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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2017 16:41:07 GMT
So many times we hear that tried and tested musical theatre actors are passed over for 'Names'. There have been many comments on various threads about, for example Michelle Collins in Millie, Martin Kemp in Chitty, Sarah Harding in Ghost etc.
Personally speaking, I would always prefer to see someone who is capable of doing the role 8 times a week. I think Producers are naive enough to think that the theatregoing public (particularly in the provinces) are happy so long as they recognise someone off the telly. Sadly, more often than not they're just not up to it. Just wondering what everyone thinks?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2017 16:59:28 GMT
I think Producers are naive enough to think that the theatregoing public (particularly in the provinces) are happy so long as they recognise someone off the telly. Thing is, producers know their own business and they wouldn't do it if it didn't work. By the time the audience discovers that the performer isn't up to the task the production already has their money. |
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Post by ptwest on Feb 14, 2017 18:51:10 GMT
I think as well that its easy to forget that those of us on this board are likely to be the more regular theatre goers and will know about performers or shows that the more casual theatregoer may not. For a lot of people the way into theatre is by seeing someone they know from the telly in it, or in a very familiar show. I also would prefer a non name who can handle the role but that isn't always good for business.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 14, 2017 19:21:53 GMT
It's more likely to put me off than encourage me to go.
I don't really ALLOW it to put me off, I'll still go, but the thought of some celeb adds nothing to the appeal of the show.
Sometimes it actually makes me cringe. I find it a bit embarrassing.
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Post by Tibidabo on Feb 14, 2017 20:19:55 GMT
What was wrong with Martin Kemp @sistermaryann ? I thought he was brilliant in Eastenders! He had some great scenes with Joe Absolom and Sheila Hancock. It all went downhill from there! Many years ago when I lived abroad, I used to come with a friend to England to 'do' a week of theatre in London and Stratford. Anything we could get tickets for we'd see - usually serious stuff. I can't remember which play this was (it's irrelevant to the story anyway) but one day we were happily sitting in the audience about 5 minutes into the show when a new character made an entrance. Everyone around us leapt to their feet in a standing ovation. We looked at each other in puzzlement. We had no idea who this actor was, but were thrilled that we'd obviously hit lucky with someone brilliant......or so we thought.....ha! Well, we were subjected to what I can unreservedly say was The Most Wooden, Hammy delivery I have ever seen this side of 3rd Innkeeper at St. Anselm's Primary School in Nowheresville. The Actoooor (who I won't name as it's a bit mean, but he does very occasionally turn up as 'Drunk Man on Bench' in Agatha Christie type TV shows) had become famous playing a popular TV character in the UK and, quite obviously, had brought the crowds in to a play - rather than a musical. (It was a Chekov.) So yes, I'd agree with @thematthew in thinking that the producers know what they're doing. But I would actually say BurlyBeaR that that audience's ridiculous reaction made such an impact on me that I now make a point of NOT going if a 'name' is in a show - unless I rate them, obviously! |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2017 14:25:11 GMT
I don't object that strongly to it...sometimes a person has gone into a soap etc after doing stage prior and is returning and they're brilliant. Hell legend that is Danny Dyer did shows at the NT before realising documentaries about Aliens and Eastenders paid far better.
Also it's a concept that has kept Chicago in business (the musical not the Midwestern City). As others say, producers know it works. And yes sometimes people are awful, but I'll be honest, last night I realised I was tempted to see Million Dollar Quartet because Jason Donovan is in it even though I know he'll probably be awful.
And sometimes people are good despite just being a name chucked in- wasn't Mel-Sporty-Spice supposed to be great in Blood Brothers for example?
