3,058 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by Dr Tom on Feb 7, 2023 17:41:20 GMT
Wow, very good choices all around. Almost a complete cast change. Just one persons staying one and one returning if I've counted right.
Ellis Kirk was excellent as the lead for Dark Lord last week and I can certainly see him as JD. It was such an odd situation with two O'Keefe and Murphy musicals playing in different theatres in the same building at the same time (and so great to be in the same room as O'Keefe and Murphy).
Miracle Chance is brilliant as well.
Funnily enough, I thought Dark Lord was more in the style of Be More Chill than Heathers!
Will be a shame to see so many people leave the show (until they get emergency cover duties), but with the largely fresh tour cast and The Other Palace cast, it shows there's a lot of life left in this show yet.
Edit: In fact quite a few of the new cast were in Dark Lord, funny that! And very glad that Kaine Ruddock is getting this opportunity.
|
|
|
Post by darreno on Feb 7, 2023 21:54:28 GMT
Oh wow, VERY excited for the new cast. Miracle Chance was outstanding in Be More Chill and BEYOND excited to see Megan Hill again! She was electric in Cheerleader and really hoping I get to see her cover a big role in Heathers. Saw this a dozen times last year and now I'm reinvigorated to start that journey again.
|
|
6,309 posts
|
Post by danb on Feb 7, 2023 22:09:48 GMT
It obviously has to run very cheaply to be a worthwhile enterprise. Comparatively small room, not insubstantial band & cast. They have probably had to be FIFO with a team that have believed the echo chamber of twitter. (Fit in or F off).
|
|
|
Post by Matt on Feb 7, 2023 23:01:40 GMT
I despise this show, but miracle and Katie Pearson are making me want to see it again now for them alone.
|
|
|
Post by margoc on Feb 8, 2023 11:53:38 GMT
Nice to see a complete cast change,quite refreshing
|
|
|
Post by timothyd on Feb 9, 2023 11:17:27 GMT
I'm curious to see this musical when we're in London next month. I was wondering if some people here who've seen the musical can elaborate a bit on the trigger warnings? Especially ''sexual violence and references to eating disorders.''
I don't mind being spoiled so I can be prepared for the moments these things are being talked about / occur.
|
|
6,309 posts
|
Post by danb on Feb 9, 2023 12:49:18 GMT
I'm curious to see this musical when we're in London next month. I was wondering if some people here who've seen the musical can elaborate a bit on the trigger warnings? Especially ''sexual violence and references to eating disorders.'' I don't mind being spoiled so I can be prepared for the moments these things are being talked about / occur. Attempted date rape (in a comic song) and bulimic vomiting being glibly dismissed. My wife is quite straight laced and I thought she’d hate it but thoroughly enjoyed it so I don’t know if that helps?
|
|
|
Post by timothyd on Feb 9, 2023 16:02:42 GMT
Yes, thanks so much for elaborating. Can't really stand graphic scenes so was a bit wary to book. I think I will book now.
|
|
|
Post by darreno on Feb 9, 2023 16:40:27 GMT
I'm curious to see this musical when we're in London next month. I was wondering if some people here who've seen the musical can elaborate a bit on the trigger warnings? Especially ''sexual violence and references to eating disorders.'' I don't mind being spoiled so I can be prepared for the moments these things are being talked about / occur. Nothing sexually graphic, the 'date rape' scene is played for comedic effect (I know that sounds odd but you'll see!) Eating disorders is just the usual High School 'bitchy' comments, and a little more for comedic effect again. I'd say the only trigger that is 'worth' being prepared for is if you have any particular sensitivity to suicide mentions/depictions. I would say BOOK, BOOK, BOOK it! I go every month and absolutely love it, as has anyone I have brought (dragged!) along with me. Enjoy!
