
My Guide Website?
The Almeida Theatre
London
The Almeida Theatre is an intimate venue on a chaotic, bustling street. Inside, the stage sits in the middle of the whole auditorium, meaning audiences get a really detailed and different viewpoint, wherever they sit. It's almost like an old Shakespearean-style production layout. There are two tiers to the seating arrangement meaning half the audience sits directly above the other.
The intimacy and smaller size of the Almeida means audiences are treated to a really personal theatrical display where eye contact is made and easily pick up upon; the actors pretty much speak to you rather than the audience as a whole. And what actors they are. Americans that have got the British accent down pat and vice-versa is always a sure sign of confident, seamless acting. Meanwhile the staff and other behind-the-scenes types are friendly and attentive - totally unpretentious or condescending.
Once the production is over, what next? Well, conveniently and most coincidentally, the Almeida restaurant is right across the road from the theatre. It's a great French eatery, all high-quality nosh allowing for the perfect end to an evening of some of London's finest, and largely underrated, theatre.