The Alexander Theatre Braamfontein (Joburg.org.za)Recently it was my misfortune to experience the new Lyric theatre at Gold Reef City Casino. Initially my misapprehension about setting foot in a casino in the pursuit of theatrical entertainment seemed rather misplaced. The casino provides a perfect theatrical backdrop pre and post performance. However the nastiness of the environment leaves one feeling cheated.
Imagine the newly renovated Alexander theatre in Braamfontein; it strives to bring nighlife back to the city. Planners and architects envision the ghostly streets of Braamfontein linked by a variety of theatres, cafes, clubs and music venues. Thus the antithesis to the cultural node of Johannesburg exists at Gold Reef City Casino. Although I appreciate that Braamfontein is yet to become this bustling metropolis; why do we need to submitt to the consumerist muscle of the gaming house.
The Lyric theatre is smack bang at the entrance to the gaming floor of the casino. The hungry slot machines are so close to the ticket booth that one is almost forced to give a donation of sorts. Once tickets are bought and there is an hour to kill, you are free to either eat or gamble. Each of these choices is limited to the 'great indoors'. The restaurants all face the gaming floor and one is overcome with the noise eminating from this beast. A headache or earache from the polar air-conditioning system is also guaranteed.
With dinner hurriedly eaten we made our way to the theatre, up a very nice escalator into the fray of theatre goers. I will not begin to comment on the decor or the architecture of the theatre interior, as it really strives to match that of the casino. However the red velvet acoustic panelling on the walls scream "Moulin Rouge" from their slanted positions.
The show was fantastic and after a standing ovation we left our seats. Descending the escalators, with throngs of people leaving the performance, we were pushed out back onto the casino floor. Now I am putting the gloves on (also red and certainly not velvet). Why must I be confronted with the stuffy, dingy and desperate architecture of the casino on my way out?
Some of my fellow theatre goers were lured into the pit, others went for coffee under the fake trees ; but most of us disorientated from the flashing lights fled to the car park for shelter. We were glad to get into our cars and leave. This is something that the casino doesn't take into account. The average theatre goer is not interested in playing the slots or attempting to play a round of poker at 11-30pm. We've been stuck in a room with three hundred people for three hours ; we need a capuccino to review our opinions. We also appreciated the fact that the parking garage isn't fully enclosed, as this is the only breeze we will feel whilst in the confines of the casino.
I was quite disillusioned by this experience. My intention is not to boycott this venue but to be mindful of venues which fall short of our expectations as theatre goers.
Imagine the newly renovated Alexander theatre in Braamfontein; it strives to bring nighlife back to the city. Planners and architects envision the ghostly streets of Braamfontein linked by a variety of theatres, cafes, clubs and music venues. Thus the antithesis to the cultural node of Johannesburg exists at Gold Reef City Casino. Although I appreciate that Braamfontein is yet to become this bustling metropolis; why do we need to submitt to the consumerist muscle of the gaming house.
The Lyric theatre is smack bang at the entrance to the gaming floor of the casino. The hungry slot machines are so close to the ticket booth that one is almost forced to give a donation of sorts. Once tickets are bought and there is an hour to kill, you are free to either eat or gamble. Each of these choices is limited to the 'great indoors'. The restaurants all face the gaming floor and one is overcome with the noise eminating from this beast. A headache or earache from the polar air-conditioning system is also guaranteed.
With dinner hurriedly eaten we made our way to the theatre, up a very nice escalator into the fray of theatre goers. I will not begin to comment on the decor or the architecture of the theatre interior, as it really strives to match that of the casino. However the red velvet acoustic panelling on the walls scream "Moulin Rouge" from their slanted positions.
The show was fantastic and after a standing ovation we left our seats. Descending the escalators, with throngs of people leaving the performance, we were pushed out back onto the casino floor. Now I am putting the gloves on (also red and certainly not velvet). Why must I be confronted with the stuffy, dingy and desperate architecture of the casino on my way out?
Some of my fellow theatre goers were lured into the pit, others went for coffee under the fake trees ; but most of us disorientated from the flashing lights fled to the car park for shelter. We were glad to get into our cars and leave. This is something that the casino doesn't take into account. The average theatre goer is not interested in playing the slots or attempting to play a round of poker at 11-30pm. We've been stuck in a room with three hundred people for three hours ; we need a capuccino to review our opinions. We also appreciated the fact that the parking garage isn't fully enclosed, as this is the only breeze we will feel whilst in the confines of the casino.
I was quite disillusioned by this experience. My intention is not to boycott this venue but to be mindful of venues which fall short of our expectations as theatre goers.
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