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Post by shady23 on Mar 7, 2022 10:32:10 GMT
Why would they bother moving it at all?
Far easier to slide names out and others in as appropriate where it is.
When I went Emily was on so I really don't think it's the case that they are deliberately hiding the board when Jessie is off.
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Post by inthenose on Mar 7, 2022 11:08:39 GMT
Why would they bother moving it at all? Far easier to slide names out and others in as appropriate where it is. When I went Emily was on so I really don't think it's the case that they are deliberately hiding the board when Jessie is off. Unless the producers are nervous about publicly advertising the star you paid to see isn't performing. |
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Post by inthenose on Mar 7, 2022 11:11:11 GMT
It certainly wasn't there when I went and saw Emily Benjamin, there was however an A4 print out BEHIND THAT BAR. A bar which was absolutely packed, and I found it by asking FOH where the understudies were shown, as there was no announcement.
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Post by budd on Mar 7, 2022 11:21:56 GMT
 Some of the posting in this forum is like an urgent meeting of conspiracy theorists. From friend who caught this performance^ |
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Post by shady23 on Mar 7, 2022 11:30:12 GMT
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Post by Dr Tom on Mar 7, 2022 11:47:37 GMT
I made my second viewing of this last week, once again from the cheap seats. Covers on for five roles, although it wouldn't be obvious if you didn't check for these things.
Emily Benjamin was excellent as Sally Bowles and I'm very glad I got to see her. Ditto for Anna-James Casey as Fraulein Schneider. Josh Andrews was fine as Ernst Ludwig too. Plus we had Sally Frith as Fraulein Kost and Ela Lisondra as the second cover Frenchie. Everything is so polished that (putting star power aside) most of the audience would have no idea they weren't seeing the permanent cast.
A few changes since I saw this in previews, mostly tightening things up. They've simplified the second half opening. I didn't spot anyone from the cast coming upstairs to speak to the audience and they didn't have as many audience members on stage. Although I presume this is still considered part of the interval and not something to pay attention to as it didn't spot the two musical theatre performers sat next to me talking all the way through this section.
Looking forward to seeing what the next cast do with this. Fra Fee is very talented.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2022 12:38:22 GMT
Appreciating that Jessie Buckley’s whereabouts are currently only hearsay: If it was known that she was not going to be able to commit to what is only a short run, she should not have signed up to it, or her absences should have been made clear from the outset. If she’s contractually required to attend an awards show, then it must be in her Cabaret contract that she wouldn’t perform, and this should have been made clear to customers. There has been no communication from the producers on this, and it’s not for you to decide on behalf of other customers whether there’s any point in doing so. It’s all about giving people control over their choices. I’m also unclear why attending an awards show on Sunday night involves missing performances from Thursday onwards. Whether it’s how they dealt with these missed performances, the COVID cancellations, their claim of “star” casting after the initial cast, or the extortionate ticket prices, I think that the producers have behaved pretty appallingly. Respect to Eddie Redmayne for his flawless record, though. Try thinking things through before you post - she will have signed up to do Cabaret probably a year ago (if not longer), so it obviously wouldn't have been known then that she would be nominated for awards, as the film hadn't been released yet (I think it was only filmed last summer?). And unless you have some crystal ball that none of the rest of us have then illness isn't something that can be predicted either. I'm sure there was a post a few pages ago saying Buckley was on a reduced show schedule on doctor's orders. Even if she is out to go to an awards ceremony (the Independent Spirit Awards are in LA, which answers your question about why she would be out for more than one day if that is the reason) then even if she isn't contractually obliged to promote her film in that way (I wouldn't put it past Netflix to require that but I accept it may not be the case), I don't think anyone can blame her for wanting to attend an event that might recognise her talent and that in any event will raise her profile with important people in the industry. Her career is more than a short run in a show and she cannot be blamed for looking longer term. No doubt if she is out for an Awards show she won't be getting paid for Cabaret - her choice and objectively a very sensible one if that is the reason. Given none of this could be known when tickets were put on sale, how exactly do you suggest such absences are "made clear from the outset"? Most people have sufficient common sense to know that (as all theatre tickets say) the appearance of any artist cannot be guaranteed, and to understand that people can get sick or circumstances can change without throwing a tantrum about it. Frankly there are far more important things going on in the world at the minute and some people are taking this so far out