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Post by Matt on Oct 22, 2022 18:12:45 GMT
Sounds like a poor choice of venue. What was the average age of the punters? I’m not there, but Excel is used for most of the big London cons, unless they’re only using a portion of the space?
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Oct 22, 2022 18:33:39 GMT
But would the usual conventions be “performance” specific? I mean, when I think of a convention I think of stands, talks, merch. I don’t think of musical performances. How can you have what is effectively a concert going on while there are talks going on nearby?
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Post by alece10 on Oct 22, 2022 18:58:48 GMT
I was an invigilator for many years at some finance exams held at Excel where up to 12,000 students were taking exams at the same time. As Excel is so big there were often other exhibitions going on at the same time including Olympic Games practise runs, Christmas Fairs and even the X Factor. It could often be difficult as the students needed silence during the exams. However Excel always did well by putting us at the opposite end of the hall to other events. But I guess to have a separate hall for the performance stage would greatly increase the costs.
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Post by anxiousoctopus on Oct 22, 2022 19:59:04 GMT
But would the usual conventions be “performance” specific? I mean, when I think of a convention I think of stands, talks, merch. I don’t think of musical performances. How can you have what is effectively a concert going on while there are talks going on nearby? I’ve been to London ComicCon a few times and EGX (gaming convention) both at the ExCel centre and all the events there were talks and Q&As - and even then, the general ambient noise of the attendees is loud and constant. I can imagine that a convention where the majority of events are singing performances in multiple areas would be very overpowering noise-wise. There’s no real ‘walls’ inside the halls outside of temporary dividers, and they would definitely not be sound proof. The silent disco headsets is a great idea, but the workshops should really be in a different location so they’re not mixed into the general hubbub of sound.
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Post by bethr20 on Oct 22, 2022 21:19:01 GMT
I can completely relate to all of the posts here - at least it wasn't just me thinking that the entire layout of the event was really unplanned! Was looking forward to going to the marketplace stalls area, but it was mainly used as a through route and it was so tight for space, with seemingly hundreds of people trying to file through it at any time - that I barely got any opportunities to actually see what was on offer; I just took some pictures of the stall names so that I could check out their websites/social media pages once I was home. They had placed all of the food trucks in a corner of the room (which were definitely unnecessary - there were so many food options in the Excel concourse itself which many people were circulating toward instead) which took up a large amount of space that could have otherwise been used for more, or more spaced out, exhibits. It also meant that everything else was crammed in together, so the entire area was very noisy because many things were going on at one time. It got to an extent where I could hear Whipped into Shape in the workshop and Into the Unknown at the main stage, which was getting pretty disorientating!
I went to the moving a musical talk in the backstage area, but the noise from the main stage completely overpowered what everyone was saying (even after I turned up my headset), so ultimately I just headed across to the main stage, which was actually a really great act (the 'star of musicalcon'; the winner was absolutely incredible and wholly deserved the title, as opposed to the teenagers who, although they were undoubtedly up-and-coming stars, *knew* that they were good).
The Wicked and Heathers acts were stand-outs to me, although I always knew that they would be. It was very noticeable that many people, especially the younger teenage audience, left the exhibition after the Wicked act and never returned: the afternoon was a lot less busy. I also liked the ETAJ Vs Legally Blonde contest thingy at the end of the day, except from certain 👀 cast members trying to make the performances about themselves, which got incredibly tedious by the end of the act. That ended at ~4;45, and everyone left basically at once; there was no goodbye speech or general acknowledgment that the day was over, which felt a little bit weird because not everybody (myself included) are returning tommrow.
Ultimately, I'm glad that I at least experienced the atmosphere. That said, I think going for 2 days would become pretty boring by the end of it; the exhibits are the same, so you'd have to make the most of the main stage and backstage areas, else it would be very repetitive. They seem pretty intent on doing another event next year, but I think I'd only return if they offered more things to do within the entry price, had more acts on offer (although I did like all of the ones that they had), and fixed the sound and spacing issues. That said, I infinitely prefer the atmospheric of West End Live - which is designed to be more of a concert, filled with more of the acts which people loved, as opposed to the alternative'festival' vibe which Musicalcon gave off - and the fact that it's free makes it far more appealing.
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Post by anxiousoctopus on Oct 22, 2022 22:47:25 GMT
Here’s a list of stalls that someone’s posted on Twitter.
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Post by richey on Oct 23, 2022 12:13:39 GMT
So just left after second visit. Really not enough there to justify having a weekend ticket but only went back for the Cam Mac showcase. The Les Mis section was ok (Bring Him Home and On My own) strange choice for Mary Poppins (Stemp and Strallen doing the Supercalifrag dance) and Phantom only warranting a brief intro but a lovely performance by Holly singing Wishing You Were Somehow here again. All suffered from the conflicting noise from the other stands as their backing was drowned out at some points. It's not bad for a first attempt but they definitely need to adapt next year with separate halls and more stands.
