Theatre ticket refunds???

The Theatre Royal in Plymouth offered refunds or credit notes when it had to pull perforrmances by the Royal Ballet. Our amateur theatre in Torquay had to offer refunds to several patrons during the lockdowns (we stage 10 plays annually) but some donated their ticket refunds to keep us going.

It’s heartwarming to read that some of you have had positive experiences with theatre refunds. I think the particular independent theatre I booked with must have its own strict policy and is not willing to compromise. They did say that, if the performance had been cancelled, a refund would have been given but, because we were unable to attend (albeit for very good reason) - no refund or credit voucher. Oh well, I’m pleased that we didn’t go and potentially spread Covid in our local community. I would have felt very uncomfortable taking two GC with Covid symptoms into a theatre - even though the theatre management thought that would be fine.

DD and I were unable to attend when she had Covid symptoms and was waiting for a PCR test. The money was refunded with no quibbles, very impressive.

I've had hundreds of pounds refunded to me for shows that were cancelled last year / this year. Most offered a refund or a new date; one I was due to go to in January 2021 was moved several times and when the performance did come around (for August 2021) I wasn't confident in my fellow public to be Covid safe enough to attend - emailed the promoter and they've given me a gift voucher for a future performance. The big names, ATG, Nimax etc, are excellent at this. I (used to!) go to the theatre a lot, 2-3 times a month, I've missed it dreadfully.

The tick box for refund protection - my son wasn't able to go to a show and had that refund protection but they wouldn't refund when his partner was ill (it was a one-off Christmas show a few years ago); the terms and conditions were very arbitrary.

We were refunded in full for 3 pairs of tickets last year, bought for 2 performances this year, one has been postponed until next year and so the tickets we have can be used then.

We must have been fortunate. Two tickets were refunded when the theatre decided to move the show forward. As we were just visiting the area we couldn’t make the new date (we left a donation). Two tickets at a London theatre were moved to a different date when we couldn’t attend the original one (not Covid related). And our local community theatre, now under new management, has kindly allowed us a free ticket worth up to £22 for any show in compensation for the £30 gift voucher we were given before the previous owners went under. We support the arts by going to shows regularly, buying food and drink and giving donations when we go. I have family members in the profession who have been badly affected by the pandemic, but can still sympathise with LizzieDrip. I agree that it’s not fair on other audience members to expect close contacts to attend, and not everyone can just write off £90.

Good idea Aveline. Unfortunately that option wasn’t available when I bought these tickets

When I booked tickets for the panto this year I paid extra to make them cancellable just in case. It seemed well worth it to me.

I hear what you’re saying MayBeMaw and really feel dreadfully sad for the many people who, like your D, have suffered financially. Hence why I happily paid a considerable sum for 4 theatre tickets. I have always been a supporter of the arts and one of my GC is training in the industry. However, I fear that theatres will loose people’s goodwill if they don’t meet us halfway in situations such as I’ve described. I agree, we all have a responsibility here but I believe that by ‘encouraging’ people who may be Covid positive to attend a performance, this theatre was shirking it’s public responsibility in favour of money. They wouldn’t even give me a credit voucher for a future show. Therefore, they have unfortunately lost my custom. This does nothing to help those, like your D, employed in the industry.

OP you say you “know theatres have suffered financially - really? Do you appreciate how much?
Several have gone out of business with the loss of hundreds of jobs. Many others have had to lay off creative teams and technical staff - no furlough there.
Forgive me for being less sympathetic than you would like at the loss of £120 because you decided not to go at short notice however worthy your intentions. . My D is out of pocket to the tune of at least £15 k as the opera she was working on in Amsterdam was cancelled three weeks before opening in 2020, so she lost 1/3 of her fee for 18 months work, tge deposit and advance rent on a flat she was going to have to stay in throughout the rehearsal period (previously she had been travelling over one day at a time either flying from London City or €star) as well as her previous expenses. Nothing from the insurers as the opera has technically been “postponed” until 2025 but it is unlikely it will ever be staged after such a long gap.
Her career has effectively evaporated -over 20 years of study and hard graft, frequently for a pittance because of love of the theatre, building up a reputation she could be proud of.And it may never restart.
So when people say “I know theatres have suffered financially” etc etc. I do wonder whether they appreciate what that means.
Of course I agree about the importance of the safety of the paying public but we all share that responsibility.

I agree, and like you Whitewave, I’ve stepped away from it because I don’t actually want to sit in a theatre now, knowing that I might be next to someone who is shedding Covid! People will only return to these places if they feel safe. I was trying to support the theatre but have been really put off by their response.

Sorry I haven’t come across that but it is a shocking response Lizzie . How irresponsible of the theatre.

Just to say I’ve given up for the time as don’t feel comfortable in an old theatre where ventilation can’t possibly be up to scratch.

Yes. We had two or three performances booked during the first lockdown and none if it was returned even though the theatres were dark.

My AC gave me theatre vouchers for Xmas 2019. Twice I have phoned the theatre and twice they have marked the vouchers forward.... now they are valid until March 2022.