The Arts Theatre Cambridge — Attraction in Cambridge

Attended the Lion Inside show at Cambridge Art Theatre with my little daughter for the first time. Unfortunately, the seating arrangements were not child-friendly at all. Despite sitting in a double booster, my daughter struggled to see, and many kids around us were crying or getting restless due to the poor visibility. Additionally, the lack of popcorn or crisps at the coffee shop was disappointing, as it only offered tea, coffee, sweets, and chocolate. The chairs were uncomfortably tight together, and it seemed like they weren't designed with different height levels in mind. Despite these challenges, the Lion Inside show itself was nice. However, there was a noticeable discrepancy in sound levels, with the music often overpowering the singer's voice. This made it difficult to fully appreciate the performance. Overall, while the experience had its shortcomings, we believe that the theatre could be better than this and hope for improvements...

Booking tickets I was assured that a friend who is hard of hearing will be supported with a sound link (headphones connected to inner sound network, common practice). She arrived at the theatre to be told by a rather indifferent IT guy that "it doesn't work now". No apology, he didn't understand her problem at all, not a slight tint of empathy. She learnt from him it's not a new problem (weeks), IT knew, but just didn't tell others customer service. They plan to do something about it in Spring (it was in November). Terrible attitude! It actually started with how impossible booking on the website was, very slow, confirmations didn't work. The lady at the ticket office advised to come in person, and was helpful. The performance itself was fine. She just struggled to understand what she...

The theatre seems to have spent a lot of money modernising the area outside the auditorium and stage, and it does look modern and clean. However, the guts of any theatre for the paying public is the seating which is old and uncomfortable. My first time at this theatre was for a poor production of Romeo and Juliet. Stage by University students it was minimalist, and that is an understatement. Yet it cost me as much as it has for a ticket to a show in April staged by professionals. To rub salt in, they also charge a booking fee. Some of this money should be spent on new, modern and comfortable seating, all in all I feel ripped off for paying £30+ for a well below average staging of the play and all I have to remember it...