Carmen at the Towngate Theatre Basildon Review
Carmen
Towngate Theatre, Basildon
Reviewed by Emily Draycott
I’m not really a fan of local theatres and always expect squeaky seating that smells or amateur dramatic performances where the vast majority of the audience are “friends and family” while the few paying spectators doze the evening away.
But having moved to a location where a night up’town to see a show can now result in bankruptcy I found myself checking out the much closer to home Basildon Towngate Theatre listings.
I was pleasantly surprised at the variety of shows. Lots of things not to my taste but I’m sure are right down someone’s street, such as tribute acts, a medium, troop dance and even wrestling. I opted for a night of culture in the form of the Russian State Ballet and Opera House performance of Bizet’s Carmen. With a 30 piece live orchestra too… beats a night in front of the TV.
Parking and access were not a problem, no queue at the box office to collect tickets and a minor queue at the bar… The start of a lovely evening. The cafe bar is light, airy and reasonably prices. I even noticed they do a nice food menu and ill pop in for lunch the next time I’m nearby shopping. All the staff we came into contact with were friendly, courteous, helpful and smiley. Seating was spacious (much to the delight of my long-legged, 6ft 3 companion for the evening who usually hates theatre seating), toilets clean and plentiful.
The theatre has a cosy, informal atmosphere. There’s no pomp or ceremony and the performance starts on time and with everyone seated. Acoustics aren’t the best I’ve ever heard to be honest but what do you expect of a theatre that seats just over 560 people. And the size means it’s nice being able to see the action. No matter where you are you don’t need binoculars to see the stage and for once I can read the digital translation screen without my glasses on.
Interval drinks are waiting with no fuss or confusion and having plenty of loos means you’re not wasting your valuable leg stretching time platting your legs waiting to relieve yourself of the gin and tonic you just wet your palate with.
Carmen is an opera about a naïve soldier, Don Jose, who is seduced by femme fatale Carmen. He abandons his childhood sweetheart and military duties only for Carmen to leave him for Escamillo. This sees Don Jose eventually kill Carmen in a jealous rage.
All in all I’m thoroughly impressed. With the performance, the venue and even more so that I’m in the comfort of my own bed within 20 minutes of the cast’s curtain call.
Rating: 5/5 
For more information about shows at the Towngate Theatre visit www.towngatetheatre.co.uk.
