, I'm only up to date on the Broadway stuff.
So, did I miss something? Is this theatre in NY, and they're moving? Or is it in L.A. or something?

[actor]

It's in London. Where Idina is currently playing Elphaba.

If I remember correctly the Apollo Victoria has about 3000 seats and the Gershwin has about 1700 (correct me if I'm wrong).

Never been to the Gershwin but I loved the Apollo Victoria when I went to see the show in London.

I think someone said one of the producers said that the Apollo Victoria was perfect for the set of Wicked and fit much better than the Gershwin.

[DefyGravityFan]

I've been to both...seen Wicked in the Gershwin and Sunset Blvd in the Victoria. I love the Victoria! While it's a large theatre, it still has a very intimate feel. I didn't get that same feel from the Gershwin in the same way.

[nickhutson]

The Gershwin's stage is wider - and critics have said this doesn't feel right for the proportions of the stage...whereas the Apollo Victoria - whilst much, much bigger than the Gerswhin, the stage is not as wide - so the set fits better into it. Eugene Lee has also brought the set design into the auditoroum making use of lighting and wood framing beyond the proscenium arch.

The AV is a good choice, because the theatre is green inside - lots of green carpets, panels etc. The outside is also slightly more attractive and striking than the Gershwin.



Though, I do like the Gerswhin's "theming" inside with the minature sets and stuff - but, I would feel it would spoil the "wow" factor you get once you walk into the auditoroum - if you've seen the set models and stuff before you walk in.

I'd say probably the Apollo Victoria theatre is better - only because the London show is the biggest one they've staged thus far and the fact it's in London's largest theatre is very gratifiying.

Upon leaving the show the other day, I heard some American children infront of me say "I prefer the London one way more than the Broadway show" - which was kinda nice to hear I am biased, though...

[katethegreat]

I loved the Apollo - would love to be able to compare it the Gershwin, more for the fact it means I'd have been back to New York than because I'd have seen the show there....
The Apollo looks great - like Nick said its all green and silver, which is how it was originally designed back in the 30s. The money that Wicked is bringing in means they will be able to have a full re-furb to bring it back to its original mermaid's palace design, which I'd love to see!

[Belle]

You won't have seen Sunset Blvd in the Apollo Victoria, Defygravityfan... it's never played there. It's "my" theatre, as Starlight Express used to play there from 1984 - 2002, and I went there A LOT! That was before most of the renovations they've done - it was all dark red and gold, where it wasn't painted black. It suited StEx, but didn't suit the gorgeous architecture! So while I'm still sad that my favourite show isn't on anymore, the building's a lot better now.

Coincidentally, when Starlight Express was on Broadway they played in the Gershwin... but the auditorium was too small and steeply raked to allow them to copy the London set, which in the Ap Vic looped right around the entire theatre.

A hint for anyone travelling to London - Wicked is NOT playing in the Apollo Theatre! The Apollo is on Shaftesbury Avenue and is used for plays mostly. The Apollo VICTORIA is about 2 miles away in Victoria, not in the West End really. But if you get a taxi or ask directions to the Apollo, you'll be going very off-course for Wicked!

[DefyGravityFan]

[nickhutson]

History is:

Starlight express for 2000 million years,
then Bombay Dreams,
then Sat. Night Fever (after the UK tour)
Then Movin Out -

...and now some musical about a green person....

[katethegreat]

[loulx]

[quote="actor"]

If I remember correctly the Apollo Victoria has about 3000 seats and the Gershwin has about 1700 (correct me if I'm wrong).
quote]

The Apollo Victoria seats more like 2,400 (or just under). Not that it really matters... I just feel like this is one of the few threads on this particular board I can join in on without getting shot or something!!!

[London_Mungojerrie]

[quote="loulx"]

[London_Mungojerrie]

[nickhutson]

It's certainly bigger than the Gershwin!

[What Is This Feeling?]

but Mega- house Vs. Intimacy

[TR_Wolf]

[nickhutson]

Maybe it meant

Apollo Victoria Vs Gershwin? AV sure ain't intimate!

[loulx]

[nickhutson]

No theatre ever has a fixed amount of seats as they change the amount of seats for each production.

