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Post by forfivemoreminutes on Mar 21, 2024 17:31:23 GMT
average as in he's not famous, come on 🙄 but anyway to the actual point, why do you feel entitled to know about cast illness? it is not any of your business to know that a cast member isn't there! are you saying you want to be emailed day of show saying a cast member is sick? is that what you're saying? I've not mentioned cast illness once - assumption on your part. Will leave you to troll others. Ian was off this week due to illness but ok can’t believe opinions are banned in a theatre message board whatever will i do with my life now |
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Post by Dr Tom on Mar 21, 2024 17:39:21 GMT
This forum can get a bit heated. It's also a challenge of the written word. It's so easy to write things thinking they will be interpreted one way, then people read them differently, or consider them as personal slights. Hopefully we're all here because we love theatre and want to support everyone involved.
Personally, I'm always very happy to see covers on. They're getting an opportunity. We're getting a different performance. Yes, there are times I prefer the main performer (and times I prefer the cover), but that's a personal preference, which we all have. It's not intended as a slight against anyone. Yes, I'm lucky in that I can see most shows more than once.
I quite understand the economic reasons for not offering refunds, although there are plenty of times when I wish that an audience member with a terrible cough etc had been offered the opportunity to see the show when they were less under the weather.
The single change I would like would be accurate cast boards/screens shown in parts of the theatre which aren't blocking everyone else.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Mar 21, 2024 18:06:45 GMT
To be clear, I wasn’t proposing refunds. I was proposing the ability to exchange for a different performance. Not a different show at the same theatre, but a different performance in the same run of the same show at the same theatre.
If such a proposal threatens the profitability of the show given the handful of occasions where it will be used then there are bigger problems in theatre than we can possibly imagine. And if we have to worry about the admin cost, charge an admin fee for the swap. Help the customer out here.
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Post by darvsplanet on Mar 21, 2024 18:16:23 GMT
I feel like allowing refunds or exchanges for performers not appearing just reinforces the misguided idea that you are booking a ticket for a performer rather than the show itself.
Putting more of an incentive to maximise performer attendance is only going to increase stress levels and encourage performers who are not well enough to perform, to go on anyway.
The physical and mental health of performers should be the priority but if the theatre stands to lose money due to illness or holidays then it won’t be for much longer.
Theatres should absolutely make it clear when an understudy or alternate is on, and when that information is available well in advance it should be shown clearly when booking tickets. But that should be to uplift and celebrate them rather than to apologise.
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Post by ceebee on Mar 21, 2024 18:33:19 GMT
I've not mentioned cast illness once - assumption on your part. Will leave you to troll others. Ian was off this week due to illness but ok can’t believe opinions are banned in a theatre message board whatever will i do with my life now Free world - say what you like. As somebody who doesn't know Ian, I am not to know if he is ill. Missing him three times is just bad luck then. |
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Post by forfivemoreminutes on Mar 21, 2024 19:35:30 GMT
Ian was off this week due to illness but ok can’t believe opinions are banned in a theatre message board whatever will i do with my life now Free world - say what you like. As somebody who doesn't know Ian, I am not to know if he is ill. Missing him three times is just bad luck then. like any job actors don’t (and can’t) just call out for funsies… kinda just common sense 9 times out of 10 this is going to be illness, and if not then still an unforeseen circumstance that prevents them from performing anyway? like why else did you think he wasn’t there (said in a non patronising way) |
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Post by manchestertheatrefan on Mar 21, 2024 20:10:46 GMT
I'm not a fan of comparing performers to Heinz and own label beans, I'm pretty certain not intended that way, but feels like a diss-service to the many incredibly talented understudies / alts / swings out there.
I don't think it would be unreasonable to allow a free exchange of tickets to an alternative performance of the same show at the same venue if it is clearly being advertised as see 'Big Name / stunt cast' as the lead in 'x show' and then on the day they are not going to perform for any reason, as long as there is guidelines in place such as it has to be done x hours before show-time - while not a perfect solution for the customer, it is better than what is available today and does provide some degree of flexibility.
