I recently revealed that my regular ramblings, rants and reminiscences aren’t necessarily published in the order I submit them.
If you don’t remember this (not to confuse matters), it might mean my piece explaining my articles aren’t necessarily published in the order I submit them may not have been published in the order I submitted it.
So, don’t think I’ve come late to the party regarding this week’s subject – I wrote it the day I read about it in the national papers.
I’m referring to the controversial idea put forward by the managements of some West End theatres, that they should dispense with the traditional interval – and plays should continue uninterrupted, as in Shakespeare’s time.
Although, very few theatre bars back then served a decent G & T ‘twixt Acts One & Two.
“May I have ice and a slice?”
“No, thou may not! Clearest off! Thou’s causing a queue!”
We all know the incredible prices London theatres charge for a seat with a decent view of the stage.
So, when I read that one theatre boss commented, “A play that only lasts 80 or 85 minutes doesn’t really require an interval”, my blood started to boil like the witches’ cauldron in the Scottish play.
85 minutes?
If I paid a couple of hundred smackers (plus travel and hotel costs and taxi fares) for the ‘hottest ticket in town’ and found myself out on the street after less than 90 minutes, I’d feel short-changed.
For the money, I’d expect a three-hour spectacular, free souvenir brochure and ice cream, a front row seat and an invitation to meet the cast afterwards.
You’re right. I haven’t seen a West End show for years.
But I know some London theatre seats are uncomfortably small, so even if you don’t fancy an interval snifter, you need to stretch your legs after a while.
All theatres rely heavily on the revenue generated by their bar and some gentlemen of a certain age need regular visits to the loo.
With no interval, rather than disturb fellow theatregoers, they’d have to sit in discomfort all evening – making the audience, rather than the show, ‘Les Miserables’!