The Palladium is a gorgeous theatre, though.

[ClareBell]

Totally agree with The Palladium is gorg.

I've known theatres to add seats n take away seats depending on the size of the stage.
I used to work for Ticketmaster and quite often I have had to send letters out to people who had booked tickets early letting them know there seats been moved, because the space needed for the stage is bigger than expected. This happened with Startlight Express (Tour), the middle seats needed taking out to accomodate the track. All them people who booked seats there had to be moved.

[nickhutson]

...which is why when Starlight Express opened at the AV - the theatre only had 1,200 seats. Now its HUGE

[loulx]

yah, I know where you guys are coming from at a theatre I used to work at some isle seats got taken out for the starlight tour- we had a big uproar because so many people had booked their seats especially for the view etc... still most people were happy in the end.

I just wanted to make the point that in this case I did actually know what I was talking about!

...just being pedantic thats all!!

[Little_Nell]

I was very impressed with the Apollo Victoria's renovation - so exciting to see it while it's still fresh and un-trampled on.

Wish they'd do up the Bristol Hippodrome some time though. Sure it's had a lick of paint here and there but no major renovations for well over a decade...

[katethegreat]

^
^
^
Its a shame more theatres can't get a money spinner like the AV - so many theatres here could do with some TLC. Some of the new theatres like the Lowry in Salford are brilliant (probably the best theatre from the audience's point of view I've ever been in), but we need to preserve the beautiful existing theatres in this country - not just the new ones!

I can't wait to see the AV fully finished now either - and they need to move the scaffolding off the building next door dammit!

[ClareBell]

I've been in the Lowry, It's like sitting in a glass of Vimto, the interiors all purple.
It hasn't got the ambiance of the old theatres but it is a nice place, if not a bit clinical.

The Apollo Victoria's Fab inside... the green lighting is very apt for Wicked, it did send my eyes a bit funny though!!

[katethegreat]

[ClareBell]

I've only seen a couple of things at the Lowry both minor dance type of shows, but I've noticed they are using it a lot more now for shows like FAME and Rocky Horror that have run their days in the Opera House and Palace.
They even put Grease on at the Tameside Hippodrome, that is scraping the barrel for venues (I danced there as a kid in competitions), they could have at least used the Lowry.

[xsophiex]

Oooo i loved the apollo! Big yet very intimate

[nickhutson]

I remember the first time I saw Wicked there - I was row A of the dress circle, and when I turned around and looked up I couldn't see the end of people's heads. It's vast upstairs more so than downstairs.

London's theatres are going to be getting renovation soon. The theatre where Avenue Q is playing received a lovely renovation. Some though can't be tampered with - due to Grade listings.

[katethegreat]

The Noel Coward? Ok, the seat I sat in there the other week was broken...but I hope they're not gonna mess with the décor too much?

[nickhutson]

Aww - kate, that's terrible. I hope you told someone about it and got a discount. What was wrong with it?

[katethegreat]

The ticket was a tenner, and there were 4 or more free seats next to it, so me and my friend just shifted up! Tuesday nights are quiet methinks
It was fine!
O, it just liked to fold down instead of up

[TR_Wolf]

[katethegreat]

Lol! There was a poll conducted by the stage not long ago about this - pretty much all the main west end theatres fell into the worst seating category, no surprise really!
I'll look it out....

[nickhutson]

The Barbican and National Theatres have nice seating - enough leg room that you don't have to stand up when a large person walks through.

Shame about the exteriors, though...

[ClareBell]

[katethegreat]

[nickhutson]

Yes, Kate. It has to be the most hideous concrete jungle I've ever seen. Reminds me a lot of the New York Theatres...

[katethegreat]

Can't honestly say I can remember seeing a New York theatre - my brief time there was spent on other things, and I didn't have the money to go see a show while I could! They don't really look like the South Bank do they?

[nickhutson]

If my memory serves me correctly, they're pretty drab, grey and lifeless. We do much more exciting facades and stuff...

[What Is This Feeling?]

Yes, you may have the superior facades but do not think you have all the best shows. When it comes to producing ORIGINAL productions, we're tied!

[wls250]