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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 17, 2024 21:31:17 GMT
More often than not these days I’m seeing “Theatre Fan shared xyz…” being posted HERE rather than Theatre Fan taking things rumoured on here and posting to Twitter or wherever. The guy seems to have an in with agents or graduates going up for auditions. Indeed. And before he stopped posting on TheatreBoard he posted many scoops here. His predictions weren’t always correct but he had a very good record. Sadly some members started slagging him off and he stopped posting here. Understandably. The pettiness and small mindedness of some of our members is disappointing. Let’s move the discussion on please.
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Post by backtothetheatre on Feb 18, 2024 18:26:12 GMT
More often than not these days I’m seeing “Theatre Fan shared xyz…” being posted HERE rather than Theatre Fan taking things rumoured on here and posting to Twitter or wherever. The guy seems to have an in with agents or graduates going up for auditions. I think people are referring to the fact that rumours get posted on here and hours later he shares it to his social media, which then get shared again on here to show where he got it from. Personally I think it’s very disrespectful to be posting all these “rumours” when people have worked so hard behind the scenes. Having friends in the field it’s exciting for them to finally get to share what they’ve been working on but it gets ruined by people like Theatre Fan who post embargoed information.
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Post by sph on Feb 18, 2024 19:59:07 GMT
I have a feeling that Theatrefan nowadays gets sent a lot of information and rumours directly from various PR people involved with productions in order to get people talking. The "leaks" and rumours are probably often intentional.
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Post by Dave B on Feb 18, 2024 20:39:00 GMT
Personally I think it’s very disrespectful to be posting all these “rumours” when people have worked so hard behind the scenes. Having friends in the field it’s exciting for them to finally get to share what they’ve been working on but it gets ruined by people like Theatre Fan who post embargoed information.
Are you sure that Theatre Fan has been given the information under embargo?
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Post by backtothetheatre on Feb 18, 2024 21:07:18 GMT
Personally I think it’s very disrespectful to be posting all these “rumours” when people have worked so hard behind the scenes. Having friends in the field it’s exciting for them to finally get to share what they’ve been working on but it gets ruined by people like Theatre Fan who post embargoed information.
Are you sure that Theatre Fan has been given the information under embargo?
There’s absolutely no way that every show across the entire country sends him information and tells him to post prior to the official announcement. I have friends who work in theatre who have purposely kept extremely quiet to try and avoid him finding out. Imagine working so hard on something that you’re excited to share with everyone for it to get ruined by a random person on Twitter that just wants followers.
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Post by punxsutawney on Feb 18, 2024 22:36:57 GMT
Are you sure that Theatre Fan has been given the information under embargo?
There’s absolutely no way that every show across the entire country sends him information and tells him to post prior to the official announcement. I have friends who work in theatre who have purposely kept extremely quiet to try and avoid him finding out. Imagine working so hard on something that you’re excited to share with everyone for it to get ruined by a random person on Twitter that just wants followers. I would argue that the fact the show is happening being posted before it is officially announced isn't really ruining much of anything for anybody, except maybe the person writing the press release...
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Post by backtothetheatre on Feb 18, 2024 23:57:24 GMT
There’s absolutely no way that every show across the entire country sends him information and tells him to post prior to the official announcement. I have friends who work in theatre who have purposely kept extremely quiet to try and avoid him finding out. Imagine working so hard on something that you’re excited to share with everyone for it to get ruined by a random person on Twitter that just wants followers. I would argue that the fact the show is happening being posted before it is officially announced isn't really ruining much of anything for anybody, except maybe the person writing the press release... Like I said, as someone who has friends who work in theatre, especially in PR and marketing, it does ruin it.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 19, 2024 7:34:21 GMT
What’s the difference between someone posting pre-announcement on Twitter versus our insiders doing it here? The pre-announcement gossip is a lot of peoples favourite thing about TheatreBoard.
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Post by Dave B on Feb 19, 2024 9:43:41 GMT
Are you sure that Theatre Fan has been given the information under embargo?