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Post by anthony40 on Oct 23, 2022 12:52:41 GMT
I was there yesterday. Not ever having been to either the Excel centre or to any sort of Con (Comic.com etc) beforeI was very impressed by the size of the whole thing. It was also my first time on the new Elizabeth line.
As it was my first time to such an event, I only purchased a one day pass. I also chose not to partake in any of the singing/dance events.
Firstly, this was LOUD. Not that I found it offensive but I felt it did override everything.
And it was extremely busy. It did drop off a bit after lunch
I caught the last part of the Jenna Russell talk and luckily once in there was the option of re-entry.
In terms of the exhibitors, they were varied and knowledgable.
I saw some very clever costumes. There were a lot of Heathers, several Phantoms and Christine's, several Jenna's from Waitress, a lot od Queen from Six, I saw a very well dressed Everybody's Talking About Jamie, I saw a few Elphabah's, both a Glinda and Galinda, a few Jean ValJoohns, Enjorles and Eponione's. I also saw a woman dressed as Mark from Rent, A few Beatlejuice's a girl in Kinky Boots, a dwarf dressed as the chimney sweep Bert (of Mary Poppins) and one guy dressed as Seymour Krelbourne (Little Shop of Horrors) carrying Audrey II. He was awesome and seemed pretty impressed that I immediately recognised who he was.
However what I did find disappointing was that I would have thought that every show would have had their own stalls selling merchandise- like an expanded West End Flea Market.
The problem with the West End Flea Market was too many people for the space. Here you had the space, but not the exhibitors.
And I wasn't the only person thinking this. I met several people that I know who all said exactly the same thing.
& Juliet was there, with just the costumes and designs, for Back to the Future there was the DeLorian car and Moulin Rouge was applying temporary tattoos.
Dunno, just seemed like a missed opportunity with such a captive audience.
Maybe next year they'll learn from this years mistakes.
I know some one who was there with his partner who was there for both days and who partook in some events, with the final performance of Dear Evan Hansen last night.
Would I go again? Most definitely.
If not to see the changes.
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Post by richey on Oct 23, 2022 13:25:07 GMT
Have to say I was really impressed with the level of some of the cosplay. There were an awful lots of Six costumes, some of them indistinguishable from the stage versions. Today there was a perfect Glinda and several Christines with gorgeous blue dresses complete with huge bustles as well as a couple who had recreated Sally and EmCee from the current Cabaret prduction. Top marks for me though was the guy in full Phantom Red Death outfit, which was astounding.
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Post by interval99 on Oct 23, 2022 23:09:01 GMT
Some clips have started being posted on YouTube by the official London theatre channel so presume official authorized clips The wicked four Elphabas seems to work well and also at the end gives a good pan of the hall and set up. It does seem to have picked up fairly good feedback even with a lot of things to improve for next time. At least it's been proven that a musical based convention event will be supported in the UK.
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Post by ladidah on Oct 24, 2022 15:59:27 GMT
Will go next year, wanted to see how the first one went.
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Post by ruthieh on Oct 24, 2022 16:02:39 GMT
Who were the 4 Elphabas? Alice Fearn, but who else?
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Post by interval99 on Oct 24, 2022 16:13:06 GMT
Louise Dearman , Nikki Bentley, Laura Pick Are listed on the clip info. Think Louise is on the far right and Alice far left but no idea on the middle two.
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Post by interval99 on Oct 25, 2022 17:01:32 GMT
Mickey jo theatre has posted a review of day one which will either have you planning the trip for 2023 or confirming it's a bit too frantic and noisy for you. Does seem like there was a fair bit to see, it is selling to a audience who likely to have already seen the shows they want to so possibly only yet to open shows will get tickets sales benefit but with what seems to be a full house attendance it will be interesting to see if next year's does attract more west end input and a bigger area to sort the sound overlap issues. Quite a lot of the review is him talking afterwards but there's enough footage of the place and some of the workshops and performances and interviews to give good idea of what it was like. For those who went were there many stands selling, dvds, CDs, posters, t-shirts and theatre merchandise for sale?
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Oct 27, 2022 18:35:54 GMT
Seen the videos.. sorry “vlogs”. Hard hard very hard pass.
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Post by anthony40 on Nov 28, 2022 18:33:33 GMT
Anyone else receive a mysterious email this afternoon simply stating- There's a Place for Us
Announcement tomorrow at 10.30am.
