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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 24, 2016 18:06:15 GMT
On a cruise ship? Turns out I must have seen Ria Jones many times whilst on holiday, without even realising it! El Piano bar, in a little Spanish fishing village called Sitges. You won't have heard of it  I suppose you you might say some cruising was involved.... |
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Post by Phantom of London on Apr 24, 2016 19:17:51 GMT
Thanks to whoever shared this link: www.telegraph.co.uk/theatre/actors/the-triumph-of-ria-jones-illustrates-the-panic-and-joy-of-the-un/ if for nothing else, than the video of the beginning of the Bows for Ria... Love the orchestral "As If We Never Said Goodbye" they play for Norma, so it was neat to hear again. It's amazing to think how Sunset is forever drama on and off stage like no other show even 20 years later! Now it will enter it's last week, with everyone wondering has Glen recovered or not - how will she sound - etc. And should she return tomorrow night, whatever remaining tickets this week will probably sell out. Exactly what happened when Glenn took a 2 week (announced) vacation, RUG tried to cook the books to show that there was no dip in ticket sales, it got out in the press - was front page story for a week -- last 3-4 months of Close's run (through the Tony Awards) was sold out (after it already had the largest single advance ticket sales in Bway history - a record $37.5 million which still stands) After all this, I reall think ALW needs to grovel, beg, bribe - do whatever he has to - to get Patti to do Sunset at Radio City Music Hall in NY for a month with NY Symphonic Orchestra or Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. People would go freaking nuts Didm't realise the record still stands. However that production still managed to lose money and it wasn't even produced by ENO, but the more inept Really Useful Company. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2016 19:38:01 GMT
Thanks to whoever shared this link: www.telegraph.co.uk/theatre/actors/the-triumph-of-ria-jones-illustrates-the-panic-and-joy-of-the-un/ if for nothing else, than the video of the beginning of the Bows for Ria... Love the orchestral "As If We Never Said Goodbye" they play for Norma, so it was neat to hear again. It's amazing to think how Sunset is forever drama on and off stage like no other show even 20 years later! Now it will enter it's last week, with everyone wondering has Glen recovered or not - how will she sound - etc. And should she return tomorrow night, whatever remaining tickets this week will probably sell out. Exactly what happened when Glenn took a 2 week (announced) vacation, RUG tried to cook the books to show that there was no dip in ticket sales, it got out in the press - was front page story for a week -- last 3-4 months of Close's run (through the Tony Awards) was sold out (after it already had the largest single advance ticket sales in Bway history - a record $37.5 million which still stands) After all this, I reall think ALW needs to grovel, beg, bribe - do whatever he has to - to get Patti to do Sunset at Radio City Music Hall in NY for a month with NY Symphonic Orchestra or Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. People would go freaking nuts Didm't realise the record still stands. However that production still managed to lose money and it wasn't even produced by ENO, but the more inept Really Useful Company. I think the record has only recently been broken, and by Hamilton no less, which hit $80million recently. |
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Post by japhun on Apr 24, 2016 20:12:39 GMT
I saw this on April 16th with Glenn and was blown away...so much that I booked again for last night (the 23rd). Ria was obviously a better singer than Glenn, but to me lacked the craziness/instability that Norma should embody, and such pivotal moments like "Hogeye? Well, hello." fell flat...but overall was very pleased with her performance and you can tell she was loving every second of it.
That having been said, I love this musical and the orchestra is PHENOMENAL. To me, they are the highlight of the production!
I am debating booking one last time to see Glenn as she is, in my opinion, the greatest Norma Desmond to ever grace the stage!
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Post by loureviews on Apr 24, 2016 21:02:31 GMT
If Glenn remains off and Ria goes down with something, they could always ask the other amazing Jones sibling to play Norma:
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Post by chernjam on Apr 24, 2016 21:15:25 GMT
Didm't realise the record still stands. However that production still managed to lose money and it wasn't even produced by ENO, but the more inept Really Useful Company. I think the record has only recently been broken, and by Hamilton no less, which hit $80million recently. The record is Advance by Opening Night - not after it opens. Hamilton right now has an $80 million advance. Kind of surprised with all the hype before its broadway opening that it didn't break Sunset, but from what I've found, it hasn't. And yes - it still lost money on broadway. More the fault (and arrogance) of RUG at that time. There was so many ridiculous extravagant expenses that the weekly break even point was something like $650,000-$700,000 (and it's sell-out/max gross was something like $850,000). True, at the opening they thought it was going to be another Phantom... and it returned about 90% of it's $15 million capitalization (at the closing, they promised the investors would receive their full return with licensing of the show, merchandise, etc. but not sure that ever happened) But it was mismanagement that made it a "failure" |
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Post by chernjam on Apr 24, 2016 21:17:42 GMT
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Post by Hamilton Addict on Apr 24, 2016 21:30:05 GMT
Reading the arguments on this thread...  |
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Post by lonlad on Apr 24, 2016 22:28:03 GMT
SUNSET is not entering its final week .... it finishes May 7 so has two weeks to go (supposedly)!