|
|
232 posts
|
Post by lolalou on Feb 9, 2023 21:56:33 GMT
Apparently the whole band has been fired and the cast’s contracts aren’t being renewed because they want a fresh look don’t know how true it is I'd be surprised by this because when I saw this cast (admittedly a few months ago) they were all strong. If they want to finally cast diversely I would understand and support, but judging by the state of the tour cast I sincerely doubt this is the reason. It’s true unfortunately What is going on??? http://instagram.com/p/Coa8NgbqaRK
|
|
|
Post by Seriously on Feb 9, 2023 23:09:45 GMT
Someone's worried that the new Equity 17% pay rise will go through, and wants to save money elsewhere. New contracts that state no pay rise.
|
|
6,309 posts
|
Post by danb on Feb 10, 2023 7:18:32 GMT
They should just be putting the ticket price up to pay for it, but I guess the pressure to constantly discount has hit them hard. I think our expectations need to change. We have a new generation of theatregoers who think that theatre prices should change to accommodate them rather than acknowledge the changing financial landscape.
|
|
|
Post by timothyd on Feb 10, 2023 7:54:51 GMT
Thanks Darreno and DanB for the advice yesterday. Booked tickets yesterday and we're looking forward to see the show.
Although that situation with the band is quite disappointing to say the least. Not fair.
|
|
232 posts
|
Post by lolalou on Feb 10, 2023 14:41:12 GMT
Yes it seems that the band come bottom of the pile in musicals (see Phantom) and it seems this one is going the same way.
Long live LIVE music.
|
|
1,077 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by theatrefan62 on Feb 10, 2023 15:32:43 GMT
I do wonder if a time will come when even actors could be replaced. Looking at things like ABBA Voyage and the hologram tours, it's expensive tech now, but tech gets cheaper eventually.
|
|
577 posts
|
Post by christya on Feb 10, 2023 15:41:26 GMT
It does sound suspiciously like someone started a conversation with "Hey, so the audience can't see the band anyway..."
|
|
|
Post by SuttonPeron on Feb 10, 2023 16:53:44 GMT
So are they just going to use canned music from now on? Not that there´s a ton of prerecorded stuff there anyways...
|
|
3,058 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by Dr Tom on Feb 10, 2023 19:43:38 GMT
What I do find interesting is last time they replaced the cast, they made a big deal out of it and held a fan appreciation day. This time, it was done very quietly.
I do think that Heathers is one of those shows that could extend its shelf life a lot by changing the cast every few months and perhaps also provide a starting point for work for fresh graduates.
The salary cost versus ticket pricing is always a difficult consideration. I presume they've set pricing and discounting to the level where this is profitable to run, but Heathers is past the premium pricing date. Plus, this is aimed at a generally young audience without much of a disposal income. So the question becomes, close it and either have a dark theatre or an untested show, or continue running and try and make the costs work. At the same time, I hate the idea of people working for less than they're worth (not that that doesn't happen across a variety of careers).
I'm almost surprised that they haven't worked on the actor-musician version of Heathers yet (he jokes).
I am sorry for anyone unexpectedly out of work and I hope other opportunities appear for them soon.
|
|
|
Post by c4ndyc4ne on Feb 10, 2023 19:52:28 GMT
i don't get the band's complaints here. they signed a deal saying they were happy to be contracted to a certain date. at that date they were no longer contracted and that's that. why did they assume they'd be kept on?
It might not be 'nice' but it's in no way illegal?
|
|
6,309 posts
|
Post by danb on Feb 10, 2023 22:07:15 GMT
So its just a contract expiry, not ‘the whole band being sacked’? They are two different things. Presumably they can reapply for their old job on less favourable terms if they want to?
|
|
|
Post by stagebyte on Feb 10, 2023 22:17:56 GMT
So its just a contract expiry, not ‘the whole band being sacked’? They are two different things. Presumably they can reapply for their old job on less favourable terms if they want to? Who of us would want to do that? It’s Hobson’s Choice isn’t it? - Hey your contract expires in a couple of weeks. Sign up here if you want to continue Oh just a little thing we’ve reduced the wages by £200 per week for the next six months. Ok? - They currently haven’t got a musical director at the moment. So be interesting to see what happens from 21 Feb. Knowing this production company they’ll probAbly crank up the karaoke machine.
