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Post by oxfordsimon on May 30, 2022 11:46:29 GMT
I don't follow Letts so hadn't fully registered he had switched to another press outlet. My bad.
But it is perfectly possible for a press agent for a major company to develop relationships with the arts editors of major outlets to encourage them to send reviewers who are less likely to be hostile.
Indeed that is part of the job.
Given the Times is behind a paywall these days, far fewer people will have even been aware of this particular review that before pay-to-read became a thing.
Now it is likely to get far more coverage than if it had been ignored.
I am uncomfortable with the idea of trying to silence any particular critic. Dealing with this sort of thing is something that productions have to do. In the world in which we now live, unpleasant opinions are being posted left, right and centre. Making sure your cast is supported in how to handle and process such things is a necessary part of company management.
I don't honestly believe that calling him out as has been done will get his contract with the paper cancelled.
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Post by budd on May 30, 2022 12:04:25 GMT
Saying that his bigotry should not have been published is not silencing him. It is not an opinion on performance that he's sharing, it's mocking someone's body and them getting the opportunity to work on stage.
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Post by stagebyte on May 30, 2022 12:19:07 GMT
This doesn’t help Isaac
Trading insults with him - no point
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Post by ladidah on May 30, 2022 13:00:37 GMT
No, being the bigger person and just living your life and enjoying the performance and applause is the reward.
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Post by oxfordsimon on May 30, 2022 13:04:53 GMT
Not sure this is entirely helpful either.
I fully understand the sentiment but I am unconvinced that it is the most professional way of handling it.
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Post by cezbear on May 30, 2022 13:09:38 GMT
Not sure this is entirely helpful either. I fully understand the sentiment but I am unconvinced that it is the most professional way of handling it. Sorry, I understand that's likely coming from a place of hurt, but it honestly really turns me off. Why do 'old white cis people' (and I'm only one of those things) have to feel like the cast don't care about their enjoyment just because of one rude critic? Uncomfortable. The way to inclusivity is NOT through making others feel excluded. |
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Post by inthenose on May 30, 2022 14:05:56 GMT
To be honest, that should be an instant summary dismissal for gross misconduct and hate speech.
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2022 14:08:49 GMT
Looks like we have found our follow up to Cinderella for bad PR. Is this a sign that there is actually a problem in the industry, especially with the new generations coming through 🤔🤷♂️
This type of behaviour just drives division in society even more.
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Post by inthenose on May 30, 2022 14:10:19 GMT
Who are the producers for this monstrosity of a show - is it the OAT themselves? Wondering who to write to.
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2022 14:15:37 GMT
Who are the producers for this monstrosity of a show - is it the OAT themselves? Wondering who to write to. I'm sure writing to the open air itself probably easiest and comments will get passed along to relevant departments |
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Post by lolalou on May 30, 2022 15:18:24 GMT
Who are the producers for this monstrosity of a show - is it the OAT themselves? Wondering who to write to. I'm sure writing to the open air itself probably easiest and comments will get passed along to relevant departments Yes me too My mum and friends fall into the category of old white and cis and a coach load of them were at LB last week. Isaac Hesketh if you’re reading here please be more specific when you attack old white folk if your beef is with a critic. Don’t dismiss entire groups of people whose views ‘you don’t care about’ because then you’re just guilty of randomly insulting groups of people as he is. They can’t help being old white or cis and they enjoyed your show with all its inclusivity. Surely you’re not that person who judges people on looks? 🤷♀️ |
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Post by lolalou on May 30, 2022 15:20:25 GMT
And he speaks for the WHOLE cast?
Not on.
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Post by lolalou on May 30, 2022 15:21:27 GMT
Exactly
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Post by oxfordsimon on May 30, 2022 15:29:45 GMT
The original tweet has been removed I see...
Someone will be on the naughty step tonight
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Post by oxfordsimon on May 30, 2022 15:31:25 GMT
The original tweet has been removed I see... Someone will be on the naughty step tonight It now reads: |
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Post by c4ndyc4ne on May 30, 2022 15:31:54 GMT
compared to his review of the original west end production, actually feels like QL has mellowed somewhat. and that's saying something. if critics can have stuff printed then cast have a right to return in kind.
cis white men have had a strange-hold on the arts for too long. if the scales tip more drastically in the opposite direction to compensate, that's only fair.
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Post by stagebyte on May 30, 2022 15:32:03 GMT
The original tweet has been removed I see... Someone will be on the naughty step tonight Has it? I can still see it? Kind of negates the OAT theatre post if it’s still up |
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Post by oxfordsimon on May 30, 2022 15:37:27 GMT
If OAT go down that route, Letts or someone like him will buy a ticket and write whatever they like.
A good press officer will try their best to get reviewers in from far and wide. But I remain unconvinced of the wisdom of any press team that actively seeks to exclude certain voices.
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Post by stagebyte on May 30, 2022 15:39:56 GMT
They’ve not taken down the insulting posts about QL hairline.
re the white old cis thing seems their principals only stand as far as being told off by the production company but still petty enough to put ‘edited on request’ rather than explain. I think the backlash against their comments was gaining traction as well. It’s never a good look or a wise move to alienate a whole group of people who are buying tickets which literally allows the show that you’re in to be put on which effectively pays your wages.
I can see that the original comments were an immature outburst from a place of feeling upset. But in terms of ‘speaking for the whole cast’ it seems Isaac darling you were not. It only makes you eon equal footing as QL.
