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Post by alece10 on Nov 2, 2023 16:21:28 GMT
I always talk gibberish when I meet someone I admire and end up saying something like "I loved you in...." then can't remember the name of the show. To to save embarrassing myself I don't stage door.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 2, 2023 22:48:24 GMT
Not exactly a musical related but my favourite stage door story was one I heard about two autograph collectors from the Nottingham area who weren't the sharpest tools in the box and used to be a bit annoying. One of the pantos in the area one year was Snow White they saw a person of "limited height" leaving via the stage door and assumed he must be one of the dwarf cast. But he told them he wasn't and was just visting a friend but they then said he just didn't want to sign and were still trying to get him to sign as he walked away. In the end he turned around and told them to "**** off"
The story of this duo being told to f off by some dwarf still amuses me.
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Post by curiouskc on Apr 29, 2024 14:06:37 GMT
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Post by ladidah on Apr 29, 2024 14:44:49 GMT
I saw on Allie Daniel's stories about cast members, she cited mainly POC's being called by the wrong name too.
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Post by solotheatregoer on Apr 29, 2024 16:33:14 GMT
I saw on Allie Daniel's stories about cast members, she cited mainly POC's being called by the wrong name too. Saw that on Donal Finn's Insta stories too. I've done stage door only a handful of times and it must be a pretty intimidating situation for anyone. But to run after people, harass them for photos and mistake them for other cast members is completely out of order and disrespectful. No wonder a lot of people are stopping them altogether now.
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Post by danb on Apr 29, 2024 17:35:05 GMT
Or just let individual performers decide if it is something they want to do, almost as if they are sentient, adult humans!? Formalising it to the point of a ‘meet & greet’ gives me the creeps, like they are an exhibit in a zoo or something.
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Post by Seriously on Apr 29, 2024 17:41:00 GMT
Well we wouldn't want to give danb the creeps.
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880 posts
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Post by BVM on Apr 29, 2024 18:25:16 GMT
They do need to do something about stage door, particularly for younger audience fanperson attracting shows as this issue comes up time and time again.
(Personally I’ve literally never seen the appeal but appreciate a lot of young fans seem to love it. The boundaries inevitably get blurred though for the problematic minority….)
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880 posts
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Post by BVM on Apr 29, 2024 19:20:04 GMT
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Post by scarletmood on Apr 30, 2024 0:17:00 GMT
Sorry to hear that MLB had to endure this at her show's Stage Door. If she had put her headphones on this was a clear sign that she was leaving and was listening to music/taking a call. She had engaged with the people waiting as if she hadn't wanted to she could have walked out with her headphones on and ignored everyone.
This is a show without a "star" name in it but clearly has a following. Star names get far more attention but they will have security or can be whisked out of another entrance to a waiting car. Most performers don't have this luxury sadly.
I'd hate theatres to go down M and G route like a lot of concerts now do and few have the facilities to hold them by the SD and it would be logistically hard to do. Some stars did do signings in the foyer after their show. The Old Vic reception window worked well back in the day I thought.
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1,161 posts
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Post by theatrefan62 on Apr 30, 2024 5:24:06 GMT
I actually think in some ways shows without big names have it worse. Big names usually skip it completely, or have a more organised structured set up.
These shows with 'unknowns' can have more a parasocial relationship where fans see them as equals or friends. There is also the clout chasing via social media and a culture develops around one show or actor.
Of course actors also have a role to play as some actively encourage it (especially those you use social media to their advantage) and blur boundaries which can confuse fans by encouraging stage door, contradicting theatre policy (as CHF has done before), encourage gifts etc. Their actions have a knock on affect for the wider industry and fellow actors as precedents can be set in (usually) younger minds
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Post by shownut on Apr 30, 2024 5:46:00 GMT
Sorry to hear that MLB had to endure this at her show's Stage Door. If she had put her headphones on this was a clear sign that she was leaving and was listening to music/taking a call. She had engaged with the people waiting as if she hadn't wanted to she could have walked out with her headphones on and ignored everyone. This is a show without a "star" name in it but clearly has a following. Star names get far more attention but they will have security or can be whisked out of another entrance to a waiting car. Most performers don't have this luxury sadly. I'd hate theatres to go down M and G route like a lot of concerts now do and few have the facilities to hold them by the SD and it would be logistically hard to do. Some stars did do signings in the foyer after their show. The Old Vic reception window worked well back in the day I thought. Unless things have mysteriously changed in the last few years, actors may have to sign out at the stage door but they can use any exit they want. MLB could use other exits where folks are less likely to harrass her.
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Post by scarletmood on Apr 30, 2024 20:05:09 GMT
Unless things have mysteriously changed in the last few years, actors may have to sign out at the stage door but they can use any exit they want. MLB could use other exits where folks are less likely to harrass her. Performers still have to sign out or have someone sign them out. But going out of other exits would depend if they are open or not. If other exits can be reached via backstage then they can do that. But if say the exits from the auditorium have been closed they cannot really start trying to go out that way.
