Computer errors and double bookings

In December 1998, I made reservations for five seats to watch the Saturday, Feb. 6 performance of King Lear at Teater Tanah Airku (TTA). On Saturday, Jan. 30, TTA called to confirm my reservation and asked me to make payment the following week (of which I did on Wednesday, Feb. 3).

To my surprise, TTA called on Thursday, Feb. 4, informing me that tickets were sold out. I told the caller that since I had confirmed and paid for my reservations, I should get my tickets anyway. She apologized and said there was a computer error and many seats were double booked (The Japan Foundation also took reservations). I told her that was unacceptable, and since I had made reservations weeks ahead of time I should be given priority. But instead she offered me tickets to see the performance on another day, which I refused. Later in the evening TTA offered balcony tickets for Saturday.

Fortunately we were deeply enchanted by this extraordinary theatrical performance, despite the frustrations we had with TTA. However, we wonder if this could happen again in the future. If TTA is truly "committed to continually bring in internationally acclaimed performances" (as mentioned in the program book), I would strongly suggest to TTA that your staff learn how to handle reservations more professionally, because for your audience, this is the most important thing. Computer errors or double bookings are certainly unacceptable for a sophisticated theater like yours, especially if you -- again as mentioned in the program book -- want to gain recognition from the international theater community. I wonder how many people were bounced that night due to this computer error?

DANNY I. YATIM

Jakarta