Mandeville Theatre

Mandeville badly needs a facelift/​major renovation or should be demolished and replaced with a new facility. It is an ok venue but this aging facility is no longer up to par with the other newer facilities in the UCSD theatre/​entertainment district. The place is becoming an embarrassment for live acts as the years roll by. When is UCSD going to step up and do something about this worn-​out venue?

This place is crap for seeing live performances (maybe OK for class but dreadful otherwise). The venue is old and run-​down, and the seat configuration does not make sense if you get the first few rows of the permanent seating section. Somehow the third or fourth row dips below the first couple, effectively rendering your view null and void if you are sitting there. Legroom IS amazingly spacious, but little good that does me when I can’t see beyond the heads in front of me. Sit in the back and bring binoculars.
Unfortunately, most dance companies performing as part of ArtPower! end up performing here. I have had too many frustrating experiences as an arts patron here but if I wanted to catch international dance companies in San Diego I have no choice but to keep coming back. The dreadful parking situation does not help either.

Great Auditorium for watching the La Jolla Symphony perform. Parking can be a little rough, but there is a circle drive available to drop off guests who may not be up for the 8 – 10 minute walk from open parking near the La Jolla Playhouse area.

The seats here are comfortable and there is enough leg room in between each level of seating. I used to go to UCSD, so I have visions of taking tests when I come here, which are never fun.
It may be difficult to find the theatre if you’ve never been to UCSD before, so it might help to print out the campus map before going and go early in order to find parking. The north side of campus (near La Jolla Village Drive, by Revelle College) has ample parking if you’re going to the theatre here on the weekend which provides free parking.
The acoustics here are great. La Jolla Symphony performs here (as do other various performers), and the place is terrific for that. Not a bad seat in the house for acoustics. When I used to attend UCSD I would go here to listen to various performers. The one that sticks in my mind — where I sat all the way in the back was when a visiting quartet played Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings… one of the most amazing pieces ever. It was so beautifully played that it almost made me cry. The theatre was able to create a beautiful echo in which helped evoking those emotions (and let me tell you I don’t cry easily…).
During intermission you can go outside and grab yourself a snack, coffee (if you are having trouble staying awake) as there is a little coffee kiosk directly outside. The Box Office and the Will Call area are inside the building, across from where you walk into the theatre. Great little place.
Would definitely recommend this theatre.

The Honest Truth: Not a huge theatre, but more of an intimate setting. Stage is large, with plenty of space on the wings. Easy to find your way around and located at the heart of UCSD’s campus! I performed here for UCSD’s hip hop compeition Fusion and had a great time.
The Details:
I came to this theatre to perform for UCSD’s annual hip hop competition called Fusion, so this review is from a performer’s perspective. The first thing I noticed was that there was a fair amount of waiting space before we were going on to perform. Other venues are very cramped and do not have adequate space for pre-​performance pep-​talks and the like. I liked how this venue has a lot of room to stretch out and warm up while waiting. Although the theatre was smaller than I expected, it does make for better viewing and any seat that you get has a good view of the stage. From my experience as a dancer, the show went very smoothly and ran on time. I want to give credit to the Mandeville Theatre staff as well as the people who put on the event. Props to all of you!