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Post by theatreian on Nov 15, 2019 22:25:25 GMT
Having just seen Alfie Boe perform on Children in Need which was recorded on Thursday , 3 times apparently it seems Alfie made a miraculous recovery. It seems after all what Alex Bellfield was saying is correct and that those of us who paid as I did on Wednesday to see Alfie have bee taken for mugs. I have complained to Delfont Mackintosh but I do not expect any meaningful response.Apparently this happens regularly with Alfie missing shows due to him over working himself. This week with Album promotion.I am really disappointed in him. Genuine illness I can understand. This does not seem to be that.
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Post by shady23 on Nov 15, 2019 22:49:58 GMT
I'm sure there's a huge difference between performing one song and doing a 2 and a half hour concert (and isn't Thursday JOJ'S day anyway?)
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Post by cheesy116 on Nov 16, 2019 0:48:22 GMT
At the end of the day (excuse the pun), the show is advertised as they can't guarantee anyone will be performing. I doubt you'll get the response you hope.
Yes, it's frustrating. Alfie wasn't on when I booked one of his scheduled performances, but everyone else in that cast, including John, more than makes up for it.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2019 9:02:36 GMT
But I think the issue is, people find it a bit of a cheek that the show pushes the Boe/Ball combo (part of the reason they can charge for - and sell - the tickets at such high prices) and then the Boe part frequently doesn’t show up. Particularly galling as some have paid additional large sums for travel/accommodation. Sometimes this is people’s second or third attempt to see him on stage and he’s been off each time. That speaks volumes about vocal fitness, stamina and/or commitment.
People understand performers get ill. They understand they might have to see an understudy. But they probably don’t expect to watch the performer who’s missing so many shows gaily hitting the media publicity trail repeatedly for their new album. Or going on a cruise tour, then apparently taking time to recover before singing at a one-off concert at the Albert Hall. Or taking time off and then being fine for a CiN performance that is, like it or not, free advertising for the album and tour combination. All of this may absolutely be unfortunate coincidence. But unfortunately it’s starting to look like a pattern.
This is a two-way thing. Audiences need to understand people get genuinely ill. And performers need to understand they only take time off if they’re genuinely ill.
The power in this, of course, is in the audience’s hands. They can just stop buying tickets. But since so many of Boe’s fans seem utterly deluded about a man they seem to view as their naughty but ultimately lovable little boy, his position is probably fairly secure.
The show’s producers also have to take some blame. I don’t dislike Boe. He has a fantastic voice. But if he can’t sing the shows he’s contracted for, he shouldn’t be hired for the job.
If at the moment Boe’s genuinely struggling with an on-again off-again voice issue, I’m sure audiences would be equally genuinely sympathetic. He may be better advised to step back from that challenging role entirely and rest, as some singers have to at various points in their careers.
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Post by shady23 on Nov 16, 2019 10:09:31 GMT
It is a shame.
I'm not an Alfie Boe fan particularly but if I had booked especially to see him I would be upset.
I have lots of favourite performers from leads to ensemble to swings and if I go and see a snow they are in and they are not on I am disappointed. That's not to say the understudies/alternatives are not fantastic because they are but it's natural to be disappointed. I'd never dream of sending tweets telling the performer how angry I am, berating staff members in the lobby or demanding refunds because that is ridiculous. It's live theatre. It happens, but this whole narrative going around berating Alfie fans for being upset he isn't on is pretty ridiculous!
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 16, 2019 10:41:44 GMT
What was his attendance like when he was in the WE run of les mis?
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Post by matilda1 on Nov 16, 2019 10:49:47 GMT
I firmly believe that the person in question should have been escorted away from the theatre before the trouble started. It sounds as if there were enough warning signs!
Alfie Boe does unfortunately have a history of taking time off. I remember comments being made about this back when he first played JVJ at the Queen's. His profile is higher now, and therefore more demands are made on his time. Unfortunately, making money seems to come before pleasing audiences and this goes for Cameron Mackintosh too. I like him and John Owen Jones, but it is a pity that AB is off so often especially with the high price of tickets.
Incidentally, I think JOJ handles this situation very well. It must be difficult for him , but at the same time he is benefiting from the situation too.
I do wonder what his real thoughts are though.
