cabaret style seating
Thu, 13 Oct 2011, 07:45 amGordon the Optom11 posts in thread
cabaret style seating
Thu, 13 Oct 2011, 07:45 amI 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.
Depends on the play
Thu, 13 Oct 2011, 12:57 pmI think it depends very much on the play, whether cabaret-style seating is appropriate or not. Blak Yak used it at the Sun Room for Picasso at the Lapin Agile, a play which is set entirely in a bar. As drinks were being poured on-stage, so too could the audience pour themselves a drink. The actors need to be aware that they will be competing somewhat for attention and that they must project above the heightened noise level. And not allow themselves to get distracted!
However, it's a seating arrangement that needs to be used thoughtfully, with regards to both the location, and the style of play you are presenting.