Superfans

[Deleted]

So in the past couple of days I've seen a couple of articles (both from years ago) about people who've seen West End / Broadway shows a ridiculous number of times. There was a man who saw Rent on Broadway over 1100 times between 1996 and 2008, and someone who since the 90s has seen Les Mis in London just over 1000 times.

In the past few years the word "superfan" has popped up to describe people who are crazily dedicated or devoted to a show, I believe it began as a way of describing Wicked fans but has since been expanded to cover the entire musical theatre community. I would personally classify a superfan as somebody who has consciously seen a show more than 10 times, whether that be West End, Broadway, fringe, tour, or possibly a combination of all of those. It can be a play, a musical, a piece of improv, or any theatrical experience.

So this thread I created as a way of "superfans" getting to share their stories, feel free to comment if you're one of the self-proclaimed superfans who is loyally devoted to one or a small number of shows in particular. I'll start.

I've seen Wicked 157 times since 2012 (149x London, 8x UK Tour) and currently have 9 shows booked for Bradford and about 6 or 7 for London. I love the music and the plot but above all the different quirks and nuances that different cast members bring to each of the roles. I'm also a big fan of The Showstoppers, an improvised musical that ran in the West End last year and currently does one night a month at the Lyric and tours the country, I've seen them 35 times.

[Deleted]

I saw Made in DagenhamDave 4 times! In dog years that's 28!

[Dawnstar]

Jun 8, 2016 15:48:15 GMT martello736 said:

I would personally classify a superfan as somebody who has consciously seen a show more than 10 times, whether that be West End, Broadway, fringe, tour, or possibly a combination of all of those. It can be a play, a musical, a piece of improv, or any theatrical experience.

Yikes, if you define it as only 10 times then I must be a superfan of quite a lot of shows! I've seen Phantom, Les Mis & Mamma Mia 10+ times each and I wouldn't say I'm a superfan of any of them. It's more that they're always there & I wander in every so often. There are other shows that I've loved more but have seen less because of their short runs. I saw Wicked a lot 2007-9 but then went off it and have only seen it once since so I guess I'm an ex-fan of that.

Favourite shows that I managed to see 10 or more times are:
Zorro - 22, plus 2 in Paris
Lend Me A Tenor - 11
Crazy For You - 10
Top Hat - 26
The Play That Goes Wrong - 22
Peter Pan Goes Wrong - 11
(The Comedy About A Bank Robbery will be joining the other 2 Mischief Theatre shows soon at the rate I'm going!)

I'm not sure I'd put improvisation shows in the same category, since you're not seeing the same show repeatedly, but I've seen Lights! Camera! Improvise! 10 times & Showstopper 12 times, having only discovered improv fairly recently..

[infofreako]

Its only Memphis and Wicked that ive seen more than 10 times. Memphis was in a very short space of time and the fault of someone on this/the old forum.
Bands wise i saw The Cure 50 times on one European tour and well over 100 in total

[theglenbucklaird]

Jun 8, 2016 19:30:22 GMT infofreako said:

Its only Memphis and Wicked that ive seen more than 10 times. Memphis was in a very short space of time and the fault of someone on this/the old forum.
Bands wise i saw The Cure 50 times on one European tour and well over 100 in total

Not sure if the wicked statement or the cure is weirder. I did see The Clash five nights on the trot at the Lyceum in 1981. Doesn't make me a superfan but writing this I am incredibly smug.

[infofreako]

Jun 8, 2016 21:11:00 GMT theglenbucklaird said:

Jun 8, 2016 19:30:22 GMT infofreako said:

Its only Memphis and Wicked that ive seen more than 10 times. Memphis was in a very short space of time and the fault of someone on this/the old forum.
Bands wise i saw The Cure 50 times on one European tour and well over 100 in total

Not sure if the wicked statement or the cure is weirder. I did see The Clash five nights on the trot at the Lyceum in 1981. Doesn't make me a superfan but writing this I am incredibly smug.

