Dreamgirls - Savoy / UK Tour

I don't think that counts as advertising on the basis of her name at all - if it did, then An American in Paris are also advertising on the basis of their stars, but I doubt many people could name them.

All the website is doing is informing people that the actress cast as lead Effie does not do all the performances. I think some people on here are slightly over-stating how famous Amber Riley is - Glee was several years ago and although it was popular it was still fairly niche, and Amber was not the main star. She hasn't done much since to bring her to the attention of the general public in the UK aside from a few TV appearances for Dreamgirls.

Yes, she is obviously the most high profile person in the cast, but I don't think that means they are in any way advertising based on her name. They are simply stating what her schedule is intended to be, while at the same time making it very clear that no cast member can be guaranteed to appear. If you want to (or have to) take the risk of booking in advance then that's up to you, but it doesn't entitle you to see Amber. This has never been "Amber Riley in Dreamgirls".

So....the drama continues....so how many shows a week is Amber scheduled to do now? It really should be made clear as other posters have said. Frankly, I don't think it is a bigger sing than Evita or Elphaba for example.

After 2 shows, I've still never seen Liisi!

We should make Dreamgirls Bingo cards.

Bravo to Nicholas Bailey slaying it as Marty every time I've gone to see it! Amber who? Marisha who?

Ironically he's off this week!

i dont think its quite the same as Sheridan as she was the advertising. Same with Glenn Close in Sunset.

While Ambers name is definately being used to sell the shows its not quite to the same extent as Sunset and Funny Girl.

Even with Amber discount tickets have been pretty readily available through Todaytix for prime seats for last few months so assume they will be looking for a name to replace her

In fairness, it's always going to be the leads performing at the Royal Variety, regardless of what show it is or how famous their stars are.

It's definitely not the same as Funny Girl/Gypsy/Sunset...she's not on any of the publicity, name or photo, so I don't see how it can be said that it's the same?

Yes, people absolutely are booking specifically to see Amber - as people often do book to see particular cast members, but the show certainly has not been sold solely off her back. Given that it's still busy when she's off kinda proves this. As a comparison, when Alexandra Burke was in the Bodygard, for the Liverpool run every evening (with Alex) was sold out, the matinees (with the alternate) were less than half full.

For me, a comparable example to Amber and Dreamgirls would be Alfie Boe/Matt Lucas in Les Mis...the fact that they were cast definitely shifted tickets, though the show wasn't peddled solely on them, and to the best of my knowledge they weren't on posters etc (though my memory is hazy so forgive me if I'm wrong!)

I can't think of any other examples right now (I'm sure one will come to me in the middle of the night) but I'm sure there must be other examples of shows that have "celebrities" cast, without them being the Marketing face of the production.

All of that aside though, Amber's attendance really has been sub-par - it's certainly not unreasonable for the paying public to expect her to be on 7 shows a week when that's how she's advertised, so you can absolutely see why people are somewhat peeved.

Has Lily Frazer been on as Deena recently?

Fanks. I'd love to see Jocasta (or Liisi) as Deena.

Fair enough, I saw her in a couple of roles at In The Heights and she was very good at them all. She's such an expressive face.

I saw Dreamgirls on Saturday for the first time and I was extremely wowed by the production. I secretly hoped to see Amber, but after reading some positive comments about Marisha, I decided not to care which cast members I see.

Living in Edinburgh, you mostly get to see productions on tour, with limited, cut-down set. I was awestruck to see the costumes, the automation, the fluidity of it all. Breathtaking. The entire cast delivered perfectly.

As we were leaving the theatre, an audience member asked the member of theatre staff, if they are changing cast, because Deena said "This is the last time we will ever sing together"... bless her...