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Post by nightmare on Mar 6, 2016 21:01:44 GMT
I am new to this forum, but feel as this is a big topic at the moment its a better place than any to get stuck in.
So like many I did get annoyed with the "fans" on Twitter complaining that she had not performed. I have a real problem with this new found generation of fans who seem to think that performers owe them for something! Performance owe them nothing! They do their job and they get paid at the end of the week/month for it, you watch them do that job (Provide a service shall we say) and you pay for that. I work, people pay for me to provide a service and at the of the month, I in turn get paid for providing it. If I am off work for any reason, they don't demand I reimburse them, they simple deal with the person who is covering for me. The fact these people are either famous or just well known in the theatre world should not change that.
Some of my favourite west end performers have been brought to my attention because I saw them understudying a lead role and enjoyed their performance, I very much enjoy an understudy and will often go out of my way to see them.
One of the things I found most sad in this situation was the fact Sheridan even felt she had to offer fans an alternative, when she took a couple of days off sick earlier in the role people didn't kick up this much of a fuss as it wasn't made as well known, people still went to the show, maybe had a little moment of disappointment upon realising she wasn't performing but then enjoyed the show anyway. So why people felt that in this circumstance it was acceptable to ask her for tickets to the Savoy is beyond me.
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Post by Dawnstar on Mar 6, 2016 21:19:02 GMT
Are all members of the Ensemble transferring with this to the savoy? Some tweets make me think they are not. The official website seems to think it will be a one-woman show, given Sheridan is the only person listed on the cast page at the moment - they really will have a problem if she is off then! ;-) www.funnygirlthemusical.co.uk/cast-creative/ |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2016 5:50:51 GMT
This is usually the point where someone starts whining about how the Sale of Goods Act means they're entitled to get whatever they want, and that although when they purchased the ticket they agreed to a contract stating that the production reserves the right to make any changes necessary they shouldn't have to be held to that contract if it affects the person they wanted to see.
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Post by Mark on Mar 7, 2016 7:06:06 GMT
It's an interesting one, but I definitely think that the Broadway "rule" should be followed. That being, if an above the title star is absent then the patron is entitled to a refund of their ticket.
This isn't at all to put down the performance of any understudy, not in the slightest. I've seen hundreds of shows and probably the same amount of understudies! There is a difference to paying £40 to see Les Mis or Phantom for the second or third time, than paying £40 to see "Sheridan Smith" in Funny Girl or "Imelda Staunton in Gypsy". If the producers are going to advertise with an above the title star then if somebody so chooses then yes I believe they should be allowed to have a refund.
I've never been in the situation before where I've paid for a ticket specifically to see a person in a show and they've been absent.
I specifically booked Promises Promise and OT20thC to see Kristin or If/Then to see Idina. Equally I booked Gypsy to see Imelda, I'd already seen the show with Patti so it was specifically for her performance, and yes I'd probably have exchanged my tickets had she been out. Another one was Kelli O Hara in The King and I, it was advertised with her name above the title, and was my Christmas treat to my family, but if she hadn't been in that night we'd have probably changed to a different night or gotten a refund.
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Post by londonmzfitz on Mar 7, 2016 9:50:40 GMT
I've seen four Fanny's at the Menier, was there on Saturday night for the final night. So disappointing to see empty seats on what has been a great run for the rest of the cast! Three Sheridan Fanny's and one Natasha Fanny - I vastly preferred Sheridan, my opinion she bought more animation to the part, the klutzyness didn't feel acted, she looked the audience straight in the eye and performed to them. Sheridan has improved vocally over the run too.
Darius - I've loved watching him, he has improved too, in my opinion, as if he's become more comfortable in the part and his voice is just lovely. Matthew Croke isn't going to the Savoy (checked his Twitter).
Met a few people I've seen at shows before, one from this forum and two ladies that I see everywhere (the two ladies in the front row with flowers for Natasha and Darius), and sat next to another lady that knew about the WOS forums, hadn't realised it has closed down, so I mentioned this site to her. We had a brief interval discussion about who could step into the role *if* Sheridan doesn't go into the Savoy run. If only Rachel Tucker were available ...
