Spring Awakening - Almeida / Cinema Release

[partytentdown]

Do you really expect the cast to get up and go to the theatre early in the morning to get tested, stay there all day to avoid coming into contact with anyone, then do the show until after 10pm?

Have you been in this country for the last 3 years? People get infected, however hard they try not to, even with a booster. And once it's in a contained group of people, it spreads quickly. This is the world we live in now, and until all covid rules are abandoned, none of us can assume our plans won't get cancelled.

This is exhausting.

[fiyerorocher]

They did a cut show last night due to absences. I assume there was one at least more today and, despite attempts to make it work, it just didn't. Musicals can't really be done script-in-hand like plays can - there's singing and choreography to contend with. You need at least some rehearsal, and to be able to carry a tune. No one wants to cancel performances. Since they can't reschedule for the same show, I imagine most people will ask for refunds. That is not what a theatre still recovering from the pandemic would invite unless they had no other choice. It's completely valid to be upset - I'm so disappointed I won't get to go back - but I don't doubt they tried everything they could.

[Dr Tom]

So sorry for the cast losing the final three performances.

Covid spreads quickly sadly when people are in close proximity like this. Not everyone understands how vaccines work either.

I do hope this production will have a future life.

[djdan14]

Gutted my first trip to the Almeida is cancelled tomorrow. Guess that’s the risk you take currently! Oh well what to see instead?

[thistimetomorrow]

I was meant to go to the closing show tomorrow and absolutely gutted it won't be going ahead

http://instagr.am/p/CZSS0cLtnkV

[marob]

I’m on a whistlestop trip to London and was supposed to be seeing this tomorrow, having rescheduled from earlier in the run. I know it can’t be helped, but gutted just the same, as this was the show I was most looking forward to.

[danb]

The risk would just be too great in such a small space. All of those people singing out at full pelt to an audience literally two metres away from them. Especially since Mr Johnson has told us that he is no longer to be held accountable for us. So sorry for any ticketholders and the cast who have been mucked about by it all so much. Get it into town somewhere. Its too good to stop now.

[partytentdown]

When the original opened at the Lyric Hammersmith, was the very rapid West End transfer already booked? I remember it being a huge hit in Hammersmith then struggling water the transfer, so I would worry the same might happen again

[danb]

*somewhere size appropriate in town. Not the Aldwych/Novello whatever. It would have sat perfectly on The Other Palace stage and the uplift in numbers would have been just right.

[Mark]

Jan 29, 2022 8:15:36 GMT partytentdown said:

When the original opened at the Lyric Hammersmith, was the very rapid West End transfer already booked? I remember it being a huge hit in Hammersmith then struggling water the transfer, so I would worry the same might happen again

Not sure if it was already booked but it was very quick. Finished in Hammersmith on March 14th, reopening at the Novello on March 21st. The transfer was announced on February 18th.

It was packed when I saw it in Hammersmith and was also full in the final week at the Novello at the final midweek matinee.

They just didn’t give it any time. Back then shows closed much faster than they seem to now (that and the Novello was far too big)

[BurlyBeaR]

Jan 29, 2022 8:57:24 GMT danb said:

*somewhere size appropriate in town. Not the Aldwych/Novello whatever. It would have sat perfectly on The Other Palace stage and the uplift in numbers would have been just right.

As long as everyone who wanted to see it was under 5’7”

[mrnutz]

Feeling very lucky that I was able to see this on Thursday night. As they were already two down at that point I guess they really couldn't afford to lose anyone else.

Gutted for the cast and those who had tickets for the rest of the run - let's hope it reappears soon.

[samuelwhiskers]

Jan 28, 2022 20:39:22 GMT jamesxxx said:

This is B******T
So what, half the cast got Covid?
Are they not double vaccinated and boosted?
Covid tests should have been done early this morning and everything should have been done to get that show on tonight. Even if it meant Rupert Gould going on with script in his hand. Denise Wood executive producer on Matilda the musical and Almeida knows how it works by now.
Its outrageous to send an email at 6.15.
I dont believe them.
ANGRY!!!!!

One of my best mates is in this. You really think they’re not devastated? You think they didn’t do everything in their power to put the last show on?

Of course they’re not lying! Why on earth would they do that? People are sick. We’re still in a pandemic and despite what the government want you to think the situation is still very serious with Covid infections at an all time high.

And of course you can’t send a non-actor on to read the show out loud, half the audience would walk out.

Wait for the transfer and go see it then.

[fiyero]

Jan 29, 2022 13:36:24 GMT samuelwhiskers said:

Wait for the transfer and go see it then.

