|
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2021 13:10:20 GMT
No word from the show regarding a provisional return date? I know a few other shows have announced scheduled re-openings for the summer, but these are all socially distanced performances. I imagine with the costs of running Wicked, it wouldn't be worthwhile to reopen until a larger capacity is allowed? Not sure if it means anything but on June 21st (the provisional reopening date for society) they’ve taken a load of seats off sale whereas the day after looks normal |
|
4,800 posts
|
Post by Mark on Mar 9, 2021 13:15:53 GMT
No word from the show regarding a provisional return date? I know a few other shows have announced scheduled re-openings for the summer, but these are all socially distanced performances. I imagine with the costs of running Wicked, it wouldn't be worthwhile to reopen until a larger capacity is allowed? Not sure if it means anything but on June 21st (the provisional reopening date for society) they’ve taken a load of seats off sale whereas the day after looks normal Oddly, the same is true for every Monday, barely anything for sale. I wonder if they are contemplating a 7 show week initially (a lot of shows seem to be that way) |
|
1,740 posts
|
Post by fiyero on Mar 9, 2021 13:56:53 GMT
Not sure if it means anything but on June 21st (the provisional reopening date for society) they’ve taken a load of seats off sale whereas the day after looks normal Oddly, the same is true for every Monday, barely anything for sale. I wonder if they are contemplating a 7 show week initially (a lot of shows seem to be that way) That’s how I read it. Easier to add seats back on later and only a few possibly disappointed people to contact in the meantime |
|
|
|
Post by danb on Mar 9, 2021 15:30:52 GMT
Not sure if it means anything but on June 21st (the provisional reopening date for society) they’ve taken a load of seats off sale whereas the day after looks normal Oddly, the same is true for every Monday, barely anything for sale. I wonder if they are contemplating a 7 show week initially (a lot of shows seem to be that way) Is this not because of the plans for Sunday performances for most shows when the WE reopens? |
|
4,800 posts
|
Post by Mark on Mar 9, 2021 16:21:36 GMT
Oddly, the same is true for every Monday, barely anything for sale. I wonder if they are contemplating a 7 show week initially (a lot of shows seem to be that way) Is this not because of the plans for Sunday performances for most shows when the WE reopens? Maybe, but shows like Hamilton/Poppins are only selling 7 shows a week, and Tina only has 7 shows on sale until mid July when it increases back to 8 (including Sundays) |
|
|
|
Post by iamamazing on Mar 9, 2021 20:35:31 GMT
Wicked’s first show back is going to be incredible
|
|
487 posts
|
Post by deej4life on Mar 10, 2021 17:51:48 GMT
I am very excited for the show to return. I am hoping to go see the show after the summer if it's safe to do so!
Also, can anyone elaborate on the new West End schedule that is being suggested?
|
|
|
|
Post by danb on Mar 10, 2021 18:44:48 GMT
I am very excited for the show to return. I am hoping to go see the show after the summer if it's safe to do so! Also, can anyone elaborate on the new West End schedule that is being suggested? Something about being dark Mon/Tues but double show days at the weekend. Might be a bugger to get past Equity but it does make sense in terms of maximising revenue/minimising outlay. |
|
4,800 posts
|
Post by Mark on Mar 10, 2021 18:49:19 GMT
I am very excited for the show to return. I am hoping to go see the show after the summer if it's safe to do so! Also, can anyone elaborate on the new West End schedule that is being suggested? Something about being dark Mon/Tues but double show days at the weekend. Might be a bugger to get past Equity but it does make sense in terms of maximising revenue/minimising outlay. I believe it has already been negotiated by equity that there will be no additional pay for Sunday performances for a period of time. |
|
|
|
Post by singularsensation10 on Mar 10, 2021 18:56:53 GMT
Something about being dark Mon/Tues but double show days at the weekend. Might be a bugger to get past Equity but it does make sense in terms of maximising revenue/minimising outlay. I believe it has already been negotiated by equity that there will be no additional pay for Sunday performances for a period of time. Yup, this is correct. The view is that for some shows Mondays and Tuesdays will be dark, then 2 shows Wednesday, 1 Thurs & Fri, and a 4 show weekend 2x sat and 2x sun. Makes sense to me! |
|
|
|
Post by danb on Mar 10, 2021 19:28:40 GMT
It makes sense to an audience. I’m not sure that completely losing any semblance of a weekend will be popular with performers at first.
|
|
526 posts
|
Post by danielwhit on Mar 10, 2021 22:17:19 GMT
It makes sense to an audience. I’m not sure that completely losing any semblance of a weekend will be popular with performers at first. Or crew. That said, two clear days off on Monday and a Tuesday is an improvement from the current situation in that sense for a "weekend". It would cause more childcare problems though. |
|
487 posts
|
Post by deej4life on Mar 11, 2021 0:06:52 GMT
Thank you for the responses all! It looks somewhat like the schedule over in the US (replacing Tuesday for an additional matinee on Wednesdays!)
One question I have - typically in the UK, both Elphaba and Glinda would never perform four shows back to back in two days (the standby would always get one of these shows). Does this mean we could potentially see both roles moving down to 7 shows per week?
