Royal Exchange Theatre

Unprofessional and disrespectful are the words I can only use to describe The Royal Exchange following their cancellation of ‘Cat on a hot tin roof’ Monday 3rd April.
We fully appreciate that things go wrong and actors are unwell / have accidents and so forth, such is life , and fully sympathise.
However, we had booked our dogs in kennels as a trip to Manchester from our area can be a nightmare . Plus the performance was 3 plus hours long. We were 10 mins from the car park in Manchester @ 6.45 when we got an e mail saying the show was cancelled . Really ? This was so late. Surely the theatre were aware of issues before this time to allow people to not travel quite so far ? No understudies ? We were lost with it all. Then this morning following cancellation we received an e mail from the theatre asking if we’d enjoyed the show !
We raised concerns / questions today with the Royal Exchange by e mail and they replied ignoring all we raised but that we will get the tickets refunded ! Lovely .
No acknowledgement of all extra costs , fuel for 100 mile round trip, cost of prebooked carpark, unnecessary dog kennels and our time.
I was a student in Manchester in the late 70s/ early 80s and spent a lot of time at the Royal Exchange .
I would be reluctant to book again .

I went to watch Wuthering Heights here last night with my mum, we treated ourselves to sit on the second row back from the stage. In the first half of the show I got up to go to the toilet, I was greeted by an usher aggressively asking me where I’m going, when I told them I’m going to the toilet I was told I couldn’t come back to my seats, they would have to move me up the balcony. I explained that I didn’t pay for the balcony I paid for the second row and I didn’t come here to sit on my own I came to sit with my mum, to which the response was well the director doesn’t want the actors to be distracted. I was moved to a balcony to sit alone while my mum had to sit there for an hour wondering where I was and becoming very worried. We managed to find each other in the interval (at which point neither of us were enjoying the show it had been ruined) we went to speak to the manager and he basically said that’s just how we work. We are appalled at how we were treated, you to the theatre to have a nice relaxing evening not to be punished for going to the toilet.

I was spoken to in a condescending and belittling way due to my accent.

I had questions about the circular stage as I haven’t been to a show staged this way before and wanted more information about the seating before deciding what ticket to buy.

In the space of a few minutes, I was explained what the definition of a theatre is and what the word pricing band means. There is no doubt in my mind that the lady in question would not have dared reply in a similar sarcastic fashion to a native speaker.

Prejudice against foreigners is alive and well in the UK even in an Arts Council funded theatre.

Took my Mum here to see Wuthering Heights for her birthday which she really enjoyed . The actors in the play were absolutely amazing and put on a great performance. Special effects were brilliant and the music was nice. The bar and seating were good and the gift shop had plenty of fun things to offer. My only small complaint was how uncomfortable the seats we sat in were and how little leg room you have. I have memories of going here previously as my auntie used to take me to the cafe area as a kid but never to see a show. Would recommend if only for a drink!

The Royal Exchange Theatre is one of my favourites it is such a fabulous place, which everyone should visit! There have been so many fantastic performances over the years, featuring talented actors. My latest visit was to see 'The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart', which was bizarre, but totally gripping! We normally sit at stage level, but decided to dry the First Gallery this time. Wherever you are in this theatre, you always have a great view of the stage - you always feel fully immersed in the scenes. Please make sure you visit!

The immediate reaction on entering the building is what a fantastic place. However I can only surmise that the seating plan was an afterthought. In the upper tier the seating is cramped and for older folk difficult to get on the 'high stools'. Again in the upper levels the view of the 'stage' is only about 60%. There was also confusion re seating for many who were there as seat numbers not easy to find and no ushers around.

Went to see Glass Managerie here. The show was brilliant. The theatre is wonderful and "All Round" 360 degree seating makes it an interesting setting and all seats a very near the actors - no bad seats. So don't be disappointed if you don't get the best seats in the house. The bar and seating outside the theatre enclosure very pleasant also.

Wonderful theatre that I’ve been visiting since it opened in 1976. This visit to see Brief Encounter was great - superb production. Long may they continue to bring new plays along with reimagined classics.

Prior to its illustrious life as a Theatre, it had a long tenure as a trading exchange for textiles, from its opening in the early 1800s. Due to the rapidly expanding industry it was substantially expanded in 1849.

Theatre wise it presents acclaimed performances every year.

Wow, what an evening! We loved the recent production of GYPSY at the Royal Exchange Theatre. We were dubious of the 3 hour length, but it passed in the blink of an eye. Fantastic performance, in one of my favourite theatres. Well done all!