|
|
357 posts
|
Post by JJShaw on Feb 10, 2023 22:29:36 GMT
What I do find interesting is last time they replaced the cast, they made a big deal out of it and held a fan appreciation day. This time, it was done very quietly. I do think that Heathers is one of those shows that could extend its shelf life a lot by changing the cast every few months and perhaps also provide a starting point for work for fresh graduates. The salary cost versus ticket pricing is always a difficult consideration. I presume they've set pricing and discounting to the level where this is profitable to run, but Heathers is past the premium pricing date. Plus, this is aimed at a generally young audience without much of a disposal income. So the question becomes, close it and either have a dark theatre or an untested show, or continue running and try and make the costs work. At the same time, I hate the idea of people working for less than they're worth (not that that doesn't happen across a variety of careers). I'm almost surprised that they haven't worked on the actor-musician version of Heathers yet (he jokes). I am sorry for anyone unexpectedly out of work and I hope other opportunities appear for them soon. Loads of really good points here! I think the big sticking point for this show in particular is if, say it had found a home at another off west end venue or smaller home like the Arts Theatre, people wouldn't be too irked. However The Other Palace had always been talked about as being a place to champion and give a change to new shows and give them a nice sizeable space to have a start. Its philosophy even mentioned new British musicals specifically. Heather is nether new nor British (it may be new to the UK but it was a tried and tested show over in the US before so it is not new). It's also another strike against PTM who is not really gaining a great public profile within the theatre community, and while it may be that the band are just at the end of their contract, if no-one is being kept, and no one has been offered to stay on at the lower rate if that is the case, then that looks bad as well. If the producer can't even give first refusal of the job to the people that already have it, that is disgusting. Remove the reason for paying the new band less, for better or worse it happening, but it shows such a lack of respect to not even offer and say 'I know the new contract would be for less money, but it is up to you if you would like to stay on, sorry we are not going to be able to pay you as much as previously but the contract is up for renewal'. It really isn't hard to give respect to your employees. Obviously we don't know all the private goings on, but surely people wouldn't be upset if their producer and employer was honest with them first?
|
|
|
Post by stagebyte on Feb 10, 2023 23:40:59 GMT
What I do find interesting is last time they replaced the cast, they made a big deal out of it and held a fan appreciation day. This time, it was done very quietly. I do think that Heathers is one of those shows that could extend its shelf life a lot by changing the cast every few months and perhaps also provide a starting point for work for fresh graduates. The salary cost versus ticket pricing is always a difficult consideration. I presume they've set pricing and discounting to the level where this is profitable to run, but Heathers is past the premium pricing date. Plus, this is aimed at a generally young audience without much of a disposal income. So the question becomes, close it and either have a dark theatre or an untested show, or continue running and try and make the costs work. At the same time, I hate the idea of people working for less than they're worth (not that that doesn't happen across a variety of careers). I'm almost surprised that they haven't worked on the actor-musician version of Heathers yet (he jokes). I am sorry for anyone unexpectedly out of work and I hope other opportunities appear for them soon. Loads of really good points here! I think the big sticking point for this show in particular is if, say it had found a home at another off west end venue or smaller home like the Arts Theatre, people wouldn't be too irked. However The Other Palace had always been talked about as being a place to champion and give a change to new shows and give them a nice sizeable space to have a start. Its philosophy even mentioned new British musicals specifically. Heather is nether new nor British (it may be new to the UK but it was a tried and tested show over in the US before so it is not new). It's also another strike against PTM who is not really gaining a great public profile within the theatre community, and while it may be that the band are just at the end of their contract, if no-one is being kept, and no one has been offered to stay on at the lower rate if that is the case, then that looks bad as well. If the producer can't even give first refusal of the job to the people that already have it, that is disgusting. Remove the reason for paying the new band less, for better or worse it happening, but it shows such a lack of respect to not even offer and say 'I know the new contract would be for less money, but it is up to you if you would like to stay on, sorry we are not going to be able to pay you as much as previously but the contract is up for renewal'. It really isn't hard to give respect to your employees. Obviously we don't know all the private goings on, but surely people wouldn't be upset if their producer and employer was honest with them first? I think the band are upset at the complete lack of communication and respect. Unfortunately, a bit like acting, there will always be someone desperate /ambitious enough to take on the job at a rate lower than is acceptable and so the cycle of poor pay conditions continue. I do find it interesting though that no one seems to have took up the cudgels for the musicians whereas if this was actors there would be a furore. Another example of how musicians are not respected in the industry.