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Post by kathryn on Feb 15, 2017 14:43:32 GMT
I don't object that strongly to it...sometimes a person has gone into a soap etc after doing stage prior and is returning and they're brilliant. Hell legend that is Danny Dyer did shows at the NT before realising documentaries about Aliens and Eastenders paid far better. Also it's a concept that has kept Chicago in business (the musical not the Midwestern City). As others say, producers know it works. And yes sometimes people are awful, but I'll be honest, last night I realised I was tempted to see Million Dollar Quartet because Jason Donovan is in it even though I know he'll probably be awful. And sometimes people are good despite just being a name chucked in- wasn't Mel-Sporty-Spice supposed to be great in Blood Brothers for example? Apparently Danny Dyer worked with Harold Pinter, who thought he was terrific. I only know about this because he hasn't shut up about it since. (Danny Dyer is still a bell end, whether he's a good actor or not!). Nigel Harman springs to mind. If all you know him from is playing mini-Den on Eastenders, you'd think him a terrible, wooden, one-note actor. He's totally different on stage. Of course there are soap actors/ex-popstars who are not up to stage work, but there's rarely more than one per production, so if they get the bums on seats so people are exposed to the work of their more talented castmates it's not necessarily a bad thing. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2017 14:46:27 GMT
A plus use of Bell-end kathryn it is an under used insult. And agreed, if a soap star in a minor role is a bit rubbish but it gets people to see an otherwise good production what's the harm really? especially when say a Hollyoaks fan there for the hot-but-wooden actor in a touring production might then venture to another show at that theatre etc etc. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2017 14:52:44 GMT
Apparently Danny Dyer worked with Harold Pinter, who thought he was terrific. I only know about this because he hasn't shut up about it since. (Danny Dyer is still a bell end, whether he's a good actor or not!). Yes, Danny Dyer was an outstanding young stage actor. I remember him in two plays at the Almeida, Celebration by Harold Pinter and Certain Young Men by Peter Gill, and he was electrifying in both. One of those actors you immediately make a mental note to try to see everything that they do. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2017 14:56:13 GMT
Yes, Danny Dyer was an outstanding young stage actor. I remember him in two plays at the Almeida, Celebration by Harold Pinter and Certain Young Men by Peter Gill, and he was electrifying in both. One of those actors you immediately make a mental note to try to see everything that they do.Indeed. He was astonishing in 'Run For Your Wife' too. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2017 15:00:34 GMT
say a Hollyoaks fan there for the hot-but-wooden actor in a touring production Of course, not all ex-Hollyoaks actors fall into that category! For example, Nico Mirallegro and Calvin Demba are both excellent actors. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2017 15:04:47 GMT
A plus use of Bell-end kathryn it is an under used insult. And agreed, if a soap star in a minor role is a bit rubbish but it gets people to see an otherwise good production what's the harm really? especially when say a Hollyoaks fan there for the hot-but-wooden actor in a touring production might then venture to another show at that theatre etc etc. What is a "bell-end" actor? Is it an insulting term? |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2017 15:07:18 GMT
What is a "bell-end" actor? Is it an insulting term? Kathryn said he's a bell end as a person, despite his acting abilities. Not that he's a bell end actor, which may not actually be a thing, doncha know. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2017 15:14:16 GMT
Think James Corden has said before that he is the only ex-Hollyoaks star to win a Tony. He very briefly had a tiny role as a caretaker at the College. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2017 15:19:53 GMT
What is a "bell-end" actor? Is it an insulting term? Kathryn said he's a bell end as a person, despite his acting abilities. Not that he's a bell end actor, which may not actually be a thing, doncha know. Okay, so what is a bell-end, when describing a person? |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2017 15:29:07 GMT
Okay, so what is a bell-end, when describing a person? A knob or dickhead, m'lud. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2017 15:37:28 GMT
Mmm... As I thought. I can name quite a few female posters on this forum who would be up in arms if male posters used slang words for parts of female genitalia as a form of insult. It's tantamount to saying that anything rubbish is "gay"', like they do in the school playground. Not impressed.
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Post by kathryn on Feb 15, 2017 15:38:17 GMT
Okay, so what is a bell-end, when describing a person? A knob or dickhead. Basically. It has slightly more suggestion of being an idiot than either of those, IMO. The sort of stupid that threatens to punch a film critic, thinking it makes him look hard when actually it makes him look ridiculous, but not the sort of dickhead who would actually punch said critic. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2017 15:42:53 GMT
Basically. It has slightly more suggestion of being an idiot than either of those, IMO. The sort of stupid that threatens to punch a film critic, thinking it makes him look hard when actually it makes him look ridiculous, but not the sort of dickhead who would actually punch said critic. As I said, not really impressed with the vocabulary. (Couldn't care less about the actor in question.) |
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Post by kathryn on Feb 15, 2017 15:45:04 GMT
Basically. It has slightly more suggestion of being an idiot than either of those, IMO. The sort of stupid that threatens to punch a film critic, thinking it makes him look hard when actually it makes him look ridiculous, but not the sort of dickhead who would actually punch said critic. As I said, not really impressed with the vocabulary. (Couldn't care less about the actor in question.) The English language has such a rich and varied vocabulary, with so many nuances of meaning. It's a shame not to use it, when warranted. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2017 15:48:22 GMT
Mmm... As I thought. I can name quite a few female posters on this forum who would be up in arms if male posters used slang words for parts of female genitalia as a form of insult. It's tantamount to saying that anything rubbish is "gay"', like they do in the school playground. Not impressed. My lips are sealed. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2017 15:53:43 GMT
As I said, not really impressed with the vocabulary. (Couldn't care less about the actor in question.) The English language has such a rich and varied vocabulary, with so many nuances of meaning. It's a shame not to use it, when warranted. Thanks for the lesson, miss. You won't mind my colourful use of language (which might or might not be deemed derogatory towards women) in future then? I mean, I do hope I won't be called a misogynist or anything... |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2017 15:55:59 GMT
Bit of a gay argument.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2017 16:02:26 GMT
Thing is, there's prejudice, and there's sexism/homophobia/racism. And while prejudice cuts both ways, you don't really get reverse sexism/homophobia/racism, because it being an -ism/-phobia is rooted in it coming from a place of oppression. But some people don't really get (or want to get) that, so it's generally safest to use entirely neutral terms. I like using s*** as an offensive noun, or calling someone/something garbage is less offensive but still clearly a negative.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2017 16:02:31 GMT
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