Side Show in Concert - London Palladium

[erik24601]

www.whatsonstage.com/news/side-show-to-be-staged-in-concert-at-the-london-palladium-with-lead-casting-confirmed_1539580/

To be performed ‘in concert’ (yawn) at the Palladium with Rachel Tucker and Louise Dearman.

Anybody else getting sick of these ‘in concert’ productions or have I just woken up on the wrong side of the bed?

[viserys]

no, absolutely sick of them. Part of that is a 'me' problem because I can't travel to London at the drop of a hat, but I also find many of them pointless.

They CAN be good to either test the waters and gauge interest in new shows (such as Death Note, which became a surprise success) or to present shows that won't stand a chance to be done commercially (such as the upcoming Diana or older shows that won't be brought back as a regular production like Love Never Dies) but I feel they are scraping the bottom of the barrel now with random mediocre shows from the last decades like this or Bat Boy.

But there clearly seems to be a market for them, so... shrug.

[erik24601]

It’s the same producers every time - I do appreciate there’s a market for them but my GOD I want a full on west end production of Side Show not a concert one.

It just feels tedious and a bit lazy to not bother to do the hard work and put on a full production. I’m not aware of this happening (or at least to this regularity?) across the pond?

[my fairly obsessed lady]

I agree that "in concert" performances are not ideal (unless they do it like Death Note), but I like them because it's a chance to see big-name performers playing a role they would probably never do otherwise, so... I mean, Rachel Tucker and Bradley Jaden, I just wonder what excuse they will come up with to get him to perform topless this time!

[anthony40]

This is what I have been ranting about for what seems like forever now!

I understand there may be a market for these and it's a good way to 'test the water' as it were, but if producers expect me to fork out good money, then I want a full production, not some bloody concert version!

It's almost like, we'll charge you to come along to watch us experiment with a cheaper version of what could have been and then if we we feel the demand is there and warranted, we'll charge you again to watch our full scale version.

[alece10]

However..... I love Side Show although ive only seen it once at Southwark Playhouse.
I'm going them my money I'm afraid as its a great musical, great cast and other concerts I've seen by the same producers have been excellent.

[Being Alive]

These producers don't have the money to mount full productions, so they're mounting what they can - a concert.

I'm also bored of them, but to suggest people like Lambert Jackson aren't doing full productions because they essentially can't be bothered is false, it's because they simply don't have the money.

(That's not directed at anyone specifically here, but the same argument comes out every time and I just think people need to understand just how much productions cost to make in comparison to a concert 😂)

[couldileaveyou]

Even if they had the money they'd be foolish to mount a full production since it already tanked on Broadway twice. These one off concerts should be regarded as the West End versions of the Encores! in New York

[alece10]

Well that's me all booked.
I've seen several of the Lambert Jackson concerts and they are some of the best I've seen. Almost fully staged, cast well rehearsed (which isn't always the case with some other concerts I've seen) great orchestra and they don't skimp on the money. So I fully support what they do.

[BVM]

I do think people confuse issues when they get cross about these concerts, often thinking that the choice somewhere along the line has been "concert vs full production."

For a pantheon of reasons that is usually not the case. The choice, usually, is "concert vs nothing." And as such I think they are a good thing. They give you the chance to see something that most likely wouldn't sustain a full West End run, usually with a fantastic cast. It simply isn't the case that producers are saying "well I could do a full production, but I won't bother, just to like, annoy the fans!"

They are also usually of excellent quality and more than semi staged.

Anyway this sounds fantastic - Dearman and Tucker - take my money!

(Evita was of course something of an anomaly as it's a show that is about to sustain a full run in Leicester and am sure one day will again in London. It was also an anomaly in quality with everything re the lead already discussed ad nauseam!)

Also worth pointing out that these concerts are happening in addition to full production West End musicals not instead of. We have virtually no dark theatres. And for venues like Drury Lane they occur on Mon/Tues when the sit down show isn't on. Really they maximise West End space and bring something more to the table.

And as per everything - nobody is being forced to go!

[theatremiss]

I saw this at Southwark and tbh I think it needs a set as I’m not sure it works as a concert

[Jon]

Oct 27, 2023 10:52:54 GMT BVM said:

I do think people confuse issues when they get cross about these concerts, often thinking that the choice somewhere along the line has been "concert vs full production."