|
|
6,309 posts
|
Post by danb on Feb 11, 2023 6:11:54 GMT
So its just a contract expiry, not ‘the whole band being sacked’? They are two different things. Presumably they can reapply for their old job on less favourable terms if they want to? Who of us would want to do that? It’s Hobson’s Choice isn’t it? - Hey your contract expires in a couple of weeks. Sign up here if you want to continue Oh just a little thing we’ve reduced the wages by £200 per week for the next six months. Ok? - They currently haven’t got a musical director at the moment. So be interesting to see what happens from 21 Feb. Knowing this production company they’ll probAbly crank up the karaoke machine. Nobody would want that; but it just isn’t ‘sacking the band’. It’s putting the band in an untenable and disgusting position. It’s Victorian workhouse vs ‘exciting progressive creative hub’.
|
|
3,058 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by Dr Tom on Feb 12, 2023 15:43:41 GMT
This is largely sold out now until cast change. I did manage to get a rush ticket to yesterday's matinee and consider myself lucky. Everyone was on fine form and there was so much more energy in the crowd than the last time I saw Heathers.
I was particularly fortunate to see George Renshaw as JD, who was easily the best person to perform in the role since Ben left. A nice voice, consistent accent and he played an angry and aggressive JD.
Tobias Turley is still away. I hope he gets to return before cast change. In his place, we hit the jackpot with Tom Scanlon as Kurt, who looked like he'd never been away from the show (and had spent even more time in the gym). What is even more impressive is he used to play Ram, not Kurt! Well done, Tom.
Some of the fans did attempt to start mid-show standing ovations, but it's still a little early. With that said, Erin sounded as good as I've ever heard her being. I'm sure cast change next Sunday will be electric.
|
|
|
Post by stagebyte on Feb 12, 2023 17:59:52 GMT
I'm sure cast change next Sunday will be electric. Let’s hope there’s some musicians there to put the music in musical.
|
|
|
Post by Seriously on Feb 12, 2023 22:05:31 GMT
There will be musicians, as they've appointed an MD. It just won't be the musicians who appeared on the filmed version in cinemas. The ones who saved the day so many times doing extra rehearsals to put in last minute cast replacements. The ones who, like every other department, were expecting their contracts to be renewed as is the norm in the west end, but now won't be because the producers need the money for the proposed Equity pay rise. And I'm sure it'll sound fine with a new band who have had less than a week to learn the show.
But I'm sure with the money he's saving he'll lower ticket prices soon.
After all, he's not paying any rent on the theatre!
|
|
292 posts
|
Post by properjob on Feb 13, 2023 18:52:35 GMT
I'm lead to believe that West End pits regularly feature "deps" who fill in with very little if any rehearsal I week will be more than enough to learn the show.
Also rent will be being paid to the theatre. The theatre may be owned by the same group but the theatre still has costs.
Where is the musicans union in all this who should be looking after their members.
|
|
|
Post by Seriously on Feb 13, 2023 23:22:35 GMT
I'm lead to believe that West End pits regularly feature "deps" who fill in with very little if any rehearsal I week will be more than enough to learn the show. Also rent will be being paid to the theatre. The theatre may be owned by the same group but the theatre still has costs. Where is the musicans union in all this who should be looking after their members. West End deps sit in to watch the musician, then take the pad away with a recording. They normally spend about 2 weeks learning the show, then sit in again to check they've not missed anything. From that point on they can be called upon.
|
|
63 posts
|
Post by jj9692 on Feb 17, 2023 23:58:27 GMT
Dvd and Bluray of the proshot is available to preorder on Amazon. Released 5th June
|
|