153 posts
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Stage Con
Sept 28, 2018 10:05:23 GMT
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Post by geweena on Sept 28, 2018 10:05:23 GMT
Postponed until 2019 according to twitter
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1,089 posts
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Post by andrew on Sept 28, 2018 10:06:52 GMT
"We have listened to the feedback received in the weeks since launching and recognise that ticket prices and lead time have prohibited many of the most loyal fans from being able to attend. It is important that we acknowledge that feedback, and work with our industry partners to make the requisite changes to allow for greater accessibility.
"We are sorry to not have the chance to share the exciting programme of events and performances developed for November, but look forward to presenting this with ample notice for next year. United Theatrical are delighted to be leading the StageCon that everybody has waited for, including us!"
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Post by HereForTheatre on Sept 28, 2018 10:13:14 GMT
I think we knew this was coming. I think it's good they listened to the feedback and i do think they are committed to doing this event. Holding off for another year to develop it more and overcome some of the issues that people had with it will i'm sure make it a better event when it finally happens. I have no idea how long they worked on this behind the scenes or how much effort they put it but it did feel like they tried to run before they could walk.
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Stage Con
Sept 28, 2018 10:29:14 GMT
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Post by firefingers on Sept 28, 2018 10:29:14 GMT
Didn't realise it was United Theatrical behind it. That should have been a pretty large red flag. Always having cash flow problems that lot.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 28, 2018 10:40:25 GMT
Not announced by stagecon's twitter feed, incidentally! Here's the news story from Whatsonstage - www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/stagecon-postponed-until-2019_47696.html?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=28september2018For some reason the cancellation announcement omits to mention that it was "presented in partnership with WhatsOnStage."  Also says "United Theatrical will take over full control of the event, which was originally due to run over the weekend of 3 and 4 November at Shoreditch Town Hall." - which is odd since United Theatrical were announced as running it in the first place. Or at least "StageCon UK general manager" was James Yeoburn who is a founder of United Theatrical. Anyway .. good that they've cancelled and are offering refunds (or of course the opportunity to leave your money with them for next year's event - tough choice that!), so hopefully people have time to cancel their travel plans or book something else if they have a non-refundable hotel. |
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Post by londonmzfitz on Sept 28, 2018 10:45:18 GMT
MTAS - Musical Theatre Appreciation Society
@mtas_Official
51 minutes ago
RE: Stagecon
If you have purchased tickets for this, look into an immediate refund. Use the 5 weeks you have to cancel any accommodation/transport tickets purchased and get your money back. We never state things without good reasoning. At this stage we can not elaborate. RT
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Post by HereForTheatre on Sept 28, 2018 10:53:15 GMT
Not announced by stagecon's twitter feed, incidentally! Here's the news story from Whatsonstage - www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/stagecon-postponed-until-2019_47696.html?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=28september2018For some reason the cancellation announcement omits to mention that it was "presented in partnership with WhatsOnStage." Also says "United Theatrical will take over full control of the event, which was originally due to run over the weekend of 3 and 4 November at Shoreditch Town Hall." - which is odd since United Theatrical were announced as running it in the first place. Or at least "StageCon UK general manager" was James Yeoburn who is a founder of United Theatrical. Anyway .. good that they've cancelled and are offering refunds (or of course the opportunity to leave your money with them for next year's event - tough choice that!), so hopefully people have time to cancel their travel plans or book something else if they have a non-refundable hotel. Yes i noticed that. They were always the ones behind it. Are they just trying to duck out of the blame now and present themselves as the "new" saviours of the event? I am still giving it/them another chance because it could be a great event but that particular detail does confuse/worry me. |
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62 posts
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Stage Con
Sept 28, 2018 11:10:12 GMT
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Post by funnygirl90 on Sept 28, 2018 11:10:12 GMT
My comment would be they have undoubtedly known about this "postponement" for a long time however decided not to announce it, undoubtedly causing lots of people further financial loss. The way they have handled this "postponement" gives me little faith in the event going ahead in the future.
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4,156 posts
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Post by kathryn on Sept 28, 2018 11:36:20 GMT
Ouch. Definitely get your refund! Hopefully anyone who has already booked travel and accommodation won't lose out (or at least, can find another stagey use for it).
It did seem a bit odd that it was structured over an entire weekend, when of course many theatre practitioners would be doing a 2-show day on the saturday and so unable to attend - or at least not for very long.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 28, 2018 11:51:35 GMT
I'd be interested to know how many tickets were sold.
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Post by Mark on Sept 28, 2018 12:27:21 GMT
Stage "Con" indeed..... was this ever going to happen?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 28, 2018 12:39:56 GMT
While this all does seem a bit of a mess, in their defence I think cancelling at this point and offering refunds is a lot better than some potential outcomes. Have a look at this example from the USA for instance - How Universal Fan Con imploded—and what’s next and The FanCon Situation Regarding the confusion about Universal Theatrical's role - purely speculation but perhaps they were hired to provide management, or were part of a group of organisations running this, but there wasn't one clear organisation in charge and taking ownership of the whole thing. |
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Post by theatrefan77 on Sept 28, 2018 12:45:57 GMT
I'd be interested to know how many tickets were sold. Probably not many, and I guess they didn't get the sponsorship needed either |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 28, 2018 13:32:25 GMT
Interestingly the Stagecon website now redirects to the whatsonstage news story on the cancellation. And the twitter feed @stageconuk still hasn't tweeted anything since August 13th so no announcement directly from them on the cancellation.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Sept 28, 2018 14:25:45 GMT
I’m waiting for a CHF vlog telling us how it’s affected her and how let down she feels.🙂
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Post by 49thand8th on Sept 28, 2018 15:01:30 GMT
It does seem that a lot of effort had been put into this thing, so there has to be a certain sympathy for those whose time went in. I agree with @xanderl that they were far better to pull it now - and it looks like people will get their cash back. Will it go ahead next year? Depends what they have learned. Oddly, I was coming around to the idea by the end, so maybe at the right price and the right time even I may raise some enthusiasm enough to check the diary. Nice idea, really, let's hope they can figure the logistics in the end. I really think they should've talked to the BroadwayCon folks — at least they've been there before, albeit in a different and larger country. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Sept 28, 2018 15:28:36 GMT
I suppose that cruise thingy to Amsterdam in a few weeks would qualify as a Con. They don’t seem to have had any problems selling that and the prices were eye watering. However there’s an undeniable glamour associated with a cruise (misplaced or not) and the idea of having Michael Ball in a “captive” situation on a boat would no doubt have some people whipping out the credit card.