Perhaps a reference to West Side Story? Or of the great mam himself, Steven Sondheim. It was the 1 year anniversary of his passing.
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Post by TallPaul on Nov 29, 2022 13:55:29 GMT
Confirmed as returning to ExCel on 21 and 22 October 2023. Bigger and better than this year they're claiming!
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Post by jaqs on Nov 29, 2022 14:47:55 GMT
Got the email, it prompted me to unsubscribe. I cannot be doing with any more announcements about announcements.
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Post by anthony40 on Oct 21, 2023 17:14:31 GMT
This on again this weekend at London's Excel Centre.
I enjoyed it this year, more than last year and it seems like they've really learnt from last years mistakes. And that's understandable, as last years was the first.
This is a HUGE space and the layout was much better.
I got there just before 11 am and walked straight through. They had all of the various stalls at the front that took up about a third of the space, the main stage and the standing areas took up another third and the workshop spaces positioned behind the stage took up the last third of the space.
Some of the stalls were the same as last year, but there were definitely some more and different ones. And of the newer ones, these were a bit more merchandise themed and related,
In the centre there was a huge Genie's lamp from Aladdin promoting Disney on stage and you could win a Frozen/The Lion King or Aladdin signed poster, which I won, or Disney tote bags, key rings and, if you were lucky, tickets.
They were also promoting The Time Travelers Wife, Hadestown, Everybody's Talking About Jamie and Moulin Rouge- a photo booth and free temporary tattoos.
On the main stage I saw Alice Fern, Rachel Tucker and the cast of Operation Mincemeat. There was also a discussion about the upcoming BatBoy concert on Halloween.
People took part in cosplay and I did seen an excellent Pearl from Starlight Express. an excellent Elphaba, a Cat, variations on the Schulyer sisters, an excellent death mask Phantom. Speaking of Phantom, a good Rauol, Christine- in costume from All I Ask Of You and a Meg Giry. Also a few Wives from Six and a Spongebob. However last year, I felt, had more.
The workshop space moved behind the stage was the Larson (Jonathan of Rent) and the Sondheim Workshop.
Although I didn't take part in any workshops it made me so happy to see that (Jonathan) Larson and the impact he made on the musical theatre scene with Tick! Tick!...Boom and Rent! wasn't forgotten.
It was also encouraging to see how accessible this venue was, also with ramps to a viewing platform for the main stage. There many in wheelchairs, or walking aids.
There was also an area referred to as the Backstage area where there was a stage an various actors, or those involved in shows talked about their experiences.
Directly opposite was a cinema screening area where, just like a silent disco, you could watch a moving with headphones on. The had already screened Annie, I caught about 45 mins of Hairspray and after that they screened Chicago.
I had to literally tear myself away from Hairspray. I love that film. James Marsden and John Travolta are both so good.
There were people of all ages.
I didn't get involved in any workshops (by choice) and after several hours I felt like I was done
For me personally, I couldn't do two days. That said, I guess it depends what you want to get out of it.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Oct 22, 2023 15:48:56 GMT
The whole thing sounds absolutely ghastly!!
But if it gives some people joy…
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Post by anthony40 on Oct 22, 2023 15:53:21 GMT
Aww, it wasn't that bad mrbarnaby!
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Oct 22, 2023 16:37:30 GMT
What would you say the age demographic is anthony40?
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Post by anthony40 on Oct 22, 2023 16:49:54 GMT
What would you say the age demographic is anthony40 ? Relatively young. I'd say between 18- 50. Now I know that's a HUGE age gap but there were some young stage people, some escorted by their patents but the age gap did really vary.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2023 22:35:51 GMT
Good to see such a wide age range. I'd have thought it would have been a teenage and maybe student vibe up to say 25.
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Post by anthony40 on Oct 23, 2023 7:42:20 GMT
Good to see such a wide age range. I'd have thought it would have been a teenage and maybe student vibe up to say 25. Most definitely not! Yes, there were a lot of young people (not gonna lie) but people much older than me- I'm 53. As you left to the central corridor where food was being sold, in the neigbouring arena was a Final Fantasy exhibition and there were people dresses as warlords and wizards. It was a truly bizarre and surreal experience!
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Post by alece10 on Oct 23, 2023 9:24:22 GMT
Isn't there a Disney exhibition on there too?
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Post by anthony40 on Oct 23, 2023 9:40:05 GMT
You are correct. There is a Disney exhibition on.
As you walk through the glass doors of the Excel Centre, there is a central corridor with the exhibition halls (each are HUGE) running off either side, each are numbered. The eatery is housed within that central corridor.
To get to the Disney exhibition, you don't even enter the glass doors. It's (almost) like a separate wing, with a separate entrance.
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