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Post by wickedgrin on May 25, 2018 8:52:51 GMT
It must be especially difficult these days with social media. An actor needs to promote their work but also guard their privacy. It is so easy to "follow" (stalk?) people these days. Most of us relish our privacy without realising what a luxury it is. I would be completely unnerved by people I did not know saying "hi" as if they knew me having only seen me acting a role on stage which might be nothing like my real persona.
I have not been round to a stage door for years, and even in my youth did it very rarely.
I will say to "hi" to an actor I admire if I happen to see them on a railway platform or in the street. They must be used to it as they have always been gracious and mostly delightful. I always move on quickly though unless they initiate conversation.
Most recently I said "hi" to the "lovely" Debbie McGee in Covent Garden who was indeed lovely!
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Post by profquatermass on May 25, 2018 9:25:43 GMT
This thread reminded me of Peter Karrie who played the Phantom in the 1990s and who had a pair of particularly crazy stalkers. I couldn't find the full details online but there are lots of old messageboards with bits of the tale www.filmtracks.com/comments/titles/phantom_opera/index.cgi?read=920&expand=1No actor is going to say in an interview that he doesn't want anything to do with his fans. That's like a teacher saying they can't stand their pupils. But it doesn't mean they actually want to meet them every night... |
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2018 10:05:46 GMT
There's a link to a statement on Peter Karrie's website in that forum thread - no longer exists but you can find it via archive.org (need to go back to 2005)
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Post by daisy24601 on May 25, 2018 10:13:29 GMT
This thread reminded me of Peter Karrie who played the Phantom in the 1990s and who had a pair of particularly crazy stalkers. I couldn't find the full details online but there are lots of old messageboards with bits of the tale www.filmtracks.com/comments/titles/phantom_opera/index.cgi?read=920&expand=1No actor is going to say in an interview that he doesn't want anything to do with his fans. That's like a teacher saying they can't stand their pupils. But it doesn't mean they actually want to meet them every night... My point was why mention it at all when not asked, if you really don't want to see people? I've also seen actors tweet people with the likes of "nice to see you" or "come say hi", say nothing at all if you don't want it. A few kind words from a stranger after work is not the most taxing thing, if they're tired or don't want to see anyone they can walk passed or leave by another exit, and they do. I think some people here are imagining a crazy stalker scenario if you say you've seen someone more than once. Those are extreme cases and there are a lot of levels in between. I personally wouldn't say anything to someone if I saw them out and about, it makes more sense to me to say hello to someone at the place they're doing a show. If I was the only one waiting I'd wonder if I was a weirdo and probably leave, however that has never been the case. I understand people not wanting to do it and finding it odd but its getting quite judemental in here, a lot is being assumed from a couple of paragraphs. When my restraining order is lifted I'll go back and ask him what he REALLY thinks. |
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2018 12:08:28 GMT
I tend to chat to directors if I see them hanging around, which I imagine is much less usual than with actors. They're invariably interested in your take on the production, given that it's the reason they are still there watching it in the first place. Mostly relief that you got what they were aiming for but with the occasional furrowed brow at something they clearly hadn't thought of/imagined!