On the other hand if you are booking to see a show, then that is slightly different, to use JCS as that is part of the debate the show isn't sold as Ian and Shem as Jesus and Judas in JCS, it's sold purely as JCS s that is what you have purchased tickets for.
I feel like if Martin Lewis was here, he would point out that if you bought something that wasn't as described you are entitled for a refund, but if you change your mind you have no rights. So, where you have bought a ticket for a show that isn't being sold as 'see this performer' then if the cast does change then too bad.
I do wonder though, while it's unlikely we would be able to see actually data, what is the impact of ATG+ members being able to change being allowed to change performances for free, things like how many / what is the chances the theatre cannot sell on the empty seats they have left behind.
On another point I have seen Ian twice as Jesus, he is stunning, love to see him with Luke as Judas, I think that would be an incredible and powerful duo to watch on stage - maybe when it's at the Lowry later this year.
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Post by ceebee on Mar 21, 2024 23:29:00 GMT
Free world - say what you like. As somebody who doesn't know Ian, I am not to know if he is ill. Missing him three times is just bad luck then. like any job actors don’t (and can’t) just call out for funsies… kinda just common sense 9 times out of 10 this is going to be illness, and if not then still an unforeseen circumstance that prevents them from performing anyway? like why else did you think he wasn’t there (said in a non patronising way) Who knows? Who cares? Anyway, not to worry because Luke Street absolutely owned the role of Jesus this evening. I've decided I'll happily watch Luke do a one-man show playing Jesus and Judas with avatars to plug the gaps when both characters are on stage, and perhaps chuck in his regular role of Simon too if he's up to it. |
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Post by forfivemoreminutes on Mar 22, 2024 4:55:20 GMT
like any job actors don’t (and can’t) just call out for funsies… kinda just common sense 9 times out of 10 this is going to be illness, and if not then still an unforeseen circumstance that prevents them from performing anyway? like why else did you think he wasn’t there (said in a non patronising way) Who cares? . Well… you… or why else did you start complaining about your £700 tickets in the first place |
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Post by ceebee on Mar 22, 2024 7:07:08 GMT
Well… you… or why else did you start complaining about your £700 tickets in the first place Bored now. Goodbye. |
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Post by 141920grm on Mar 22, 2024 9:40:47 GMT
but.. but… we’ve only covered understudies, alts, and covers in this thread, where are the secrets?? i came here for the secrets!  |
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Post by fiyero on Mar 22, 2024 10:05:56 GMT
but.. but… we’ve only covered understudies, alts, and covers in this thread, where are the secrets?? i came here for the secrets! The secrets are like my experience at Woking, the sign was on a clipboard under the counter in the cloakroom. Not exactly a notification if it took 3 staff to find it for me! I was sat in the upper circle and with the costumes and hair being the same I probably wouldn't have identified that we had a different Nadeem from sight alone. I could tell we had a different Hassan as they have quite different builds! I would have hated if I'd gone on X and said how Matthew had played the role a bit different tonight then found out it wasn't actually him! I know there were signs in the evening when even more covers were on (and I'm sure smashing their parts too!) |
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Post by ladidah on Mar 22, 2024 10:08:54 GMT
They just need to be as honest and transparent as they can be, things happen and people will be more understanding if it's clear.
