London Access Review -
The Producers

Find my other reviews & learn about my reviews here

 

ID: image of the The Producers programme with the text "Access Review" on top

 

General Note

This is a review of the accessibility of the theater, of the lighting/sound/scent design of the show, and a list of content warnings as a way to prep folks with various needs before they go see it.

This is not meant to scare anyone away from seeing the show. Most productions have about the same amount of content warnings and sensory warnings to go along with it, they’re just rarely explicitly written down. 

For some people, knowing these things ahead of time makes it easier to enjoy the show because they know what to expect. And, often, makes those people more likely to see it in the first place. I hope that it’s helpful! 

I am also happy to clarify any specifics, just send me a message or an email and I will respond when I can.

Also please note that I make these while seeing a show for the first time, so I may miss some cues or be slightly off as to their placement/cue line!

Theater

Garrick Theatre

All comments on the accessibility of lighting are in reference to seats in the center of the stalls

Bathrooms:

  • ladies is located straight ahead to the right of the bar upon entering the theatre - the accessible restroom is located right next to it

  • the men’s restrooms are located halfway down the stairs to the right 

  • according to the signs they are on each level, those were the only ones I had the chance to locate

Other theater accessibility:

  • the theatre has to small steps to enter the the dress circle level of the building, but a small ramp can be put down to make it wheelchair accessible - the stalls are down a flight of stairs

  • the theatre offers headsets and neck loops as assistive listening options 

Click here for more information on the physical accessibility of this theater.

Light/Sound/Scent

General:

  • I might recommend earplugs for this show. I had one in and could hear everything just fine 

  • the stage has bulb lights around the proscenium and around the back wall that can range from not noticing they’re on to being incredibly flashy. They are utilized almost constantly throughout every song, I will only note when they’re very flashy so you’re not overwhelmed with cues to remember.

  • the front aisle is utilized on a few occasions 

  • there were a few moments of brief smoking, I believe these were unscented

Act I:

  • about 3 min  of very flashy bulb lights during the overture

  • Opening Number -  after “Lincoln” there are 4 “gunshots” (all gunshots in this show are closer to a drum bang than anything) with a white flash on each 

    • a handful of quick on/offs as Max gets on the safe

  • content advisory for brief simulated sex in the office

  • a few quick lights on one by one after “get back to work”

  • some occasional quick ons during I Wanna Be a Producer 

    • particularly flashy during the kickline, lasting until the end of the song with flashy white bulbs at the end

  • flashy bulbs return during “my big finish!” for ~40 sec 

  • a gun is pulled but it isn’t shot 

  • flashy alternating bulbs after “now Ulla dance” for ~15 sec, returns after “now Ulla dance again” for the rest of the song

  • two bangs with 2 seconds of white strobe on each after “be bold and wise” 

  • white flash for ~3 sec when he puts the medical things on his chest, then some quick shifts during the old lady dance break and a few bright ons after Max arrives

  • a few minutes of bulbs after “he raised the money” when the ensemble comes out 

Act II:

  • music starts prior to lights going down, also same bulb lights during entr’acte as overture

  • some bulb flickering from the back wall during the dance break with Leo and Ulla

  • during auditions, the director at one point screams into the face of someone in the front row 

  • bulbs during the scene change after Franz’ audition, followed by some brief flashlights on the audience 

  • ~2 sec white strobe after “good luck” both times it’s said

  • big crack noise after Franz runs off at the end of It’s Bad Luck To Say 'Good Luck' on Opening Night

  • Springtime… - lots of accidental strobe from the sheer amount of sparkles 

    • a few flowers thrown into the front audience

    • a few bangs and blue flashes after the Rabbi enters

    • smoke when H enters with light spill into front stalls but dissipates quickly 

    • briefly flickery after “now Deutschland’s smiling through” and then disco ball for about a minute 

    • big booms and flashing yellow after “somebody burned down the Reichstag”

    • flashing back lightbulbs after the jacket comes off for ~2 min or so

    • whistle, big boom, and a flash at the end, with confetti

  • alternating back wall bulbs after “Rio” for ~15 sec 

  • on/off alternating bulbs after “that’s not true” ~10 sec

  • bulbs basically from the moment of striped outfits until the end of the show, getting especially flickery at the end

Content Advisory

  • sexism/misogyny

  • N*zi imagery

  • sexual innuendo/a moment of simulated sex

  • use of onstage firearms

  • moment of a fake pig through a skewer with some fake blood (in the Springtime sequence)