The Royal Albert Hall this Proms Season

[teamsaint]

Here's a bit more information:
"As the Hall approaches its 150th anniversary in 2021, a two-storey, double-height basement is being excavated to provide much-needed space for artists, crew and promoters, and to provide more facilities for audiences within the Hall."

So the audience can expect facilities as well? Forgive my cynicism - it will probably prove to be more opportunities to experience their overpriced catering. Which I am sure contributes to propping up the building. I paid £2.50 last week for a paper cup of liquid which bore no resemblance to any form of coffee I've encountered. The staff exchanged it for tea (water+teabag - the rest under my control - more of a known quantity) with an air of familiarity and acceptance.

DIY catering is pretty much essential for the RAH - except - from the bag search signs - they confiscate food/drink in ones rucksacks or bags? Seems like the only way forward is allowing time for a meal (restaurant or other) in South Ken/somewhere, or picnic on Victoria memorial steps in summer weather, and taking clear liquids in under the heading of water - Elderflower?? Vodka?? (I must consult my twenty something children for the nightclub ruses....

Perhaps they should follow the suucessful model at place like nearby Craven Cottage, and offer a "pie and pint meal deal"....

[Petrushka]

Here's a bit more information:
"As the Hall approaches its 150th anniversary in 2021, a two-storey, double-height basement is being excavated to provide much-needed space for artists, crew and promoters, and to provide more facilities for audiences within the Hall."

So the audience can expect facilities as well? Forgive my cynicism - it will probably prove to be more opportunities to experience their overpriced catering. Which I am sure contributes to propping up the building. I paid £2.50 last week for a paper cup of liquid which bore no resemblance to any form of coffee I've encountered. The staff exchanged it for tea (water+teabag - the rest under my control - more of a known quantity) with an air of familiarity and acceptance.

DIY catering is pretty much essential for the RAH - except - from the bag search signs - they confiscate food/drink in ones rucksacks or bags? Seems like the only way forward*** is allowing time for a meal (restaurant or other) in South Ken/somewhere, or picnic on Victoria memorial steps in summer weather, and taking clear liquids in under the heading of water - Elderflower?? Vodka?? (I must consult my twenty something children for the nightclub ruses....

*** or stay at home, I know the only option for many, and listen to the FLAC lossless stream!

I solved this one some years ago but it's come into its own is year. Wherever possible, leave the bag in the hotel room and utilise shirt/trouser pockets for ticket, debit card, hotel key card and a bit of cash for the programme. Dodgy weather may mean a brolly is needed so just take one of those small ones that can be carried easily. Under no circumstances eat or drink anything at the RAH! It's only a two hour concert and it's quite easy to do without. I usually have a bite to eat at one of the many places around South Kensington before the concert, sometimes just a sandwich or something depending on how I feel. It's totally unnecessary to have an interval ice cream (take out a mortgage first) or some other grossly overpriced food.

I then usually find a Tesco Express after the concert (the one opposite Russell Square tube is handy for me) and fill up relatively cheaply.

[PhilipT]

So the audience can expect facilities as well?

I'm going to defend the Hall here. The audience facilities are a lot better than they were when I started promming 25 years ago. In those days, the bar at Arena level was a dressing-room with a few chairs; the refrigeration there was a barrel half full with iced water with cans of lager in it. The urn that was used to provide free drinking water was refilled by the barman from a tap marked "Not drinking water". The audience loos at Arena level were also used (sometimes with disparaging comments) by the orchestra. There was no air cooling system. Other facilities are better too - I can remember seeing a grand piano entering the Hall through one of the audience doors, wheeled up the steps on its side with the legs off, wrapped in a green tarpaulin.

No, I don't like rhubarb's prices either, and the coffee is indeed rubbish this year. But the facilities are much better than they were.

[alywin]

I get the impression that someone thought it would be a good idea to have the promming queues go in earlier, to allow more time for bag-checking.

Well, I grant you, it might have done, but what was the point of making you get in line by 5.45, only to stand there like lemons for 3/4 hour? I trust things have been improved since then - I haven't been back.

[PhilipT]

Well, I grant you, it might have done, but what was the point of making you get in line by 5.45, only to stand there like lemons for 3/4 hour? I trust things have been improved since then - I haven't been back.

It's my experience that things have improved. The last time I went we were lined up at 6:15 for a 6:30 go-in for a 7:30 Prom (although the Stewards hadn't quite grasped that it would be sensible to line up the Arena queues under the canopy given that it was raining). But I can't answer your question, I'm afraid. The thought processes of RAH management are beyond my comprehension.

[PhilipT]

.. and the coffee is indeed rubbish this year.

An update on the coffee: In a conversation over lunch yesterday I was advised by someone who has researched this that an acceptable coffee can be obtained in the Café Bar by asking for "A flat white with an extra shot". This will elicit the reply "It's already got two shots in it.", to which you reply that you still want an extra one. I've not tried this myself, but I have faith in my source. My lunchtime double espresso in the Verdi was fine - perhaps they use better beans up there.

[Cockney Sparrow]

An update on the coffee: In a conversation over lunch yesterday I was advised by someone who has researched this that an acceptable coffee can be obtained in the Café Bar by asking for "A flat white with an extra shot". This will elicit the reply "It's already got two shots in it.", to which you reply that you still want an extra one. I've not tried this myself, but I have faith in my source. My lunchtime double espresso in the Verdi was fine - perhaps they use better beans up there.

Interesting info if I need the caffeine levels involved - thanks. (In my 2nd visit I opted for beer - otherwise it would have been Early Grey tea).

Just noticed this exhibition on at the V&A - must call in and have a look:

Building the Royal Albert Hall
Discover the story behind the Hall as it marks its 150th anniversary.

Saturday, 6 May 2017 – Sunday, 7 January 2018

https://www.vam.ac.uk/event/d9zqPakZ/building-the-royal-albert-hall

( I also noticed an exhibition about Opera and politics....)

[Richard Tarleton]

Richard Morrison in today's Times has a radical solution for the BBC to deal with scalping by the RAH seat owners.

[alywin]

It's my experience that things have improved. The last time I went we were lined up at 6:15 for a 6:30 go-in for a 7:30 Prom (although the Stewards hadn't quite grasped that it would be sensible to line up the Arena queues under the canopy given that it was raining).

That sounds distinctly more sensible :) Maybe I should consider giving it another go ...