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Post by Steffi on Feb 15, 2016 7:42:26 GMT
Can someone explain how they can get so short staffed? I'd have thought they'd be able to cope using swings and/or parachuting people in to be ensemble members - given the unemployment rate among theatre actors I can't imagine it's hard to find someone capable. In addition to what Stasia has said I guess it's also a question of money. I doubt the show makes enough profit (if at all - to be honest I can't even see them break even) to be able to just hire more performers in case of illness.
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Post by Michael on Feb 15, 2016 7:47:57 GMT
I saw the show in October and December and don't remember seeing any understudy annoucements on the screens - I usually pay attention to such things as I always take a picture of the cast list as a reminder whom I've seen. Maybe they've only changed it recently. First time I saw the understudy list on screen was in January I think. In December the screen only said Philippa Stefani would be playing Daniella (so just the long term cover on the screen) but they made an announcement in the foyer pre show with all other understudies. I can't even remember an announcement in December, and we definitely had Nathan Amzi as Piragua Guy (who isn't even "officially" in the cast"). And I'm also pretty sure that Philippa Stefani wasn't mentioned on the screen. But maybe I shouldn't rush right in the theatre when they open up. Still odd to not have the announcement in the actual theatre right before "curtain up" though.
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Post by hitmewithurbethshot on Feb 15, 2016 10:46:02 GMT
I asked if any understudies were on when I picked up my ticket, and there was an announcement about 15 minutes before the show.
At a guess I think they don't have many swings because it was only supposed to be a short run with no planned holidays etc., but then they extended.
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Post by stevejohnson678 on Feb 15, 2016 11:26:22 GMT
Hmmm, I've booked to see this on a Tuesday afternoon in May. By the sounds of it, I can expect a deserted theatre and several absent members of cast!
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Post by Steffi on Feb 15, 2016 12:29:40 GMT
Hmmm, I've booked to see this on a Tuesday afternoon in May. By the sounds of it, I can expect a deserted theatre and several absent members of cast! Deserted theatre: Yes, that might happen. Several absent cast members: Not more than you could have on any other day of the week. It's not like Tuesday mat is anyone's scheduled show off.
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Post by Dr Tom on Feb 15, 2016 21:40:55 GMT
Out of interest: How did you find out who was on? Just by checking Twitter? During my two visits, no cast announcements were made or understudy sheets were displayed so I had to guess (or rather compare the cast on stage with the programme) who was actually on. I did try Twitter, but this isn't one of the shows that gets reported on much there (and most of the cast don't comment - although one of them did say he was ill and tucked up in bed, which was a giveaway). Right now, it's turn up and see. There's one video screen, by platform 2. It rotates a few different pieces of information, but the cast changes for the leads shows every so often. Sunday, they also announced the changes over the loudspeaker (didn't notice that on Friday, but I got there quite close to starting time due to tube delays). No mention anywhere regarding the ensemble. I just worked that out based on knowing who normally performs (and the cast list on the website).
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Post by Dr Tom on Feb 15, 2016 21:44:03 GMT
Hmmm, I've booked to see this on a Tuesday afternoon in May. By the sounds of it, I can expect a deserted theatre and several absent members of cast! May is a long way away. I'd expect several cast changes by then, but not so much in the way of illness (until they decide the show still works with fewer dancers). Tuesday really isn't a traditional matinee day and Kings Cross Theatre is tucked out of the way, so I wouldn't be surprised at the small audiences. Would be keen to visit on a Tuesday myself, but it clashes with work. They do a lot of student marketing and student deals for this show (several universities and halls of residences nearby) - don't know if they make up a lot of the Tuesday audience.
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Post by dan on Feb 15, 2016 23:45:31 GMT
I'm there tomorrow matinee too (Tues). Just had a quick look on the ATG tickets website and there aren't a huge number left at all, only a handful. Maybe half term means bigger audiences. I'm really looking forward to catching the show as it's not often I see something I'm unfamiliar with.
