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Post by danb on Jun 6, 2024 13:35:07 GMT
Re: tourists finding their way to Wembley... I wonder if it was THAT different back then though? For tourists wandering around the West End (Shaftesbury Avenue / Leicester Square / etc) the Apollo Victoria would have felt pretty remote, too, no? Surely there won't have been all that many "passing by" sales and back then they didn't even have the benefit of today's online marketing to flood people's devices with. And while I personally consider that ABBA Voyage thing money-spinning rubbish I wouldn't set foot into, it DOES seem to be fairly successful out there in the boondocks and clearly knows how to attract tourists. Plus, it may be more attractive to out-of-towners coming by car, because they don't need to deal with driving into central London (or hassle with unloading the whole family into public transport). Another argument: This isn't any random suburb, it's Wembley with a legendary football stadium that is a tourist attraction in itself. Many families might be happy to go there together and ditch Dad for a stadium tour, while Mom and kids go see Starlight Express. What really matters now (IMHO) is the quality of the show itself - they already got several thousand people through the doors, if these people now spread good WOM it's set to run for 2-3 years at least. If people come out going "meh, that wasn't what I hoped it would be" - it's a different game. True re not being West End but AV was in such a prominent spot. Everyone using Victoria station (which most tourists would use at some point) saw it. And must be biggest marquee in town with its length and double sidedness. You can’t accidentally walk past the Troubadour! Abba I think sadly transcends any kind of global popularity Starlight has! Literally everyone I know has seen the Abba thing. Though if it ends up a destination like that I’d be very happy :-) You’re totally right though. Key factor is the show actually being good! It isn’t though is it? Its mawkish, lowest common denominator tat-made total theatre. You forgive one because of the other. That’s why the tours were so disappointing, because you got one without the other. There are some great melodies in there, which coupled with enough volume & flashy stuff, make a satisfying enough show at the AV. Thats why I just want immersing in whatever they have to offer rather than spectating. |
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Post by theatrefan62 on Jun 6, 2024 13:36:21 GMT
Are you all joking about London audiences not being willing to get on a tube to zone 4 or is that really a “thing”? I mean, I know Londoners are famous for believing they reside in the centre of the universe and being happy to pay through the nose for it but really? Zone 4 is too far? I’ve agreed with some friends that if the feedback is good we’ll come down maybe after Christmas. No rush. I’m sure there’s a wider audience outside London who would do the same. Oh deffo a thing! Not for everyone obvs but for many London people. And for lots of Home Counties people it’s a significant journey time increase. Esp getting home after an evening show! And tourists don’t leave Zone 1 much (as a massive slightly unfair generalisation, obvs)! I'm about 1.5 hours by train from London and I'd rarely consider seeing anything that wasn't central. It's just too much hassle/cost/risk, especially these days. |
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Post by mkb on Jun 6, 2024 13:45:09 GMT
Crazy too that for those of us coming down the West Coast Mainline, most journeys to Wembley are quickest by changing at Euston and backtracking.
Wembley Central, which admittedly is a bit of a trek to the Troubadour, was clearly designed for intercity trains to stop there with its long platforms, but even on Wembley stadium event days, the only long-distance stoppers I'm aware of is the occasional football charter from Manchester.
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Post by benj on Jun 6, 2024 13:54:22 GMT
With the state of train services at the moment, going anywhere by train, especially at the weekends, is very risky. I think they’ll struggle getting people to the Troubadour once the die hard fans have visited. Wembley on match/concert days is chaotic too. I can’t see tourists making the trek to Wembley. Unless the show has amazing word of mouth, it will struggle. I hope to be proven wrong… let’s see
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Post by danb on Jun 6, 2024 14:12:20 GMT
Oh deffo a thing! Not for everyone obvs but for many London people. And for lots of Home Counties people it’s a significant journey time increase. Esp getting home after an evening show! And tourists don’t leave Zone 1 much (as a massive slightly unfair generalisation, obvs)! I'm about 1.5 hours by train from London and I'd rarely consider seeing anything that wasn't central. It's just too much hassle/cost/risk, especially these days. I discovered a 10.30 train to Bristol Parkway on sunday night so only had to drive a bit for Spring Awakening the other night. It did finish at 9.30 though so had plenty of time to get it. |
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Post by interval99 on Jun 6, 2024 14:31:28 GMT
If you are signed up for the LW theatres emails they have just issued a promo email about the show opening and includes a gif picture flashing up the causal dressed cast rehearsing but shows part of the main set design.
Also advises Arlene Philips is back as creative dramaturg what ever that means.
