An experience I would not want repeated!
is with real regret that I sent this letter to TRAH. It was one of the most disappointing theatre experiences I have encountered. The reply I received was patronising and unsympathetic to any of my points so I have taken the decision to share my letter, which they are aware of, to alert new theatregoers to some of the pitfalls that COULD happen to them. Especially considering there only "solution" if there was a next time was to purchase ALL 8 seats!
"It is with regret that I strongly feel I have to raise a complaint with you about a recent visit to The Albert Hall.
For a very special occasion we booked to see The Cirque Du Soleil on the 26 January 2024 and were allocated Loggia 11, seats 5 and 6. As an added treat we also booked food for arrival and dinner for 2 during the break. Obviously this was not an inexpensive trip, but felt it would definitely be well worth it even at a price of just under £500!
Sadly, this was definitely NOT the case. We were not advised, or certainly couldnt find that we would be sharing a SMALL box with 6 other people, with the even more annoying fact that we were the couple sitting at the back of the box, in front of quite tall people. It made the experience of dining in a box, embarassing, difficult to eat and cramped. It was so cramped the last couple were so annoyed and angry at sharing a box with all of us...the male lost his balance and fell down the step! Eating was near on impossible and trying to sort the food out, with the other guests using the "food" area to put all their glasses etc on was a complete and utter nightmare, and actually spoilt the, not inexpensive experience for us all completely!
The box was also right in front of the "wires" which trying to look over adults heads at the performance made viewing a complete nightmare. We did however notice that there were many boxes completely empty around the hall. In fact after the intermission one couple got up and moved in the box NEXT door and had it completely to themselves. We couldnt take advantage of this because of the food and drinks we had preordered!
I do find it hard to believe that this complaint has not been raised previously. But saying that, surely you, as the hospitality "experts" could keep an eye on people choosing to dine in a box and have some sort of automatic flagging system to advise people that dining in a small box with SIX other adults would not be the most desirable situation and give them a choice!
This was a terrible experience, I believe not only for us, but actually for the people sharing this small area whilst 2 others were trying to enjoy their dinner on their laps, and in fact to try and alleviate the situation we offered some food to the other box guests!"
