The Astor Theatre Perth

I was excited to be given a night out for my Birthday, to see the Elvis show by Dean Z on Friday the 10th of April. After dinner and arriving at the Astor we waited in line with everyone else until the line started moving inside. There was a large 6ft + ape checking people in. He was checking ticket's and bag's as people were passing through… Read more

which is fine. He asked to see my ticket and check my bag, which I don't even know why I took it with me, I had no problem showing inside bag. I had just been to dinner and had little bit left, which would have been ok if I had left it in the car. Anyway the guy told me to ditch it. I tried to get around him to leave the line and go back to the car but he started to get quite rude and loud and all I wanted to do was walk past him so I could go back to the car and leave my bag there. He got quite aggressive with me used his body to shove me towards the kerb. A female walked up to where I was still trying to speak to the bully, she muttered something and kept walking. She didn't stop so that I could explain the situation to her and then all I heard was quite a loud, "Get outta the way you're holding up the line, Or ditch it!!!" I certainly was not holding up the line as he had previously shoved me almost on the road. I ended up throwing the container in the bin and then had to go up 2 flights of stair's. This couldn't be helped as I did not book the ticket's. I must add that I have recently had a procedure with my knee so by the time I had managed the long walk from the car, the hour or so waiting in line plus the shove from the arrogant ape outside, I slowly managed to get to the top of the stairs, greeted by an elderly man directing people to where their seat's were. To my surprise, I had not finished climbing the step's. Only about another dozen steps up to the back and then to the middle of the row, made it. I was in quite a lot of pain by this stage and could not get comfortable. I was also expected to stand up and make way for a couple of blokes who were told to go up the stairs closest to the exit side instead of using the far side where they could have sat without anyone having to move out of the way. All in all I did not enjoy myself and yes maybe I should have made sure I got ground floor tickets. I also think the staff need a little bit more patience, after all it is their job to keep people safe and stop people taking their own drinks and thing's in, so that everyone has an enjoyable time and no one gets hurt. I could have quite easily lost my balance or worse fallen onto the road after I was shoved. I am a senior now and attended many movies back in the day when I lived in the area. I enjoyed it so much it's a shame it has changed but that's progress I guess. It still is a beautiful place and hope it stays beautiful.

Awful service – The venue itself is well laid out and maintained, but the woman who I assume is the manager is incredibly rude. I went there for a concert and showed up hours early to get in the front row (as is normal for these shows). Me and the other two people there were told to go to the side of the building and start lining up at the door at 5pm. We did,… Read more

and then at 6pm we got yelled at for where we were standing. When I tried to explain that she had never told us where to wait, and she had just said "the door", she called me a "liar" (her exact words) and threatened to not let me into the venue.

Basically, I pointed out that she was wrong about something and she insulted me and threaten to kick me out over just that. I've genuinely never seen something so petty and unproffesional. The show was great but I'm never giving this business my money again.

unorganised and rude – staff were unorganised and rude. I had to organise the line because they had nothing set up then I was yelled at and threatened to get kicked out cuz my partner said it felt unorganised. they cannot take any [Content Removed] feedback apparently.

Security over the top – I went for a comedy night but it was like getting into a nightclub with security outside wanting to see the ticket before joining the line to get the ticket scanned, and then my partner's bag was searched. If you're above 25, don't subject yourself to this abnormal behaviour from a theatre venue.

Show was Great. A security man very rude – I must say the Michael Jackson show was very entertaining. At the end of the ngt the security man was very rude, aggressive, abrupt, used aggressive body language and very verbal towards the crowd leaving the exit. Which we were shocked with his ways. Friday the 19th April 24.

No toilets for people with special needs – Took a young friend of mine to see Uncle Roger last night. He is in a wheelchair. The Astor theater has no toilets that are wheelchair accessible! We were told we would have to go outside and 100metres up the road for him to be able to go to the toilet. It was pouring with rain so the poor kid had to hold on until after the show. I understand that the building is old but geez..... Are people with special needs that unimportant?

Astor's greedy decision to make patrons stand for shows - no ticket price reduction – This iconic family owned theatre which has served the people of Perth for decades has made a poor and greedy decision to make patrons stand for their shows (without price reduction), packing more people into the venue and increasing profit. We were surprised by Astor's new policy when attending the recent Boney M Concert when, to maximise… Read more

their takings, nearly 200 aged patrons were expected to stand moshpit style and at the rear in front of the two refreshment sales areas. This new style will surely turn loyal mature patrons away.

I booked on the Ticketek website for 6 Boney M Concert tickets. During the booking process I saw (and memorised) the allocated seats numbers although upon later inspection no numbers had been printed on the tickets.

Boney M is a group with hits in the 1970's (nearly 50 years ago, so obviously a large majority of their followers are in their 60's plus age bracket).

We were surprised to find our seats occupied on arrival and were then told to 'sit anywhere' as it is “general admission” and those unable to get a seat will have to stand. Yes, approx 200 senior age patrons who arrived expecting seating, were expected to stand for the duration of a 2 hour concert.

The Astor Manager, [name removed] said that this arrangement had been stated on the website - Unfortunately [name removed], patrons don’t book on the Astor website, but on Ticketek website where it most certainly was not made clear at all. If it had been, a large majority of patrons would not have attended the concert. Further when I complained, [name removed] told me that if anyone left their seat for any reason, anyone could go and take that seat - a recipe for mayhem.

Many people were surprised and very angry. Numerous people walked out (particularly the 70 and 80 years olds). Adding further insult was the fact that there were a number of “guests” (non-paying guests) who were seated whilst paying patrons had to stand. I spoke to a few including one who kindly gave one of our group his seat.

Patrons purchased tickets with the expectation that they would: be seated, be able to see and hear the show - this forms the basis of the ticket sales contract. Many of those fortunate enough to have secured seats actually could not see due to the people who had to stand in front of the stage (probably 10 to 12 rows deep).

What a rip off. This old art deco theatre has always attracted families and patrons who don’t want the Breakfest or Big Day Out style concerts geared to the younger population with mosh pits and huge crowds (even they get to sit down). Neither the venue, the style of productions and show nor proximity of the venue is suited to stand-up younger peoples' concerts.

Numerous Staff confirmed that this was the first time this style of concert had been adopted by the Astor and that they had all received complaints and abuse. With upcoming shows aimed at the older generation for example. Everly Brothers "Frankie Valli", Elaine Paige, John Paul Young etc Patrons expecting a seat at a fully seated venue may be required to stand. This further raised the safety question of aisles and the exit points blocked by standing patrons.