of any reasonable perspective. Anyone can be irritated she isn't on if she's out for a performance they attend, of course, but all this mudslinging is wholly unnecessary. With top stars who have made major films they will often be contracted to do a certain amount of days publicity for those films and we hear that release dates are planned sometimes a couple of years ahead and so these days are "ring fenced" in the person's diary so if they take on work in that period it has to be worked around these dates unless some agreement is reached. Often the films are y same studios so it is never an issue. Daniel Radcliffe was doing a play on broadway but that was cut short as he was under contract to Harry Potter. I don't know if Warners wanted him back earlier but I seem to think that compensation was paid to show producers. Award ceremony dates are known a fair way ahead so stars/studios clear their diaries for these. But no-one is under any obligation to attend. Several Oscar winners haven't been present over the years, Albert Finney famously never attended such gatherings. If Jesse was going to be off for this it should have been advertised or people let know if she is off for a work related matter but not for a personal matter. If she has gone off without permission or there was any dispute then I think we may have heard something unless it is in the hands of legal parties. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2022 12:44:04 GMT
Try thinking things through before you post - she will have signed up to do Cabaret probably a year ago (if not longer), so it obviously wouldn't have been known then that she would be nominated for awards, as the film hadn't been released yet (I think it was only filmed last summer?). And unless you have some crystal ball that none of the rest of us have then illness isn't something that can be predicted either. I'm sure there was a post a few pages ago saying Buckley was on a reduced show schedule on doctor's orders. Even if she is out to go to an awards ceremony (the Independent Spirit Awards are in LA, which answers your question about why she would be out for more than one day if that is the reason) then even if she isn't contractually obliged to promote her film in that way (I wouldn't put it past Netflix to require that but I accept it may not be the case), I don't think anyone can blame her for wanting to attend an event that might recognise her talent and that in any event will raise her profile with important people in the industry. Her career is more than a short run in a show and she cannot be blamed for looking longer term. No doubt if she is out for an Awards show she won't be getting paid for Cabaret - her choice and objectively a very sensible one if that is the reason. Given none of this could be known when tickets were put on sale, how exactly do you suggest such absences are "made clear from the outset"? Most people have sufficient common sense to know that (as all theatre tickets say) the appearance of any artist cannot be guaranteed, and to understand that people can get sick or circumstances can change without throwing a tantrum about it. Frankly there are far more important things going on in the world at the minute and some people are taking this so far out of any reasonable perspective. Anyone can be irritated she isn't on if she's out for a performance they attend, of course, but all this mudslinging is wholly unnecessary. With top stars who have made major films they will often be contracted to do a certain amount of days publicity for those films and we hear that release dates are planned sometimes a couple of years ahead and so these days are "ring fenced" in the person's diary so if they take on work in that period it has to be worked around these dates unless some agreement is reached. Often the films are y same studios so it is never an issue. Daniel Radcliffe was doing a play on broadway but that was cut short as he was under contract to Harry Potter. I don't know if Warners wanted him back earlier but I seem to think that compensation was paid to show producers. Award ceremony dates are known a fair way ahead so stars/studios clear their diaries for these. But no-one is under any obligation to attend. Several Oscar winners haven't been present over the years, Albert Finney famously never attended such gatherings. If Jesse was going to be off for this it should have been advertised or people let know if she is off for a work related matter but not for a personal matter. If she has gone off without permission or there was any dispute then I think we may have heard something unless it is in the hands of legal parties. If you catch up on the rest of the thread you will see that she wasn't actually at any awards show, so this is all irrelevant now. The poster who said she was out for Awards shows (one of which wasn't even happening yesterday) was clearly very poorly informed. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2022 12:45:41 GMT
Some of the posting in this forum is like an urgent meeting of conspiracy theorists. From friend who caught this performance^ No one is posting “urgent conspiracy theories”. The night I went, I looked round for an understudy board. Never saw one. Asked a bartender who pointed to a tiny sheet, printed out and hung behind the bar that said Jessie was out. Maybe the board was up, but I couldn’t find it, and wasn’t directed to it. That’s not a “conspiracy theory”, that’s a fact. |
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Post by ladidah on Mar 7, 2022 14:02:00 GMT
Is Jessie ill?
