5 posts
|
Post by secretmuso on Dec 21, 2022 23:48:20 GMT
Also, I feel like the less talked-about story is that the standby only does about 50% of the cover performances. Hi all long-time lurker, first time poster! I don’t know exactly what’s happening at Wicked but just some general thoughts on arranging cover for shows: If a team has decided that a role requires a standby then you need a standby for every show regardless of who’s playing the role. So it’s likely that if the principal calls in before a certain time of day then the first cover will have priority to perform over the standby who will still be ‘standing by’ in the building in case anything goes wrong with the first cover at the last minute. If the standby was to go on with advance notice then they’d still need to have another person cover the standby track. This is why the standby is more likely to do shows when the principal is on holiday (as an alternate standby can be arranged in advance). But in most cases it’s probably easier to put the first cover on and have one of the swings cover their ensemble track than to call someone who’s not currently contracted to work on the show to be an emergency standby, or to take one of the ensemble off stage to be on standby instead. That being said, if someone was contracted as “standby AND first cover” then there would be different covering system in place to account for that. However judging from how regularly the first cover has been on, it seems like this year Wicked has opted to separate those responsibilities 🤷🏾♀️ This isn’t quite right. If the role has a standby then whenever the principle is off, the standby will always be first call to play the part. That is their job. The other covers will have other tracks so to keep the standby in a room and put a cover on which has a knock on affect to the show, makes no sense and therefore doesn’t happen. Just thought I’d clear that up. 👍🏻
|
|
34 posts
|
Post by hamiltonstradition on Dec 26, 2022 13:04:05 GMT
Also, I feel like the less talked-about story is that the standby only does about 50% of the cover performances. Hi all long-time lurker, first time poster! I don’t know exactly what’s happening at Wicked but just some general thoughts on arranging cover for shows: If a team has decided that a role requires a standby then you need a standby for every show regardless of who’s playing the role. So it’s likely that if the principal calls in before a certain time of day then the first cover will have priority to perform over the standby who will still be ‘standing by’ in the building in case anything goes wrong with the first cover at the last minute. If the standby was to go on with advance notice then they’d still need to have another person cover the standby track. This is why the standby is more likely to do shows when the principal is on holiday (as an alternate standby can be arranged in advance). But in most cases it’s probably easier to put the first cover on and have one of the swings cover their ensemble track than to call someone who’s not currently contracted to work on the show to be an emergency standby, or to take one of the ensemble off stage to be on standby instead. That being said, if someone was contracted as “standby AND first cover” then there would be different covering system in place to account for that. However judging from how regularly the first cover has been on, it seems like this year Wicked has opted to separate those responsibilities 🤷🏾♀️ Unless there are multiple standbys covering the same role, they standby gets first priority over any ensemble understudy when it comes to being put on. They also do not NEED someone to return and standby, but many times we will see former Wicked cast members pop-by when it is down to the 2nd covers (Who in reality are 3rd in line, s/b -> 1st cover -> 2nd cover). Unlike in the UK, the American Wicked seems to almost always hire a standby that had previously done a full-time contract and as a result the current Elphaba understudy has only gone on 7-8 times in her 4 years of being in the show! If your theory was fact, we would see shows like SIX calling in between 1-6 former cast members every single performance when one of their alternate/standby/swings are on to sit backstage.
|
|
482 posts
|
Post by deej4life on Dec 26, 2022 18:32:49 GMT
The standby Elphaba is always the first person to go on should the lead be unable to perform. This includes last minute "witch switches" due to illness/injury. Only when the standby is indisposed will an understudy go on instead.
Some exceptions exist, such as when the understudy has a scheduled performance, but these are rare.
I can't vouch for other shows, but this is how it works at Wicked.
|
|
|
Post by garjobo on Dec 26, 2022 22:31:06 GMT
So, what is the theatre like? stalls is there a slight raise ( like BTTF - no raise at all really and would put me off purchasing stalls there again ). Is Wicked a show, like Newsies, which basically demands being viewed near the front? That goes out to those who have experienced different seatings. I really dont think i could tolarate the theatre &Juliet - not just the show but the crampt seating - awful. &Juliet, for those that like that sort of upto the minute Z-generaion guff , is more a standing show, toe tapping along, not sitting not able to breathe.
So, Wicked, grand circle, seats ok? much better stalls ( a good raise? )
|
|
|
Post by jaybird89 on Dec 26, 2022 23:19:39 GMT
I Personally like watching wicked at the front and find the front row day seats you can get online really good value I tend to find the sound is pretty decent for me there as well although it can be nice to see the show from the circle for the overall view.
