Beauty & the Beast - UK Tour & Palladium

You think they’ll price it cheaper? Lol 😂

I am very cynical of current theatre pricing. Far from trying to tempt people back in, they are pitching shows like the latest iphone knowing that many arts starved people will pay it regardless.

And on the West end with Michelle Gayle taking over as Belle. 

We’ve had to employ the split end of row technique for ‘Hamilton’ for some time if it’s all of us. Even then it was £400 for 5 of us.

I doubt we’ll hear anything at all. If the investigation finds he’s done something wrong he’ll be dropped. If not he’ll be reinstated. I can’t see Disney doing any announcements about it.

The Mail reported the actor was suspended pending an investigation.

So here's what will happen, based on standard HR working practice, including within theatre. Management along with HR (either third party or more likely in-house) will investigate the allegation, identify any witnesses, take statements and interview any people involved, including the person suspended. He will have the option of lay counsel of his choosing at this meetings, which are minuted and could become a legal document should the case reach a court. Equity members often - but not always - choose a trained Equity "Union Representative", a major perk which is included in the membership dues. Often these reps have specific experience in contract law, but not always.

There is no chance either party will comment publicly until this initial suspension has reached a conclusion. The conclusions are as follows;

No further action or
Disciplinary action taken, including but not limited to a verbal warning, written warning, remedial training/courses, dismissal

The determining factor in the outcome is the investigation, and if the alleged incident is concluded to have happened in the eyes of the investigation. If so, the question would be whether it is considered gross misconduct, which would mean he's going to be sacked, basically, if so.

If, following the investigation, he is dismissed then he has a right to appeal within 30 days (usually) against the decision, and if it is upheld, he has the option of seeking legal relief via employment tribunal. Being one of the few unionised industries remaining, I have seen Equity get in involved to varying degrees, right up to offering free legal counsel.

There may also be non disclosure agreements, but these are less likely than the common sense approach which is to keep quiet, and not say anything at all which could harm your case should it later go to an employment tribunal.

In short, he will either return to work, and nothing specific will be said about the incident - or he will leave the cast - a statement will be released saying such - but giving no detail at to why until the completion of the appeals process, if at all.

I reckon what'll happen is Alyn will quietly be bumped up to lead and they'll add on an extra ensemble member. I think the programmes for Edinburgh will have already been printed, so if he is removed from the production by the time they open, possibly just slips in every booklet giving the cast changes.

I think Disney have enough problems with the Edinburgh Playhouse this week as it is. The building works they required still aren't finished.

What building works?

www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/BEAUTY-AND-THE-BEAST-Star-Emmanuel-Kojo-Suspended-Due-to-Alleged-Inappropriate-Comments-to-Female-Crew-Member-20211018

"It has been claimed he was on the side of the stage and made a comment to a female member of the crew about the way she was looking at him," a source told The Sun. "She was very uncomfortable and the comment was overheard."

If those clips you have seen are the ones posted on YouTube then please don’t judge Be Our Guest from them. They are shot from a distance on a poor quality camera and don’t do it justice. If you are expecting to see kitchen objects then yes, you’ll be disappointed, but I’m glad they changed it up as it allows the ensemble to really dance instead of just parading around as a tin opener or spatula. The ensemble men have knife and fork icons on their costumes and the women spoon hats, they change costume 4 times in one song, there is a lovely Babette section with feathers, a great use of the video wall and it all ends with an epic tap dance. It’s amazing to see live.

It's not just the costumes and tap dancing I've got a problem with its the way they stop and start between lyrics at times "don't believe me ask the dishes.......they can sing, they can dance. Really breaks up the pace.

That moment when the song would slow down on that resounding "course by course" by the end is sped up amidst the tap dancing. Couldn't the creatives thought up something that emphasize those words.

Other odd choices include two random guys, in non object costumes, singing "we do jokes, I do tricks" and then Lumiere says "with my fellow candlesticks"

Nice use of projections I agree, and it would look better from the stalls. But I think there was a nice build up to that big set piece and the different objects appearing one at a time in the original. Feels a bit flat line here.

Most inspired moment is the cogsworth pulling the plug moment. Best moment there.