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Post by inthenose on Mar 7, 2022 15:17:10 GMT
Some of the posting in this forum is like an urgent meeting of conspiracy theorists. From friend who caught this performance^ No one is posting “urgent conspiracy theories”. The night I went, I looked round for an understudy board. Never saw one. Asked a bartender who pointed to a tiny sheet, printed out and hung behind the bar that said Jessie was out. Maybe the board was up, but I couldn’t find it, and wasn’t directed to it. That’s not a “conspiracy theory”, that’s a fact. And as I said, when I went that board pictured was absent. There was an A4 print out behind the (busy) bar, which I had to ask an usher to show me. |
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Post by interval99 on Mar 7, 2022 15:35:38 GMT
Looking at the cast board photo anyone seen Sally (Firth) as Sally?
Seen several raves for Emily and apologies if a Sally F review is somewhere in the thread but didn't see one.
The title song delivery was the one bit I did think would be a test of who ever plays this version of the show. It did seem it would need star quality talent strength to take the audience from its stark start to one which wins the audience over with it even if they didn't actually liking the version but the cover Sally's seem to be as strong as Jessie in getting the crowd won over.
For Eddie I hope he has a good chiropractor or stretching routine, he can certainly shape and twist his body but several times in the show I was thinking that is not good on the back.
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Post by Kubrick on Mar 7, 2022 15:50:29 GMT
Seems like Buckley is doing the first four performances each week, so I’m interested to see if she’s around for tonight’s show.
Either way, she delivers in every possible way. I’m certain the fabulous actors covering her role are top notch, but I will cherish my experience seeking Jessie for quite some time.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2022 16:31:59 GMT
If Jessie Buckley has for example got a vocal issue surely she would have been advised to not sing for a certain amount of time unless due to it being near the end of her run they have decided to take it day by day and no doubt she'd be keen to do the final night with Eddie.
I've been a fan of Jessie's since I'd Do Anything so it has been great that she has done so well and has reached Academy Award nomination level but I do think the Producers should be more transparent when someone is going to be off. A post on twitter or a clear notice in the foyer. "Due to the unavailability of Jessie Buckley at this performance the role of Sally Bowles will be played by ------"
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Post by inthenose on Mar 7, 2022 16:53:39 GMT
Seems like Buckley is doing the first four performances each week, so I’m interested to see if she’s around for tonight’s show. Either way, she delivers in every possible way. I’m certain the fabulous actors covering her role are top notch, but I will cherish my experience seeking Jessie for quite some time. The show overall I felt was very good when I saw it - 4*. Nothing mind-blowing but a very well executed vision. I finally got around to adding my rating! Emily Benjamin was good. I didn't like how some of the key songs were delivered, but that was a creative decision it seems, after hearing a bootleg of Jessie Buckley. Almost identical in delivery. Eddie Redmayne was good too. But nothing made me come away wanting to see it again urgently. I really enjoyed what I saw and was lucky in how I got my seat, but £300 is ridiculous. It's a good show and deserves to do well, but you'd be bonkers to be paying these prices unless you're a massive Cabaret fan or a huge fan of Eddie Redmayne - and have money to burn. Good show, good cast, poor optics in how they are managing absences combined with extremely high cost. |
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Post by inthenose on Mar 7, 2022 17:25:20 GMT
Funnily enough, forgive this tangent, but it is coming back to Cabaret eventually - I promise! Isn't it funny how sometimes the "little" productions (with all due respect given) can actually end up being the most memorable/enjoyable and sometimes objectively better in terms of an overall experience.