Makes me incredibly jealous. Id have loved to have seen The Clash

[BurlyBeaR]

Jun 8, 2016 15:48:15 GMT martello736 said:

I've seen Wicked 157 times since 2012 (149x London, 8x UK Tour) and currently have 9 shows booked for Bradford and about 6 or 7 for London. I love the music and the plot but above all the different quirks and nuances that different cast members bring to each of the roles. I'm also a big fan of The Showstoppers, an improvised musical that ran in the West End last year and currently does one night a month at the Lyric and tours the country, I've seen them 35 times.

I remember having a disagreement on the old forum with someone who thought it was acceptable to whoop and screech (along with their superfan pals) every time a line was sung differently, or a riff was inserted 


My point was that 99.9% of the audience wants to hear the music as imagined by the composer and lyricist. Not some bit-part understudy's version which she's using to impress, well... Someone. 

Superfans? Enjoy it. It's there for you. But you're never ever EVER more important than the rest of the audience. 

[Deleted]

Jun 8, 2016 21:43:19 GMT BurlyBeaR said:

Jun 8, 2016 15:48:15 GMT martello736 said:

I've seen Wicked 157 times since 2012 (149x London, 8x UK Tour) and currently have 9 shows booked for Bradford and about 6 or 7 for London. I love the music and the plot but above all the different quirks and nuances that different cast members bring to each of the roles. I'm also a big fan of The Showstoppers, an improvised musical that ran in the West End last year and currently does one night a month at the Lyric and tours the country, I've seen them 35 times.

I remember having a disagreement on the old forum with someone who thought it was acceptable to whoop and screech (along with their superfan pals) every time a line was sung differently, or a riff was inserted 


My point was that 99.9% of the audience wants to hear the music as imagined by the composer and lyricist. Not some bit-part understudy's version which she's using to impress, well... Someone. 

Superfans? Enjoy it. It's there for you. But you're never ever EVER more important than the rest of the audience. 

Ohhh I'm not one of those people. I tell those people off. Constantly.
"DID YOU HEAR WHEN SHE WENT UP ON THIS LINE!!!??"
"Yes. I also noticed how you started jumping around whilst I was trying to watch the rest of the scene and I really wanted to kill you."

I like riffs as much as the next person but it's more the chemistry between different people and the ways they convey different moments. For example, Laura Emmitt is very sassy and sure of herself, whereas Jacqueline Hughes is more insecure and sharp with others.

I agree superfans are no more than any other audience member, unless said audience member leaves at the interval, in which case we are 50% more important as we've watched twice as much show

[infofreako]

I struggle still with the whole muck up matinee at cast changes for the same reason. The majority of audience members are there to see the show performed at its best.

[49thand8th]

I don't give exact numbers much anymore, but in regards to about 5 or 6 of my favorite shows, I've seen more times than years I've been alive. I like being able to have a long history with a show (particularly one like Les Miz, that's had a long run in many cities plus has many small productions elsewhere) and have that sort of be a thread that goes in and out of my life, even if that sounds a little hippy.

I'm always hesitant to read articles about superfans (be it of musicals/plays, of comic book genres, tv shows, etc...) because there's often a "point and laugh" element to them, even if it wasn't necessarily the writer's intent. And similarly, what often creeps out is the outsider's patronizing tone of "This person is so weird," "They have nothing else in their life besides this," "Haha, they spend so much money on costumes/memorabilia," etc. Maybe it tends to happen more with the sci-fi/anime crowd. Even though fanatical sports people aren't treated the same way. (Though I am a big baseball fan, I kind of consider myself a lifelong casual fan.)

[Deleted]

Jun 8, 2016 23:04:38 GMT martello736 said:

Jun 8, 2016 21:43:19 GMT BurlyBeaR said:

I remember having a disagreement on the old forum with someone who thought it was acceptable to whoop and screech (along with their superfan pals) every time a line was sung differently, or a riff was inserted

Ohhh I'm not one of those people. I tell those people off. Constantly.
"DID YOU HEAR WHEN SHE WENT UP ON THIS LINE!!!??"
"Yes. I also noticed how you started jumping around whilst I was trying to watch the rest of the scene and I really wanted to kill you."

