19,778 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Oct 4, 2016 23:04:33 GMT
Which long running play currently in the west end do you think should be axed retired and the theatre released for something else? And what fantasy production would you replace it with?
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7,179 posts
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Post by Jon on Oct 5, 2016 2:10:53 GMT
The Mousetrap comes to mind but I imagine only the end of the world will end it, The Woman in Black, I would also close and replace it with a new play like The Humans
I would like to see Curious Incident move or close as the Gielgud is a great theatre and best suited for new shows and not a long runner. I'd replace it with Waitress
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2016 6:54:33 GMT
Maybe The Woman in Black, it relies heavily on school trips now but it's made its money back and is easy to run hence why they keep it open. That could be a theatre like the traf studios. Also maybe Curious Incident as I agree with Jon that it could be used as a great theatre for other shows
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2,859 posts
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Post by couldileaveyou on Oct 5, 2016 7:34:28 GMT
The Mousetrap will never close, but it really really should. All the people I know who went to see it came back horribly disappointed.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2016 7:42:50 GMT
Luckily plays generally have a shorter run, those two golden oldies generally fall into my 'I don't go but they aren't hurting me' category but that said killing off The Mousetrap wouldn't really hurt anyone. Likewise I think Curious has had it's day, particularly with extensive tours.
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1,102 posts
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Post by zak97 on Oct 5, 2016 7:52:29 GMT
I don't think we'll see the Women in Black or Mousetrap close - they are iconic to the West End. But quickly people would move on, I don't see why productions should have a metaphysical hold over the theatre. Curious, I agree, could go now. I don't think it makes as much money now as it has done in the past, so maybe the show will be gradually coming to an end. I can't really think of anything else, but I wonder how long it will have run when Harry Potter and the Cursed Child becomes part of this list.
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Post by Nelly on Oct 5, 2016 9:20:29 GMT
Pretty sure Women in Black is part of the English Lit GCSE syllabus, so that helps it too.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2016 9:28:24 GMT
I love The Woman in Black, it's a brilliant example of what theatre can be and what theatre can do. I must have been maybe half a dozen times and I'll still go back if the casting sings to me or the tour comes my way.
The Mousetrap either needs to set a date and close on a particular anniversary, or we just need to accept it as a permanent part of the theatrical landscape.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2016 12:18:29 GMT
I feel that many people could poodle along and enjoy Woman in Black every year or two, and the added school interest and that in fact even tourists with less English can enjoy it (probably need some English, but no need to be a native speaker) therefore I kind of am happy with it carrying on there. Most people who see The Mousetrap seem to have a very 'meh' reaction to it. So I say pick an anniversary and let it die a death.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2016 13:35:02 GMT
I find there to be something rather comforting about 'The Mousetrap' hanging around for so long. I don't think I'd like it if it disappeared.
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2,702 posts
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Post by viserys on Oct 5, 2016 14:58:12 GMT
They should heed the cautionary tale of The Fantasticks in New York. It ran at the Sullivan Street Playhouse in Greenwich Village for 42 years and became the longest-running musical in history (I think it still is).
It closed in January 2002 but was revived quickly in 2006 at the Snapple Theatre Center in Midtown in what was soon renamed The Jerry Orbach Theatre where it has been playing since. So obviously demand is still there, but I don't think the new run counts towards the old record-breaking run in Greenwich Village (where I was lucky enough to catch it and still think of it with fondness)
I'd rather see the Mousetrap continue its legendary run at the St. Martin's Theatre than to close, go on tours, come back and so on like other shows that just don't seem to go away. Plenty of other theatres I'd rather see free up!
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240 posts
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Post by Anniek on Oct 5, 2016 15:05:24 GMT
Never seen both Woman and Mousetrap, but want to do once. So I don't want them to close. Quite iconic and I can't really think of any other plays replacing them for a run that long term.
