Follies

[Mark]

I don't Mind them seeking donations, as long as I can get a Friday rush ticket!

[orchestrator]

Follies with a band of 12? What 12 are you thinking of? And you’d have to pay for new orchestrations and copying. Actually maybe they’re already reducing the band from the commercially available arrangements. It’d sound great with the 3d Opera band.

[Deleted]

Bigger certainly doesn't mean better. The best Follies production I've seen was at the now closed Landor Theatre.

A tiny 60 seat theatre with no set, some filmed projections and just a 3 piece band. It was fantastic.

[orchestrator]

Apr 16, 2017 13:23:57 GMT @tbfl said:

Bigger certainly doesn't mean better. The best Follies production I've seen was at the now closed Landor Theatre.

A tiny 60 seat theatre with no set, some filmed projections and just a 3 piece band. It was fantastic.

I don’t doubt that. But put that production in the Olivier and it would seem thin and underpowered. 

[horton]

What an awful step. Get your finance sorted BEFORE you announce a show. Amateurish and a terrible precedent to set!

Next we'll be having whip-rounds to cover the cost of follow spots!

[Deleted]

Apr 16, 2017 14:16:13 GMT horton said:

What an awful step. Get your finance sorted BEFORE you announce a show. Amateurish and a terrible precedent to set!

Next we'll be having whip-rounds to cover the cost of follow spots!

I do think 

It's really weird to trumpet a major musical

Way in advance

Show off about the cast etc.

Announce the key players many months ago

And only now be sending out a mailing for a production syndicate

It's akin to begging and done in a really tacky way

It just pisses people off

Many people are struggling to make ends meet

Public sector workers have a pay freeze for the last 5 years effectively a real terms pay drop

And the NT have no shame sending out the begging bowl

If they cannot afford such an expensive show then they should rethink and scale it down

They are already charging high tickets prices for this particular production as it is 

Why not have a proper corporate investor or a group of producers which would then allow the show to have an ongoing life

Asking for "donations" does not entitle you to any sort of artistic input into the show nor to reap any profits so there is no point other than it counting as charitable donations on your tax bill 

The NT are shameless

[Deleted]

Apr 16, 2017 15:29:43 GMT @parsley said:

If they cannot afford such an expensive show then they should rethink and scale it down

I'm sure they have given much thought to this production and its budget, with the outcome that they've committed to a significantly larger budget than usual because of the artistic demands of the piece and the justified production decisions of the creative team.

And individuals will choose to donate or not, according to their personality and their circumstances.

[Deleted]

Apr 16, 2017 16:28:39 GMT @honouredguest said:

Apr 16, 2017 15:29:43 GMT @parsley said:

If they cannot afford such an expensive show then they should rethink and scale it down

I'm sure they have given much thought to this production and its budget, with the outcome that they've committed to a significantly larger budget than usual because of the artistic demands of the piece and the justified production decisions of the creative team.

And individuals will choose to donate or not, according to their personality and their circumstances.

In which case it makes much more sense and is more professional to gather the required funds first

Before announcing the show to all and sundry

Rather than trying to scrape the monies together afterwards 

[Deleted]

Again, there are almost certainly reasons for the timing of this appeal.

For example, the NT's budgeted income may have been reduced in the last week or two. Arts Council England may have indicated a lower annual grant than previously expected. Or a major donor may have diverted their donations elsewhere. Or box office income may have dipped below its targets.

Or, it may be that the NT's budgeted expenditure has been increased recently. For example, inflation forecasts have risen and the chaotic Brexit uncertainties may have necessitated making greater provisions for unplanned spending.

Or, this appeal may have been planned to coincide with ticket on-sale dates, with benevolent punters making up the difference in price between the top NT prices and West End musical premium prices, and so donating around £40 for each ticket they've bought.

I don't really understand why anyone should claim to be annoyed about this!

[Ade]

Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't they do the same thing for Amadeus?

[Deleted]

What we don't know is how many people have been approached. Is it the world and their wife? Or just generous and wealthy souls, like Parsley?

[theatre-turtle]

I wonder what would happen if they don't get the funds. Would they have to replace Imelda with Kimberley Walsh?

[Deleted]

Apr 16, 2017 16:47:40 GMT Ade said:

Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't they do the same thing for Amadeus?

You may be right in fact

And god knows what they did with that in this case

May as well have thrown your money down a well

They could have paid a decent dialect coach at least 

[Deleted]

Apr 16, 2017 17:03:36 GMT theatre-turtle said:

I wonder what would happen if they don't get the funds. Would they have to replace Imelda with Kimberley Walsh?

Likely

In fact 

Kimberly Walsh is worth more than Imelda Staunton

In assets and sponsorship

And following a successful pop career 

Ironic but true 

Also more people have probably heard of her

And they could charge more than £70 in that case and do away with the begging bowl

[dazzerlump]

From past experience, what are the odds of getting tickets for opening night if you are a member and you can book from Monday 24th?

[ali973]

I don't know about the National, but most shows don't sell official opening nights. They normally release some tickets much closer to the date once they've allocated all the press and family/friends tickets. In regular West End houses these tend to be sh*tty seats in the third tier.

[Deal J]

Doesn't booking go online for members tomorrow morning? I'm surprised there's still no word on the American Express invites booking date, has anyone heard when (or indeed if) that will be?

EDIT: Ignore me, I can see on twitter they've answered that it's Wednesday 3 May at 08:30.

[alece10]

Just got tkts for 1st Sept.
There was a queue online.

[ali973]

What a strange site..I got a Priority Membership, but not sure if this will allow me access today? It says that it's only on sale for Support Cast members (and higher). I'm not sure if I'm "and higher"? On the phone now..

[CG on the loose]

In descending order >> Supporting Cast, then Priority Plus, then Priority, then Advance... all with different on-sale dates, I believe!

[alece10]

Yes it's supporting cast today.

[Deleted]

Apr 20, 2017 9:05:25 GMT alece10 said:

Yes it's supporting cast today.

So lovely booking as always quick when booking first opens

However I have been charged twice for one transaction

Called the BO who assured me only one would be taken from account

But as bonus have FOUR £15 front stalls for Follies PN now

[ali973]

Are you guys supporting cast? I was told I can book starting on Monday 24th.

[Deleted]

Apr 20, 2017 9:18:10 GMT ali973 said:

Are you guys supporting cast? I was told I can book starting on Monday 24th.

Yes Supporting Cast or above 

Don't worry there is plenty of choice left for all dates and will be on Monday I am sure 

[Deleted]

Apr 20, 2017 9:16:22 GMT @parsley said:

Apr 20, 2017 9:05:25 GMT alece10 said:

Yes it's supporting cast today.

So lovely booking as always quick when booking first opens

However I have been charged twice for one transaction

Called the BO who assured me only one would be taken from account

But as bonus have FOUR £15 front stalls for Follies PN now

Probably the right price when you'll only see 'I'm Still Here' and 'Broadway Baby' but will miss 'Could I Leave You?' and 'Losing My Mind' . . .