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Post by nats1602 on Feb 12, 2016 11:33:46 GMT
Happy to hear the show is extending as I really want to catch it again!
Echoing everybody else though, how are they able to keep it running? Virtually one side of the platform was completely empty when I went last week which is such a shame as this is definitely one of the best shows on in London at the minute.
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Post by Steffi on Feb 12, 2016 12:08:22 GMT
I went last Sunday and it was more than 3/4 full. I spoke to one of the cast afterwards and he said they are hoping it'll pick up more soon. Weekdays seem to be especially quiet (Tuesday matinees are dead).
It is a shame, the show deserves to sell out all the time in my opinion.
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Post by hitmewithurbethshot on Feb 12, 2016 14:16:38 GMT
Saw the show last night for the second time, as breath-taking as ever.
Victoria and Jade are still off, so I had Philippa as Daniela and Jocasta as Vanessa (and I had 2 very proud friends of hers sitting next to me).
First up, I LOVED Jocasta. Her voice has so much power and she plays Vanessa as more fiery and bold compared to Jade's more cute portrayal, and I feel Jocasta's fit the script and character better. I seriously hope they promote her to principle when Jade leaves for Aladdin.
Philippa had some big shoes to fill, she was great in her own way but I always imagined Daniela as older than the other girls she worked with. Philippa looks/is around the same age as them so you don't get quite the same "mother hen" feel as with Victoria. She looks fantastic in those red dresses though.
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Post by Dr Tom on Feb 15, 2016 0:55:55 GMT
This is a show that has really grown on me. First viewing wasn't great, but it's easy to take to the music and the energy once you realise that nothing much of consequence will happen during the show.
I saw both the Friday 12th and Sunday 14th evening shows this week, and the cast was decimated both times. As far as I can tell, this was due to illness (and Jade Ewen's injury).
Friday, the theatre was pretty full with a few empty seats dotted around.
Jocasta Almgill was on as Camila (there was a tweet from Jade Ewan that Jocasta would be covering Vanessa, so this must have been a late change - Jocasta was strong vocally, but young looking for someone meant to have a daughter in college)
Courtney Mae Briggs was on as Vanessa
Alexzandra Sarmiento was on as Carla - and also in the ensemble
That left the dance ensemble very unbalanced, with four males and two females. A little bit of order confusion and some cut down numbers, but generally worked well.
Sunday was where cast availability really fell apart.
The show had to go on as the theatre was packed (a lot of seats gone from a Today Tix lottery as far as I can tell).
The start was delayed from 20:30 until 20:45 - looked like there were still staging arrangements being sorted.
Jocasta Almgill was on as Camila again
This time, Sarah Naudi was on as Vanessa
Alexzandra Sarmiento again did the double duty as Carla and the ensemble
As well as all the female ensemble being off or covering other roles, all the male ensemble and swings were off as well (including the three who were fine on Friday)
Poor Cleve September (Sonny) was doubling up in the ensemble, working along with Antoine Murray-Straughan (Graffiti Pete) who usually shares the ensemble as well. For the first half, Cleve had to keep checking his script in the shop and there were various discussions going on (quietly) around the cast. Even Piragua Guy was on stage more than usual.
It went remarkably well considering, although the big numbers lost something with the shortage of people, and the nightclub scene was difficult. There were some logistical issues, like getting the scenery on and off stage and the stairs being moved around looked a bit unsafe (with only one person per set of stairs at one point instead of the usual two people).
So, this was at most an ensemble of two males and two females - and often less than that (compared with four males and four females early in the run before illness/accidents/pregnancies/holidays etc happened).
Must only be one step away from David Badella joining in with the ensemble!
Well done to any of the cast reading this for being able to go ahead and making this look smooth. Most people wouldn't have noticed the difference.
Will be interesting to see what happens over the coming weeks.
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Post by Michael on Feb 15, 2016 1:04:11 GMT
Out of interest: How did you find out who was on? Just by checking Twitter?
During my two visits, no cast announcements were made or understudy sheets were displayed so I had to guess (or rather compare the cast on stage with the programme) who was actually on.
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Post by TheatreDust on Feb 15, 2016 1:18:41 GMT
When I went in January they had "at this performance the role of x will be played by y" notices on the video screens outside in the 'waiting room'.
