An appropriately magical venue (Sadler's Wells Theatre in general)

Name: Ariel_uk

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Product:	Sadler's Wells Theatre in general
Date:	01.09.01 (427 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good acoustics and facilities, Even the restricted view seats have a reasonable view, Helpfull staff.

Disadvantages: Can be a little difficult to find the first time.

Most famous as a ballet venue, this theatre also hosts a broad range of theatre, and musical events (recently these have included : Japanese Kabuki, Cirque Éloize, various tribal drum groups, a musical of The Twits etc). However, I have only seen ballets here, from several touring companies. This is my favourite venue to see dance acts, because the venue doesn't overshadow the perofrmance, but does give an appropriate atmosphere and sence of occasion.

Located near Angel Islington they are a little out of the centre of London, but only a short, well sign-posted walk from the tube (Angel, on the Northern Line), or a short bus ride from Oxford Street. Some bus routes even give you free travel if you have a ticket for the show you are traveling to and from. They also offer a special express bus service to (I think) Victoria and Waterloo at the end of performances to help you get home quickly. There are lots of eateries nearby if you wanted to make an evening of your trip as well.

Booking online (www.sadlers-wells.com) is occasionally frustrating (it's won't let you book seats with a restricted view, but doesn't tell you *why* it won't accept the booking) but their telephone staff are very helpful, and adept at finding the best value seats for hard pressed student types. The website is, however, a good source of information, along with their occasional mail shots.

Speaking of cheap seats, the very cheapest are amazingly good value - Stalls stools are normally only £8 or £7, and provided you don't have a back problem (the seats are literally stools, and you'll be twisting your neck to one side for the whole show), have a surprisingly good view. Thanks to the staff's consideration with regard to upgrading folks from the cheap seats when there are unsold seats elsewhere, I can also say that the more expensive seats are very comfy, and give an excellent view. This is a very modern seeming theatre (no red and guilt
cherubs here!) designed with acoustics and the demands of a modern audience in mind.

In terms of other facilities, the bars are only as expensive as you might expect a London theatre to be, and the cloakroom, while busy, is affordable and efficient. Programmes etc are the responsibility of the various touring companies, and quality and price vary widely. The theatre shop sells all sorts of tie-ins to the performances, from music and video recordings to t-shirts mugs, and novelty packs of garlic. (The later for the Northern Ballet theatre's Draculla)

The split level halls and bars are used as an opportunity to exhibit a few pieces of contemporary art - last time I was there it was some very attractive video installations - which all adds to the cultured yet friendly ambience. Even the strings of fairy lights in the trees around the entrance to the theatre help to et this apart from other, less magical, venues.

But my favourite little finishing touch of any venue, are the Spirits of Saddlers Well. A small plaque telling the story of the original spring that the building is said to stand on announces a small glass circle into the ground, tucked away in a corner. Drop a coin into the well, and watch what happens - I won't spoil the surprise, only assure you that I always make sure I have a handful of change when I'm at the theatre!

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