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Post by dan on Feb 16, 2016 14:58:17 GMT
I'm waiting to see this right now and they've announced a delay to the start due to "unforeseen circumstances" and there are five roles being played by other people than listed. I love the theming and ambience around the bar / waiting area.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 16, 2016 15:13:22 GMT
I'm there tomorrow matinee too (Tues). Just had a quick look on the ATG tickets website and there aren't a huge number left at all, only a handful. Maybe half term means bigger audiences. I'm really looking forward to catching the show as it's not often I see something I'm unfamiliar with. I'm waiting to see this right now and they've announced a delay to the start due to "unforeseen circumstances" and there are five roles being played by other people than listed. I love the theming and ambience around the bar / waiting area. Hope you have entered our competition to win the free tickets dan!
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Post by theatre-turtle on Feb 16, 2016 16:55:16 GMT
I'm waiting to see this right now and they've announced a delay to the start due to "unforeseen circumstances" and there are five roles being played by other people than listed. I love the theming and ambience around the bar / waiting area. Would be interested how this turned out. Did you have to wait much longer?
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Post by djdan14 on Feb 16, 2016 16:55:23 GMT
I'm here too, 30 minute delay and a few understudies but having seen it in October in previews it hasn't lost anything and is still one of my current faves.
It's odd seeing the amount of role swapping though, recognising them from who they should be to who they are currently playing although I do enjoy that Graffiti Pete has become Graffiti Paula.
Bring on the 2nd half!
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Post by djdan14 on Feb 16, 2016 16:55:55 GMT
I'm waiting to see this right now and they've announced a delay to the start due to "unforeseen circumstances" and there are five roles being played by other people than listed. I love the theming and ambience around the bar / waiting area. Would be interested how this turned out. Did you have to wait much longer? Show started at Half 3, so 30 minute delay and currently in the interval.
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Post by Dr Tom on Feb 16, 2016 20:51:52 GMT
I'm here too, 30 minute delay and a few understudies but having seen it in October in previews it hasn't lost anything and is still one of my current faves. It's odd seeing the amount of role swapping though, recognising them from who they should be to who they are currently playing although I do enjoy that Graffiti Pete has become Graffiti Paula. Bring on the 2nd half! Did you grab a list of who was on today? Graffiti Paula is a new one on me. That actually sounds like it would work well, but would need a few changes in tracks and interactions. Wish they'd announce cast updates through @westendcovers though. Still hoping to catch a show with Michael Cortez on as Usnavi.
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Post by dan on Feb 16, 2016 22:46:42 GMT
I needn't had worried about all the role swapping. There's no way I would have known as the performances were incredible. I didn't know the graffiti role was supposed to be male at all. I guess if it was a male, the supporting cast would have been more balanced with two females and two males dancing as ensemble? I loved this show. The energy was great and I now want to own the music and see it again! The only issue for me was my neighbour dancing heavily in her seat which caused mine to bounce throughout which was somewhat distracting! Glad she enjoyed it but a little frustrating for me.
Not sure what the half hour delay was for, but I want to revisit and really liked the theatre set up too.
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Post by dan on Feb 16, 2016 22:51:00 GMT
Anyone see this on Broadway, for comparison?
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Post by Mark on Feb 16, 2016 23:07:58 GMT
I did Dan, the Broadway production I absolutely adored, although I was lucky enough to be front row both times I saw it. It seemed a lot "bigger" on Broadway.
Our London production is great though, the show itself is very strong.
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Post by theatre-turtle on Feb 16, 2016 23:32:23 GMT
I did Dan, the Broadway production I absolutely adored, although I was lucky enough to be front row both times I saw it. It seemed a lot "bigger" on Broadway. Our London production is great though, the show itself is very strong. Very jealous . Did you see Lin Manuel Miranda? Also am I right to think it wasn't done in the round like in London (both in Southwark and King's Cross)
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Post by djdan14 on Feb 17, 2016 0:12:43 GMT
I'm here too, 30 minute delay and a few understudies but having seen it in October in previews it hasn't lost anything and is still one of my current faves. It's odd seeing the amount of role swapping though, recognising them from who they should be to who they are currently playing although I do enjoy that Graffiti Pete has become Graffiti Paula. Bring on the 2nd half! Did you grab a list of who was on today? Graffiti Paula is a new one on me. That actually sounds like it would work well, but would need a few changes in tracks and interactions. Wish they'd announce cast updates through @westendcovers though. Still hoping to catch a show with Michael Cortez on as Usnavi. No cast list but 4 changes announced at the start. From what I could tell, based when I saw it in October was that usual Carla was on as Vanessa, usual graffiti Pete was on as sonny I think, and I think the person who is the dance captain was on as graffiti Paula. But I'm sure there was more ensemble last time I saw so could be some missing. The gender swap you wouldn't know any different if you hadn't seen it before, just swapping the Hims for Hers etc.