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Post by Michael on Feb 15, 2016 1:27:08 GMT
When I went in January they had "at this performance the role of x will be played by y" notices on the video screens outside in the 'waiting room'. I saw the show in October and December and don't remember seeing any understudy annoucements on the screens - I usually pay attention to such things as I always take a picture of the cast list as a reminder whom I've seen. Maybe they've only changed it recently. |
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Post by theatre-turtle on Feb 15, 2016 2:50:20 GMT
Can someone explain how they can get so short staffed? I'd have thought they'd be able to cope using swings and/or parachuting people in to be ensemble members - given the unemployment rate among theatre actors I can't imagine it's hard to find someone capable.
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Post by Stasia on Feb 15, 2016 7:15:36 GMT
Can someone explain how they can get so short staffed? I'd have thought they'd be able to cope using swings and/or parachuting people in to be ensemble members - given the unemployment rate among theatre actors I can't imagine it's hard to find someone capable. they didn't have lots of swings even at the beginning, and now they only have 1 male and 1 female swing. at first they "lost" one person who can cover as they needed a new permanent Daniela, now they also need Vanessa cover, and if something happens to Carla and or Camilla they are getting very "short staffed". |
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Post by Steffi on Feb 15, 2016 7:38:42 GMT
When I went in January they had "at this performance the role of x will be played by y" notices on the video screens outside in the 'waiting room'. I saw the show in October and December and don't remember seeing any understudy annoucements on the screens - I usually pay attention to such things as I always take a picture of the cast list as a reminder whom I've seen. Maybe they've only changed it recently. First time I saw the understudy list on screen was in January I think. In December the screen only said Philippa Stefani would be playing Daniella (so just the long term cover on the screen) but they made an announcement in the foyer pre show with all other understudies. |
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Post by Steffi on Feb 15, 2016 7:42:26 GMT
Can someone explain how they can get so short staffed? I'd have thought they'd be able to cope using swings and/or parachuting people in to be ensemble members - given the unemployment rate among theatre actors I can't imagine it's hard to find someone capable. In addition to what Stasia has said I guess it's also a question of money. I doubt the show makes enough profit (if at all - to be honest I can't even see them break even) to be able to just hire more performers in case of illness. |
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Post by Michael on Feb 15, 2016 7:47:57 GMT
I saw the show in October and December and don't remember seeing any understudy annoucements on the screens - I usually pay attention to such things as I always take a picture of the cast list as a reminder whom I've seen. Maybe they've only changed it recently. First time I saw the understudy list on screen was in January I think. In December the screen only said Philippa Stefani would be playing Daniella (so just the long term cover on the screen) but they made an announcement in the foyer pre show with all other understudies. I can't even remember an announcement in December, and we definitely had Nathan Amzi as Piragua Guy (who isn't even "officially" in the cast"). And I'm also pretty sure that Philippa Stefani wasn't mentioned on the screen. But maybe I shouldn't rush right in the theatre when they open up. Still odd to not have the announcement in the actual theatre right before "curtain up" though. |
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Post by hitmewithurbethshot on Feb 15, 2016 10:46:02 GMT
I asked if any understudies were on when I picked up my ticket, and there was an announcement about 15 minutes before the show.
At a guess I think they don't have many swings because it was only supposed to be a short run with no planned holidays etc., but then they extended.
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Post by stevej678 on Feb 15, 2016 11:26:22 GMT
Hmmm, I've booked to see this on a Tuesday afternoon in May. By the sounds of it, I can expect a deserted theatre and several absent members of cast!