I'd avoid sitting too far to the side in the stalls as some Of your view does get blocked but I think the stalls is raked enough that if your not right at the front you still get a decent view but I've only seen it from the first front 4 rows the last few times I've been so it's been a while since I've sat any further back.
|
|
|
Post by fiyerorocher on Dec 26, 2022 23:55:48 GMT
I think, like I do with Newsies, this is a show that you easily enjoy from further back. It's got a notion of spectacle about it and the theatre is incorporated into the staging with the dragon and the green lighting, so it's often nice to sit further back and take everything in. Plus you don't have to crane your neck when Elphaba flies..!
|
|
482 posts
|
Post by deej4life on Dec 27, 2022 19:31:57 GMT
Amy Webb is on as Elphaba for both shows today (27th December, 2022).
|
|
18,845 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Dec 27, 2022 19:34:57 GMT
Amy Webb is on as Elphaba for both shows today (27th December, 2022). Is Lucie still in this show?
|
|
482 posts
|
Post by deej4life on Dec 27, 2022 23:09:06 GMT
Amy Webb is on as Elphaba for both shows today (27th December, 2022). Is Lucie still in this show? I believe Lucie was scheduled off for the matinee, but seems to have called out sick for the evening. She sounded ill last week, so it's not surprising that she is off again!
|
|
4,361 posts
|
Post by shady23 on Dec 28, 2022 10:25:38 GMT
It's that time of year. All the viruses are going around right now.
|
|
|
Post by cezbear on Dec 28, 2022 10:48:56 GMT
It's always that time of year at Wicked.
|
|
482 posts
|
Post by deej4life on Dec 28, 2022 16:39:51 GMT
Amy Webb is on as Elphaba at the matinee today (28th December, 2022). TBC who will perform the evening show!
|
|
129 posts
|
Post by sb on Dec 28, 2022 18:24:32 GMT
Laura Harrison will be playing Elphaba tonight.
It seems Amy Webb often calls out after a matinee of a 2 show day. Anyone else noticed this trend (amongst others!)
|
|
482 posts
|
Post by deej4life on Dec 28, 2022 18:37:47 GMT
Just to point out, Wicked London had a two show day both yesterday and today. Unless unavoidable, Wicked tend to not have the Elphaba/Glinda perform both two show days back to back.
In this case, I believe that might explain why Laura is on this evening instead of Amy Webb!
|
|
4,361 posts
|
Post by shady23 on Dec 28, 2022 21:20:17 GMT
Helen was scheduled off tonight, Lucie yesterday matinee according to the official site. It's always that time of year at Wicked. The opening pages of this thread have similar discussions about Emma Hatton's attendance. It is not unusual for Elphaba's to miss shows.
|
|
|
Post by cezbear on Dec 28, 2022 22:03:40 GMT
I don't recall Emma's attendance but I would dispute that Lucie's poor attendance is not unusual. The stats posted on the previous page showing her % of shows were not great. Just because another actress has also frequently missed shows doesn't make it the norm I have nothing against Lucie, I was rooting for her when she was cast and really enjoyed her when I saw her. I wish she were more consistent with her attendance, so more people could also see her.
|
|
|
Post by westendwhistledown on Dec 28, 2022 23:06:32 GMT
At this point, it’s Laura’s world and we’re all just living in it 😏
|
|
482 posts
|
Post by deej4life on Dec 29, 2022 18:37:59 GMT
Amy Webb is on as Elphaba tonight (29th December, 2022).
|
|
100 posts
|
Post by filendile on Dec 29, 2022 18:57:13 GMT
Do cast members have to call in sick and give a reason every time? That must be awkward 3 times a week after a certain point.
|
|
18,845 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Dec 29, 2022 19:04:40 GMT
It’s ridiculous. There’s clearly some sort of arrangement in place whereby she only does certain shows for whatever reason (my theory being that she can’t sing it for a full week) but of course the paying customers aren’t allowed to know that. It’s incredibly disrespectful to the paying audience but this is being normalised by situs like Jessie Buckley in Cabaret and Taron Egerton in Cock where you’re expected to pay the money and shut your gob.
|
|
482 posts
|
Post by deej4life on Dec 29, 2022 19:19:15 GMT
I think there is absolutely no issue with a performer acknowledging that they can't perform the role 8 shows per week. I have been a massive advocate for Elphaba to have an alternate for a long time now.
However, if this is the case I think there should be an official alternate named, as well as a consistent schedule for them to stick to (outside of illness/injury of course). That way theatregoers can make informed decisions, and the people covering the role get the credit they deserve. At this rate Laura Harrison deserves a plaque on the wall!
|
|
18,845 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Dec 29, 2022 20:00:28 GMT
I think the randomness of it is disgraceful. It’s like they’re deliberately keeping which lead is going to be on at each performance as a gamble for customers. And this is despite all of that cast announcement hoorahhh “oooh look we’ve got Lucie Jones” on social media.