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2022 15:40:33 GMT
I'm sure writing to the open air itself probably easiest and comments will get passed along to relevant departments Yes me too My mum and friends fall into the category of old white and cis and a coach load of them were at LB last week. Isaac Hesketh if you’re reading here please be more specific when you attack old white folk if your beef is with a critic. Don’t dismiss entire groups of people whose views ‘you don’t care about’ because then you’re just guilty of randomly insulting groups of people as he is. They can’t help being old white or cis and they enjoyed your show with all its inclusivity. Surely you’re not that person who judges people on looks? 🤷♀️ Sadly ageism is rife in society and most people gladly tolerate/ignore/partake in it. You even see it on here at times. It seems to be the one 'ism' that is tolerated |
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Post by cezbear on May 30, 2022 15:41:21 GMT
compared to his review of the original west end production, actually feels like QL has mellowed somewhat. and that's saying something. if critics can have stuff printed then cast have a right to return in kind. cis white men have had a strange-hold on the arts for too long. if the scales tip more drastically in the opposite direction to compensate, that's only fair.
Returning in kind to the person in question is one thing (honestly it's more graceful to take the high road but I can understand wanting to lash out if hurt so I'm not judging that). Returning in kind by directing comments at a whole group of people who have nothing to do with it is not acceptable.
Honestly though I'm just tired of what seems like constant bad behaviour and drama coming out of performers lately, I very much liked the days when I didn't need to know anything about the person on the stage, I could just lose myself in their performance.
For contrast, I thought Courtney's response to all this was pretty dignified, however, especially given she was the target.
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Post by oxfordsimon on May 30, 2022 15:41:23 GMT
compared to his review of the original west end production, actually feels like QL has mellowed somewhat. and that's saying something. if critics can have stuff printed then cast have a right to return in kind. cis white men have had a strange-hold on the arts for too long. if the scales tip more drastically in the opposite direction to compensate, that's only fair. The range of voices commenting on theatre is massively different to even a decade ago. The rise of the blogosphere and online only review sites means they are included in press events/nights. So it is not just a handful of critics attached to major papers who get to set the agenda. The power of the critic is much smaller than at any other time in the history of press/theatre relations. |
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Post by stagebyte on May 30, 2022 15:49:56 GMT
compared to his review of the original west end production, actually feels like QL has mellowed somewhat. and that's saying something. if critics can have stuff printed then cast have a right to return in kind. cis white men have had a strange-hold on the arts for too long. if the scales tip more drastically in the opposite direction to compensate, that's only fair.
Returning in kind to the person in question is one thing (honestly it's more graceful to take the high road but I can understand wanting to lash out if hurt so I'm not judging that). Returning in kind by directing comments at a whole group of people who have nothing to do with it is not acceptable.
Honestly though I'm just tired of what seems like constant bad behaviour and drama coming out of performers lately, I very much liked the days when I didn't need to know anything about the person on the stage, I could just lose myself in their performance.
For contrast, I thought Courtney's response to all this was pretty dignified, however, especially given she was the target.
Totally agree. Isaac Hesketh’s Twitter comments are ageist at worst ill advised at best. The timing of their ‘edited at request’ post co incidentally timed with the open air theatre post saying ‘they expect everyone comments with respect and sensitivity and those who decide not to will not be invited back to the theatre’ Does this include cast members insulting old white cis audience members? 🤷♀️ |
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Post by pb on May 30, 2022 15:58:57 GMT
Attacking a whole group of people based on the opinion of one critic doesn't seem like the smartest thing to do. I'm all for diversity in casting, I'm paying good money to see a show I want to see the most talented person in that role. I want the producers to find them whoever they are. There are lots of super talented people from lots of different minorities working in the west end at the moment, I would say the theatre industry is currently doing a pretty good job on this.
There does seem to be a problem with cast spouting off on social media. Where I work we don't make any personal social media posts related to our employment, it all goes through official channels. I think some people need to remember they are employed to do a job, they were employed based on their talent and experience and that job is to entertain. They are answerable to their employers and who are then answerable to paying customers. The producers are trying to sell as many tickets as possible for as much money as possible. It's not the casts show, they don't own it, they haven't financed it. If you pay the money you can watch the show. It's a business, it discriminates on wealth.
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Post by Jon on May 30, 2022 16:02:48 GMT
Attacking a whole group of people based on the opinion of one critic doesn't seem like the smartest thing to do. I'm all for diversity in casting, I'm paying good money to see a show I want to see the most talented person in that role. I want the producers to find them whoever they are. There are lots of super talented people from lots of different minorities working in the west end at the moment, I would say the theatre industry is currently doing a pretty good job on this. There does seem to be a problem with cast spouting off on social media. Where I work we don't make any personal social media posts related to our employment, it all goes through official channels. I think some people need to remember they are employed to do a job, they were employed based on their talent and experience and that job is to entertain. They are answerable to their employers and who are then answerable to paying customers. The producers are trying to sell as many tickets as possible for as much money as possible. It's not the casts show, they don't own it, they haven't financed it. If you pay the money you can watch the show. It's a business, it discriminates on wealth. Most shows are pretty good with social media but it seems that the shows with the issues are the ones with younger cast members. You don't see the cast of To Kill a Mockingbird or Jerusalem posting stuff on social media. |
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