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Post by scarletmood on May 1, 2024 12:54:56 GMT
I actually think in some ways shows without big names have it worse. Big names usually skip it completely, or have a more organised structured set up. These shows with 'unknowns' can have more a parasocial relationship where fans see them as equals or friends. There is also the clout chasing via social media and a culture develops around one show or actor. Of course actors also have a role to play as some actively encourage it (especially those you use social media to their advantage) and blur boundaries which can confuse fans by encouraging stage door, contradicting theatre policy (as CHF has done before), encourage gifts etc. Their actions have a knock on affect for the wider industry and fellow actors as precedents can be set in (usually) younger minds Just seen this post reading back in the forum. I missed it last night. An excellent point about shows developing a "cult" following or making a big star out of someone. When you have a "star name" in a show which may sell well fans may only see it once, get a ticket once, be able to afford to see it once. But with a show which builds a following lets say "Six" fans return to see it many times and perhaps do feel they build a "friendship" with cast members. This can be a two way thing a lot of CHF's fans she built up from her social media posts and they have helped her sell tickets for a number of shows she has been in. But even someone as engaging as CHF has had fans cross the line with her and now she has a young baby she may not be able to be as accessible after shows as she was before. When fandom is around a show like Six or even the Rocky Horror Show which are both dedicated and hard core it tends to stay with the show rather than follow previous cast members around. But these two shows have a very different fanbase - Six is more a younger female fanbase whilst RHS has the colourful and character dressed slightly older fans. A lot of the RHS cast are long term performers in the show and likely get to know the fans fairly well, that fanbase also has always seemed to be respectful but for a younger performer cast in that show it could be abit of a culture shock to be greeted by loading of fans dressed as a show character at the SD. Six with a younger cast and fans could well have seen fans thinking they have a strong link to certain performers but their SD's look to be pretty well organized with a security man stood there I heard at a number of tour venues. Plus with younger fans they often have parents/guardians with them or have to be collected so cannot wait around for ages. Stars like David Essex who has done numerous musicals over the years always had time for his fans and had his sharpie ready to sign but controlled the time he gave each fan and would keep things moving so everyone got a chance but he wasn't stuck at SD for ages. But I fully see the point of fans latching onto a performer in a breakout role who is accessible to them and not Harry Styles/Taylor Swift on a stage in a stadium.
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Post by shownut on May 1, 2024 13:03:44 GMT
Unless things have mysteriously changed in the last few years, actors may have to sign out at the stage door but they can use any exit they want. MLB could use other exits where folks are less likely to harrass her. Performers still have to sign out or have someone sign them out. But going out of other exits would depend if they are open or not. If other exits can be reached via backstage then they can do that. But if say the exits from the auditorium have been closed they cannot really start trying to go out that way. Most theatres have a pass door from backstage to the auditorium and house doors are rarely locked immediately after the performance so I would imagine that if she felt there was a threat, management would help her leave safely and securely. It's too bad that what could be a fun way to end a night's work is something she doesn't feel safe doing (but based on how audience behaviour has changed, I would imagine the occasional stage door experience could be a nightmare).
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Post by scarletmood on May 1, 2024 16:14:37 GMT
Performers still have to sign out or have someone sign them out. But going out of other exits would depend if they are open or not. If other exits can be reached via backstage then they can do that. But if say the exits from the auditorium have been closed they cannot really start trying to go out that way. Most theatres have a pass door from backstage to the auditorium and house doors are rarely locked immediately after the performance so I would imagine that if she felt there was a threat, management would help her leave safely and securely. It's too bad that what could be a fun way to end a night's work is something she doesn't feel safe doing (but based on how audience behaviour has changed, I would imagine the occasional stage door experience could be a nightmare). Performers who want to leave fairly quickly can likely get through the auditorium and possibly out one of the side doors. But those who take a bit of time would likely find the auditorium doors locked bar fire doors and certainly the FOH doors. I've Stage Doored a fair bit and I've often seen the FOH guys handing the keys back in at the SD where I assume the keys are kept. Some theatres do have 24 hour security who will sit on the SD but I'd imagine a lot are opened and closed via the SD. I don't know if this differs when the cleaners would go in of a morning to do the auditorium.
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3,816 posts
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Post by anthony40 on May 3, 2024 10:19:52 GMT
I have staged door a couple of times, mostly for plays.
Depends to the 'star' quality or popularity of the performers, there is usually some form of security and barriers.
If you're well behaved, polite, courteous and not overly pushy there generally isn't a problem.