With Sweeney Todd, for instance, I've seen dozens of productions (off the top of my head, SEVEN am-drams, the 2009 tour, John Doyle's malarky with Jason Donovan, the West End revival with La Ball and Imelda (and Peter Poly), the WNO production (I saw Janis Kelly who was brilliant), the Tooting pie shop production and I'm sure I missed a few.
Yet out of all of those, my favourite was a tiny little production in the short-lived Twickenham Theatre (seating 100-odd if that) starring David Bedella and Sarah Ingram.
Which brings me back to Cabaret; for all the glitz, expensive cocktails, extremely expensive seats and celebrity star names, it didn't have the heart of a few other productions I've seen.
I actually saw a quite wonderful regional production of Cabaret in Kelowna, Canada a few years back - it was done in a very similar way actually, with food at cabaret tables down front, audience interaction and whatnot. They branded themselves as "dinner theatre", which has negative connotations, yet it was the most moving and sincerely troubling/moving "Cabaret" I've seen.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Mar 7, 2022 18:07:32 GMT
Some posts have been removed. I asked earlier if we could stop directing comments at other members. Can we please focus on the show and not each other. Thank you.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Mar 7, 2022 19:50:26 GMT
Seems like Buckley is doing the first four performances each week, so I’m interested to see if she’s around for tonight’s show. Either way, she delivers in every possible way. I’m certain the fabulous actors covering her role are top notch, but I will cherish my experience seeking Jessie for quite some time. Can someone… anyone! back this up with something or ANYthing approaching reliable evidence? |
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Post by andrew on Mar 7, 2022 20:01:51 GMT
Seems like Buckley is doing the first four performances each week, so I’m interested to see if she’s around for tonight’s show. Either way, she delivers in every possible way. I’m certain the fabulous actors covering her role are top notch, but I will cherish my experience seeking Jessie for quite some time. Can someone… anyone! back this up with something or ANYthing approaching reliable evidence? No, this is incorrect. She's missed Mondays before, and for roughly a month she wasn't doing Wednesday matinees, up until last week, when she did both shows (presumably because her first cover had Covid and her second cover was on for Kost). So there really isn't a pattern on her absences. I assume it depends on whether she's vocally up for it or not. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2022 11:59:34 GMT
With Inthenose mentioning David Bedella in Sweeney Todd I was thinking has he ever been the Emcee in Cabaret as he did that wonderful turn as the Devil in Jerry Springer the Opera, was a good Frank N'Furter and has a great West End pedigree. It would seem a natural role for him to have played at sometime in his career.
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Post by zephyrus on Mar 8, 2022 13:43:23 GMT
Can someone… anyone! back this up with something or ANYthing approaching reliable evidence? No, this is incorrect. She's missed Mondays before, and for roughly a month she wasn't doing Wednesday matinees, up until last week, when she did both shows (presumably because her first cover had Covid and her second cover was on for Kost). So there really isn't a pattern on her absences. I assume it depends on whether she's vocally up for it or not. It looks like Jessie was on last night but, according to Twitter, the 1st cover will be performing at tonight's show. |
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Post by distantcousin on Mar 8, 2022 14:08:03 GMT
For £250+ you don't want leads who are just "good" - you should be getting outstanding performances.
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Post by shadypines on Mar 8, 2022 14:31:08 GMT
For £250+ you don't want leads who are just "good" - you should be getting outstanding performances. Just to be contrary, surely you want outstanding performances regardless of how much you pay. |
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Post by Being Alive on Mar 8, 2022 14:37:00 GMT
Exactly - I expect outstanding performances at whatever show I see, regardless of the price...
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Post by A.Ham on Mar 8, 2022 17:41:01 GMT
So both Eddie and Jessie are nominated for the Oliviers. Great to see this production being nominated in several other categories too. But the one I was most pleased to see was Liza Sadovy’s Best Supporting Actress nomination - her performance really moved me when I saw this back in January. Fingers crossed for her!
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