307 posts
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Post by westended on Apr 1, 2018 18:26:18 GMT
Will there ever be a West End version of Broadway Con?
what are your thoughts?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2018 18:29:08 GMT
I’m thinking I have no idea what you’re talking about.  |
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307 posts
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Post by westended on Apr 1, 2018 18:55:09 GMT
I’m thinking I have no idea what you’re talking about. Read the title.... |
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Post by bellboard27 on Apr 1, 2018 18:57:54 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2018 19:05:51 GMT
Don't they do like a West End Bake-Off instead or was that just one year?
Couldn't be a more British substitute 😂
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Post by talkstageytome on Apr 1, 2018 19:11:35 GMT
This (not very legit seeming but what do I know?) account has existed for ages but hasn't been updated in a while. West End Producer has something to do with it I think - whoever they may be. Take a look at WestEndCon (@westendcon): twitter.com/westendcon?s=09I think something similar to BroadwayCon over here could be cool but given how ott some people get at the stage door I'm not sure it's an environment I'd love to be in. |
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Post by david on Apr 1, 2018 19:13:10 GMT
With the current Westend Live weekend, I can’t see anything like Broadway Con happening anytime soon here in the UK. However, that isn’t to say that the WL format wouldn’t develop into something like a Broadway Con in the future, possibly at Earls Court. I think the current format is a great success, and allows both die-hard theatre fans and tourists a taste in what current WE shows have to offer.
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Post by viserys on Apr 1, 2018 19:15:18 GMT
I would far more like something like the Broadway Flea Market here. I've been to the Flea Market twice and picked up some nice goodies there - but London is far more "my scene" than B'way and I'd probably try to go every year. I'm sure people would love to get their hands on signed stuff, memorabilia, etc. plus all the old playbills, unsold merchandise from closed shows and and and...
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2018 19:27:11 GMT
I’m thinking I have no idea what you’re talking about. Read the title.... YES. I READ IT! I’m old(er). Not stupid. Come on... |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2018 19:27:34 GMT
I would far more like something like the Broadway Flea Market here. I've been to the Flea Market twice and picked up some nice goodies there - but London is far more "my scene" than B'way and I'd probably try to go every year. I'm sure people would love to get their hands on signed stuff, memorabilia, etc. plus all the old playbills, unsold merchandise from closed shows and and and... I agree- I love the Flea Market and the things like Easter Bonnet concerts and the like BCEFA organises- it feel more “community” than the Con does. And having been to a few conventions for Sci Fi stuff back in the day I’ve no desire to see a similar thing filled with theatre fans *shudder* Also I really dislike the “pay a fortune for an awkward photograph” culture of conventions. Something of a flea market/bake off/concert events hybrid would get my money though |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2018 19:37:32 GMT
Isn't that called 'Hamilton'? I mean, those prices are a bit of a con.  |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2018 19:40:35 GMT
YES. I READ IT! I’m old(er). Not stupid. Come on... Go easy on caiaphas, Easter must be a tough time for him as he's constantly reminded what happened to Jesus... ;-) |
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Post by david on Apr 1, 2018 19:49:11 GMT
Overall, I think the Westend Live location in Trafalgar Square is ideal. It’s based in the theatre heartland so you can dip into the event in between shows if you didn’t want to stay just for that event. Also the fact that it’s free to see the best of the west end as well as upcoming shows. By moving it, I think you would lose some of its magic.
As Emicardiff posted, the cost of some of these conventions is getting stupid. I read online that to get Chris Eccelestone to sign stuff for you at a convention, you would have to part with £100+. Apparently, PC isn’t that much cheaper! Whereas in the WE you can stage door and have a signing, photo and chat with show cast for FREE!
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Post by bellboard27 on Apr 1, 2018 20:54:58 GMT
Think of the cosplay opportunities. Alexander Hamilton in kinky boots?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2018 21:07:15 GMT
I have only been to west end bake off and west end live once and personally much preferred the bake off as it was much more chilled fun in my opionion. At the bake off they did have a few stands selling merchandise both old and new and other theatre related goodies but it was more about the cake, I would love a version of flea market as I love buying usless tat fun collectables but I think that would more come from the bake off having a variety of stalls.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2018 22:35:24 GMT
YES. I READ IT! I’m old(er). Not stupid. Come on... Go easy on caiaphas, Easter must be a tough time for him as he's constantly reminded what happened to Jesus... ;-) Thanks, james. You’re right. It’s been one hell of a weekend what with one thing and another but everything’s alright at the time of writing... I’m good. With regard to Broadway Con, my mind is clearer now... |
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Post by latefortheoverture on Apr 2, 2018 11:05:11 GMT
I would far more like something like the Broadway Flea Market here. I've been to the Flea Market twice and picked up some nice goodies there - but London is far more "my scene" than B'way and I'd probably try to go every year. I'm sure people would love to get their hands on signed stuff, memorabilia, etc. plus all the old playbills, unsold merchandise from closed shows and and and... I would much prefer a 'flea-market' type of thing here; I really do think if organised well it could prove to be really successful! I don't think it would be like the broadway flea-market, that's insane, thousands of people! I feel as though Broadway 'fans' are a lot more 'fangirl' - just take the Broadway stage doors for example and the cheering at performances. It's hard to explain, and I'm aware I haven't explained it very well 🙈 but some of you may know what I mean! Anyways- I'd love to see a market of some sort with current shows selling and old memorabilia for sale! |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 2, 2018 11:38:31 GMT
West End Live would seem to be the perfect opportunity if they could find somewhere close by to put it.
