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Post by danieljohnson14 on Mar 28, 2019 17:47:22 GMT
Firstly, this may not be the most cheerful thread so I apologise. I know there can be much discussion as to how old a performer is, how capable they are etc, but I'm just curious. I've had a thought since Petula Clark was announced for Mary Poppins in the Autumn. By the time she opens, she will be close to 87 years old. Another that comes to mind is obviously Angela Lansbury in Blithe Spirit. Whilst these actresses are more than capable, do producers have extra conversations and meetings that go on backstage when hiring actors or actresses that are significantly older as to heath wise and what will happen in the event they may not be able to, erm, go on? Is there extra insurance for the production pending any issues that may arise? I realise there is no easy way to word this kind of question, and obviously I wish no I'll on either actress mentioned or any older actors or actresses. I don't know why I've been wondering it, but I'm just curious about that behind the scenes aspect.  |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2019 7:19:39 GMT
It's an interesting question. I presume there is insurance involved, and as with travel insurance that would get more expensive with age or pre-existing health problems.
I think there's a difference between Blithe Spirit (where the whole production was sold on Angela Lansbury's name) and Mary Poppins (where Petula is just doing one and a bit songs, so if she's off, most people will not just have booked to see her).
I remember Michael Caine telling the story that when he was filming "Sleuth" with Olivier, Larry was bemoaning the fact he couldn't get insured (not sure if this was for leads in theatre or film) and so was relatively hard up (in the sense of, he was struggling to pay his childrens' school fees). Michael Caine advised him "Just do what I do - film roles in any old crap" or words to that effect. Which is why Larry had a late burst of a career in films like Marathon Man, Boys from Brazil, etc.
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Post by wickedgrin on Mar 29, 2019 9:35:49 GMT
As we all have to die, I like to think that many actors would love to die on stage working and doing what they love. Many actors did of course, Leonard Rossiter, Sidney James, Arthur Lowe, Tommy Cooper (to name a few off the top of my head).
I would love to die watching a show! Quietly, naturally, so not to appear in the bad behaviour thread for selfishly disrupting a performance, but slip away quietly during a "boring bit" and only being discovered when I am the only one in the audience not giving a standing ovation at the end!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2019 14:54:04 GMT
It's an interesting question. I presume there is insurance involved, and as with travel insurance that would get more expensive with age or pre-existing health problems. I think there's a difference between Blithe Spirit (where the whole production was sold on Angela Lansbury's name) and Mary Poppins (where Petula is just doing one and a bit songs, so if she's off, most people will not just have booked to see her). I remember Michael Caine telling the story that when he was filming "Sleuth" with Olivier, Larry was bemoaning the fact he couldn't get insured (not sure if this was for leads in theatre or film) and so was relatively hard up (in the sense of, he was struggling to pay his childrens' school fees). Michael Caine advised him "Just do what I do - film roles in any old crap" or words to that effect. Which is why Larry had a late burst of a career in films like Marathon Man, Boys from Brazil, etc. Olivier was Oscar nominated for both Marathon Man and Boys from Brazil so they were hardly crap films. Larry did his last stage performance circa 1974-75, I've never heard the issue of him regarding insurance but apparently he couldn't get long insurance for larger parts so moved to more supporting roles - his filmed Lear being a notable exception. Larry having devoted a lot of his time to the creation of the National Theatre had probably turned down lucrative film and even well paid West End or Broadway roles. There was an insurance issue with older members of Last of the Summer Wine cast in later series too. |
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Post by Dawnstar on Mar 29, 2019 18:40:51 GMT
I would love to die watching a show! Quietly, naturally, so not to appear in the bad behaviour thread for selfishly disrupting a performance, but slip away quietly during a "boring bit" and only being discovered when I am the only one in the audience not giving a standing ovation at the end! I'd hate to die mid-show. Imagine if it was one you'd never seen before so you never knew how it ended! Dying at the end of the curtain calls would be better timing. |
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Post by Tibidabo on Mar 29, 2019 19:11:09 GMT
Quietly, naturally, so not to appear in the bad behaviour thread for selfishly disrupting a performance, but slip away quietly Oh no! If I go mid show I would totally hope to be dominating the Bad Behaviour thread for months to come. 👻 |
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Post by Jon on Mar 29, 2019 20:16:12 GMT
I’m always surprised that older actors when they hit their 80s still want to do theatre as it’s quite gruelling even for much younger actors.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2019 20:19:39 GMT
Luckily we haven't had a performer die on stage in recent years. Also instances of audience members meeting their maker are fairly rare.
