695 posts
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Post by cheesy116 on Apr 10, 2017 21:46:14 GMT
On Broadway, they have a tradition where on the opening night of a show, they give a 'gypsy robe' to the member of the ensemble with the most ensemble Broadway credits (I'm not too sure the origins of this). The robe is covered in logos of other Broadway shows and the ceremony always seems to be hosted by the same man and often the last recipient of the robe is there too (I'm sure he is probably someone important but I've never managed to work out who he is).
My main point though is, does the West End in London do the same or have an equivalent ? Are there any traditions that happen on opening night of a show ? Or any traditions/ceremonies that happen at any other point of a shows' run ?
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4,361 posts
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Post by shady23 on Apr 11, 2017 5:56:16 GMT
The standby Glinda at Wicked passes on a pair of Dorothy's red shoes to her replacement.
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893 posts
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Post by vdcni on Apr 11, 2017 7:10:17 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2017 7:54:00 GMT
The NT used to also set a rocket (as in a firework) over the Thames as the curtain went up on opening night...not sure if they still do.
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1,244 posts
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Post by londonmzfitz on Apr 11, 2017 9:37:38 GMT
OMG that link! thanks for sharing that, beautifully written. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2017 9:51:11 GMT
The NT used to also set a rocket (as in a firework) over the Thames Ah, "Ralph's Rocket." No, the IRA put a stop to that one many years ago, alas. I assumed it had disappeared long ago. Fittingly I know of it because of Angels in America (of course) and Tony Kushner being a tad perplexed by our weird British traditions. |
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143 posts
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Post by PhantomNcl on Apr 11, 2017 10:07:49 GMT
I remember reading Nichola McAuliffe's 'Baroness Diaries' when she was in Chitty and one of their cast was awarded the Gypsy Robe:
"The high spot of the week though has been Ray C. Davis getting the Gypsy Robe. This is an arcane tradition whereby the walloper, or Gypsy as they call them in New York, who's done the most West End or Broadway shows is given some disgusting bit of old tat which, under the mementos sewn on it, is a dressing gown. Members of the Full Monty Cast came and made the presentation on stage. Previous holders in London were Kiss Me Kate and the Full Monty, so you can imagine what they added to the garment.
When it's done up there's what looks like a hand knitted bollard sticking out of the front in a rather suggestive fashion, and a thong with stars and stripes on the shoulder. The tradition is, you see, each incumbent adds something and when it's full the Americans put it in the Lincoln Centre or some such centre of cultural excellence. Can you imagine the British Museum displaying a nylon kimono covered in pieces of underwear? Anyway, Chitty being a family show we've decided to staple one of the children to it. Just a small one. And maybe half a dog."
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