27 posts
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Post by cmj on Nov 1, 2023 15:21:01 GMT
I don't have a problem with people who stage door to get a quick photo or autograph or to say a quick well done to a performer. I do have a problem with those who go to a show on multiple occasions and stage door every time, even pushing through others to get to the front to monopolise a performer who is often too polite to ignore them when accosted.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 1, 2023 15:35:24 GMT
I don't have a problem with people who stage door to get a quick photo or autograph or to say a quick well done to a performer. I do have a problem with those who go to a show on multiple occasions and stage door every time, even pushing through others to get to the front to monopolise a performer who is often too polite to ignore them when accosted. Yep some shows do have superfans who will follow tours or even certain performers around. They have as much right to buy tickets and SD as anything but why do you need a selfie each time and they have no more entitlement than anyone else to meet said performers. There have been a few incidents were local fans and "fangirls" have had words about who has the right to meet said performer's first. If I've may been waiting to complete a programme and already have the main star and others are waiting for the main star but haven't recognised them when they have left I've been moaned at for not telling them the main star had walked past. How do I know who is waiting for who, I'm concentrating watching for someone else. If Bernadette and Lea are arriving and leaving the Gielgud Theatre and not being seen then I would be interested to know how they are slipping in and out. I cannot remember the exact layout of it. Big names like the late great Dame Angela Lansbury always used the SD but didn't sign or do selfies but waved to the fans. The Palladium has several ways out too from memory. Before autographs became such big business it was sometimes a fun challenge to work out which way an elusive performer might go in. Some stars would send an assistant out to take things in to be signed and prefer to do them in their dressing room, the assistant might say I'll bring the things back but when "the star" leaves they'll say hi but won't stop to sign/do selfies etc and that way you often got a nicer signature. |
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Post by hannechalk on Nov 1, 2023 23:11:49 GMT
I 'do' stage door, at Blood Brothers just to show my appreciation and say hi quickly, at other shows to get my programme signed and to thank for a great show.
I like to think I am perceptive of when someone wants to leave quickly, and stand back.
It's also fun to catch up with other fans.
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Post by theatrefan77 on Nov 2, 2023 1:02:20 GMT
Having worked in West End theatres for a number of years I have seen staged dooring from the other side. There are many performers who don't like the stage door experience at all and can be quite abrupt. Some others don't mind as long as people are polite and don't take too much of their time. On the other had I have seen some fans being nice while others have been pushy and even aggressive.
The stage door experience can be tricky, depending on the amount of people waiting and on the willingness of performers to spend more or less time.
I have met lovely performers who have been pushed to the limit by obsessive fans who went to see them to stage door far too often. I have also met some not so nice performers who put on a smile to meet fans only to slag them off as soon as they are out of the way.
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Post by hannechalk on Nov 2, 2023 15:45:19 GMT
When you're at the Liverpool Empire, the theatre is next door to Lime Street Station - stage door is across the street from the station's side entrance.
I've seen people run after performers who are legging it to catch a train to stop them for an autograph, selfie and chat, and that's just not done.
Or stop them from getting into a waiting car.
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Post by alece10 on Nov 2, 2023 16:21:28 GMT
I always talk gibberish when I meet someone I admire and end up saying something like "I loved you in...." then can't remember the name of the show. To to save embarrassing myself I don't stage door.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 2, 2023 22:48:24 GMT
Not exactly a musical related but my favourite stage door story was one I heard about two autograph collectors from the Nottingham area who weren't the sharpest tools in the box and used to be a bit annoying. One of the pantos in the area one year was Snow White they saw a person of "limited height" leaving via the stage door and assumed he must be one of the dwarf cast. But he told them he wasn't and was just visting a friend but they then said he just didn't want to sign and were still trying to get him to sign as he walked away. In the end he turned around and told them to "**** off"
The story of this duo being told to f off by some dwarf still amuses me.
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Post by curiouskc on Apr 29, 2024 14:06:37 GMT
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Post by ladidah on Apr 29, 2024 14:44:49 GMT
I saw on Allie Daniel's stories about cast members, she cited mainly POC's being called by the wrong name too.
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Post by solotheatregoer on Apr 29, 2024 16:33:14 GMT
I saw on Allie Daniel's stories about cast members, she cited mainly POC's being called by the wrong name too. Saw that on Donal Finn's Insta stories too. I've done stage door only a handful of times and it must be a pretty intimidating situation for anyone. But to run after people, harass them for photos and mistake them for other cast members is completely out of order and disrespectful. No wonder a lot of people are stopping them altogether now. |
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Post by danb on Apr 29, 2024 17:35:05 GMT
Or just let individual performers decide if it is something they want to do, almost as if they are sentient, adult humans!? Formalising it to the point of a ‘meet & greet’ gives me the creeps, like they are an exhibit in a zoo or something. |
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Post by Seriously on Apr 29, 2024 17:41:00 GMT
Well we wouldn't want to give danb the creeps.