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Post by Jan on Oct 5, 2016 15:11:01 GMT
The topic of the school syllabus influencing what plays get staged (mentioned above) is an interesting one that gets no coverage at all, it is almost as if producers, in the subsidised sector at least, are ashamed to admit it happens. Why ? They're always moaning they want a younger audience and that's the way to do it. Just incidentally I think it's a good part of the reason the NT's An Inspector Calls is returning yet again to the West End.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2016 15:28:23 GMT
The topic of the school syllabus influencing what plays get staged (mentioned above) is an interesting one that gets no coverage at all, it is almost as if producers, in the subsidised sector at least, are ashamed to admit it happens. Why ? They're always moaning they want a younger audience and that's the way to do it. Just incidentally I think it's a good part of the reason the NT's An Inspector Calls is returning yet again to the West End. Must be part of the reason why "Our Country's Good" gets done pretty regularly too. |
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1,103 posts
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Post by mallardo on Oct 5, 2016 15:50:06 GMT
How about if The Woman in Black and The Mousetrap stick around but in new venues so I could finally see what the Fortune and St. Martin's Theatres look like inside.
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1,503 posts
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Post by foxa on Oct 5, 2016 16:31:34 GMT
I can tell you that the new GCSE Drama set texts for one of the main awarding bodies (examination boards to you and me) are: Blood Brothers, Noughts and Crosses, A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Crucible, Thirty-Nine Steps and Kneehigh's Hansel and Gretel. So interesting to see if there is an upsurge in productions of those.
That Blood Brothers was/is studied by so many schools certainly helped its lengthy run.
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1,102 posts
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Post by zak97 on Oct 5, 2016 18:21:03 GMT
I'll add 1984, I hope it doesn't come back for a 4th run
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2016 18:40:48 GMT
I'm all over Shakespere. People only put him on COZ ITS FREE.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2016 19:14:11 GMT
I saw Curious Incident earlier this year and thought it was excellent, but I agree I wouldn't be too upset if it closed or moved, especially as another tour is about to happen. Maybe if it moved to a smaller theatre like the Lyric (as I said in the musicals thread about Thriller Live) and allow the Gielgud for bigger-ish things. I'd be very surprised if it lasted as long as War Horse.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2016 19:48:37 GMT
I'm all over Shakespere. People only put him on COZ ITS FREE. Also 'cos he's quite good, if it were *just* because he's free there'd be more G&S, Marlowe, Jonson, Lyly, Webster, etc. |
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Post by Jan on Oct 6, 2016 5:50:59 GMT
I'm all over Shakespere. People only put him on COZ ITS FREE. Also 'cos he's quite good, if it were *just* because he's free there'd be more G&S, Marlowe, Jonson, Lyly, Webster, etc. The choice of what Shakespeare to put on is skewed by the school syllabus though, there have been four productions of Midsummer Nights Dream that I can think of this year (I saw three) and I see the Young Vic are doing it next year too. |
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1,103 posts
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Post by mallardo on Oct 6, 2016 7:42:23 GMT
Still, there is just too much Shakespeare in this country. When a writer is virtually ubiquitous he becomes routine and, eventually, a bore. Not saying that stage has been reached but, despite all the provocative productions designed to give a semblance of novelty to these warhorses, it's approaching.
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423 posts
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Post by schuttep on Oct 6, 2016 10:48:33 GMT
The Mousetrap comes to mind but I imagine only the end of the world will end it, The Woman in Black, I would also close and replace it with a new play like The Humans I would like to see Curious Incident move or close as the Gielgud is a great theatre and best suited for new shows and not a long runner. I'd replace it with Waitress For one shocking minute I thought I'd read you'd replace Curious with a Waitrose! I agree with Woman in Black. OK to see once but it's really not scary. The one scary moment is due to the shriek they employ. And I love Shakespeare but where's the Shakespeare long-runner? |
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923 posts
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Post by Snciole on Oct 6, 2016 13:49:18 GMT
I share my birthday with The Mousetrap so strangely fond of it as a piece of trivia!
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923 posts
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Post by Snciole on Oct 7, 2016 8:02:59 GMT
I share my birthday with The Mousetrap Blimey, Snciole, you look amazing for your age, I'll have 10 kilos of whatever you are using, please! Ha! I've exchanged my soul for theatre tickets. |
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