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Post by candela on Mar 7, 2016 10:25:46 GMT
Are all members of the Ensemble transferring with this to the savoy? Some tweets make me think they are not. The official website seems to think it will be a one-woman show, given Sheridan is the only person listed on the cast page at the moment - they really will have a problem if she is off then! ;-) www.funnygirlthemusical.co.uk/cast-creative/No, Not all members of the ensemble are transferring to the savoy eg Stuart is going into Harry Potter at the Palace |
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Post by liverpool54321 on Mar 7, 2016 12:17:24 GMT
Assuming Sheridan does transfer I guess over a 6 month run with 8 shows a week it is inevitable she will be forced to miss the odd show through illness etc. Is it normal for lead roles to do a 6 month run with no planned holiday during it?
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Post by Steffi on Mar 7, 2016 12:21:51 GMT
Assuming Sheridan does transfer I guess over a 6 month run with 8 shows a week it is inevitable she will be forced to miss the odd show through illness etc. Is it normal for lead roles to do a 6 month run with no planned holiday during it? Imelda didn't have any planned holidays during Gypsy. I don't think it happens often but it's not unheard of either. |
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Post by theatremiss on Mar 7, 2016 12:22:25 GMT
Sheridan belts nothing. I'm in total agreement with Mr B here. She didn't even hold the last note in Parade and gave up long before the music ended. She appears to be a very nice person but I do think she's a bit Emperor's New Clothes and no one seems to question her performances ...Is this a statement of fact, or based on the one/limited number of performances you've seen? I acknowledge that there are better singers out there, but when I saw her she certainly held that note to the end. Her singing exceeded my expectations I can only speak as I find. We're all entitled to our opinion and I happen to agree with Mr B. It doesn't matter how many times I may or may not have seen a performer, if on the night they don't deliver then that's the impression you are left with. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2016 13:42:28 GMT
My view on the this Sheridan buying fans tickets thing! Just watched this, Agree 100% with you. Particularly liked your point about half the leads in the west now previously being understudies. For example Bradley Jaden, currently Enjorlas in Les Mis, is in my opinion an incredible actor and I think he is going to be a real star in the future, he was an understudy for Shrek at Drury Lane and for Sam in Ghost UK Tour. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2016 14:32:07 GMT
For example Bradley Jaden, currently Enjorlas in Les Mis, is in my opinion an incredible actor and I think he is going to be a real star in the future, he was an understudy for Shrek at Drury Lane and for Sam in Ghost UK Tour. I saw him understudy Carl in Ghost and he really surprised me as I had seen the lead and Bradley brought so much more life to such a nothing role. I would have loved to see him as Sam as some lucky people did on the tour |
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Post by candela on Mar 7, 2016 14:52:51 GMT
For example Bradley Jaden, currently Enjorlas in Les Mis, is in my opinion an incredible actor and I think he is going to be a real star in the future, he was an understudy for Shrek at Drury Lane and for Sam in Ghost UK Tour. I saw him understudy Carl in Ghost and he really surprised me as I had seen the lead and Bradley brought so much more life to such a nothing role. I would have loved to see him as Sam as some lucky people did on the tour I remember seeing Bradley as shrek and loved his voice. Actually preferred him over the lead. This was same in ghost u/s Carl. Chuffed for him as Enjolras  esp he was 2 u/s as well |
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Post by moelhywel on Mar 7, 2016 19:45:07 GMT
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Post by Steve on Mar 7, 2016 23:42:22 GMT
We had a brief interval discussion about who could step into the role *if* Sheridan doesn't go into the Savoy run. If only Rachel Tucker were available ... I would love to see Jodie Jacobs play the part. She is SO funny, and can belt with the best of them. I know it could never happen, but I can dream. |
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Post by nightmare on Mar 8, 2016 10:07:04 GMT
Jodie Jacobs would be amazing in that role, although I do think *If* Sheridan doesn't do the Savoy run, they will need to replace her with with someone of equal celebrity statues (Or more) to stop a massive kick off over tickets there as well. Would be very interesting to see what will happen if she does pull out as they already swapped everyone's tickets for her absence, so will they be giving money back to the people who swapped to the Savoy specifically to see her if she's not on?
