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Post by argon on Apr 22, 2016 9:59:58 GMT
Ria's voice was has expected, secure, well supported and floated over the score with easy a commendable performance. The difference between her acting/characterization to that of GC's was not vast, it certainly was not the gulf one might expect it to have been. However after seeing GC this Monday were she was clearly having vocal issues I thought Ria's performance displayed more of an evenness to a narrative that is expressed by the actions of music,singing and acting.
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Post by wickedgrin on Apr 22, 2016 10:06:16 GMT
As I said, we know about the legalities and of course it is live theatre and people are not machines and get ill. The issue is more about the producers dealing with such eventualities.
It is about the HUGE cost - the tickets for this are EXPENSIVE (up to £150 each) because of Glenn Close. The producers can only charge such an amount because of the star they have employed. Indeed if it were not for the star the production would not have been mounted in the first place. So a producer simply cannot have his cake and eat it - charge high prices because of the star but when the star does not appear say "tough - you have only paid to see the show!"
The logistics of exchanges and refunds are a nightmare - especially in a sold out run and there was no excuse for the disgusting behaviour of the gentleman in question at the box office yesterday evening who was literally screaming at the duty box office manager. But he did have a point - he had not paid £300 for a pair of tickets just to see Sunset Boulevard - he had paid that amount to see Glenn Close in Sunset Boulevard.
Perhaps they should have sheduled only 6 shows a week for Glenn, had Ria do 2 shows a week - perhaps at a reduced price. If Glenn had been off any of her 6 scheduled performances she could have done one or two of Ria scheduled shows for exchanged tickets. I do think this situation could have been forseen. Glenn is 69 for goodness sake. I was astounded at all those steps she was required to climb up and down night after night, in those long gowns. It is a miracle she hasn't fallen.
If I had been producing the show, I would have done the above and I would have demanded the amount of stair climbing be cut for Glenn. OK for her first entrance of course "Why are you so late?" and of course the end with her descent into madness "I'm ready for my close up!" But the rest really not necessary. She must be knackered!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2016 10:11:23 GMT
When the advertising is the star, that is the product. No. That's just plain wrong. The show is the product. The advertising is the advertising. And any member of the audience who thinks that the advertising of any particular cast constitutes a promise that no illness or injury or bereavement is going to be allowed to get in the way of their perfect day is a whiny sack of crap. When people buy tickets they know that there's a chance that things might not turn out as they hoped. The person they want to see might be ill. Their train might get delayed. They might get ill themselves. Everyone takes a chance, and they're perfectly happy to accept that chance when it looks like a remote possibility. They have no right to turn round and say "Yes, I knew there was a risk, but I didn't think it would actually happen to me". Buying a ticket doesn't put an obligation on the universe to give you a hug and make it all better. |
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Post by catqc on Apr 22, 2016 10:15:40 GMT
Just because many people booked "for Glenn" doesn't mean they are entitled to anything surely! They were just mistaken in assuming (if that is what they assumed, which I find hard to believe) that she would be on for every performance and they had bought a ticket which guaranteed seeing her. Personally, I booked a ticket to see Michael Xavier. He is not on the poster but whether he was or wasn't would have made no difference to my disappointment if he wasn't on, but that is life. People's misguided idea that they are buying tickets for a Glenn Close concert is simply wrong (as, it seems, most people who bothered to go last night found out when Ria Jones was a good Norma!)
As for the exchanging-out-of-the-goodness-of-the-ENO's-heart (or bank balance), while it's a lovely idea in theory is just not practical. Even if there were enough seats in the run to rebook everyone tonight, what if Glenn is off tomorrow? It's even less fair to exchange some people and not others than to exchange no one.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2016 10:15:43 GMT
That just doesn't work these days where two tickets can cost the same as a holiday and shows are being promoted like concerts. Theatre needs to move with the times and get some regulation on advertising. There are very few products that are advertised but don't offer the full product.
They are advertising glenn close in sunset blvd. Nobody else
Yes these things happen, but it's high time producers took some responsibility. It's them that made their star more prominent than the show,and this could have been forseen and they shouldn't have had such a long run without an alternate. People aren't even getting a fully staged show. That's a lot of money for not a lot of show.
And there have been cases of shows cancelled completely because the star was sick.
A good option that was done when Paul o grady was sick and misses panto performances was audiences were given the choice of seeing the understudy or exchange/refund. Many still chose to see it but giving the option gave good will and appeased people
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4,807 posts
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Post by Mark on Apr 22, 2016 10:24:08 GMT
The show was sold on Glenn's name. They should at least offer exchanges for people.
Broadway has very clear rules on this, I wish we had a similar policy over here. The consumer has to be protected.
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Post by wickedgrin on Apr 22, 2016 10:26:28 GMT
So the $64000 dollar question (OK the £150 one) is will Glenn Close be on tonight? Has she had sufficient vocal rest? Otherwise it's all gonna kick off again!!! Get down to the box office around 7.00pm for free entertainment!
With the 3 weekend shows looming people may have travelled from far and wide and booked hotels and breaks around this "theatrical event of 2016". Not my phrase but the producers! Is it the "theatrical event of 2016" without Glenn Close? Answers on a postcard!