I’m praying for this now. I’d hoped for it when I didn’t get a ticket first time around (only heard about it late in). Of course I was devastated last night but I know the cast would be more, especially when all chance of a closing night was lost.

[anthony40]

The moral of this story is don'r f***k with Cornavirus. Corinvirus f**ks with you!

[Deleted]

Jan 28, 2022 20:39:22 GMT jamesxxx said:

This is B******T
So what, half the cast got Covid?
Are they not double vaccinated and boosted?
Covid tests should have been done early this morning and everything should have been done to get that show on tonight. Even if it meant Rupert Gould going on with script in his hand. Denise Wood executive producer on Matilda the musical and Almeida knows how it works by now.
Its outrageous to send an email at 6.15.
I dont believe them.
ANGRY!!!!!

Their closing weekend is ruined. they didn’t do this to inconvenience you. Get over yourself.

[imstillhere]

I imagine they tried everything they could to call the show and that's why the postponing was so late.

[MoreLife]

Jan 29, 2022 13:36:24 GMT samuelwhiskers said:

Jan 28, 2022 20:39:22 GMT jamesxxx said:

This is B******T
So what, half the cast got Covid?
Are they not double vaccinated and boosted?
Covid tests should have been done early this morning and everything should have been done to get that show on tonight. Even if it meant Rupert Gould going on with script in his hand. Denise Wood executive producer on Matilda the musical and Almeida knows how it works by now.
Its outrageous to send an email at 6.15.
I dont believe them.
ANGRY!!!!!

One of my best mates is in this. You really think they’re not devastated? You think they didn’t do everything in their power to put the last show on?

Of course they’re not lying! Why on earth would they do that? People are sick. We’re still in a pandemic and despite what the government want you to think the situation is still very serious with Covid infections at an all time high.

And of course you can’t send a non-actor on to read the show out loud, half the audience would walk out.

Wait for the transfer and go see it then.

Very much what samuelwhiskers just said! 

I have a lot of sympathy for those who had tickets for one of the very last performances that had to be cancelled, especially if this was going to be their first time seeing the show.  And I can also understand the sense of frustration for being told the show was cancelled less than two hours prior to what was meant to be showtime. 

Having said that, I also have loads of sympathy for a cast of young performers, for some of which this production of Spring Awakening has been the first big credit (if not their first professional credit at all), who have had to contend with the pandemic throughout the run and already had some performances cancelled in the lead-up to Christmas, and who were logically looking forward to finishing their run on a high note... and who have been denied the closure they deserved.  

I have no direct insight, but I guess a possible reason why emails announcing the cancellation went out that late is that those who were still healthy in the cast and crew, the Almeida and the producers had a good think about what could potentially be done to save the last shows, if anything at all.  They probably came to the conclusion that it wouldn't be safe (for the audience and theatre FOH, etc.) to have a cast of close contacts of people who tested positive stand on a stage a few metres away from an audience and belt in their faces for a couple of hours.  On top of that, they possibly also didn't want to close their run with a pared down version of the show they worked so hard and lovingly on.  

Yes, we're still in the midst of a pandemic, so let's be driven by compassion and understanding (even though the ones who're meant to lead us have no f-ing how that is done!).  

[thistimetomorrow]

Has anyone who's show got cancelled gotten their refund through yet? It's been over a week since I called about getting a refund.

[marob]

I’ve had my refund. I didn’t phone them until last Thursday but it was in my account by the weekend.

[thistimetomorrow]

Feb 8, 2022 7:41:26 GMT marob said:

I didn’t phone them until last Thursday but it was in my account by the weekend.

Oof ok, I guess I will be calling them again then. Thanks for the info!

[southstreet]

I got called to put through my refund on the 29th and when I previously received a refund from them, it took a couple of days to show in my account. However, when by the end of last week the money had still not landed in my account, I called them on Saturday and apparently they had several people call them about not receiving their refunds, so they are investigating as everything looks fine on their side, so they had no idea until they started getting calls late last week.
So I am waiting a few more days before chasing again, as by then I would either expect the money to be there or at least for them to contact people and let them know what the issue is.

[geweena]

Called today as hadn’t had the refund through yet (originally called on 29th Jan). They are still looking into issues with their payment system and said hope to have it resolved in about a weeks time but to call back again if the money isn’t showing back in the account by then.

[djdan14]

I went down the Twitter DM route as I similarly phoned on the 29th and am yet to receive the refund - was told the finance team will investigate and be in touch!

[fiyero]

I phoned yesterday and got the refund today.