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Post by kathryn on May 25, 2018 12:56:47 GMT
This thread reminded me of Peter Karrie who played the Phantom in the 1990s and who had a pair of particularly crazy stalkers. I couldn't find the full details online but there are lots of old messageboards with bits of the tale www.filmtracks.com/comments/titles/phantom_opera/index.cgi?read=920&expand=1No actor is going to say in an interview that he doesn't want anything to do with his fans. That's like a teacher saying they can't stand their pupils. But it doesn't mean they actually want to meet them every night... My point was why mention it at all when not asked, if you really don't want to see people? I've also seen actors tweet people with the likes of "nice to see you" or "come say hi", say nothing at all if you don't want it. A few kind words from a stranger after work is not the most taxing thing, if they're tired or don't want to see anyone they can walk passed or leave by another exit, and they do. I think some people here are imagining a crazy stalker scenario if you say you've seen someone more than once. Those are extreme cases and there are a lot of levels in between. I personally wouldn't say anything to someone if I saw them out and about, it makes more sense to me to say hello to someone at the place they're doing a show. If I was the only one waiting I'd wonder if I was a weirdo and probably leave, however that has never been the case. I understand people not wanting to do it and finding it odd but its getting quite judemental in here, a lot is being assumed from a couple of paragraphs. When my restraining order is lifted I'll go back and ask him what he REALLY thinks. I think it's like anything else in life - fine (enjoyable, even) in moderation. It stops being moderate when you get very famous and you suddenly have hundreds of people at stage door and thousands tweeting @ you, or when individuals become obsessive - which can happen to people when you're not that famous. Perfectly ordinary people end up with stalkers, if they are unfortunate enough to catch the attention of someone who fixates on them. It's just more likely to happen to famous people because they are more visible. |
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Post by ensembleswings on May 25, 2018 16:49:49 GMT
There's very few shows/actors that I go round to the stage door for, on the whole I'd say I very rarely visit. I always feel like I'm bothering the actors far more than I want to and equally they want to be, so I tend not to do it much anymore.
There is one show that I've visited the stage door for on multiple times during the same cast year, I feel like I'm annoying all the actors just by being there even though I stand to the side and allow them all to walk straight by if they wish to or are in a rush. I first of all went round to the stage door to see a particular actress who was on in her understudy role. I'd previously seen her in that same role and tweeted her to say how I'd enjoyed the way she played it so when I saw her on in that role again (and felt the same way about her portrayal) I decided to go round to stage door and tell her so in person, she recognised me from that previous tweet (although it had been four months earlier - apparently she doesn't have many people tweeting her) and thanked me for going to see her in the show again etc, then later on that night tweeted me thanking me for going again and also said it was lovely to see me. That encounter made me feel less awkward and annoying about the whole stage door thing. I've gone back to that stage door a few more times when that actress has been on (not just in that role, she's a swing) and if she spots me waiting she'll walk over to say hello.
I asked a few other actors to sign a programme I bought on that trip and they've recognised me on other visits, I feel like that means I've gone round too many times (it's been about five/six times over the year) and am annoying them but they always say it's nice to see me, thank me for the support and that.
Obviously I never expect anyone to stop and chat/sign/take photos, at the end of the day it's their own time and they're entitled to do whatever they like with it but it's lovely when they do.
I've recognised a few people in the train station/on the tube after shows or on the way to shows but I'd never stop them to say hello. I have had it where they've recognised me in similar situations (whether it's from that show or others where I've visited stage door to see friends in the cast) and said hello which obviously I reply to or a quick mutual nod to one another.
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Post by rockinrobin on May 25, 2018 17:36:12 GMT
There is just one actor I go to say hello to on a regular basis - but this "regular" means once every 6-12 months, not twice a week, so I very much hope his "good to see you again" is honest and he doesn't really think "oh God, not this creepy woman again".
(On the other hand, he's an actor so you never know).
I would never chase people or block their way (oh,and sneaky photos are also a big NO-NO for me) - after all, they're tired, it's late, probably if I were them I'd also like to just go home and get sloshed on the sofa. But I see it quite often. Many fans perceive actors as their mascots who should always find time for them - and by "time" I mean 30 minutes rather than 3. I still remember David Tennant's superfan who didn't manage to talk to him at the stage door of Wyndham's (because the crowd was so big that he'd have to spend 3 hours there to please everyone); she burst into tears, wailed and almost collapsed. That was genuinely scary.
But sometimes it's just nice and normal. When I was waiting for Jeremy Irons, there were just 3 of us at the stage door. It took him ages to leave because he had guests, but when he finally emerged and before I even managed to open my mouth, he said "Oh my God, I'm do sorry, you must be freezing!". That was kind of lovely.