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Post by xanady on Nov 16, 2019 12:13:11 GMT
Not sure why people who want to specifically see Alfie don’t just stick to concert tours as if he doesn’t appear then a full refund would be a given! Am a big fan of JOJ and worry if this whole furore about AB is really distressing him.
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Post by ceebee on Nov 16, 2019 13:01:25 GMT
Not sure why people who want to specifically see Alfie don’t just stick to concert tours as if he doesn’t appear then a full refund would be a given! Am a big fan of JOJ and worry if this whole furore about AB is really distressing him. I reckon JOJ is the consummate pro and probably happy to be playing the role that he made his own (incredible considering Colm Wilkinson created the role). Alfie Boe leaves me cold - I feel he's vocally caught between opera and musical theatre, and simply doing what many would do and following the money. I'm not a fan of him and Uncle Michael together but, seemingly, many people are. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2019 14:08:50 GMT
JOJ is a total pro - sure he'll be fine - he's working at the top of his game and in relative MT terms probably being paid well. The vast majority of people that see him love him.
Re the shouting out woman - I mean clearly a complete mess and absolutely awful behaviour. I mean honestly! I'd just evict drunk people from theatres but I guess for the FOH staff it isn't that simple.
But seriously - 120+ cast, orchestra, crew who witnessed it. Who is the first to be shocked and appalled on Twitter? You guessed it, CHF! She really is sanctimonious. Then the floods of replies - oh how awful, oh how do you cope, oh we're so sorry for you, oh you're a saint, blah blah blah blah. A part of me swears she loves these moments! It's a shame as she is so talented and a great performer. But SO annoying on social media. I mean compared to how professionally JOJ handled it by turning it into a joke - love the guy, total pro.
(Yeah yeah I know, the solution is for me not to be on social media!).
And re that guy's video re Alfie - I mainly agree. Musical theatre is demanding and JVJ is one of the most demanding roles of all. You MUST look after yourself and your voice. And yeah, a cruise where everyone's germs come together - you're bound to catch something. And he's doing way too much. Cam Mac marketed it as the Ball&Boe show, then charged full whack, so I get why people are angry. And I do think you have to question Alfie's professionalism.
Anyway hey ho. It's a fab production whoever is on stage and I look fwd to seeing it live once more and then at my local cinema in Brighton :-)
I am also excited now about the new tour cast and seeing how it fits back into the Queen's!
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Post by eponineserrand on Nov 16, 2019 15:58:19 GMT
I think it was the 30th birthday performance at Queens Alfie was a no show then too - instead sent a video message blowing snot into a hankie from bed if I remember rightly... the video was on youtube but I can't seem to find it now?
Also just to say, when I saw the concert back in Sept JOJ was outstanding, one of my favourite JVJs.
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Post by zak97 on Nov 16, 2019 16:24:29 GMT
I think it was the 30th birthday performance at Queens Alfie was a no show then too - instead sent a video message blowing snot into a hankie from bed if I remember rightly... the video was on youtube but I can't seem to find it now? Also just to say, when I saw the concert back in Sept JOJ was outstanding, one of my favourite JVJs. Alfie was JVJ on Broadway then, so some form of video message (ill or not) was inevitable |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2019 17:39:58 GMT
I think it was the 30th birthday performance at Queens Alfie was a no show then too - instead sent a video message blowing snot into a hankie from bed if I remember rightly... the video was on youtube but I can't seem to find it now? Also just to say, when I saw the concert back in Sept JOJ was outstanding, one of my favourite JVJs. Alfie was JVJ on Broadway then, so some form of video message (ill or not) was inevitable He was due to be there for the 4 Valjeans encore. I was in the audience and Cameron announced his no show. I seem to remember his video message was cue cards as he was on vocal rest. JOJ had to do the big Alfie key change instead, and yes he nailed it 😄 |
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Post by clair on Nov 16, 2019 17:50:31 GMT
Have to say that whilst I would prefer to see JOJ personally I do understand Alfie fans being disappointed, always a drop when you've gone to see a particular performer and they're not on for whatever reason. That said, I understand disappointment NOT abuse towards other cast members be it like that in the theatre, at stage door or via social media. I do wonder how Michael Ball feels in all of this though, can't be an easy position for him watching Alfie being a no-show for Les Mis and yet still doing the promo for the album and concerts.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 16, 2019 18:14:47 GMT
But seriously - 120+ cast, orchestra, crew who witnessed it. Who is the first to be shocked and appalled on Twitter? You guessed it, CHF! She really is sanctimonious. Then the floods of replies - oh how awful, oh how do you cope, oh we're so sorry for you, oh you're a saint, blah blah blah blah. A part of me swears she loves these moments! Course she does. She can’t resist putting herself in the middle of absolutely everything. Always an eye on those views eh Carrie? So predictable. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2019 18:46:52 GMT
But seriously - 120+ cast, orchestra, crew who witnessed it. Who is the first to be shocked and appalled on Twitter? You guessed it, CHF! She really is sanctimonious. Then the floods of replies - oh how awful, oh how do you cope, oh we're so sorry for you, oh you're a saint, blah blah blah blah. A part of me swears she loves these moments! Course she does. She can’t resist putting herself in the middle of absolutely everything. Always an eye on those views eh Carrie? So predictable. Agreed. Inevitable! Up there with death and taxes lol. |
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Post by alece10 on Nov 16, 2019 18:53:36 GMT
Apparantly Michael Ball is off tonight sick.
