Traditional, but Innovative (Royal Exchange Theatre in general)

Member Name: vintage_laurie

Product:	Royal Exchange Theatre in general
Date:	17/09/05 (255 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fantastic set design, mix of productions

Disadvantages: Some seats expensive

The Royal Exhange Theatre is in central Manchester and was the building which bore the brunt of the IRA attack in 1995. The 19th Century Corn Exchange in which is stands has been restored though and, inside, a modern, floating theatre has been built. It's a bit of a shock to see it at first, with the strange stilt-like legs and opaque glass panels, but unless you're very traditional in your architectural tastes, you're sure to be impressed by the design or at least their bravery in installing it.

The main builing, as well as hosting the theatre, hosts several other theatre related attractions.There is the 'studio', which shows smaller and more autre productions. It has a small cafe-bar, open throughout the day for coffee/alcoholic drinks, and a brasserrie, which does quite reasonable pre-theatre meals at about £15 for 2 courses/£17 for 3. There are also two gift shops; one stocking theatre related books and memorabillia, the other with artwork, jewellery, textiles and ceramics by local artists. The second gift shop is definitely worth a look as the work is always impressive.

Prices in the Exchange vary. As an under 25 year old, I can see any of the productions on a Monday for only £3.50, and you get the best seats available at that time - sometimes second row £28 seats! You can also queue up at 10am each morning to get the sofa-like front row 'banquette' seats for only £7; they're reasonably popular, but unless it's the first week of a big production, there shouldn't be a huge queue for them. However, if you're not under 25 or able to queue for the banquettes, it can be a bit expensive at between about £12 and £28 a ticket.

The seats vary in the theatre, with the seats on the stage level being my favourite, even though in rows EFG you are on 'high' chairs where you have to hoist yourself up a little (there are built in footrests). The front of the first tier is just as good, but I find the second tier a little high; you're not looking at the tops of the actors heads, but not far off and if you don't like heights, it is a little unsettling.

Now the best bit, the productions. As I write in September 2005, the upcoming productions include Romeo and Juliet, Harvey and All the Ordinary Angels - so a mix of classics, 20th Century and Contemporary. The cast are, at the very least, highly competent and more often impressive - Maxine Peake in Rutherford and Son earlier this year was wonderful. The set and costume design at the Exchange are equally impressive - I love arriving at the theatre and seeing the set, and being even more impressed as the play begins and it is utilised. Great Expectations earlier this year had great gates floating down from above and gravestones rising up; the sets always contribute heavily to the productions.

Summary: Impressive productions, can be expensive