Just for the benefit of T-Board members wanting to see Lucie in Wicked, is there a performance in the working week that she is pretty much guaranteed to show up for? Friday and Saturday nights when it’s busy and expensive perhaps?
|
|
482 posts
|
Post by deej4life on Dec 29, 2022 21:53:14 GMT
At the moment it does appear to be very random when Lucie will be on. Based on posts from WestEndUnderstudies, it appears she rarely misses the Sunday matinee! I'm planning to fly over before Lucie leaves so I'm hedging my bets on a Sunday show!
|
|
129 posts
|
Post by sb on Dec 29, 2022 23:05:18 GMT
It made me laugh a couple of weeks back when Lucie posted a video on Instagram of her dancing around her dressing room before a Sunday matinee with the caption ‘last show of the week’ … I seem to recall she performed around 4 shows that week 🤣
|
|
|
Post by westendwhistledown on Dec 29, 2022 23:10:31 GMT
It’s ridiculous. There’s clearly some sort of arrangement in place whereby she only does certain shows for whatever reason (my theory being that she can’t sing it for a full week) but of course the paying customers aren’t allowed to know that. It’s incredibly disrespectful to the paying audience but this is being normalised by situs like Jessie Buckley in Cabaret and Taron Egerton in Cock where you’re expected to pay the money and shut your gob. Untrue. Wicked doesn’t have alternates. Lucie constantly calls in and Amy and Laura have to pick up the pieces.
|
|
4,476 posts
|
Post by Being Alive on Dec 29, 2022 23:44:48 GMT
It’s ridiculous. There’s clearly some sort of arrangement in place whereby she only does certain shows for whatever reason (my theory being that she can’t sing it for a full week) but of course the paying customers aren’t allowed to know that. It’s incredibly disrespectful to the paying audience but this is being normalised by situs like Jessie Buckley in Cabaret and Taron Egerton in Cock where you’re expected to pay the money and shut your gob. Is her name above the title? No. Is it being sold as 'Lucie Jones in Wicked'? No. Therefore, more than ever, 'The Producers cannot guarantee the appearance of any particular artist, which is always subject to illness, injury and statutory holiday entitlement.' I loathe to start this discussion with you again, and even though I don't agree with your view points on Buckley and Egerton, it's even less valid here because the show isn't being sold on her name in any way.
|
|
100 posts
|
Post by filendile on Dec 30, 2022 0:07:26 GMT
It’s ridiculous. There’s clearly some sort of arrangement in place whereby she only does certain shows for whatever reason (my theory being that she can’t sing it for a full week) but of course the paying customers aren’t allowed to know that. It’s incredibly disrespectful to the paying audience but this is being normalised by situs like Jessie Buckley in Cabaret and Taron Egerton in Cock where you’re expected to pay the money and shut your gob. Is her name above the title? No. Is it being sold as 'Lucie Jones in Wicked'? No. Therefore, more than ever, 'The Producers cannot guarantee the appearance of any particular artist, which is always subject to illness, injury and statutory holiday entitlement.' I loathe to start this discussion with you again, and even though I don't agree with your view points on Buckley and Egerton, it's even less valid here because the show isn't being sold on her name in any way. I see your point, but stamina is not mentioned there. She is not injured, ill or on holiday for 3 days most weeks since February, she's at home resting her voice. If Phantom and Evita can create an alternate schedule and stick a note in the programme/website for the few who care, then so can Wicked.
|
|
|
Post by flyingsolo on Dec 31, 2022 1:59:50 GMT
It’s ridiculous. There’s clearly some sort of arrangement in place whereby she only does certain shows for whatever reason (my theory being that she can’t sing it for a full week) but of course the paying customers aren’t allowed to know that. It’s incredibly disrespectful to the paying audience but this is being normalised by situs like Jessie Buckley in Cabaret and Taron Egerton in Cock where you’re expected to pay the money and shut your gob. I believe this might actually be the case. Back in May I saw the show twice back to back (Friday Eve and Saturday Mat) and Amy was on on Friday. I was front row and as I was going again the next day I asked the conductor if he knew if Lucie might be on tomorrow and he replied with "Yes for now Lucie is expected to be back tomorrow", and she was! So, might be the case.
|
|
229 posts
|
Post by wicked on Dec 31, 2022 18:26:06 GMT
We were at the show last night and saw Lucie, who was wonderful.
Special shout out to Carina Gillespie (who I saw as Nessa on the tour maybe 8 years ago!) who pulled out the best act 2 Nessa I've ever seen last night, she was terrifying!
|
|
482 posts
|
Post by deej4life on Jan 1, 2023 15:10:05 GMT
Amy Webb is on as Elphaba today (1st January, 2023).
|
|