There’s absolutely no way that every show across the entire country sends him information and tells him to post prior to the official announcement. I have friends who work in theatre who have purposely kept extremely quiet to try and avoid him finding out. Imagine working so hard on something that you’re excited to share with everyone for it to get ruined by a random person on Twitter that just wants followers. Ah, I see. The use of the word embargo suggested, at least to me, more uh dishonest approaches i.e., that someone was given an embargoed press release and posted it anyway. Posting a rumour from here or a friend who auditioned or anything like that isn't anything to do with an embargo. Yesterday is a really good example actually. One of the main sites accidentally posted the casting for Devil Wears Prada early. That was a breach of an embargo (even accidentally). Anyone who subsequently shared that information here or on Twitter or anywhere was not under any embargo and can share that as much as they like.
Several posters here share info well in advance, I don't think any of them have 'ruined' anything anyone has worked hard on...
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 19, 2024 10:14:38 GMT
And if producers and their social media teams weren’t so effing annoying with their pathetic non-tease teasers people might feel a bit more sympathetic towards them.
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Post by lotster on Feb 19, 2024 10:27:14 GMT
And if producers and their social media teams weren’t so effing annoying with their pathetic non-tease teasers people might feel a bit more sympathetic towards them. I also think that knowing the cast is often the reason people buy tickets. I know that I usually (not always) wait until I know who is in the cast of something before I buy tickets. If they told us earlier sometimes, I'm sure they might sell more tickets in advance.
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Post by manchestertheatrefan on Feb 19, 2024 17:25:02 GMT
What’s the difference between someone posting pre-announcement on Twitter versus our insiders doing it here? The pre-announcement gossip is a lot of peoples favourite thing about TheatreBoard. I agree, but as I said above, I loose interest with someone who posts 'rumours' about a show, and then hides peoples replies. My favourite example, was a teaser of the casting for Mrs Doubtfire that 'when you hear you will be sooo excited', but then hid every reply saying that they know it's Gabriel Vick as if they hold knowledge and information over people.
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Post by ceebee on Feb 19, 2024 18:17:17 GMT
We all like a bit of goss. Some more than others. And some like to drip feed info. Slowly. Which is fine. Sometimes it feels like the moralising about the do's and don'ts of sharing a scoop is more about people being a little bitter that they are out of the scoop loop. I'm happy pecking at the crumbs I find on here.
So if anybody can give me the exclusives on when Martin Guerre, Groundhog Day and The Beggars Opera are returning, I'd be very grateful. I'll then let Theatre Fan know...
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 19, 2024 20:24:02 GMT
What’s the difference between someone posting pre-announcement on Twitter versus our insiders doing it here? The pre-announcement gossip is a lot of peoples favourite thing about TheatreBoard. I agree, but as I said above, I loose interest with someone who posts 'rumours' about a show, and then hides peoples replies. My favourite example, was a teaser of the casting for Mrs Doubtfire that 'when you hear you will be sooo excited', but then hid every reply saying that they know it's Gabriel Vick as if they hold knowledge and information over people. That’s fair.
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Post by WireHangers on Feb 20, 2024 0:06:05 GMT
I agree, but as I said above, I loose interest with someone who posts 'rumours' about a show, and then hides peoples replies. My favourite example, was a teaser of the casting for Mrs Doubtfire that 'when you hear you will be sooo excited', but then hid every reply saying that they know it's Gabriel Vick as if they hold knowledge and information over people. That’s fair. This was exactly the point I made in my original comment that restarted this discussion. Thankfully, manchestertheatrefan wrote it a lot more eloquently than me. I do think the accusation of being petty and small-minded was uncalled for however.
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Post by BVM on Feb 20, 2024 14:00:54 GMT
Theatrefan is absolutely harmless. And all the channels he is on have a fully operational "block" function, so people who don't want to see his content should probably be using that.