Also the comments about the belt, I've seen Sheridan perform several times in different shows and have never found her belt to be a problem. I actually took a friend, who hadn't seen her before, to see Funny Girl and her belt at the end of Rain On My Parade was one of the things she first commented on, because of how good it was!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2016 10:17:16 GMT
Surely Sheridan couldn't pull out of the Savoy run without having her ass sued ma-hoo-sively by the Menier and Sonia Friedman? She must have signed some kind of contract with them.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2016 10:44:50 GMT
Where has this idea that Sheridan might pull out of the Savoy run come from? This is literally the only place I've seen that is entertaining the possibility. We can't guarantee she won't get sick, but of course she's not going to go "oh, actually, I've changed my mind, I don't want to star in the West End, never mind that they've built the production around me, advertised it with me, and I've confirmed myself that people who missed me at the Menier for these last few performances will be able to exchange their tickets and come to the Savoy instead". Whatever faults or family issues she may have, she's still a professional, and it's pretty perplexing that people are genuinely saying *if* she does the Savoy run. Honestly, sort yourselves out.
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Post by lou on Mar 8, 2016 10:49:07 GMT
Her tweets (may now be deleted) indicated she might be thinking about it. Of course was very upset at the time of writing them.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2016 11:47:38 GMT
Yes and she also indicated that there was no contract.....
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Post by Someone in a tree on Mar 8, 2016 12:22:30 GMT
I'm so glad that while MM was in My fair lady Twitter was not invented!
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Post by londonmzfitz on Mar 8, 2016 13:12:28 GMT
Where has this idea that Sheridan might pull out of the Savoy run come from? This is literally the only place I've seen that is entertaining the possibility. We can't guarantee she won't get sick, but of course she's not going to go "oh, actually, I've changed my mind, I don't want to star in the West End, never mind that they've built the production around me, advertised it with me, and I've confirmed myself that people who missed me at the Menier for these last few performances will be able to exchange their tickets and come to the Savoy instead". Whatever faults or family issues she may have, she's still a professional, and it's pretty perplexing that people are genuinely saying *if* she does the Savoy run. Honestly, sort yourselves out. I don't think it was "entertaining the possibility", rather more a discussion about who could be cast, rather like the discussion we had about who could be Nick Arnstein over on the other board before Darius was cast. Honestly, don't get your boxers in a bunch. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2016 14:11:53 GMT
Sheridan tweeted "people think i've pulled out of Funny Girl. Not just yet. Back to finish the week. Then we'll see"
She then included Sonia Friedman in a tweet that mention not having a contract and seeing them in court.
Sounds like threats to me. Probably not the best way to handle things.
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Post by Someone in a tree on Mar 8, 2016 14:33:42 GMT
Her use of Twitter is so classy
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Post by theatrecat on Mar 12, 2016 16:05:21 GMT
Hi guys! My first time on this board. Can anyone post a song list from the production. I would love to know if the overture is used and any comments on the new orchestrations, orchestra size etc. Thanks in advance.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Mar 13, 2016 17:47:42 GMT
Sheridan tweeted "people think i've pulled out of Funny Girl. Not just yet. Back to finish the week. Then we'll see" She then included Sonia Friedman in a tweet that mention not having a contract and seeing them in court. Sounds like threats to me. Probably not the best way to handle things. Seriously, how is it possible to be performing in a west end production, let alone the star of it, and not be contracted? Didn't we have a discussion about this on the other forum in relation to an actor who has a reputation for pulling out of shows at the last minute? Is this really how producers run things because if it is then I'm staggered. |
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esp he was 2 u/s as well 
