A new website is launching this week to map and rate every theatre seat (all 50,000 of them) in West End theatres. www.SeatPlan.co.uk is asking members of the public, tourists and regular theatregoers to leave their own reviews on the site for the seats they've bought tickets for. The website wants people to rate how comfortable the seat was, its general condition, how much leg room was available, and what the view of the stage was like. I think the idea is pure genius!
SeatPlan Editor Tim Sullivan said: “When you buy a seat over the internet or on the phone for a West End show it’s taken totally on trust. The only criteria you can judge it by is its price in relation to other seats in the theatre. However, if you book a holiday online, there are lots of websites with customer reviews and feedback to give you the opportunity to make an informed choice if it’s going to be right for you. The time has come for theatregoers to be more informed about the ticket choices they are offered by box office staff or automated ticket systems. We want www.SeatPlan.co.uk to become an invaluable tool for theatregoers. Anyone who’s had a night at the theatre ruined by cramped knees, a pillar blocking their view of the stage or having to lean forward over a safety railing, needs SeatPlan!”
Tim, a theatre director and frequent audience member, originally hailing from the USA, said: “I’ve been based in London for three years and love its expansive theatre scene. But when
visiting venues in the West End, I noticed a real discrepancy in the quality of seats, even within the same section. Some feel miles away from the stage, while others have very obstructed views (even when they aren’t labelled as such), and some have excruciatingly little leg room (a problem for someone who’s 6’7″ like me!). Obviously everyone is different in height and shape and we want people’s reviews to reflect that information as they rate each seat.”
People can post as many seat reviews as they want - or just one. They can even post reviews anonymously but the site will know who they are to prevent fraud or malicious mass postings. A leader-board on the home page will list the theatregoers who have posted the most reviews. With the launch of Seatplan.co.uk you need never get a bum seat again!
Andrew Tomlins (Editor)
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