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Post by stagebyte on May 25, 2018 17:46:00 GMT
Yes David Tennant does seem to attract an almost cult like devotion doesn’t he?
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Post by sophizoey on May 25, 2018 17:50:19 GMT
I've seen some things at stage door. While I'm probably considered a crazy, I do the gift giving every once in a while. (No microwaves or jewellery, just a bar of chocolate here or there)
The worst thing I've done was a complete accident, wandering around Edinburgh on Wednesday to see the Wicked tour and seeing members of the ensemble out and about and accidently smiling at them. I appreciate they probably thought it was weird, I hope it came across as friendly 😂 It was nice when they smiled back.
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2018 18:12:16 GMT
The worst thing I've done was a complete accident, wandering around Edinburgh on Wednesday to see the Wicked tour and seeing members of the ensemble out and about and accidently smiling at them. I appreciate they probably thought it was weird, I hope it came across as friendly 😂 It was nice when they smiled back. Oh don't worry I've done just as bad...my old job shared office space with the WMC theatre, and the easiest way to get either to other offices and/or to the shops at lunch was via stage door and the 'outdoor corridor' as I like to call it that leads to it. I have lost count of the number of people I've politely nodded at/smiled at/said morning to thinking they were just someone I kind of knew from the building...when in fact they were actors. Who probably thought I was a total nut job trying to sneak backstage or similar. Les Dennis also accidentally crashed a meeting we were having too. |
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Post by daisy24601 on May 25, 2018 20:01:46 GMT
I tend to chat to directors if I see them hanging around, which I imagine is much less usual than with actors. They're invariably interested in your take on the production, given that it's the reason they are still there watching it in the first place. Mostly relief that you got what they were aiming for but with the occasional furrowed brow at something they clearly hadn't thought of/imagined! Oh this has reminded me of an incident from quite a few years ago. I was seeing a play with some friends, it was either the interval or after the show, I went outside with them while they smoked and one of them said how terribly it was directed and how this and that bit was badly done etc. and you've guessed it, the director was standing behind us. He said "Well, how would YOU have done it?!" and stomped off inside. Clearly didn't want an answer. |
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Post by duncan on May 26, 2018 9:41:41 GMT
The worst thing I've done was a complete accident, wandering around Edinburgh on Wednesday to see the Wicked tour and seeing members of the ensemble out and about and accidently smiling at them. I appreciate they probably thought it was weird, I hope it came across as friendly 😂 It was nice when they smiled back. Oh don't worry I've done just as bad...my old job shared office space with the WMC theatre, and the easiest way to get either to other offices and/or to the shops at lunch was via stage door and the 'outdoor corridor' as I like to call it that leads to it. I have lost count of the number of people I've politely nodded at/smiled at/said morning to thinking they were just someone I kind of knew from the building...when in fact they were actors. Who probably thought I was a total nut job trying to sneak backstage or similar. Les Dennis also accidentally crashed a meeting we were having too. Alex Salmond once crashed a training course I was running when he was First Minister, they were upstairs when they should have been downstairs but he actually stayed for 10 minutes or so, keeping everyone else waiting, whilst he talked to the attendees. Nice man, terrible politics. |
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Post by Deleted on May 26, 2018 10:14:07 GMT
Many fans perceive actors as their mascots who should always find time for them - and by "time" I mean 30 minutes rather than 3. I still remember David Tennant's superfan who didn't manage to talk to him at the stage door of Wyndham's (because the crowd was so big that he'd have to spend 3 hours there to please everyone); she burst into tears, wailed and almost collapsed. That was genuinely scary. Oh I'm sorry but I wouldn't have been able to stop myself from laughing at her and telling her to pull herself together and stop embarrassing herself. I mean, really. When Tom Bateman issued me with the first restraining order, did I cry? Did I wail? Did I collapse? No I did not. I simply ripped it up and kept on stalking him. Some people are such lightweights. |
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Post by rockinrobin on May 26, 2018 12:14:54 GMT
Off topic, but I love you, Ryan. I might be fangirling a bit when we finally meet one day.