Has anyone ordered the vinyl zoetrope album which is released this weekend,
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Post by viserys on Jun 6, 2024 14:34:25 GMT
Its mawkish, lowest common denominator tat made total theatre. Oi, them's fighting words! It was/is a fairy tale - a very creative interpretation of the Cinderella story (that honestly blows ALW's later Cinderella clean out of the water) and has a simple yet earnest message (believe in yourself) at its core. I don't know what's mawkish about that? And when I see the utter creative drought of the last years, especially when it comes to stage sets and the minimalization fetish, it was just an incredible insane idea to build it all around rollerskating trains. I'd much rather see more creative stuff like that coming back (or being tried) than yet another show where the stage set consists of three chairs and a teddybear. |
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Post by danb on Jun 6, 2024 14:39:40 GMT
Its mawkish, lowest common denominator tat made total theatre. Oi, them's fighting words! It was/is a fairy tale - a very creative interpretation of the Cinderella story (that honestly blows ALW's later Cinderella clean out of the water) and has a simple yet earnest message (believe in yourself) at its core. I don't know what's mawkish about that? And when I see the utter creative drought of the last years, especially when it comes to stage sets and the minimalization fetish, it was just an incredible insane idea to build it all around rollerskating trains. I'd much rather see more creative stuff like that coming back (or being tried) than yet another show where the stage set consists of three chairs and a teddybear.  You heard the bit about total theatre though right? |
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Post by ceebee on Jun 6, 2024 14:49:23 GMT
Oi, them's fighting words! It was/is a fairy tale - a very creative interpretation of the Cinderella story (that honestly blows ALW's later Cinderella clean out of the water) and has a simple yet earnest message (believe in yourself) at its core. I don't know what's mawkish about that? And when I see the utter creative drought of the last years, especially when it comes to stage sets and the minimalization fetish, it was just an incredible insane idea to build it all around rollerskating trains. I'd much rather see more creative stuff like that coming back (or being tried) than yet another show where the stage set consists of three chairs and a teddybear.  You heard the bit about total theatre though right? This'll be for the passive/zoned-out generation. Expect lots of lights, effects, loud sound and tech wizardry. The cast will be spectating their own show - the tech is going to take over this one... |
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Post by londonmzfitz on Jun 6, 2024 15:01:48 GMT
Just been looking at Wembley hotel prices. Doesn’t seem much less than central London! I used to live 5 mins from Wembley (now live in Lincs) and the last 18 months, working in London, I'd use Wembley rather than West End hotels for overnights. Costs have gone up a lot in the last 12 months - can recommend the both Premier Inn hotels - be advised there are 2, one across the road from Wembley Park Station, one in the Outlet Centre, stayed at both, both very good. Travelodge Wembley High Street, I walked out last time, one person on duty at 7pm, no WiFi, no security, didn't feel safe. Avoid Wembley International Hotel at all costs - stopped staying there 12 months ago because it was ropey, gave it another try in March and had two blokes walk in my room while I was having a wee ... (reception messed up but I was really shaken). There are lots of chain style food places at The Outlet, although I do love the Wimpy opposite The Troubadour/McDonalds Staff are really nice in there. |
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Post by viserys on Jun 6, 2024 15:17:27 GMT
Second this - the Premier Inn at the Outlet seems newer and in better shape overall, but the other one is of course much closer to the tube. When I stayed there I could see the Troubadour from my window, made me smile.
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Post by djdan14 on Jun 6, 2024 16:28:34 GMT
If you are signed up for the LW theatres emails they have just issued a promo email about the show opening and includes a gif picture flashing up the causal dressed cast rehearsing but shows part of the main set design. Also advises Arlene Philips is back as creative dramaturg what ever that means. Has anyone ordered the vinyl zoetrope album which is released this weekend, Didn’t know this vinyl was thing! So thanks just ordered! Got to love a Zoetrope! |
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Post by danb on Jun 6, 2024 16:30:01 GMT
Which cast recording is the Zoetrope vinyl please?
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Post by blamerobots on Jun 6, 2024 17:00:15 GMT
Just been looking at Wembley hotel prices. Doesn’t seem much less than central London! Taylor Swift. Unfortunately it's because of Taylor Swift. |
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Post by viserys on Jun 6, 2024 17:02:40 GMT
what does the word zoetrope even mean?
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Post by blamerobots on Jun 6, 2024 17:06:33 GMT
Which cast recording is the Zoetrope vinyl please? It's a highlights album of the Original London Cast recording I believe. Big emphasis on it being a highlights album; it's not complete. A zoetrope is like a wheel set of moving pictures that loops. When it rotates fast enough, the images on the zoetrope appear to animate. Same kind of concept of how film and animated film works. |
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Post by danb on Jun 6, 2024 17:13:20 GMT
Just been looking at Wembley hotel prices. Doesn’t seem much less than central London! Taylor Swift. Unfortunately it's because of Taylor Swift. Tell me about it! If it wasn’t relatively short we’d all be screwed but thankfully it’ll kick out long before TAYTAY. |
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Post by viserys on Jun 6, 2024 17:17:54 GMT
Aaah, that sounds cool. Someone please share whatever effect the vinyl creates when spinning! I'm half tempted to get it for myself, but I don't have a record player, so can't spin it.
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Post by d'James on Jun 6, 2024 17:22:38 GMT
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Post by PineappleForYou on Jun 6, 2024 17:49:49 GMT
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Post by Jon on Jun 6, 2024 19:46:51 GMT
If people are willing to go to Wembley for sport and concerts like Taylor Swift's upcoming London dates which BTW is sold out for all eight nights then the Troubadour for Starlight should be a doddle.
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Post by rosscoe on Jun 7, 2024 12:57:39 GMT
Alright I’m about to live through you all who are going tomorrow. Fingers crossed that’s it’s good , fingers crossed Webber hasn’t stuffed it up too much with changes.
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Post by ash on Jun 7, 2024 14:14:08 GMT
Alright I’m about to live through you all who are going tomorrow. Fingers crossed that’s it’s good , fingers crossed Webber hasn’t stuffed it up too much with changes. Same, I'll be waiting here with baited breath for the initial reports! |
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Post by BVM on Jun 7, 2024 15:16:24 GMT
The zoetrope vinyl is sadly something of a disappointment.
Side A (the show logo) looks better when NOT moving and is just a blur when playing.
Side B (coloured tracks) look OK I suppose but it's all unremarkable.
Whole thing came in a see through flimsy very cheap looking plastic sheath and not even a proper card vinyl cover. With a sticker and tiny bit of blurb.
Coupled with the fact someone has thought producing OLC highlights without Queen Lawrence's Only He was a good idea and the ludicrous price.....
#DisappointedOfBrighton
(And I say this as a die hard Starlight fan who would usually like any old Starlight tat!)
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Post by d'James on Jun 7, 2024 15:16:40 GMT
I have just arrived from Spain, so I shall be there tomorrow. Trepidations and excited…
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