Thumbs Up for the O2 Arena!

Back in July, I recorded here that the O2 Arena (formerly known as The Millenium Dome) had had a change of thought with regard to charging for the P.A.s / companions of people with disabilities attending shows there.

Finally, on 5th September, we got to attend the show we'd booked up for months ago, Elton John brought his Las Vegas Red Piano Show to London for one night only.

I realised with just a few days to go before the show that I would be in London overnight and of course Caesar, my trusty assistance dog would be with me. There's no question of Caesar not liking Eltons' music, but he doesn't quite like it at the volume it would be offered at during a live concert. So I hastily sent off an email to the O2 Customer Services Dept with a Special Needs request; viz, a dog sitter for during the show. (This type of thing is pretty commonplace in theatres and larger music venues in the UK). My email was sent at 15.20 on Saturday 1st September, and their reply arrived at 15.46!! 26 minutes to get a reply, very impressive! Pleasingly, it was a positive response and they said they'd be happy to look after Caesar in the Customer Services Dept.


When we arrived at the venue, somewhat later than planned (as we had mistakenly thought a riverboat from Westminster was the most efficient way to travel there), we made ourselves known at Customer Sevices and in no time someone was available to take Caesar to be looked after in a quieter area of the venue.


We went off to get something to eat, and then to find our seats, the wheelchair platform had a fantastic view of the stage, so much so it felt like when Elton was looking our way he was singing right to those on the platform. In fact we had such a good view the bouncers had to try and stop a few "normals" poaching places on the platform!


Thankfully the staff were very on the ball and ensured that the accessible toilets (which also usually get encroached upon at events like this) were only used by those who genuinely needed them.


It was a toe tapping, sing-a-long, packed with visual stunts kind of show that was very different to anything I have seen from Elton in the twenty odd shows I have seen before. Great stuff!


After the show we went to collect Caesar and his trusty Teddy from the Customer Services office and found him to be fast asleep ... no better assurance that he was content with his evening I'd say. Of course he was pleased to be reunited with us, and we all headed off back to our hotel, via another awful inaccessible riverboat experience.


Thumbs up and thank you O2 Arena, great customer service, we'll be back, but maybe next time on the tube ;o)

This picture shows the front rail of the wheelchair users platform and of course Elton on stage.

Thumbs up too for Elton as he didn't mind the audience taking photos throughout the show.