I've had a photograph taken with Ellen Greene, Matthew Broderick (I mean, he's Ferris Bueller!), Tracey Ullman, Helena Bonham-Carter, Stockard Chamming, Simon Bird, James Corden, and Jeremy Jordan, to name a few. Also a really bad one with Rebel Wilson and not so good one with Michael Crawford.
I remember there was a play some time back with Nicole Kidman. She staged doored in the blink of an eye and then whilst everyone was waiting at the back, exited the theatre through the front of the theatre to an awaiting black cab.
I believe Richard O'Brian did a similar thing the last time he was on stage performing as Riff Raff in a Rocky Horror tour in the West End.
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2,806 posts
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Post by ceebee on May 3, 2024 11:05:00 GMT
I guess it depends on the performer / star / person whether they enjoy the stage door experience. Personally, I find it all a bit odd - job done, time to go home, off for a bite to eat etc. But then I've always tended to compartmentalise things. Many thrive on the adulation, whether on stage or in the audience. In the end, it comes down to respect and boundaries. As for monetising it? Hmmm... "I bought you so let me now have my pound of flesh..." Ewww.
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3,816 posts
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Post by anthony40 on May 3, 2024 11:15:00 GMT
I guess it depends on the performer / star / person whether they enjoy the stage door experience. Personally, I find it all a bit odd - job done, time to go home, off for a bite to eat etc. But then I've always tended to compartmentalise things. Many thrive on the adulation, whether on stage or in the audience. In the end, it comes down to respect and boundaries. As for monetising it? Hmmm... "I bought you so let me now have my pound of flesh..." Ewww. I get it but don't forget that a lot of performers have egos that are swollen and insecurities that need to be stroked. They thrive on the affirmation, adulation and praise.
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1,889 posts
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Post by distantcousin on May 3, 2024 11:25:40 GMT
They do need to do something about stage door, particularly for younger audience fanperson attracting shows as this issue comes up time and time again. (Personally I’ve literally never seen the appeal but appreciate a lot of young fans seem to love it. The boundaries inevitably get blurred though for the problematic minority….) This all started with Wicked didn't it? Or was it Rent? The "Rent-heads"? Did the internet engender these sort of cultish show fanbases, even pre-social media?
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Post by iwanttix on May 3, 2024 12:03:18 GMT
I agree with what others have said - sometimes the shows with no 'stars' are the worst ones. As soon as you get a famous person in it the stage door is pretty much guaranteed to have some security or organisation. I love a stage door and the last few years have been really impressed with the Pinter and Savoy. Both have a large area to set out barriers and they have security in place to tell people ahead of the actors coming out what is and isn't acceptable.
Shows without a stunt cast or big name tend to just have a general hanging around kinda feel - groups of people waiting and jumping in when various cast members come out. If someone comes out with their heads down, not making eye contact etc then it's clear they don't want bothering. I remember years ago there was an actor I loved but I wasn't at the stage door - I was sitting in the foyer when said actor walked out quickly and disappeared in the other direction. Actors have every right to nip out a different exit if they want to avoid the stage door madness entirely.
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3,816 posts
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Post by anthony40 on May 3, 2024 12:11:11 GMT
They do need to do something about stage door, particularly for younger audience fanperson attracting shows as this issue comes up time and time again. (Personally I’ve literally never seen the appeal but appreciate a lot of young fans seem to love it. The boundaries inevitably get blurred though for the problematic minority….) This all started with Wicked didn't it? Or was it Rent? The "Rent-heads"? Did the internet engender these sort of cultish show fanbases, even pre-social media? Hmm, partially. There are general autograph hunters, or this who want a poster of image of the said celebrity, or even a piece of merchandise that they wat signed to flog at a heavily inflated price on websites such as eBay etc.
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1,889 posts
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Post by distantcousin on May 3, 2024 12:13:29 GMT
I remember when Lesley Sharp did The Rise & Fall of Little Voice years ago, - my friend and I were dying to meet her (as we adore her as an actress) but I was told by the Stage Door person that she routinely left via a fire exit as she didn't like meeting people at stage door(fair enough).
Everyone else hanging around that evening were girls waiting for Diana Vickers, who was fresh off The X Factor at the time.
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Post by moorhunhe on May 3, 2024 12:36:51 GMT
First time I did stage door was because one of the performers in the show, was someone who I admired many years earlier. So having a chance to meet him that evening was just a cherry on the cake, kind of thing for me. I've always been a loner (bullied, so no friends), and I take a lot from music/shows and specific things like a song (by a certain performer sometimes) can pull me through a really hard time, and put me in a much better mood for many days when I'm feeling down. So being able to have a little chat with him was just such a boost for me.
I however always pantiently wait my turn.
