Kinky Boots - UK Tour

He was on Johnathan Ross the other night and he said he’d known about getting the part 2 years ago and ever since then he’s taken singing lessons. Watch this space

Johannes bailing out of matinees in Sheffield.

Hmm.

First major MT role and bailing out. Not a good look.

Those dates in Sheffield that he’s not playing the matinees, what is he doing? He’s obviously in town.
Sheffield Theatres have been pushing out notifications like mad that’s he’s not on but many people will have already purchased tickets based on his casting.
Very poor. And sounds like diva behaviour from him.

He isn't doing Wednesday and Thursday matinées in Southampton either.

I don't know if that was announced from the start or if it's been added. Both performances have limited availability

It doesn't sound like diva behaviour - it sounds sensible considering Lola is a full out role and he's not done a full length musical run before so they're trying to pace him.

Obviously would have preferred them to announce this when tickets went ok sale, but makes a lot of sense to me.

I hadn't got round to booking this. I've seen Kinky Boots several times before, and was interested to see Johannes, but now that he isn't doing matinees, I'm afraid I'm out.

There is a big difference between someone being off sick, and a pre planned pattern of absences through the whole tour.

Whether this is Johannes or the producers, it isn't OK. It was known from the moment his name was announced he has previously stated he doesn't have a good/strong voice. Knowing this an alternate schedule should be in place from the very beginning. It's an easily foreseeable issue.

This show is heavily sold on his name, and people (more than ever) pay a premium for that. It's about transparency and being fair to your customers. They announce it after the majority of tickets are sold. So not only do they have their money, the ticket buyers can't change dates.

The two venues near me said before tickets went on sale that he wouldn't be doing the week matinees

People watch Strictly and purchase tickets based on someone on it?

News to me!

For every venue I've looked at (which is basically everywhere that's accessible from the midlands because I really can't wait to see the show again), there have been notes either on the main show page or pop ups when you click on the performance itself to say that Johannes will not be performing. It has been planned from the start, and there's clear evidence for that in a lot of venues where the Johannes shows are basically sold out and the non-Johannes shows are not, so many people obviously did read the information and know. I'll admit I was surprised by just how much of a draw Johannes seems to be based on those trends, but it's a clear pattern. This hasn't just been decided last minute.

I am still very confused by the issue here. Its no guarantee that youll see the "big name" anyway. Its live theatre and sometimes things happen. This is for his health and for benefits of audiences to ensure everyone is giving and getting the best show possible.

There are disclaimers about this very thing. Maybe i am just different, but i generally try and understand the risks befire soending my money on expensive things like theatre.