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Post by CG on the loose on Apr 24, 2016 22:33:30 GMT
SUNSET is not entering its final week .... it finishes May 7 so has two weeks to go (supposedly)! It better had... I've got two tickets booked the first week of May! |
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Post by djp on Apr 25, 2016 4:17:26 GMT
I have to disagree thematthew. I really don't believe everyone was aware she might not perform. We, as regular Theatre goers, never expect to see certain performers, but when booking and paying (a fortune in some cases) some people won't have even considered the fact she may not be available to perform. I'm talking about people who rarely, if ever, go to the Theatre, and only booked tickets because off Glenn. When the star is pushed as the selling point, every site should have another tick-box alongside the terms and conditions, in massive print, to say you will accept an understudy. That is, unless they will do refunds/exchanges. I would have thought it was obvious that the star might not be available on any particular day - its true for anyone who makes an appointment that sometimes they don't turn up ask BT, or my last 3 plumbers. There's no requirement under law to allow people who missed the obvious to be refunded. Also not surprising if she's sick - given the numbers on trains sneezing and coughing, or the need to actually be able to sing. |
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Post by djp on Apr 25, 2016 4:32:32 GMT
The adverts clearly state Glenn Close in Sunset Boulevard and the ENO have priced it accordingly, if they charged £67.50 top price and the understudy has to come on, then people haven't got much to complain about, except give a sigh. Conversely if people paid a lot of money and then Glenn got terrible reviews, then that is tough. For the record I have seen Sunset Boulevard with Glenn Close and didn't pay the top price, but feel for people who have and wanted to see Glenn, with travel, accommodation and food people may easily paid over a £1000 to see this. What about if you hire a car and you pay a lot of money for a Mercedes for example and you get to to customer service desk and they say "we only have Fiat Punto left", which is about 20% of the Mercedes price you stumped up, then for the agent says to say you, you haven't got a leg to stand on because in the T&C it say 'or similar'? I have seen a theatre make alternative arrangements (cannot confirm if it was a refund or exchange) when I passed it, when the star was out, this was Joseph at the Adelphi with Lee Mead. So it does happen. What if you bought your ticket from the box office, where you haven't physically agreed T&C. The ENO would be charging about £150 whoever was in it. The same seats in the next two productions are £120 and 145. Its also becoming the norm to charge exorbitant rates, without the ENO orchestra to pay, to get a top stalls seat, in anything with a producer who can get away with it. Mrs Henderson I think wants £106 and Motown, without anyone much known even in musical theatre circles, I think is 120. And then there was Elf .............. |
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Post by ali973 on Apr 25, 2016 4:43:55 GMT
For my sake I'm still hoping Ms. Ria goes on anytime between the 5th-7th. Please please theatre gods do this one for me!
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Post by ptwest on Apr 25, 2016 4:52:51 GMT
For my sake I'm still hoping Ms. Ria goes on anytime between the 5th-7th. Please please theatre gods do this one for me! Would really prefer not the 7th please!!!! |
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Post by ali973 on Apr 25, 2016 5:25:23 GMT
^ LOL I think it's safe to say Close will be on on the 7th (evening!). I'm crossing my fingers La Jones does the matinee?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2016 6:01:17 GMT
^ LOL I think it's safe to say Close will be on on the 7th (evening!). I'm crossing my fingers La Jones does the matinee? After reading everything in this thread, especially over the past few days, I'd have thought it was anything but safe to say she'll be on at any given performance! |
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Post by wickedgrin on Apr 25, 2016 7:31:15 GMT
I suppose we will have to wait until about 5pm today before we know if GC is on tonight?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2016 9:27:18 GMT
It's a difficult one. I don't think there is a legal obligation for the producers to refund or exchange anyone. The performance wasn't cancelled.
From an industry point of view, the Menier were blasted when they offered refunds and exchanges when Sheridan pulled out of Funny Girl, yet the ENO are widely supported by those I know for upholding the "show is the star" idea.
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Post by danb on Apr 25, 2016 10:04:33 GMT
It's on TKTS today (full price), so should we take this as an indication that Glenn isn't coming back, or are they just widening the potential audience for her first night back?
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Post by steve10086 on Apr 25, 2016 10:26:07 GMT
It's on TKTS today (full price), so should we take this as an indication that Glenn isn't coming back, or are they just widening the potential audience for her first night back? I'd take it as an indication they have tickets to sell and they are trying to shift them. Or that the apocalypse is due tomorrow. Could mean that. |
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Post by wickedgrin on Apr 25, 2016 10:57:11 GMT
It's been on TKTS (at full price) for a while - certainly last week.
Nothing on the ENO website, at midday, to indicate GC is not performing. No understudy announcement - yet! Seats available at all prices for tonight!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2016 12:12:07 GMT
I reckon Glenn has done all of this on purpose. Can you imagine the reception she's going to get when she knocks out the old "I've come hoooooome at laaaaaast *atchoo* *cough*" during 'As I We Never Said Goodbye' . . .
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Post by welsh_tenor on Apr 25, 2016 12:48:32 GMT
ENO have just tweeted that Ria is on again this evening.....
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2016 12:52:30 GMT
ENO have just tweeted that Ria is on again this evening..... Goodness. I hope Glenn is alright. |
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Post by Someone in a tree on Apr 25, 2016 12:53:46 GMT
Bring back Emma Thompson and Sweeney Todd!
GC's health is really going to damage the ENO musical theatre partnership - poor guys
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