When seeing "The starry messenger" with Matthew Broderick, security came outside to say how it's going to go, and then Matthew came out and security just stood and watch how it all went super crazy and not going by their own rules. Which was such a shame. Because when Matthew reached us, some guy behind me completely pushed me out of the way and had loads signed instead of the "you can only have your program signed from the show and nothing else!".
Whereas with "Plaza suit", the security guy was very clear, and you just got that feeling from him too that if you do something wrong, he will come into the crowd, pick you up, and remove you, lol, and ONLY the program from the show would get signed. Though, after everyone had theirs signed, some people stayed and while both Matthew and Sarah were walking back, they then did sign other things, but gave priority to the people with programs.
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Post by scarletmood on May 3, 2024 14:29:40 GMT
Priority to programs and tickets and especially people who have been to that performance makes sense. Security would likely take the "star" back inside if people don't obey what they have been requested to do.
A lot can depend on where the stage door is situated as the more space you have the easier things are to organize.
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880 posts
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Post by BVM on May 3, 2024 15:13:10 GMT
I agree with what others have said - sometimes the shows with no 'stars' are the worst ones. As soon as you get a famous person in it the stage door is pretty much guaranteed to have some security or organisation. I love a stage door and the last few years have been really impressed with the Pinter and Savoy. Both have a large area to set out barriers and they have security in place to tell people ahead of the actors coming out what is and isn't acceptable. Shows without a stunt cast or big name tend to just have a general hanging around kinda feel - groups of people waiting and jumping in when various cast members come out. If someone comes out with their heads down, not making eye contact etc then it's clear they don't want bothering. I remember years ago there was an actor I loved but I wasn't at the stage door - I was sitting in the foyer when said actor walked out quickly and disappeared in the other direction. Actors have every right to nip out a different exit if they want to avoid the stage door madness entirely. Very much so as these are generally the fan girl shows where they “befriend” the less famous far more accessible cast. Carl Man said &Juliet SD was a free for all and chaos.
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880 posts
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Post by BVM on May 3, 2024 15:14:15 GMT
They do need to do something about stage door, particularly for younger audience fanperson attracting shows as this issue comes up time and time again. (Personally I’ve literally never seen the appeal but appreciate a lot of young fans seem to love it. The boundaries inevitably get blurred though for the problematic minority….) This all started with Wicked didn't it? Or was it Rent? The "Rent-heads"? Did the internet engender these sort of cultish show fanbases, even pre-social media? Wicked I think was the one that took it to the next level! Think the internet helped but then social media let it run out of control!
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Post by hannechalk on May 3, 2024 15:38:40 GMT
Put this in 'Bad Behaviour' last night:
Was at 'Tim Rice: My Life In Musicals' at the Liverpool Playhouse.
Afterwards I went to stage door, and two twits were waiting for Sir Tim with items to sign. They were actually partially blocking the door, so no-one could leave without them checking who it was first.
One of them kept badgering staff and crew.
They initially completely missed the fact that Sir Tim's chauffeur drove his car to the front of the theatre to pick him up there, and didn't get their autographs. 😂
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Post by clarefh on May 3, 2024 16:58:28 GMT
I guess it depends on the performer / star / person whether they enjoy the stage door experience. Personally, I find it all a bit odd - job done, time to go home, off for a bite to eat etc. But then I've always tended to compartmentalise things. Many thrive on the adulation, whether on stage or in the audience. In the end, it comes down to respect and boundaries. As for monetising it? Hmmm... "I bought you so let me now have my pound of flesh..." Ewww. Have to say I also find it a bit odd. Partly informed by the fact that some years ago my then partner became moderately well known for a period due to his sport. It was properly eye opening just how presumptuous people can be - we’d even have people pulling up a chair in a restaurant and trying to join our meal (also astonishing how much stuff was offered or comp’ed!), you’d be in the middle of conversation or shopping or whatever and get stopped for an autograph. The weirdest aspect was people would behave as if they knew him, when of course we’d never met these people in our lives! Also for me I couldn’t get my head round people asking for the signature of someone who was just a regular person who put the bins out etc. So I can totally see how for some performers it must be really difficult - although as others have noted possibly many enjoy it or see it as partly part of the job now? I know my ex enjoyed it at the time most of the time - he is super sociable and not averse to an ego boost!
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Post by scarletmood on May 3, 2024 17:36:36 GMT
I think with the rise of the selfie probably more people get stopped. Do many carry a pen and paper with us but vast majority have a phone nowadays.
Wicked had barriers up fairly early in the run so that has always been fairly well controlled and as the rump of the hardcore fans get older things become calmer. It is when shows become cult classics or suddenly get a fanbase that things can go crazy or when a star gets a big role. Matt Smith wasn't that well known before Dr Who and say he was in a play when he got cast suddenly he'd have become a must get for the show's fans and autograph dealers. The same could have happened to Ncuti but he may have been higher profile when he was cast in the role.
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