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Post by BVM on Apr 29, 2024 18:25:16 GMT
They do need to do something about stage door, particularly for younger audience fanperson attracting shows as this issue comes up time and time again.
(Personally I’ve literally never seen the appeal but appreciate a lot of young fans seem to love it. The boundaries inevitably get blurred though for the problematic minority….)
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Post by BVM on Apr 29, 2024 19:20:04 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2024 0:17:00 GMT
Sorry to hear that MLB had to endure this at her show's Stage Door. If she had put her headphones on this was a clear sign that she was leaving and was listening to music/taking a call. She had engaged with the people waiting as if she hadn't wanted to she could have walked out with her headphones on and ignored everyone.
This is a show without a "star" name in it but clearly has a following. Star names get far more attention but they will have security or can be whisked out of another entrance to a waiting car. Most performers don't have this luxury sadly.
I'd hate theatres to go down M and G route like a lot of concerts now do and few have the facilities to hold them by the SD and it would be logistically hard to do. Some stars did do signings in the foyer after their show. The Old Vic reception window worked well back in the day I thought.
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Post by theatrefan62 on Apr 30, 2024 5:24:06 GMT
I actually think in some ways shows without big names have it worse. Big names usually skip it completely, or have a more organised structured set up.
These shows with 'unknowns' can have more a parasocial relationship where fans see them as equals or friends. There is also the clout chasing via social media and a culture develops around one show or actor.
Of course actors also have a role to play as some actively encourage it (especially those you use social media to their advantage) and blur boundaries which can confuse fans by encouraging stage door, contradicting theatre policy (as CHF has done before), encourage gifts etc. Their actions have a knock on affect for the wider industry and fellow actors as precedents can be set in (usually) younger minds
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Post by shownut on Apr 30, 2024 5:46:00 GMT
Sorry to hear that MLB had to endure this at her show's Stage Door. If she had put her headphones on this was a clear sign that she was leaving and was listening to music/taking a call. She had engaged with the people waiting as if she hadn't wanted to she could have walked out with her headphones on and ignored everyone. This is a show without a "star" name in it but clearly has a following. Star names get far more attention but they will have security or can be whisked out of another entrance to a waiting car. Most performers don't have this luxury sadly. I'd hate theatres to go down M and G route like a lot of concerts now do and few have the facilities to hold them by the SD and it would be logistically hard to do. Some stars did do signings in the foyer after their show. The Old Vic reception window worked well back in the day I thought. Unless things have mysteriously changed in the last few years, actors may have to sign out at the stage door but they can use any exit they want. MLB could use other exits where folks are less likely to harrass her. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2024 20:05:09 GMT
Unless things have mysteriously changed in the last few years, actors may have to sign out at the stage door but they can use any exit they want. MLB could use other exits where folks are less likely to harrass her. Performers still have to sign out or have someone sign them out. But going out of other exits would depend if they are open or not. If other exits can be reached via backstage then they can do that. But if say the exits from the auditorium have been closed they cannot really start trying to go out that way. |
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2024 12:54:56 GMT
I actually think in some ways shows without big names have it worse. Big names usually skip it completely, or have a more organised structured set up. These shows with 'unknowns' can have more a parasocial relationship where fans see them as equals or friends. There is also the clout chasing via social media and a culture develops around one show or actor. Of course actors also have a role to play as some actively encourage it (especially those you use social media to their advantage) and blur boundaries which can confuse fans by encouraging stage door, contradicting theatre policy (as CHF has done before), encourage gifts etc. Their actions have a knock on affect for the wider industry and fellow actors as precedents can be set in (usually) younger minds Just seen this post reading back in the forum. I missed it last night. An excellent point about shows developing a "cult" following or making a big star out of someone. When you have a "star name" in a show which may sell well fans may only see it once, get a ticket once, be able to afford to see it once. But with a show which builds a following lets say "Six" fans return to see it many times and perhaps do feel they build a "friendship" with cast members. This can be a two way thing a lot of CHF's fans she built up from her social media posts and they have helped her sell tickets for a number of shows she has been in. But even someone as engaging as CHF has had fans cross the line with her and now she has a young baby she may not be able to be as accessible after shows as she was before. When fandom is around a show like Six or even the Rocky Horror Show which are both dedicated and hard core it tends to stay with the show rather than follow previous cast members around. But these two shows have a very different fanbase - Six is more a younger female fanbase whilst RHS has the colourful and character dressed slightly older fans. A lot of the RHS cast are long term performers in the show and likely get to know the fans fairly well, that fanbase also has always seemed to be respectful but for a younger performer cast in that show it could be abit of a culture shock to be greeted by loading of fans dressed as a show character at the SD. Six with a younger cast and fans could well have seen fans thinking they have a strong link to certain performers but their SD's look to be pretty well organized with a security man stood there I heard at a number of tour venues. Plus with younger fans they often have parents/guardians with them or have to be collected so cannot wait around for ages. Stars like David Essex who has done numerous musicals over the years always had time for his fans and had his sharpie ready to sign but controlled the time he gave each fan and would keep things moving so everyone got a chance but he wasn't stuck at SD for ages. But I fully see the point of fans latching onto a performer in a breakout role who is accessible to them and not Harry Styles/Taylor Swift on a stage in a stadium. |