I'm not sure if this previous pattern was due to Equity rules, or just preference on behalf of performers and management!
|
|
|
|
Post by sph on Mar 11, 2021 2:01:20 GMT
It makes sense to an audience. I’m not sure that completely losing any semblance of a weekend will be popular with performers at first. I mean, it is what it is. There are plenty of jobs where you don't get a traditional weekend on Saturdays and Sundays. That's just the business you're in. |
|
|
|
Post by danb on Mar 11, 2021 7:31:15 GMT
It makes sense to an audience. I’m not sure that completely losing any semblance of a weekend will be popular with performers at first. I mean, it is what it is. There are plenty of jobs where you don't get a traditional weekend on Saturdays and Sundays. That's just the business you're in. Yep, the world is increasingly so. The problem comes when your partner has a traditional M-F 8-6 job and your job expects you to work a 24/7 mix. It’s no fun at all. Don’t get me wrong, it’d be great to have the chance to see 4 shows if you have a weekend up west, but I’m not blind to the affect it could have on west end workers. |
|
|
|
Post by sph on Mar 11, 2021 17:20:29 GMT
I've been an actor and front of house worker. It definitely makes a social life with non-theatre people difficult (there's nothing like organising a date with a 9-5er who is HORRIFIED at the prospect of meeting for drinks after 10pm), but that's the cost of working in a leisure industry: You work while others play. The same goes in restaurants, bars, hotels, shift work etc.
The thing that may prevent a four show weekend is the prospect of actually doing four shows back to back. That has to be tough vocally.
|
|
|
|
Post by singularsensation10 on Mar 13, 2021 9:21:54 GMT
Especially now more than ever, the West End is driven by commercial producers and profits - so the 4 show weekend is a way of maximising that. And if anything, giving performers two days off rather than one will benefit them in terms of work/life balance and recovery. Yes a two show day is more demanding so 4 shows in 2 days will be a slog but having two days off after (performing 4 full shows at the weekend rather than performing a show to an almost empty house on a Monday) will greatly improve the quality, IMO. The thing that may prevent a four show weekend is the prospect of actually doing four shows back to back. That has to be tough vocally. I can only think of certain roles that would warrant this - Jean Valjean, Elphaba, and some of the really tough dancing shows. West End standard performers have trained their whole entire life to do 8 shows a week so changing that schedule won’t have too much of an effect for performers with good vocal technique. |
|
487 posts
|
Post by deej4life on Mar 13, 2021 16:35:22 GMT
I have always been an advocate for the role of Elphaba having an official alternate. Throughout the history of the show, a lot of women have damaged their voices by attempting to perform the role 8 times a week for over a year.
If this change to a four show weekend is true, I would hope that the standby for Elphaba would perform at least one of these shows.
|
|
1,740 posts
|
Post by fiyero on Mar 13, 2021 16:43:55 GMT
I know it would be tricky if they did it for more than one role but I'd love if big roles were shared more often. Why not have 2 Elphabas doing 4 each? I'm sure the vast majority don't mind who they see and I LOVE seeing a standby or even better a second cover!
I can see why people want to see the main over the alternate (surely they aren't as good or they'd be the lead!) but if it is a 50:50 split you don't get that.
|
|
4,800 posts
|
Post by Mark on Mar 13, 2021 16:58:24 GMT
I know it would be tricky if they did it for more than one role but I'd love if big roles were shared more often. Why not have 2 Elphabas doing 4 each? I'm sure the vast majority don't mind who they see and I LOVE seeing a standby or even better a second cover! I can see why people want to see the main over the alternate (surely they aren't as good or they'd be the lead!) but if it is a 50:50 split you don't get that. I guess its feasible, and it may suit some performers but that would go with being part time and on part time pay - how many performers could afford to do that? I know there was a campaign to allow for job sharing but as with other job roles elsehwere you need to find someone else willing to do the split, and then there's an additional cost of having to rehearse and costume both actors. |
|
1,740 posts
|
Post by fiyero on Mar 13, 2021 17:15:18 GMT
I know it would be tricky if they did it for more than one role but I'd love if big roles were shared more often. Why not have 2 Elphabas doing 4 each? I'm sure the vast majority don't mind who they see and I LOVE seeing a standby or even better a second cover! I can see why people want to see the main over the alternate (surely they aren't as good or they'd be the lead!) but if it is a 50:50 split you don't get that. I guess its feasible, and it may suit some performers but that would go with being part time and on part time pay - how many performers could afford to do that? I know ther was a campaign to allow for job sharing but as with other job roles elsehwere you need to find someone else willing to do the split, and then there's an additional cost of having to rehearse and costume both actors. I know its not easy (contract etc...) but they already have 2 Elphabas in the building (and 2 Galindas) who aren't covering any other roles. I know most shows don't have that luxury of course. |
|
550 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by isabel on Mar 14, 2021 22:57:01 GMT
Has Wicked announced when it will reopen yet ?
|
|
190 posts
|
Post by tsxmitw on Mar 19, 2021 22:41:54 GMT
Hi all
Do we know if this is reopening 21 June?
That seems to be the first date when tickets are on sale.
But I don’t recall seeing a formal announcement...0
|
|
101 posts
|
Post by filendile on Mar 25, 2021 20:02:37 GMT
I have to recommend the 'Sentimental Men' podcast for any Wicked fans. It's on spotify. They have episodes with 20+ different (mostly american) Elphabas to discuss the show. Stephanie J Block's is great.
They even got Kerry Ellis to talk about her 'lift accident' and the time her microphone was left on and people thought she wanted to throw her hair pins at girls in the front.
|
|
190 posts
|
Post by tsxmitw on Mar 25, 2021 23:52:12 GMT
I have to recommend the 'Sentimental Men' podcast for any Wicked fans. It's on spotify. They have episodes with 20+ different (mostly american) Elphabas to discuss the show. Stephanie J Block's is great. They even got Kerry Ellis to talk about her 'lift accident' and the time her microphone was left on and people thought she wanted to throw her hair pins at girls in the front. It’s really really good. SJB talks about how she was emergency standby for Elohaba in London in 2009 when Alexia and Ashleigh were both sick. |
|