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Post by theatrefan62 on Mar 4, 2024 15:27:47 GMT
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Post by manchestertheatrefan on Mar 4, 2024 20:23:10 GMT
I think it's an accurate assumption that theatre bloggers / influencers don't have an impact on ticket buyers. I purchase tickets based on if I want to see the show, do I like the cast recording or musical numbers, do I like the cast, etc. But never on other peoples opinions. I have seen a number of bloggers say that they never try to give a show a low score, and could never understand why not. If they didn't enjoy a show or thought it was a pile of poop, then say so, don't go hunting for for minor reasons to boost the score because you don't like to give a show a low score - this isn't a fair reflection on their thoughts of a show. At the end of the day everyone is different, some think that Phantom is the best show ever, while others think it's boring, some think Heathers cannot be beat, while others think it's gods gift to theatre. I generally avoid bloggers reviews as just because they like a show, doesn't mean I will.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Mar 7, 2024 20:17:26 GMT
Just a small note to say that TheatreBoard is not an advertising opportunity for bloggers and vloggers commercial ventures. Cheers.
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Post by criticalprole on Mar 8, 2024 23:01:38 GMT
I think it's an accurate assumption that theatre bloggers / influencers don't have an impact on ticket buyers. I purchase tickets based on if I want to see the show, do I like the cast recording or musical numbers, do I like the cast, etc. But never on other peoples opinions. But is that true? They were a number of shows at the Edinburgh Fringe that marketed themselves via the artist's social media presence (Daniel Foxx springs to mind). Hank Green did a comedy tour recently, and he's basically just a dude who talks to his brother on YouTube. (I mean he's also super-famous out of it, but still.) Blogging etc generates clout, clout can be turned into ticket sales. I don't think this is a guarantee though, and I'm sure there's some notable flops though none spring to mind right now.
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Post by manchestertheatrefan on Mar 9, 2024 8:08:28 GMT
I think it's an accurate assumption that theatre bloggers / influencers don't have an impact on ticket buyers. I purchase tickets based on if I want to see the show, do I like the cast recording or musical numbers, do I like the cast, etc. But never on other peoples opinions. But is that true? They were a number of shows at the Edinburgh Fringe that marketed themselves via the artist's social media presence (Daniel Foxx springs to mind). Hank Green did a comedy tour recently, and he's basically just a dude who talks to his brother on YouTube. (I mean he's also super-famous out of it, but still.) Blogging etc generates clout, clout can be turned into ticket sales. I don't think this is a guarantee though, and I'm sure there's some notable flops though none spring to mind right now. Performers promoting their show on social media is very different to influencers 'promoting' a show they have been given free tickets to. To your point, if I was a fan of Daniel Fox and he posted on instagram that he has a show on at the fringe I may go and see it, or comedian Luke Kempner who always posts what he is up to (Spitting Image, Les Mis, his one man show, etc), this ties back to my point 'do I like the cast' - if I like XX and they post they are in a show, I may go and see it, they have promoted the show, they have encouraged me to see it, the blogger / influencer had no involvement in the process. If you are a fan of theatre overall, then chances are you follow theatre news outlets or are on places like this, or possibly even a member of theatre membership such as ATG, or just part of theatre distribution lists, so you will quickly know what shows are going on sale and make a decision to buy, so if bloggers / influencers didn't exist it would have little to no impact on the vast majority of sales from that group of people. If you are not a huge theatre fan, but do have a show that you will always go to, or will see a show if 'X' is in it, then chances are you are not following a theatre blogger / influencer so you ticket choices would have nothing to do with them.
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Post by theatrefan62 on Mar 9, 2024 11:48:43 GMT
Yeah I think there is a massive difference between either performers using social media to put their talent to a wider audience or someone with years of expertise in a particular field/niche giving advise, compared to someone just giving their opinion on a show who are no more qualified than you or I.
It's been said for years that theatre reviewers are become less and less relevant, and that's all theatre bloggers are at the end of the day. If everyone on social media or in someone's friend group is raving/slating a show, one lone voice saying the opposite is unlikely to have much impact.