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Post by Steffi on Feb 15, 2016 12:29:40 GMT
Hmmm, I've booked to see this on a Tuesday afternoon in May. By the sounds of it, I can expect a deserted theatre and several absent members of cast! Deserted theatre: Yes, that might happen. Several absent cast members: Not more than you could have on any other day of the week. It's not like Tuesday mat is anyone's scheduled show off. |
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Post by Dr Tom on Feb 15, 2016 21:40:55 GMT
Out of interest: How did you find out who was on? Just by checking Twitter? During my two visits, no cast announcements were made or understudy sheets were displayed so I had to guess (or rather compare the cast on stage with the programme) who was actually on. I did try Twitter, but this isn't one of the shows that gets reported on much there (and most of the cast don't comment - although one of them did say he was ill and tucked up in bed, which was a giveaway). Right now, it's turn up and see. There's one video screen, by platform 2. It rotates a few different pieces of information, but the cast changes for the leads shows every so often. Sunday, they also announced the changes over the loudspeaker (didn't notice that on Friday, but I got there quite close to starting time due to tube delays). No mention anywhere regarding the ensemble. I just worked that out based on knowing who normally performs (and the cast list on the website). |
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Post by Dr Tom on Feb 15, 2016 21:44:03 GMT
Hmmm, I've booked to see this on a Tuesday afternoon in May. By the sounds of it, I can expect a deserted theatre and several absent members of cast! May is a long way away. I'd expect several cast changes by then, but not so much in the way of illness (until they decide the show still works with fewer dancers). Tuesday really isn't a traditional matinee day and Kings Cross Theatre is tucked out of the way, so I wouldn't be surprised at the small audiences. Would be keen to visit on a Tuesday myself, but it clashes with work. They do a lot of student marketing and student deals for this show (several universities and halls of residences nearby) - don't know if they make up a lot of the Tuesday audience. |
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Post by dan on Feb 15, 2016 23:45:31 GMT
I'm there tomorrow matinee too (Tues). Just had a quick look on the ATG tickets website and there aren't a huge number left at all, only a handful. Maybe half term means bigger audiences.
I'm really looking forward to catching the show as it's not often I see something I'm unfamiliar with.
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Post by dan on Feb 16, 2016 14:58:17 GMT
I'm waiting to see this right now and they've announced a delay to the start due to "unforeseen circumstances" and there are five roles being played by other people than listed.
I love the theming and ambience around the bar / waiting area.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 16, 2016 15:13:22 GMT
I'm there tomorrow matinee too (Tues). Just had a quick look on the ATG tickets website and there aren't a huge number left at all, only a handful. Maybe half term means bigger audiences. I'm really looking forward to catching the show as it's not often I see something I'm unfamiliar with. I'm waiting to see this right now and they've announced a delay to the start due to "unforeseen circumstances" and there are five roles being played by other people than listed. I love the theming and ambience around the bar / waiting area. Hope you have entered our competition to win the free tickets dan! |
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Post by theatre-turtle on Feb 16, 2016 16:55:16 GMT
I'm waiting to see this right now and they've announced a delay to the start due to "unforeseen circumstances" and there are five roles being played by other people than listed. I love the theming and ambience around the bar / waiting area. Would be interested how this turned out. Did you have to wait much longer? |
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Post by djdan14 on Feb 16, 2016 16:55:23 GMT
I'm here too, 30 minute delay and a few understudies but having seen it in October in previews it hasn't lost anything and is still one of my current faves.
It's odd seeing the amount of role swapping though, recognising them from who they should be to who they are currently playing although I do enjoy that Graffiti Pete has become Graffiti Paula.
Bring on the 2nd half!
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Post by djdan14 on Feb 16, 2016 16:55:55 GMT
I'm waiting to see this right now and they've announced a delay to the start due to "unforeseen circumstances" and there are five roles being played by other people than listed. I love the theming and ambience around the bar / waiting area. Would be interested how this turned out. Did you have to wait much longer? Show started at Half 3, so 30 minute delay and currently in the interval. |
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Post by Dr Tom on Feb 16, 2016 20:51:52 GMT
I'm here too, 30 minute delay and a few understudies but having seen it in October in previews it hasn't lost anything and is still one of my current faves. It's odd seeing the amount of role swapping though, recognising them from who they should be to who they are currently playing although I do enjoy that Graffiti Pete has become Graffiti Paula. Bring on the 2nd half! Did you grab a list of who was on today? Graffiti Paula is a new one on me. That actually sounds like it would work well, but would need a few changes in tracks and interactions. Wish they'd announce cast updates through @westendcovers though. Still hoping to catch a show with Michael Cortez on as Usnavi. |
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Post by dan on Feb 16, 2016 22:46:42 GMT
I needn't had worried about all the role swapping. There's no way I would have known as the performances were incredible. I didn't know the graffiti role was supposed to be male at all. I guess if it was a male, the supporting cast would have been more balanced with two females and two males dancing as ensemble?
I loved this show. The energy was great and I now want to own the music and see it again! The only issue for me was my neighbour dancing heavily in her seat which caused mine to bounce throughout which was somewhat distracting! Glad she enjoyed it but a little frustrating for me.
Not sure what the half hour delay was for, but I want to revisit and really liked the theatre set up too.
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