For a pantheon of reasons that is usually not the case. The choice, usually, is "concert vs nothing." And as such I think they are a good thing. They give you the chance to see something that most likely wouldn't sustain a full West End run, usually with a fantastic cast. It simply isn't the case that producers are saying "well I could do a full production, but I won't bother, just to like, annoy the fans!"

They are also usually of excellent quality and more than semi staged.

Anyway this sounds fantastic - Dearman and Tucker - take my money!

(Evita was of course something of an anomaly as it's a show that is about to sustain a full run in Leicester and am sure one day will again in London. It was also an anomaly in quality with everything re the lead already discussed ad nauseam!)

Also worth pointing out that these concerts are happening in addition to full production West End musicals not instead of. We have virtually no dark theatres. And for venues like Drury Lane they occur on Mon/Tues when the sit down show isn't on. Really they maximise West End space and bring something more to the table.

And as per everything - nobody is being forced to go!

I find things like Evita in concert odd considering it can sustain a West End run but I have no issues with things like Treason or Death Note being concerts which were successful enough to either extend or mount a further full production down the line.

Side Show let's be honest is never going to get a full West End run so a concert version is the best they can do.

[theatrefan62]

I think this one is genius casting. It will get all the wicked fans so bound to sell well.

I don't live in London so these concerts are never really an option for me to see anyway. But I don't see the issue when it's shows that couldn't sustain a longer run.

[backtothetheatre]

I quite enjoy the one off concerts. I don’t see why people are complaining. Let’s be honest, most of these shows probably wouldn’t be able to sustain a longer run nor would they have been able to fit them all in for a decent run within the past year or two. I’d rather a concert version than nothing at all and they are always on top form. I think the casting for this is brilliant so I’m looking forward to it.

[justsaying113]

What's wrong with them!

If these concerts give people a chance to hear a score, or see a particular performer in a piece or in a role - and the producers can turn a profit - I don't see the issue.

This seems like an utterly pointless gripe - if you don't want to go, don't.

[danb]

I’ve always avoided ‘Sideshow’; writing it off as a screetchy opportunity for show offs to belt each others faces off for 2 hours, but ‘Who Will Love Me As I Am’ is a lovely song, especially in the context of the show. I can imagine these two being sensational.

[theatrefan62]

My only issues with the concerts (and as I say above I'm not against them) is

1 - often the casting and shows are actually more exciting than much of the full productions being announced

2 - I'm just not a big fan of concerts. I prefer full productions with sets, full direction etc. But as a chance to see rarely performed shows, they are a great option.

[apubleed]

Well I for one am excited because I've never seen the show before and I know it probably wouldn't be mounted otherwise. I also don't tend to go to any of the other concerts anyway so I'm not fatigued by them yet haha.

[vickyg]

Looks like there are discounts for this on TodayTix, just picked up a nice stalls seat for £38.50. Rachel Tucker showed a video on Instagram of her and Dianne Pilkington with the hashtag #Sideshow...Has Dianne has been announced? The casting has made this a must see for me.

[alece10]

I'd go to see Bradley Jaden open a paper bag so glad I've already got tickets.

[thedriftersgirl]

We have an additional cast announcement for this this morning.

Joining the previously announced:
Louise Dearman - Daisy Hilton
Rachel Tucker - Violet Hilton
Tosh Wanogho-Maud - Buddy Foster
Bradley Jaden - Terry Connor

We now have:-

Trevor Dion Nicholas - Jake
Adam Filipe - Houdini
Gina Murray - Fortune Teller / Auntie

It’s been over 3 months since the initial cast announcement so I’m glad to see they’ve confirmed a few more names.

[thedriftersgirl]

Feb 5, 2024 15:14:57 GMT alece10 said:

I'd go to see Bradley Jaden open a paper bag so glad I've already got tickets.

That did make me laugh!

I’m the same with Tosh tbh.

[panda]

There is a video of Louise and Rachel singing I will never leave you on whatsonstage. I wish I could make the concert.

[Being Alive]

Rachel's not even TRYING in that video too so imagine what it's going to sound like on the night!

[alece10]

That video made me cry, I'll be hopeless on the night.