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Post by Steffi on Feb 17, 2016 7:35:18 GMT
Anyone see this on Broadway, for comparison? I did in 2009. I enjoyed it but didn't love it back then but I'm blaming the fact that I wasn't sitting near the front so felt a bit distant from what was happening on stage. The dancing in the Broadway production was incredible though. I remember being completely in awe of Blackout (act 1 finale). I like the Southwark Playhouse / King's Cross Theatre production a lot more than the Broadway production but then again I think it's mainly due to not so great seats on Broadway. And no, the show wasn't done in the round on Broadway.
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Post by Stasia on Feb 17, 2016 9:07:24 GMT
Wish they'd announce cast updates through @westendcovers though. Still hoping to catch a show with Michael Cortez on as Usnavi. The actors themselves post if they're on or not. I would suggest checking Sam's and Michael's twitters The first time I saw the show was in October when Sam was off sick so I saw Michael and liked him!
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Post by Dr Tom on Feb 17, 2016 23:19:53 GMT
The actors themselves post if they're on or not. I would suggest checking Sam's and Michael's twitters The first time I saw the show was in October when Sam was off sick so I saw Michael and liked him! Well Michael is very cute, but I've checked his Twitter and he only posts a fraction of the time.
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Post by Stasia on Feb 18, 2016 7:34:23 GMT
The actors themselves post if they're on or not. I would suggest checking Sam's and Michael's twitters The first time I saw the show was in October when Sam was off sick so I saw Michael and liked him! Well Michael is very cute, but I've checked his Twitter and he only posts a fraction of the time. I think, Steffi will correct me if I'm wrong but Sam Mackay posts the dates he's off
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Post by Steffi on Feb 18, 2016 8:14:27 GMT
Well Michael is very cute, but I've checked his Twitter and he only posts a fraction of the time. I think, Steffi will correct me if I'm wrong but Sam Mackay posts the dates he's off He does sometimes but not all of the time. However, he's usually good at answering tweets asking about planned holidays.
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Post by theatre-turtle on Feb 18, 2016 17:46:50 GMT
Just saw this amazing offer if anyone is interested
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Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2016 23:12:08 GMT
Now I'm not saying that I'd do it for free, but given the option to swing or cover this freaking show I'd definitely do it for free. Buuut child labour laws prevent me from doing that until July. It's a possibility that from what I've read on this thread the entire condensed history of Eastenders will have happened to the poor cast by then. I'm totally amazed at their perseverance though. I am convinced they sweat the equivalence of the world's oceans each day.
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Post by d'James on Feb 19, 2016 16:06:23 GMT
Probably a stupid question to ask AFTER I've bought tickets, but is there any audience participation in this show?
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Post by theatre-turtle on Feb 19, 2016 16:22:05 GMT
Probably a stupid question to ask AFTER I've bought tickets, but is there any audience participation in this show? No there isn't as far as I remember (though I went on second preview night)
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Post by Steffi on Feb 19, 2016 17:45:05 GMT
There's no audience participation. If you are front row centre on platform 1 you might get a bit of extra attention in one song towards the end. Nothing major and you don't actually have to do anything though.
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Post by d'James on Feb 19, 2016 18:30:21 GMT
There's no audience participation. If you are front row centre on platform 1 you might get a bit of extra attention in one song towards the end. Nothing major and you don't actually have to do anything though. Slightly off centre. As long as I don't have to do anything I'll be OK. Haha.
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