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Post by eliza on Nov 16, 2019 18:58:45 GMT
Saw the matinee today and Michael Ball wasn't in. Wanted someone to jokingly shout 'where's Michael?'
Reay, really enjoyed the show. This is the 3rd time I've seen it live (1st time seeing the concert) and I think it actually had the most impact, not sure if that's because it's more familiar. I found the vocals much more clear though too.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 16, 2019 19:26:46 GMT
No michael?
What will Dawn and her Nan say?
FUMIN BBS!
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Post by 141920grm on Nov 16, 2019 20:07:27 GMT
Earl said Michael had been fighting something for 3 weeks, off today as he's lost his voice.
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Post by longinthetooth on Nov 16, 2019 20:37:30 GMT
I wonder if he will be doing his radio show tomorrow morning?
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Post by danb on Nov 16, 2019 21:40:16 GMT
No michael? What will Dawn and her Nan say? FUMIN BBS! Dawns Nan has been dead for 11 years. 😳😕 |
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Post by theatreian on Nov 16, 2019 22:30:30 GMT
Re the shouting out woman - I mean clearly a complete mess and absolutely awful behaviour. I mean honestly! I'd just evict drunk people from theatres but I guess for the FOH staff it isn't that simple. I don't think the 'lady ' in question was drunk. I was stood about 2 feet away from her in the foyer in the interval when she was having go at 2 of the staff. But I did not agree with the way she handled herself. Can't quite believe how far that comment 'where's Alfie 'seems to have gone. Thats social media for you! I know I had my moan about Alfie, but that is more annoyance than anything else. I did see him when he played JV at the Queens. |
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Post by jcs619 on Nov 17, 2019 11:17:59 GMT
I wonder if he will be doing his radio show tomorrow morning? Strangely enough he’s not missing his free lunch at the Savoy... and he sounds far from Ill. The way Ball, Boe and Mackintosh treat the high ticket price theatre goer is beyond disgusting. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2019 11:26:21 GMT
But seriously - 120+ cast, orchestra, crew who witnessed it. Who is the first to be shocked and appalled on Twitter? You guessed it, CHF! She really is sanctimonious. Then the floods of replies - oh how awful, oh how do you cope, oh we're so sorry for you, oh you're a saint, blah blah blah blah. A part of me swears she loves these moments! It's a shame as she is so talented and a great performer. But SO annoying on social media. I mean compared to how professionally JOJ handled it by turning it into a joke - love the guy, total pro. (Yeah yeah I know, the solution is for me not to be on social media!). It goes without saying that I think the lady's behaviour was disgraceful (from what I've read as I wasn't there). It was completely inappropriate and misdirected towards JOJ, Michael Ball, and the Gielgud FOH staff. However, given the attention it's received on social media (partly due to CHF) and consequently in the press, it wasn't in vain. She's certainly highlighted Alfie Boe's attendance record to a wider audience, which I'm sure is now starting to cause a headache for Cameron and Alfie's PR team.
But yes, I agree about CHF - her tweeting that only added fuel to the fire, giving the situation more exposure, while trying to involve herself in the drama.
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