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Post by danieljohnson14 on Mar 29, 2019 21:37:27 GMT
Luckily we haven't had a performer die on stage in recent years. Also instances of audience members meeting their maker are fairly rare. I dunno, I never did find out what happened to the poor girl who seemingly stopped breathing next to me at King and I. I've also been to Les Mis and someone had a heart attack in the Dress. So close calls are about. 😂 |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2019 0:52:07 GMT
As regards insurance I wonder how the "lucky to be alive" rock stars get on with insurance for gigs. Keith Richards and Ozzy Osbourne spring to mind. Also Glen Campbell was still touring after he was first diagnosed with dementia so how does that work?
Some actors like to tour and will still do grueling panto runs. Anita Dobson who turns 70 soon still goes out on tour and her husband Brian May is a multi millionaire so she certainly wouldn't need to the money.
A lot of roles require actors of a certain age so there will always be demand for them. Sir Ian is undertaking a large tour with his one man show and he must still enjoy performing. Nicholas Parsons at 95 still does some one nighters around the country.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2019 1:14:09 GMT
I suspect for a lot of older actors and performers it’s because it’s not a job - it’s a vocation and most probably always has been. As such, I’ve always thought performers don’t really ever consider retirement - as a jobbing actor they’re just focused on the next gig... until either old age or lack of offers force them to retire. I know a lot of older performers credit working as the thing that keeps them active, and that remaining active keeps them going.
I’m often quite disappointed at the lack of roles for older performers. Old isn’t as old as old once was, and frankly, we have so many wonderful performers that actually know what they’re doing, it’s a shame we haven’t got the stories written for them to tell. I’m trying to think of the musicals or plays I’ve seen that have a deliberate older leading role (as oppose to supporting) that haven’t just been cast that way. There aren’t many.
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Post by Jon on Mar 30, 2019 1:18:57 GMT
As regards insurance I wonder how the "lucky to be alive" rock stars get on with insurance for gigs. Keith Richards and Ozzy Osbourne spring to mind. Also Glen Campbell was still touring after he was first diagnosed with dementia so how does that work? Some actors like to tour and will still do grueling panto runs. Anita Dobson who turns 70 soon still goes out on tour and her husband Brian May is a multi millionaire so she certainly wouldn't need to the money. A lot of roles require actors of a certain age so there will always be demand for them. Sir Ian is undertaking a large tour with his one man show and he must still enjoy performing. Nicholas Parsons at 95 still does some one nighters around the country. Keith and Ozzy have a lot of money so they probably don't have to worry either way. |
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Post by Jon on Mar 30, 2019 1:22:53 GMT
I suspect for a lot of older actors and performers it’s because it’s not a job - it’s a vocation and most probably always has been. As such, I’ve always thought performers don’t really ever consider retirement - as a jobbing actor they’re just focused on the next gig... until either old age or lack of offers force them to retire. I know a lot of older performers credit working as the thing that keeps them active, and that remaining active keeps them going. I’m often quite disappointed at the lack of roles for older performers. Old isn’t as old as old once was, and frankly, we have so many wonderful performers that actually know what they’re doing, it’s a shame we haven’t got the stories written for them to tell. I’m trying to think of the musicals or plays I’ve seen that have a deliberate older leading role (as oppose to supporting) that haven’t just been cast that way. There aren’t many. King Lear comes to mind but then again that can be played by middle aged actors so probably doesn't count. Maybe Sir in The Dresser? |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2019 3:29:39 GMT
I suspect for a lot of older actors and performers it’s because it’s not a job - it’s a vocation and most probably always has been. As such, I’ve always thought performers don’t really ever consider retirement - as a jobbing actor they’re just focused on the next gig... until either old age or lack of offers force them to retire. I know a lot of older performers credit working as the thing that keeps them active, and that remaining active keeps them going. I’m often quite disappointed at the lack of roles for older performers. Old isn’t as old as old once was, and frankly, we have so many wonderful performers that actually know what they’re doing, it’s a shame we haven’t got the stories written for them to tell. I’m trying to think of the musicals or plays I’ve seen that have a deliberate older leading role (as oppose to supporting) that haven’t just been cast that way. There aren’t many. King Lear comes to mind but then again that can be played by middle aged actors so probably doesn't count. Maybe Sir in The Dresser? Sir is often played by an older actor butin the film Albert Finney was only 46/47 when he took on the role. |
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Post by Dawnstar on Apr 12, 2019 17:19:57 GMT
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Post by distantcousin on Apr 12, 2019 18:51:13 GMT
And the issue of remembering lines at their ages.
Remember Landsbury had a prompt available via wireless earpiece, if needed.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2019 13:27:20 GMT
And the issue of remembering lines at their ages. Remember Landsbury had a prompt available via wireless earpiece, if needed. Michael Gambon had to retire from stage work as he was having a problem learning lines, he experimented with an earpiece but soon realised that it didn't work satisfactorily so had to retire from stage work. He was apparently tested for Dementia but was luckily okay. |
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