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Post by alece10 on Apr 22, 2016 10:31:39 GMT
I saw it a couple of weeks ago and decided to book again for next week, not because I loved the show (which I did) but because I wanted to see Glen Close perform again. I have paid a lot more for my next ticket, so have to say I would be really disappointed if she wasnt there as I could have saved a lot of money and had great memories from the first show.
But I am hoping this wont happen and I will have a wonderful time again.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Apr 22, 2016 10:33:33 GMT
Every single poster for the show screams GLENN CLOSE in... And a huge picture of her dominates the poster. I'm sorry-yes it's a good show but let's face it, SHE is the reason to see this version and they should refund or exchange tickets if she is off.
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5,910 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Apr 22, 2016 10:37:27 GMT
Wow you are clueless. Google her cv and wise up. Knew this would happen at some point. What a shame. Me too - a relatively inexperienced musical theatre performer, non-singer, performing a highly demanding leading role (in terms of acting and singing), and a pensioner!! I am not at all surprised. I doubt she has the level of stamina required (not her fault) - this 5 week run is quite an undertaking for anyone not used to the rigours of 8 shows a week, week in/week out...(24 years ago is a long time!) |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2016 10:42:05 GMT
For clarity: a randomly selected performance of Sunset Boulevard has stalls seats available for £150, £105, and £75. A randomly selected performance of Madam Butterfly at the same venue has stalls seats available for £125, £115, and £99, as does a randomly selected performance of Tristan & Isolde. Yep, Sunset Boulevard is expensive, and £25 is quite a jump in top price (though I'd argue if you're able to drop £150 on a theatre ticket then £25 isn't going to be the difference between starving and survival), but it's not unheard-of, unspeakably-expensive for the venue.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2016 11:38:31 GMT
Personally, I booked a ticket to see Michael Xavier. He is not on the poster but whether he was or wasn't would have made no difference to my disappointment if he wasn't on, but that is life. I'm sorry. If he was off and I missed the chance to see Mr X in his little trunks I would have stormed the stage. Norma's descent into madness at the end would have looked like a bit of a sulk in comparison. The Duty Manager would have had to have gone into a witness protection programme. |
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Post by steve10086 on Apr 22, 2016 11:44:03 GMT
For clarity: a randomly selected performance of Sunset Boulevard has stalls seats available for £150, £105, and £75. A randomly selected performance of Madam Butterfly at the same venue has stalls seats available for £125, £115, and £99, as does a randomly selected performance of Tristan & Isolde. Yep, Sunset Boulevard is expensive, and £25 is quite a jump in top price (though I'd argue if you're able to drop £150 on a theatre ticket then £25 isn't going to be the difference between starving and survival), but it's not unheard-of, unspeakably-expensive for the venue. Yep, for a lot of casual theatregoers the "only reason" they paid such a high ticket price was because of the star, but in fact the high ticket prices are a reflection of the production being mounted at the ENO with its amazing orchestra. |
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Post by terrylondon79 on Apr 22, 2016 11:55:32 GMT
For clarity: a randomly selected performance of Sunset Boulevard has stalls seats available for £150, £105, and £75. A randomly selected performance of Madam Butterfly at the same venue has stalls seats available for £125, £115, and £99, as does a randomly selected performance of Tristan & Isolde. Yep, Sunset Boulevard is expensive, and £25 is quite a jump in top price (though I'd argue if you're able to drop £150 on a theatre ticket then £25 isn't going to be the difference between starving and survival), but it's not unheard-of, unspeakably-expensive for the venue. But they are fully staged operas, not a semi-staged production. Also show me one of those that features the lead star on all its promotional imagery. By your logic why did they book her, just advertise her, sell it on her name, but book a minimum wage lookalike to play oart? |
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Post by loureviews on Apr 22, 2016 11:59:36 GMT
"A minimum wage lookalike". That's so rude.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2016 12:06:58 GMT
For clarity: a randomly selected performance of Sunset Boulevard has stalls seats available for £150, £105, and £75. A randomly selected performance of Madam Butterfly at the same venue has stalls seats available for £125, £115, and £99, as does a randomly selected performance of Tristan & Isolde. Yep, Sunset Boulevard is expensive, and £25 is quite a jump in top price (though I'd argue if you're able to drop £150 on a theatre ticket then £25 isn't going to be the difference between starving and survival), but it's not unheard-of, unspeakably-expensive for the venue. But they are fully staged operas, not a semi-staged production. Also show me one of those that features the lead star on all its promotional imagery. By your logic why did they book her, just advertise her, sell it on her name, but book a minimum wage lookalike to play oart? I mean, that's sort of the point. They're charging more for the second and third price for shows without a big ol' famous name, so it's sort of misleading to suggest they're charging more just because Glenn Close. And Sunset may officially be semi-staged but I've honestly seen fully-staged productions with less fancy sets. Aaaaand I'm going to leave the rest of your post alone, 'cos it seems to have gone very rude all of a sudden. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2016 12:20:13 GMT
It's very rare to have to pay those top prices at ENO, though. Maybe the rich folk and the opera buffs do, and occasionally I'm sure they do have a big hit where you can't get a ticket for love nor money, but I've picked up one of those expensive stalls seats for £30 at Tkts. And I'd be picking up a lot more at that price if I had the time to fit in lots of opera as well as theatre.