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Post by 49thand8th on Apr 2, 2018 14:00:52 GMT
I would far more like something like the Broadway Flea Market here. I've been to the Flea Market twice and picked up some nice goodies there - but London is far more "my scene" than B'way and I'd probably try to go every year. I'm sure people would love to get their hands on signed stuff, memorabilia, etc. plus all the old playbills, unsold merchandise from closed shows and and and... I would much prefer a 'flea-market' type of thing here; I really do think if organised well it could prove to be really successful! I don't think it would be like the broadway flea-market, that's insane, thousands of people! I feel as though Broadway 'fans' are a lot more 'fangirl' - just take the Broadway stage doors for example and the cheering at performances. It's hard to explain, and I'm aware I haven't explained it very well 🙈 but some of you may know what I mean! Anyways- I'd love to see a market of some sort with current shows selling and old memorabilia for sale! The flea market definitely precedes the BroadwayCon fannish phenomenon. I'm surprised a West End flea market hasn't been a thing! There are certainly collectors of all stripes who'd show up to a market that doesn't charge admission and whose sales go to charity. Right? |
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Post by viserys on Apr 3, 2018 15:47:49 GMT
I really dislike the “pay a fortune for an awkward photograph” culture of conventions.
I think that is the crux. The British are very different towards how people make money from their talent, and the idea of paying for autographs would have a distinct "oh, come off it" response from a large majority. I know it goes on at Comicon etc in Docklands, but even there, there's usually a backlash in the press that few stars (I'd imagine) would want to deal with.
As for shopping opportunities, we used to have Dress Circle, which regularly had good foraging for stuff... and look where that went... I do agree on the "paying to pose for a photo/signature" culture though at least the Broadway Flea Market has the excuse that all proceeds go to charity (and you can, in theory, also go and get the photo/signature for free at the stage door, so it's a conscious decision to do it and do a good deed (unlike with Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Comic etc. conventions where you normally don't get any other chance to get close to the actors). As for shopping - well, the flea market is on a while different level there. One of my funniest finds was one of the original hoodies worn on stage at "Legally Blonde" on Broadway, where the "cheerleaders" turn their back to the audience and reveal the name "Elle Woods" in big red letters (I think there's a person on here who even uses that as their avatar) - I got one with the big sparkly E on the back (and was surprised I could fit into a hoodie worn by a Broadway performer!). I also got a playbill signed by the whole cast of American Idiot which is still a treasure on my wall here. And I love the "community feeling" of the flea market, with cast members and crew manning the tables of "their" show and always up for a little chat. "Rebecca" had a table at the last flea market I attended and I remember chatting to this guy who was so positive about the show opening soon, etc - well we know how that went. I kinda wish I had offered him a good sum for the "Rebecca on Broadway" T-Shirt off his back, that would definitely be a collectible now! |
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Post by TallPaul on Apr 3, 2018 15:59:52 GMT
I think there's a person on here who even uses that as their avatar Big shout-out for Elle. |
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Post by 49thand8th on Apr 3, 2018 16:00:02 GMT
I really dislike the “pay a fortune for an awkward photograph” culture of conventions.
I think that is the crux. The British are very different towards how people make money from their talent, and the idea of paying for autographs would have a distinct "oh, come off it" response from a large majority. I know it goes on at Comicon etc in Docklands, but even there, there's usually a backlash in the press that few stars (I'd imagine) would want to deal with.
As for shopping opportunities, we used to have Dress Circle, which regularly had good foraging for stuff... and look where that went... I've gone to all three BroadwayCons and I've never done the photo thing — mostly because I'm local and also because it's not my thing, but maybe a lot of this has to do with the different sizes of our countries. It doesn't take 5-6 hours for the furthest-away person in your country to get to London to see a West End show, provided they can afford the travel/ticket to the show. Many BroadwayCon attendees live several states away and make an entire weekend of it, seeing performers (on Broadway and at the con) that they would have to wait for or perhaps never see if they never did a tour/concert in their city. EDIT: 70% of attendees at the first BroadwayCon were from outside New York state: www.nytimes.com/2016/04/08/theater/broadwaycon-to-expand-to-javits-center-next-year.html |
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Post by 49thand8th on Apr 3, 2018 16:08:55 GMT
That is very interesting! Part of why the photo ops at cons don't appeal to me is that if I go see a show, I can go to the stage door if I want to endure that (depending on the crowd), so why should I pay at BroadwayCon? And a non-local doesn't have that option.
Some of BroadwayCon's revenue goes to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, but I'm not sure if they've ever disclosed the percentage.
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