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Post by criticalprole on Mar 9, 2024 12:17:43 GMT
It's been said for years that theatre reviewers are become less and less relevant I think that's wishful thinking, and though the nature of the beast may change, folk aren't about to stop talking critically and at length about their experiences, and that includes watching a show. Not all reviews are consumer reports; the best ones rarely are. For example, I don't play triple A video games, but I do watch Yahtzee Croshaw's reviews on games for the entertainment factor. Same goes for Mark Kermode etc. They are a thing in and of themselves. I'd probably go see Yahtzee live if he did a live thing, though more likely I'd want to come see him at a convention panel.
Though a good critic should write with their audience in mind, they shouldn't care if the audience agrees. A review from The Guardian of Evil Dead The Musical should read different to the one from Fangoria Magazine, but neither review should care if the audience has a different experience. The Fangoria reviewer is coming at it from their vast experience of the Horror genre, the Guardian reporter from their broader training. Neither are likely to have the same perspective of Joe Public.
Reviewers add their voice to the art; that's the point. Artists let them because their voices carry further.
Also, a reviewer ticket is not free, it's exchanged for the promise of labour. Getting a fluffy toy, a mug, a programme and a drinks voucher is a way to get you to come back. But also as a sort of flex; if a show can afford to fly you across the country, they've probably spent a bob or two on the show itself.
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Post by Wilf on Mar 12, 2024 10:28:39 GMT
A quick question about declaring when tickets have been gifted. Should theatres make this clear when they use vloggers and press reviewers as part of videos on X following a show? I watched one Wolverhampton Grand had posted following Bonnie and Clyde and was surprised that most of the people they interviewed I recognised as those who would have had their tickets gifted. Or was I being naive to think they would use paying customers!
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Post by Distant Dreamer... on Mar 12, 2024 10:53:31 GMT
Maybe I’m being cynical today…but can anyone claim to be a reviewer and get gifted tickets? 🤔
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Mar 12, 2024 10:59:30 GMT
I don’t think I’ve ever seen any of the YouTube vloggers put the AD Gifted graphic on screen when “reviewing” shows even though we know many are getting free tickets. If they’ve been given a ticket and they are talking about the show then that surely is an advertisement.
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Post by adamkinsey on Mar 12, 2024 15:44:03 GMT
I don’t think I’ve ever seen any of the YouTube vloggers put the AD Gifted graphic on screen when “reviewing” shows even though we know many are getting free tickets. If they’ve been given a ticket and they are talking about the show then that surely is an advertisement. They don't. They should. Most of the written bloggers I follow are very good about always using [AD] or gifted and it pisses them off that certain usual suspects think they're above this. One vlogger did once explain why he didn't do it... "I can only answer for myself - I aim to be transparent in the wording of all of my reviews, if I bought a ticket I will state as much and similarly if I am invited. I avoid #AD because I am sometimes engaged to create paid for AD content for shows, and this needs to be distinct. I used the word gifted constantly and grew tired of the disdainful messages I received because people misinterpreted an attempt at clarity as obnoxious bragging. Any uncertainties I had about what I *should* be doing were thankfully resolved after a private enquiry with the ASA."
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Mar 12, 2024 16:29:05 GMT
I can’t see how it would be any more complicated than if they’re given a ticket, they need to state Gifted on the screen. Then we all know where we are and why they’re giving a four star review of a two star show. If that invites “disdainful messages” from people who don’t understand what it means, tough. That’s the vloggers issue to resolve if it bothers them.
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Post by Distant Dreamer... on Mar 12, 2024 16:36:39 GMT
I suppose this invites an interesting question. Could you argue that the opinion from those who have paid for tickets is of greater worth as they have no obligations?
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Mar 12, 2024 16:42:12 GMT
I suppose this invites an interesting question. Could you argue that the opinion from those who have paid for tickets is of greater worth as they have no obligations? Depends on the individual. However anyone who falls under the “influencer” umbrella is a no-no for me.
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