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Post by Deleted on May 26, 2018 12:25:22 GMT
The stage door is a good place for people to come into contact with stars they admire and might never otherwise come into contact with. Much better than accosting them when they are out and about getting on with their daily lives. I once saw a famous actress in a farmer’s market and she was being followed around by a couple of people who were filming her on their mobiles. Horrendous. Another time I sat opposite a famous actor on the tube (he had a baby with him). I kept looking at him because I couldn’t work out how I knew him. When it clicked I was so embarrassed, smiled (he smiled back as though he understood) and then just left him alone. Interestingly, around that time he gave an interview about how he was able to get around town unrecognised.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on May 26, 2018 12:30:16 GMT
These out and about meetings with actors sound so clandestine, almost illicit. Secret nods in the street, furtive smiles across the aisle of a tube train.... very exciting!
Sadly I’m so bad with faces that Meryl Streep could stop me in the street and ask for directions and I wouldn’t clock a thing.
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Post by Deleted on May 26, 2018 12:47:51 GMT
Off topic, but I love you, Ryan. Oh my. Bless you rockinrobin. So do I. |
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Post by Deleted on May 26, 2018 14:07:21 GMT
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Post by ensembleswings on May 26, 2018 14:09:27 GMT
One thing I've seen quite a bit but never understood is when people visit the stage door and just stand there taking photos of an actor as they're leaving or talking to someone. I understand asking them if they'd mind having a photo taken with you/taking a selfie, but just taking photos of them without asking or saying anything? What's all that about?
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Post by Deleted on May 26, 2018 15:15:52 GMT
One thing I've seen quite a bit but never understood is when people visit the stage door and just stand there taking photos of an actor as they're leaving or talking to someone. I understand asking them if they'd mind having a photo taken with you/taking a selfie, but just taking photos of them without asking or saying anything? What's all that about? Perhaps it's for a dossier or a shrine? |
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Post by Deleted on May 26, 2018 15:19:22 GMT
When Tom Bateman issued me with the first restraining order, did I cry? Did I wail? Did I collapse? No I did not. I simply ripped it up and kept on stalking him. Some people are such lightweights. You didn't frame it? I mean, you only get one first of anything. |
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Post by Deleted on May 26, 2018 15:20:56 GMT
When Tom Bateman issued me with the first restraining order, did I cry? Did I wail? Did I collapse? No I did not. I simply ripped it up and kept on stalking him. Some people are such lightweights. You didn't frame it? I mean, you only get one first of anything. When you've had as many as I have, the novelty wears off rather quickly. |
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Post by Deleted on May 26, 2018 15:21:30 GMT
I only tend to go stage door if there’s someone in the cast I like. All the celebrities I have met so far have been lovely, but also meet more musical theatre performers who are lovely. Sometimes it’s nice to chat and stay in contact with people from the ensemble who I think really appreciate the support considering they probably wouldn’t get many fans compared to people in lead roles?
It was interesting how at one certain show, stage door in August was packed and all the cast came out and chatted to all the many people there whereas the same show in January, the stage door was dead. Only like 5 people there and only ensemble members came out
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Post by clair on May 26, 2018 17:41:06 GMT
These out and about meetings with actors sound so clandestine, almost illicit. Secret nods in the street, furtive smiles across the aisle of a tube train.... very exciting! Sadly I’m so bad with faces that Meryl Streep could stop me in the street and ask for directions and I wouldn’t clock a thing. Great example as I did manage a fifteen minute conversation with Meryl Streep at work once and had no idea! I'm another who rarely recognises people so on the rare occasions I do I'm usually too proud of myself for knowing who they are to worry about going over to them. |
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