Until I got an email from the business.
Bugger!
In fairness the email was very nice! Noelle from The Olympia assured me that improvements had been made since my visit and would continue as and when the money was available. She went on to list such a mammoth amount of work that I felt like I should hang up my reviewing gloves and hide in a dark corner!
I was embarrassed. I'd written a throw away statement which cost me nothing to write but had obviously pained some people who love the Olympia very much. Here it is for all to see.
To be honest she wasn't the only one to pull me up, M also gave me a ear bashing! It's an iconic venue, so much history, the beauty of the place, the architecture and so on. As if I wasn't feeling bad enough already!
I thought I'd be cheeky and ask if I could come in and visit, I didn't expect her to say yes so I was delighted when she did!
Our first stop was the stage. I can't describe the feeling as the safety curtain lifted. I was flabbergasted, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. Slowly the auditorium was laid out before me all lit up and shining. Noelle won me over there and then. I apologized, well, I think I did, I hope I did! I was totally flummoxed and lost for words!
Neither photos nor words can describe how stunning this is in real life.
When standing on the stage the theater looks tiny. You can literally see every single seat in the house right up to the back row of the upper circle. I checked out the freshly painted proscenium arch and the recently cleaned chandeliers. The walls of the auditorium had been replastered and given a clean crisp coat of paint. The newly laid carpet was bouncy and fresh. Everything was almost exactly the opposite of what I'd said in my review!
I also checked out the newly refurbished dressing rooms and bathrooms, had a sneak peek into the boxes and a quick look at some of the pictures in Maureen's Bar. I was enamoured with it all.
One of the main dressing rooms with new counters and sofas.
The view from the boxes.
Maureen's Bar.
It was really obvious that all the staff dote on The Olympia and they want us all to feel the same way. It's very clear that they take customer feedback seriously and like to address all issues that are highlighted to them, including, but not limited to, offering to show disgruntled bloggers around!
Noelle was quick to point out that a number of seats have extra leg room and a few are a bit wider. The people in the box office will be only too happy to help with special requirements.
So I learned two things that day. Firstly, I love The Olympia; I've really come to appreciate the role it's played in Dublin's musical history over the last 117 years. Literally anyone who's anyone has performed there. Everyday the staff are walking the tightrope that is preserving the wonderful building and providing a comfortable experience for artists and audiences.
Secondly, consider carefully what you say online, you may have to eat your words!