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Post by shownut on May 1, 2024 13:03:44 GMT
Unless things have mysteriously changed in the last few years, actors may have to sign out at the stage door but they can use any exit they want. MLB could use other exits where folks are less likely to harrass her. Performers still have to sign out or have someone sign them out. But going out of other exits would depend if they are open or not. If other exits can be reached via backstage then they can do that. But if say the exits from the auditorium have been closed they cannot really start trying to go out that way. Most theatres have a pass door from backstage to the auditorium and house doors are rarely locked immediately after the performance so I would imagine that if she felt there was a threat, management would help her leave safely and securely. It's too bad that what could be a fun way to end a night's work is something she doesn't feel safe doing (but based on how audience behaviour has changed, I would imagine the occasional stage door experience could be a nightmare). |
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2024 16:14:37 GMT
Performers still have to sign out or have someone sign them out. But going out of other exits would depend if they are open or not. If other exits can be reached via backstage then they can do that. But if say the exits from the auditorium have been closed they cannot really start trying to go out that way. Most theatres have a pass door from backstage to the auditorium and house doors are rarely locked immediately after the performance so I would imagine that if she felt there was a threat, management would help her leave safely and securely. It's too bad that what could be a fun way to end a night's work is something she doesn't feel safe doing (but based on how audience behaviour has changed, I would imagine the occasional stage door experience could be a nightmare). Performers who want to leave fairly quickly can likely get through the auditorium and possibly out one of the side doors. But those who take a bit of time would likely find the auditorium doors locked bar fire doors and certainly the FOH doors. I've Stage Doored a fair bit and I've often seen the FOH guys handing the keys back in at the SD where I assume the keys are kept. Some theatres do have 24 hour security who will sit on the SD but I'd imagine a lot are opened and closed via the SD. I don't know if this differs when the cleaners would go in of a morning to do the auditorium. |
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Post by anthony40 on May 3, 2024 10:19:52 GMT
I have staged door a couple of times, mostly for plays.
Depends to the 'star' quality or popularity of the performers, there is usually some form of security and barriers.
If you're well behaved, polite, courteous and not overly pushy there generally isn't a problem.
I've had a photograph taken with Ellen Greene, Matthew Broderick (I mean, he's Ferris Bueller!), Tracey Ullman, Helena Bonham-Carter, Stockard Chamming, Simon Bird, James Corden, and Jeremy Jordan, to name a few. Also a really bad one with Rebel Wilson and not so good one with Michael Crawford.
I remember there was a play some time back with Nicole Kidman. She staged doored in the blink of an eye and then whilst everyone was waiting at the back, exited the theatre through the front of the theatre to an awaiting black cab.
I believe Richard O'Brian did a similar thing the last time he was on stage performing as Riff Raff in a Rocky Horror tour in the West End.
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Post by ceebee on May 3, 2024 11:05:00 GMT
I guess it depends on the performer / star / person whether they enjoy the stage door experience. Personally, I find it all a bit odd - job done, time to go home, off for a bite to eat etc. But then I've always tended to compartmentalise things. Many thrive on the adulation, whether on stage or in the audience. In the end, it comes down to respect and boundaries. As for monetising it? Hmmm... "I bought you so let me now have my pound of flesh..." Ewww.
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Post by anthony40 on May 3, 2024 11:15:00 GMT
I guess it depends on the performer / star / person whether they enjoy the stage door experience. Personally, I find it all a bit odd - job done, time to go home, off for a bite to eat etc. But then I've always tended to compartmentalise things. Many thrive on the adulation, whether on stage or in the audience. In the end, it comes down to respect and boundaries. As for monetising it? Hmmm... "I bought you so let me now have my pound of flesh..." Ewww. I get it but don't forget that a lot of performers have egos that are swollen and insecurities that need to be stroked. They thrive on the affirmation, adulation and praise. |
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Post by distantcousin on May 3, 2024 11:25:40 GMT
They do need to do something about stage door, particularly for younger audience fanperson attracting shows as this issue comes up time and time again. (Personally I’ve literally never seen the appeal but appreciate a lot of young fans seem to love it. The boundaries inevitably get blurred though for the problematic minority….) This all started with Wicked didn't it? Or was it Rent? The "Rent-heads"? Did the internet engender these sort of cultish show fanbases, even pre-social media? |
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