Shuffling around Shoreditch Town Hall with an autograph book and a packed lunch doesn’t have the same allure.
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Post by firefingers on Sept 28, 2018 16:39:40 GMT
I think the fault was really the calibre of special guests. I mean, they got people you can just grab at stage door. They needed megastars. If they could of assembled a line up of Lin Manuel Miranda, Cameron Mackintosh, Alan Mencken, Hugh Jackman, Trevor Nunn then you might have had a chance. I guess the problem is this kind of thing either makes the superstars to a wealthy to bother attending or they had faded too much into obscurity to be a draw.
Also no idea why it was an ultra-expensive all in thing, no ComicCon does that. It is always like 15 quid for basic entry (loads of shops, exhibits, some talks in large halls, sneak peak at some new stuff coming) and then up-sell photo and autograph sessions with the big names names, and an after party, and exclusive merch and stuff.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 28, 2018 20:02:17 GMT
It’s a great idea in principle, but you can’t just introduce a new venture at those prices. It feels very much like they thought they’d try their luck and cancel if it didn’t sell. Not good.
The thing for me, is that if a legit Stage Con were to exist, they’d just bundle it in with West End Live. Many of these conventions sell access tickets to individuals in advance, so if West End Live really wanted to, they could combine all sorts alongside the main stage performances.
They could easily do pre-arranged photo ops in the tents at the back, perhaps hold ‘in conversation’ stuff at Trafagar Studios 1 & 2 on a Sunday etc. It would be much more economic for the theatre fan and imo the logical step if/when West End Live decide to expand.
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923 posts
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Stage Con
Sept 28, 2018 20:44:15 GMT
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Post by Snciole on Sept 28, 2018 20:44:15 GMT
I thought this part in the full press release was rather telling, basically many of the names had managed to get paid work (Clutch your ****ing pearls in shock that many have got work just before panto season) so couldn't commit.
"In addition, some of the previously announced contributors are now unavailable 3 & 4 November due to their being offered professional work which has taken priority. The organisers have therefore decided to take more time to ensure that audiences benefit from a strong and varied programme of productions, actors, creatives and theatre makers who can participate in 2019."
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Post by wickedgrin on Sept 28, 2018 23:04:39 GMT
As I said in an earlier post on this thread I just could not understand why anyone would pay such prices for this, not knowing what they were getting. Why not just go and see a show ( or five ) for the price?
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Post by 49thand8th on Sept 28, 2018 23:05:41 GMT
As I said in an earlier post on this thread I just could not understand why anyone would pay such prices for this, not knowing what they were getting. People buy tickets to events all the time when they don't know the outcome. Perhaps sports? |
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Post by wickedgrin on Sept 28, 2018 23:13:19 GMT
As I said in an earlier post on this thread I just could not understand why anyone would pay such prices for this, not knowing what they were getting. People buy tickets to events all the time when they don't know the outcome. Perhaps sports? You know exactly what you are getting when you pay to see sport - that is, a football match for example and a game in which either side could win. You don't buy a ticket for sport and not know what sport it is. It might be tennis? Then again it might be baseball? Who's playing? No idea! Where am I sat? No idea! Am I standing? No idea! Is there a burger van? No idea! Beer? No idea! |
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Post by kathryn on Sept 29, 2018 9:37:33 GMT
A signing tent, plus a ticketed West End Live afterparty (maybe with a stagey MC/DJ to give the event some atmosphere) at a nearby club/bar with music, would probably cover the bases. Free entry and booze for cast members, charge the general public to party with their favourite West End stars.
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4,156 posts
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Stage Con
Sept 29, 2018 10:43:55 GMT
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Post by kathryn on Sept 29, 2018 10:43:55 GMT
"In addition, some of the previously announced contributors are now unavailable 3 & 4 November due to their being offered professional work which has taken priority. " This is a problem that plagues comic and sf cons too. Paid film/tv work always takes priority and schedules can change at the last minute. It’s one reason why those photo and autograph sessions are charged individually rather than bundled in with the admission price - in the event of stars cancelling you can refund or transfer to another session. I know at the last ACE comic con that had a lot of MCU stars Chrises Evans and Hemsworth had to cancel, with the result that a lot of their ticket holders transferred to sessions with Toms Holland and Hiddleston (and Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan - though as they’re not lead stars I believe their sessions were cheaper). The result was that the Toms were booked absolutely solid all weekend. This appears to be tolerable to them because they had the evenings to relax and socialise as a group. I don’t think you’d get the same goodwill from guests who were having to dash off to do a show in the evening. |
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