Has Sunset been on Tkts? (I'm guessing not, because people are paying all that dosh to see Glenn Close...?)
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Post by d'James on Apr 22, 2016 12:23:34 GMT
It's very rare to have to pay those top prices at ENO, though. Maybe the rich folk and the opera buffs do, and occasionally I'm sure they do have a big hit where you can't get a ticket for love nor money, but I've picked up one of those expensive stalls seats for £30 at Tkts. And I'd be picking up a lot more at that price if I had the time to fit in lots of opera as well as theatre. Has Sunset been on Tkts? (I'm guessing not, because people are paying all that dosh to see Glenn Close...?) It's been showing up on TodayTix 'from £28' for a while. |
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Post by theatre-turtle on Apr 22, 2016 12:28:21 GMT
It's very rare to have to pay those top prices at ENO, though. Maybe the rich folk and the opera buffs do, and occasionally I'm sure they do have a big hit where you can't get a ticket for love nor money, but I've picked up one of those expensive stalls seats for £30 at Tkts. And I'd be picking up a lot more at that price if I had the time to fit in lots of opera as well as theatre. Has Sunset been on Tkts? (I'm guessing not, because people are paying all that dosh to see Glenn Close...?) It's being sold but at full price. Same as on todaytix |
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Post by terrylondon79 on Apr 22, 2016 12:47:03 GMT
But they are fully staged operas, not a semi-staged production. Also show me one of those that features the lead star on all its promotional imagery. By your logic why did they book her, just advertise her, sell it on her name, but book a minimum wage lookalike to play oart? I mean, that's sort of the point. They're charging more for the second and third price for shows without a big ol' famous name, so it's sort of misleading to suggest they're charging more just because Glenn Close. And Sunset may officially be semi-staged but I've honestly seen fully-staged productions with less fancy sets. Aaaaand I'm going to leave the rest of your post alone, 'cos it seems to have gone very rude all of a sudden. Sorry didn't mean to come across rude. I also was not implying that Ria Jones isn't a good actress. She was good last night. If we were offered the choice of seeing the show with her, or rebooking. We probably would have chosen to see it with her anyway. My issue is with the producers, I was implying that they could book anyone... As long as they had a Equity card. However suitable for the job they were. You would had no option but to see what they chose to put on instead. |
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Post by distantcousin on Apr 22, 2016 12:50:10 GMT
Wow you are clueless. Google her cv and wise up. Me too - a relatively inexperienced musical theatre performer, non-singer, performing a highly demanding leading role (in terms of acting and singing), and a pensioner!! I am not at all surprised. I doubt she has the level of stamina required (not her fault) - this 5 week run is quite an undertaking for anyone not used to the rigours of 8 shows a week, week in/week out...(24 years ago is a long time!) How rude of you! I have done my research, thank you. She hasn't performed in a musical in 22 years. Do you have any idea what a monumental effort that is when your body is not used to doing this most of the time. I know EXACTLY what she has done - sporadic theatre roles - none as demanding as this - over the past 30 or so years. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2016 13:01:45 GMT
I mean, that's sort of the point. They're charging more for the second and third price for shows without a big ol' famous name, so it's sort of misleading to suggest they're charging more just because Glenn Close. And Sunset may officially be semi-staged but I've honestly seen fully-staged productions with less fancy sets. Aaaaand I'm going to leave the rest of your post alone, 'cos it seems to have gone very rude all of a sudden. Sorry didn't mean to come across rude. I also was not implying that Ria Jones isn't a good actress. She was good last night. If we were offered the choice of seeing the show with her, or rebooking. We probably would have chosen to see it with her anyway. My issue is with the producers, I was implying that they could book anyone... As long as they had a Equity card. However suitable for the job they were. You would had no option but to see what they chose to put on instead. You weren't rude. I think most of us understood your point. |
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Post by chrismis on Apr 22, 2016 13:06:19 GMT
I'll be travelling a long way tomorrow to see this for the second time and then again on May 7th. I've paid £13.50 including booking fee for each ticket and don't mind who plays Norma Desmond. I most definitely booked to see the SHOW as I've loved it since seeing the original London production and I'm sure Ria Jones will be fantastic if she's on. I love seeing the way different performers play the role. I think people who payed £150 just to see Glenn Close must have more money than sense. Didn't they realise there's always a risk that performers can't go on?
I'm one very happy customer!!!
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Post by distantcousin on Apr 22, 2016 13:26:53 GMT
Wow you are clueless. Google her cv and wise up. How rude of you! I have done my research, thank you. She hasn't performed in a musical in 22 years. Do you have any idea what a monumental effort that is when your body is not used to doing this most of the time? I know EXACTLY what she has done - sporadic theatre roles - none as demanding as this - over the past 30 or so years. |
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Post by d'James on Apr 22, 2016 15:09:25 GMT
Still no word on Twitter. People not happy.
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