Oh, how I hate that. Some fans go to watch the show, and some fans go to show off that they watch the show. If the show itself was what mattered then they'd sit quietly and experience it properly.

[talkstageytome]

I saw Memphis 11 times here (but I'm not a whooper at all thankfully). I loved seeing how the show changed over times, catching as many different understudies as possible and just generally enjoyed the amazing vibe inside the theatre. I don't know why after all my years of theatre going it was Memphis which brought me to superfan status but there you go.

I must say though that once a cast member tweeted that it was 'lovely to see me on the front row again' I had to tone it down. Cringe!

But still, I adored that show. Saw one of the first previews and closing night too. Bring on the tour (hopefully).

Aside from that I've seen Wicked 4 times and BoM 5 but mostly I don't rewatch shows unless someone interesting goes in at the cast change.

[Deleted]

I'm a Superfan, but I feel uncomfortable admitting it in this day and age as you get lumped with a certain type. The type mentioned in some of the above posts. I like to think that I was a Superfan before it became "fashionable" to be one, and I only ever became one by accident really, as I fell in love with one or two productions, and became interested in what different actors brought to the show and how it changed dynamics. I also loved spotting any changes made, and the introduction of new scenery or props. I never sing along, although my fingers have sometimes drummed the beat of a particular moment on my leg if something really hits the spot! I no longer collect memorabilia from my chosen shows. I have drawers full of the stuff that's nice to look through every now and then. If a new production of my show is mounted, I'm along like a shot. I love seeing a fresh take on my shows; sometimes I love it, sometimes I hate it and long to see the original concept from yesteryear all over again...

[talkstageytome]

Ahaha yes, CAST member! Of course.

I do think 'superfan' has very negative conotations. And some people take their fanship too far, to a cringe embarrassing level. E.g. screaming, overlaughing, creeping at the stage door every other day. And its not even just the young people (whose actions I somewhat understand as it IS exciting to feel so much for a show). Some do need to keep it in check I feel.

[Deleted]

I agree there is some level of stigma attached with being a superfan. Just watching the Whatsonstage video from the first preview of Cursed Child, they were chatting to people outside the theatre who were saying things like "I've read Harry Potter start to finish 17 times (119 books)" and "We got married two days ago and now we've come to see the show on our honeymoon", but there was no level of criticism or amazement in the comments section as most of them could imagine being that person and even envied them.

The superfan of theatre thing is a bit more difficult because as people have said, we're lumped in with the 15 year olds who are as distracting and attention seeking in the auditorium as can be, not to mention irritating the hell out of cast members at stage door - I know somebody who went 5 times in a week once, and were every bit as annoying as you're probably picturing them. Honestly, I see the show because I like the show. I'd say at least 50 of my Wicked trips I've gone on my own, sat, watched the show, then went straight home, and another 40 on top of that watched the show with someone else... then went home, without burdening poor Fred who is trying to get home but can't because a horde of teenagers are asking him what it was like performing with the 3rd cover in a certain ensemble track for the first time, and unsurprisingly he hadn't noticed, or if he had he's biting his tongue trying not to tell everyone interrogating him to "f**k off and not come back".

It's a shame that 98% of superfans let the other 2% down

[Deleted]

I cringe when I see some of these older gentlemen, anorak hood up, clipboard at the ready, usually hanging around after Daniel Radcliffe or the like has been in something. Sometimes, I have wondered if some of them have actually seen the show... And weren't there stories about the stage door of Billy Elliot? Perhaps I'm being too judgemental... 

[d'James]

I've seen both of my favourite shows 4 and 6 times in a week respectively, but they were for special reasons (one was a special visit abroad, the other was the closing week). I've never gone to the stage door for either of them. In fact I've only 'stage doored' once and failed. I never know what to say other than thanks for a great show haha.

