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Post by tonyloco on Mar 16, 2019 16:49:35 GMT
As a counter-example, I remember a performance of Sweeney Todd in Chichester, after which a woman said to her companion that she was upset as she’d been really looking forward to seeing Michael Ball. She HAD seen him - she just hadn’t recognised him! I wonder whether that same woman also went to see Michael Ball in 'Hairspray'...? |
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Post by fiyero on Mar 17, 2019 15:30:37 GMT
This is a huge bugbear of mine. It is very rare that I am seeing a show just to see the person in it but I really like knowing who I've seen.
Many theatres which use an onscreen cast-list or cast board as the only way to check don't have one for the upper circle (Hamilton, Matilda and Come from Away fall into this camp). At Come from away I was sure an understudy was on for Bonnie but I didn't know who, the bar staff had to radio to find out. I often ask if there isn't an obvious board. At Starlight Express on tour I knew there was an understudy on for Electra as he was the wrong colour!
I know it would have the same issues of being updated that the screens have but my solution would be, in addition to the screen, a machine where you can press a button and get today's list printed for you instantly, on a receipt style printer. The cost wouldn't be too high and less environmentally damaging as only those who want one would get one (and they could be pre-inserted into programmes)
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1,972 posts
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Post by sf on Mar 17, 2019 16:00:21 GMT
I know it would have the same issues of being updated that the screens have but my solution would be, in addition to the screen, a machine where you can press a button and get today's list printed for you instantly, on a receipt style printer. The cost wouldn't be too high and less environmentally damaging as only those who want one would get one (and they could be pre-inserted into programmes) Or - simpler - if you could go to the show's website and download that day's cast list to your phone. |
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367 posts
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Post by raider80 on Mar 17, 2019 17:51:47 GMT
They should take the Broadway approach. After a few bait-and-switch schemes the understudy has to be listed twice in noticeable areas.
I still don't understand why the West End has such an aversion a physical cast board. It isn't that hard to maintain it and when an understudy is on you just switch the names.
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Post by sparky5000 on Mar 19, 2019 4:00:00 GMT
Free cast list on all seats before you let the audience in. Simple. That's a fair bit of money every night for a lot of it to end up in the bin. And a lot of environmental waste as well. As well as somone having the time/information in time to print that many- not really feasible if someone is off last minute etc. They do that on Broadway although I’m not sure for every show. For example when I saw Waitress they had a piece of paper in each playbill on every seat listing which of the understudies were performing that night. |
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