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Post by forfivemoreminutes on Mar 22, 2024 11:35:12 GMT
but.. but… we’ve only covered understudies, alts, and covers in this thread, where are the secrets?? i came here for the secrets! The secrets are like my experience at Woking, the sign was on a clipboard under the counter in the cloakroom. Not exactly a notification if it took 3 staff to find it for me! I was sat in the upper circle and with the costumes and hair being the same I probably wouldn't have identified that we had a different Nadeem from sight alone. I could tell we had a different Hassan as they have quite different builds! I would have hated if I'd gone on X and said how Matthew had played the role a bit different tonight then found out it wasn't actually him! I know there were signs in the evening when even more covers were on (and I'm sure smashing their parts too!) I wonder who it actually is that puts them up, I went Tuesday night (19th) at Woking and there was a free standing A4 sign next to the door for the rear and front stalls (next to where the runtime was listed) but didn’t go to the upper levels. It was also the cover for Nadeem then so I’m surprised they didn’t just leave it up! Is it the responsibility of FOH or Stage Management? I’m not sure |
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Post by fiyero on Mar 22, 2024 12:07:28 GMT
The secrets are like my experience at Woking, the sign was on a clipboard under the counter in the cloakroom. Not exactly a notification if it took 3 staff to find it for me! I was sat in the upper circle and with the costumes and hair being the same I probably wouldn't have identified that we had a different Nadeem from sight alone. I could tell we had a different Hassan as they have quite different builds! I would have hated if I'd gone on X and said how Matthew had played the role a bit different tonight then found out it wasn't actually him! I know there were signs in the evening when even more covers were on (and I'm sure smashing their parts too!) I wonder who it actually is that puts them up, I went Tuesday night (19th) at Woking and there was a free standing A4 sign next to the door for the rear and front stalls (next to where the runtime was listed) but didn’t go to the upper levels. It was also the cover for Nadeem then so I’m surprised they didn’t just leave it up! Is it the responsibility of FOH or Stage Management? I’m not sure The sheets seemed to be in a pre-show briefing type pile with what looked like timesheets etc... so not sure who prints them but definitely with FoH to display. I didn't look on the way out to see if they were up or not but saw a tweet showing the 4 cover one was up in the evening. |
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Post by clarefh on Mar 22, 2024 21:54:46 GMT
The Donmar also credit you without necessarily reselling the ticket, I believe. Oh fab, my mistake there then. The only time I returned one was for the recent Macbeth, it had been sold by the time I turned away from BO so my credit was instant  Somewhat minor point for the thread but the Donmar credit without re selling up to 24 hours before, but if you return within 24 hours they only credit if they resell. |
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Post by Distant Dreamer... on Mar 23, 2024 17:13:54 GMT
Do we think theatres should do more to ensure audience members (who wish to know) are better informed of which cast they see?
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Post by fiyero on Mar 23, 2024 20:06:10 GMT
Do we think theatres should do more to ensure audience members (who wish to know) are better informed of which cast they see? That's why I started the thread! It wasn't about refunds if actor X isn't on, but making sure I can praise actor Y if they are covering! |
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Post by craigbowker on Mar 25, 2024 9:13:31 GMT
Do we think theatres should do more to ensure audience members (who wish to know) are better informed of which cast they see? Playbills would solve this. |
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Post by hannechalk on Mar 26, 2024 15:59:32 GMT
Very oddly there is one Kenwright-show which is very cagey about letting the public know when covers are on - even when it is an alternate on fixed days.
Whereas many of the fans would travel specifically to see the sudden cover performing if it was announced beforehand.
It's also a show which is not fully hinged on a huge star or anything, so the not being upfront about it seems odd.
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Post by 141920grm on Mar 27, 2024 12:29:22 GMT
Wasn't there a whole unspoken policy for DMT shows not allowing covers to even announce their scheduled dates? Not sure how the situation is now, this was something I heard a few years back
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Post by Steffi on Mar 27, 2024 13:07:10 GMT
Wasn't there a whole unspoken policy for DMT shows not allowing covers to even announce their scheduled dates? Not sure how the situation is now, this was something I heard a few years back Not sure if this was a general DMT policy but when a friend was in Les Mis he wasn't allowed to announce his scheduled days off. |
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Post by fiyero on Mar 27, 2024 14:07:47 GMT
Very oddly there is one Kenwright-show which is very cagey about letting the public know when covers are on - even when it is an alternate on fixed days. Whereas many of the fans would travel specifically to see the sudden cover performing if it was announced beforehand. It's also a show which is not fully hinged on a huge star or anything, so the not being upfront about it seems odd. Tell me it's not true?! It is odd, as posted above I travelled to Eastbourne (about 3 hours on 2 trains) just to see the alternate in another show! Not sure why they keep such secrets |
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Post by elfman1 on Mar 27, 2024 17:48:26 GMT
Wasn't there a whole unspoken policy for DMT shows not allowing covers to even announce their scheduled dates? Not sure how the situation is now, this was something I heard a few years back It’s a lot better now. Les Mis cast members (the only DMT show I closely follow) do tend to post holiday dates/ cover dates quite a way in advance |
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