I occasionally find myself miming along to a song but never singing or dancing (well maybe a little bobbing of the head to a good beat).

I agree that the term 'superfan' does have negative connotations and so I would never class myself as one, even though I guess by definition seeing a show loads of times makes you one. It's just that over time other actions have been added to the definition because of a minority of theatre-goers.

[Deleted]

Jun 9, 2016 8:10:07 GMT @theatremonkey said:

Jun 9, 2016 6:02:12 GMT talkstageytome said:

once a vast member tweeted that is was 'lovely to see me on the front row again'

I'm assuming you meant CAST, Stagey, unless you were trying to subtly infer / praise / insult someone or something...

I skim read and saw "vast member" and "lovely to see me on the front row"... I got the wrong impression. Then I reread it and worked out talkstagey's intention. I should sloooowww down when I read. 

[BurlyBeaR]

Jun 9, 2016 11:41:20 GMT @caiaphas said:

I cringe when I see some of these older gentlemen, anorak hood up, clipboard at the ready, usually hanging around after Daniel Radcliffe or the like has been in something. Sometimes, I have wondered if some of them have actually seen the show... And weren't there stories about the stage door of Billy Elliot? Perhaps I'm being too judgemental... 

Do do you mean what I think you mean?

[Deleted]

Yes.

[Deleted]

Billy Elliot had a LOT of problems. And there's a lot of bitterness between fans and management as they had to shun a few Ruthie Henshall fans and a few genuine show fans in an attempt to urgently fix quite a huge problem with males over the age of 35 coming to stage door. But that's not my place to say.

I've seen a show 6 times in a week before (actually I also saw Showstopper 10 times in 8 days, but as someone pointed out, that changes), but only stage doored once. When Savannah Stevenson starts adding the word "again" to "nice to see you", you know it's time to slow down.

[Deleted]

Jun 9, 2016 11:41:20 GMT @caiaphas said:

I cringe when I see some of these older gentlemen, anorak hood up, clipboard at the ready, usually hanging around after Daniel Radcliffe or the like has been in something. Sometimes, I have wondered if some of them have actually seen the show... 

I'm pretty sure those aren't actually superfans, or any sort of fans, just scum looking to make a financial profit out of the actors' good natures.

[BurlyBeaR]

Jun 9, 2016 12:05:39 GMT martello736 said:

Billy Elliot had a LOT of problems. And there's a lot of bitterness between fans and management as they had to shun a few Ruthie Henshall fans and a few genuine show fans in an attempt to urgently fix quite a huge problem with males over the age of 35 coming to stage door. But that's not my place to say.

So they had child actors coming out to meet these weirdos people at the stage door?

[BurlyBeaR]

Jun 9, 2016 11:41:20 GMT @caiaphas said:

I cringe when I see some of these older gentlemen, anorak hood up, clipboard at the ready, usually hanging around after Daniel Radcliffe or the like has been in something. Sometimes, I have wondered if some of them have actually seen the show... And weren't there stories about the stage door of Billy Elliot? Perhaps I'm being too judgemental... 

Or on the front row of Equus. 

With binoculars....

[Deleted]

Jun 9, 2016 12:20:19 GMT BurlyBeaR said:

Jun 9, 2016 12:05:39 GMT martello736 said:

Billy Elliot had a LOT of problems. And there's a lot of bitterness between fans and management as they had to shun a few Ruthie Henshall fans and a few genuine show fans in an attempt to urgently fix quite a huge problem with males over the age of 35 coming to stage door. But that's not my place to say.

So they had child actors coming out to meet these weirdos people at the stage door?

As far as I'm aware there's only one exit to that theatre so it became 50% telling the children to keep their heads down and not stop or look at or speak to anyone, and 50% trying to stop the "fans of Billy Elliot who just wanted to congratulate EVERYONE on a brilliant show" getting anywhere near.