Top Hat beheaded - really?

[Top Hat fan]

I get the impression that Top Hat ticket sales ARE in fact meeting expectations, and apparently a cast recording is promised. Discounted seats are available on numerous websites, but the back of the stalls and dress circle have poor sight -lines, so beware. Best in my opinion for cheaper seats is the Grand Circle. Yesterday I tried to get a seat in row E (£40) for 30 Aug, but the whole row is already sold out! I opted for row F at £37.25, including booking fee. Not a bad price for a "classy and enjoyable" West End show.

[hermajesty]

That's brilliant I do hope it does well

[Chickiequotes85]

I haven't got round to this one yet. Is it really as good as they say?

[Top Hat fan]

Well, I loved it, and others I know who have seen it (from ages 16 to 86) have been equally enthusiastic. It's faithful to the movie, only it manages to incorporate loads more fabulous Irving Berlin songs. Funny and frivolous, it's an uplifting,feel-good family show.

[MamasDoin'Fine]

...but it's not selling!
Reality!

[AnythingGoes2]

It's actually doing alright.... The show is cancelling Momdays from September and putting in a third matinee on a Tuesday. The matinees have the advance.
The show is yet to put on huge discount offers. The producers of the show are in for the long run of this.

I am not sure it will run for a long time, but it should see this year out....

Their are lots of show selling far less than Top Hat.

[alterego]

Bet it is selling better than Cat Stevens MOONSHADOW is in Melbourne...averaging about 300 a night in a 1500 seat theatre. It is entering the second week of a limited 12 week run...before London. Good luck with that one.

[alterego]

Bet it is selling better than Cat Stevens MOONSHADOW is in Melbourne...averaging about 300 a night in a 1500 seat theatre. It is entering the second week of a limited 12 week run...before London. Good luck with that one.

[rjm516]

Has anyone sat in the 16 quid limited view seats way in the back? Wondering how limited the view is.

[MamasDoin'Fine]

If they are in the stalls, you won't see the top of their heads leave alone the top hats.
I used to be house manager there and selling those for 99% of productions was a nightmare. I was there for Bonnie Langford doing 'Peter Pan', if you sat in the rear stalls you saw absolutely no flying what so ever

[rjm516]

That sounds awful! According to the seating chart, those seats are the back row of the top balcony/grand circle. Same problem?

[MamasDoin'Fine]

Very high and uncomfortable.

[rjm516]

Ok thanks!

[MamasDoin'Fine]

The Aldwych is one hell of a badly designed theatre for todays sightline requirements.

[abitoftap]

So were actors littler back in the day????

[Top Hat fan]

Try googling "theatremonkey Aldwych theatre" for very detailed descriptions of seats in all areas of the theatre - width of seats, leg room, sight lines etc. Mama is quite right about visibility from the back of the stalls or dress circle - to be avoided. I still think best value for money is the Grand Circle, but seats are narrower from row D back. At least you can see the top of the stage!

[Top Hat fan]

Try googling "theatremonkey Aldwych theatre" for very detailed descriptions of seats in all areas of the theatre - width of seats, leg room, sight lines etc. Mama is quite right about visibility from the back of the stalls or dress circle - to be avoided. I still think best value for money is the Grand Circle, but seats are narrower from row D back. At least you can see the top of the stage!

[goldenboy]

What are the best sites for discounted tickets in advance??
Thanks. This Yank would be very grateful.

[Nickhutson]

This show doesn't do discounts.

[ClapYo'Hands]

^^ ...Foolishly.

[Top Hat fan]

Unfortunately the offers through "get into London theatre" for the Olympic period for Top Hat and other shows has now closed, so I would go to "compare theatre tickets.com" and see what comes up for your chosen date. If you can take a child, or children (under 16) with you, there are free or discounted tickets for the children during the "kids week" period (1 - 31 Aug). Go to "kids week.co.uk". Also check out sight-lines, comfort, leg-room etc at "theatre monkey". All the best!

[Mark_E]

Finally got around to seeing this tonight!

Bought my ticket around 5:30pm and the best offer was top price for I think £35, but I just opted for a £20 seat in the upper circle. Luckily when I arrived at the theatre at 7pm I was told the upper circle was closed and I'd been upgraded to the front row of the stalls! The stage is very low and set quite far back so I had the most brilliant view! The Stalls/Dress seemed pretty full.

I really loved the show. It was such an easy show to watch and just enjoy it without thinking too much about it. The dancing was top notch, and I especially loved Summer Strallen, although she has been great in every show I've seen her in. I thought production wise it was top quality, really great sets.

I can sort of tell now that I've seen it why they may not be doing many discounts. A cast of 31, a big band and surely a large backstage team must make it a very expensive show to run, so they need to try and get top whack for as many tickets as possible.

[rjm516]

Hmm. I have been on the fence about seeing it with no discounts or day seats so it's nice to get a push in the 'yes' direction.

[bob8rich]

Have no idea how tickets are selling and don't know much about discounts either as I rarely get a chance to take the opportunity for discount seats. All I know is - I LOVED the show when I saw it in May! As Mark_E said, it's a "just sit back and enjoy" show. Great dancing, great performances (especially Ricardo Afonso!), witty script - and a great Berlin score. I enjoyed it more than Singing In The Rain - not that I disliked SITR coz that was a delight too. But this was even better IMO.

[Princeton Returns]

I actually almost agree with Bob, I enjoyed it to (on tour) although I think SITR is atronger. I do wish they had a stronger leading man, Tom Chambers is good but I cant help but feel Sean Palmer or Adam Garcia would be better (they would also be great in SITR when Adam Cooper leaves)

[MamasDoin'Fine]

Latest is is that they plan to try & keep it open until mid/late Sept!
There is a major show wanting the Aldwych in particular from the end of Oct.