539 posts
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Post by WireHangers on Oct 17, 2021 10:19:59 GMT
Disney musicals have never really needed "names", the title itself has always been enough so I imagine they won't. True but theatre sales are not as good as they once were. Frozen doesn’t have any big names but is still selling well. Disney musicals are the stars of their own shows and after a pandemic people are looking for familiar titles to watch so I think a cheaper Disney musical is in a perfect position for West End run right now. |
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Post by danb on Oct 17, 2021 11:44:44 GMT
You think they’ll price it cheaper? Lol 😂
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539 posts
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Post by WireHangers on Oct 17, 2021 13:50:57 GMT
You think they’ll price it cheaper? Lol 😂 No, that’s not what I said. The sets and costumes are cheaper. Not having stars to pay big money for is cheaper. The production as a whole is cheaper. If what the previous reply said about theatre sales not being as good as they once were is true then a cheap production with an iconic and recognisable title with no big stars to pay is the perfect show to put on in London in this time of uncertainty. Lol 😂 |
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Post by danb on Oct 17, 2021 15:00:09 GMT
I am very cynical of current theatre pricing. Far from trying to tempt people back in, they are pitching shows like the latest iphone knowing that many arts starved people will pay it regardless.
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Post by sph on Oct 17, 2021 19:52:01 GMT
Disney musicals have never really needed "names", the title itself has always been enough so I imagine they won't. True but theatre sales are not as good as they once were. Yes, and they did stunt-cast the Broadway production a few times I guess (Donny Osmond etc) so it's not impossible. You could argue that Samantha Barks in Frozen is a bit of a "name", certainly in theatre. |
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Post by hairspray57 on Oct 18, 2021 0:20:25 GMT
True but theatre sales are not as good as they once were. Yes, and they did stunt-cast the Broadway production a few times I guess (Donny Osmond etc) so it's not impossible. You could argue that Samantha Barks in Frozen is a bit of a "name", certainly in theatre. And on the West end with Michelle Gayle taking over as Belle. |
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Post by shady23 on Oct 18, 2021 7:47:28 GMT
I am very cynical of current theatre pricing. Far from trying to tempt people back in, they are pitching shows like the latest iphone knowing that many arts starved people will pay it regardless. We booked Beauty and the Beast tour tickets last week and the prices were insane. Seem to be deliberately priced in such a way now where it is very hard to find a family sized number of seats in the 'cheap' band, without crossing into the higher price band. In the end we went for three together and two in front. It's not just Disney shows though. At Newcastle you can usually pick up the side of stalls as "restricted view" tickets for £15-20 but for the Drifters Girl the same seats are £55-60. For a restricted view seat! They are still selling as well. |
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Post by danb on Oct 18, 2021 8:36:46 GMT
We’ve had to employ the split end of row technique for ‘Hamilton’ for some time if it’s all of us. Even then it was £400 for 5 of us.
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Post by h86 on Oct 18, 2021 14:14:09 GMT
There has been no word at all from Beauty musical since the report about Emmanuel broke last week. They open in Edinburgh on Thursday….surely we must hear something by then?
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19,670 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Oct 18, 2021 14:28:49 GMT
I doubt we’ll hear anything at all. If the investigation finds he’s done something wrong he’ll be dropped. If not he’ll be reinstated. I can’t see Disney doing any announcements about it.
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Post by h86 on Oct 18, 2021 14:59:48 GMT
I doubt we’ll hear anything at all. If the investigation finds he’s done something wrong he’ll be dropped. If not he’ll be reinstated. I can’t see Disney doing any announcements about it. They’ll have to say something if he is replaced surely? Not specifics obviously. But saying that they’ve ‘parted company’ or something along those lines and announce a replacement. If they do drop him I guess they’ll have to re-shoot the trailer, do new photos etc…. If they keep him then the cast mates who spoke up might be in a bit of a difficult position….. Anyway, it was Angela Lanbury’s birthday over the weekend. I was expecting a birthday message from the show, they had done so for cast birthdays, especially as she is the prologue narrator now. I guess the PR team just want to keep quiet on everything at the moment! |
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Post by inthenose on Oct 18, 2021 15:00:37 GMT
The Mail reported the actor was suspended pending an investigation.
So here's what will happen, based on standard HR working practice, including within theatre. Management along with HR (either third party or more likely in-house) will investigate the allegation, identify any witnesses, take statements and interview any people involved, including the person suspended. He will have the option of lay counsel of his choosing at this meetings, which are minuted and could become a legal document should the case reach a court. Equity members often - but not always - choose a trained Equity "Union Representative", a major perk which is included in the membership dues. Often these reps have specific experience in contract law, but not always.
There is no chance either party will comment publicly until this initial suspension has reached a conclusion. The conclusions are as follows;
No further action or
Disciplinary action taken, including but not limited to a verbal warning, written warning, remedial training/courses, dismissal
The determining factor in the outcome is the investigation, and if the alleged incident is concluded to have happened in the eyes of the investigation. If so, the question would be whether it is considered gross misconduct, which would mean he's going to be sacked, basically, if so.
If, following the investigation, he is dismissed then he has a right to appeal within 30 days (usually) against the decision, and if it is upheld, he has the option of seeking legal relief via employment tribunal. Being one of the few unionised industries remaining, I have seen Equity get in involved to varying degrees, right up to offering free legal counsel.
There may also be non disclosure agreements, but these are less likely than the common sense approach which is to keep quiet, and not say anything at all which could harm your case should it later go to an employment tribunal.
In short, he will either return to work, and nothing specific will be said about the incident - or he will leave the cast - a statement will be released saying such - but giving no detail at to why until the completion of the appeals process, if at all.
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Post by hairspray57 on Oct 18, 2021 16:18:03 GMT
I imagine that by the time it heads on to the next stop they will certainly not want the programme to be saying his name but his understudy appearing every single performance.
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Post by aingidh on Oct 18, 2021 16:30:06 GMT
I reckon what'll happen is Alyn will quietly be bumped up to lead and they'll add on an extra ensemble member. I think the programmes for Edinburgh will have already been printed, so if he is removed from the production by the time they open, possibly just slips in every booklet giving the cast changes.
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Post by WireHangers on Oct 18, 2021 17:40:50 GMT
I reckon what'll happen is Alyn will quietly be bumped up to lead and they'll add on an extra ensemble member. I think the programmes for Edinburgh will have already been printed, so if he is removed from the production by the time they open, possibly just slips in every booklet giving the cast changes. After the drama with Great Comet I can’t see the production replacing a performer of colour with a white performer. |
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Post by Seriously on Oct 18, 2021 19:01:33 GMT
I think Disney have enough problems with the Edinburgh Playhouse this week as it is. The building works they required still aren't finished.
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Post by alison on Oct 18, 2021 19:12:04 GMT
If they bump Alyn up, they also have the problem that he's first cover for three roles. Much easier to bring in a new Beast who just has to learn the one role than a new ensemble member who has to learn their own ensemble track plus three covers.
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Post by h86 on Oct 18, 2021 19:17:01 GMT
I think Disney have enough problems with the Edinburgh Playhouse this week as it is. The building works they required still aren't finished. What building works? |
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Post by danb on Oct 18, 2021 20:36:17 GMT
I reckon what'll happen is Alyn will quietly be bumped up to lead and they'll add on an extra ensemble member. I think the programmes for Edinburgh will have already been printed, so if he is removed from the production by the time they open, possibly just slips in every booklet giving the cast changes. After the drama with Great Comet I can’t see the production replacing a performer of colour with a white performer. …and the costume and make up design; quite threadbare in the first place, work around a performer of colour. Does Alyn have a different make up design? |
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Post by inthenose on Oct 19, 2021 7:04:16 GMT
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Post by luminaire on Oct 20, 2021 17:41:44 GMT
I felt compelled to finally join this forum after lurking for a while now.
I perhaps saw some clips of Be Our Guest from this production and honestly… I was disappointed. Of course I would need to see this in person, but the ensemble is all just dressed like they are in Chorus Line… where are the kitchen objects? Utensils?
I don’t think they have surpassed the original production number by any means in this instance.
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Post by h86 on Oct 20, 2021 18:09:52 GMT
I felt compelled to finally join this forum after lurking for a while now. I perhaps saw some clips of Be Our Guest from this production and honestly… I was disappointed. Of course I would need to see this in person, but the ensemble is all just dressed like they are in Chorus Line… where are the kitchen objects? Utensils? I don’t think they have surpassed the original production number by any means in this instance. If those clips you have seen are the ones posted on YouTube then please don’t judge Be Our Guest from them. They are shot from a distance on a poor quality camera and don’t do it justice. If you are expecting to see kitchen objects then yes, you’ll be disappointed, but I’m glad they changed it up as it allows the ensemble to really dance instead of just parading around as a tin opener or spatula. The ensemble men have knife and fork icons on their costumes and the women spoon hats, they change costume 4 times in one song, there is a lovely Babette section with feathers, a great use of the video wall and it all ends with an epic tap dance. It’s amazing to see live. |
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Post by luminaire on Oct 20, 2021 19:09:20 GMT
I felt compelled to finally join this forum after lurking for a while now. I perhaps saw some clips of Be Our Guest from this production and honestly… I was disappointed. Of course I would need to see this in person, but the ensemble is all just dressed like they are in Chorus Line… where are the kitchen objects? Utensils? I don’t think they have surpassed the original production number by any means in this instance. If those clips you have seen are the ones posted on YouTube then please don’t judge Be Our Guest from them. They are shot from a distance on a poor quality camera and don’t do it justice. If you are expecting to see kitchen objects then yes, you’ll be disappointed, but I’m glad they changed it up as it allows the ensemble to really dance instead of just parading around as a tin opener or spatula. The ensemble men have knife and fork icons on their costumes and the women spoon hats, they change costume 4 times in one song, there is a lovely Babette section with feathers, a great use of the video wall and it all ends with an epic tap dance. It’s amazing to see live. I of course do not want to judge too harshly, anything live is different and I am sure the number is still gorgeous and enjoyable... But if I may ramble for a moment: The brilliance of the original grand production number, what made it so great, was that it had dance/dancers, and it had fantastical fashion. It was like a fashion runway, with interesting costumes. The set had levels, excitement. I wish they had found a better balance for the tour, and I would hope this is not what they'd bring forward for a possible full sit down revival. The original production number was practically perfection. |
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Post by David J on Oct 20, 2021 19:15:26 GMT
It's not just the costumes and tap dancing I've got a problem with its the way they stop and start between lyrics at times "don't believe me ask the dishes.......they can sing, they can dance. Really breaks up the pace.
That moment when the song would slow down on that resounding "course by course" by the end is sped up amidst the tap dancing. Couldn't the creatives thought up something that emphasize those words.
Other odd choices include two random guys, in non object costumes, singing "we do jokes, I do tricks" and then Lumiere says "with my fellow candlesticks"
Nice use of projections I agree, and it would look better from the stalls. But I think there was a nice build up to that big set piece and the different objects appearing one at a time in the original. Feels a bit flat line here.
Most inspired moment is the cogsworth pulling the plug moment. Best moment there.
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Post by David J on Oct 20, 2021 19:25:35 GMT
Also watched Beauty and the Beast number. Got the same problem with Mary Poppins where Mrs Pott's cockney accent doesn't feel natural
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