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Post by rachpywell on Mar 13, 2019 1:02:34 GMT
For me, repeat viewings are hard (grew up in Australia), but spending a year in London 2008 and then moving back in 2017 helps!
My top viewing is Wicked (14, I think) in Sydney, Melbourne and London. Probably second is Avenue Q, because I saw it twice in London and then it came to Canberra on tour (and barely anything does), which is think is 7?
Since moving to London in 2017, only things I've seen multiples of are Wicked, Heathers and Young Frankenstein (2 each). Wanted to get to Company again here or it closes by I'm currently out of the country so that's hard...
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Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2019 8:28:03 GMT
If you look again at the first page you'll see that I stated that I have seen The 39 Steps 8 times. I didn't give a break-down of my Mischief viewing by show but given I said that my total was 169 I would think it'd be apparent that I've seen each play many times
I’m sorry that you feel so ignored by my post. It wasn’t deliberate. I have a bit of a blind spot about Mischief plays. Is it all the ‘play that goes wrong’ or the ‘comedy about a (insert scenario)’ stuff? In case any Shakespeareans feel slighted, I don’t think we’d count 17 different versions of Lear as the same play, right? i do think it's fair to keep in mind not everyone has the same level of knowledge of our individual obsessions- be they opera, Punchdrunk or Mischief theatre (Of the three I'd struggle with naming many for two of those three). But I'm inclined to agree- less so with long runners and revisiting tours, say seeing Phantom once a year over it's entire run, is a nice dip in and out, and a way to clock up to double figures. And that 'return' starts to feel like revisiting an old friend, as well as 'seeing what's changed' then rather than it being quite so repetitive. (exception made for the immersive stuff that is impossible to 'see it all' in) But anything in a shorter run/closer together and I confess I do start to get a little bored once we edge towards double figures, personally,y I can't think of anything I could see in triple figures either. Before anyone bites my head off- 100% each to their own and you all crack on, just adding my own preferences/thoughts in the spirit of discussion and all that jazz... |
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Post by Dawnstar on Mar 13, 2019 8:31:04 GMT
I’m sorry that you feel so ignored by my post. It wasn’t deliberate. I have a bit of a blind spot about Mischief plays. Is it all the ‘play that goes wrong’ or the ‘comedy about a (insert scenario)’ stuff? In case any Shakespeareans feel slighted, I don’t think we’d count 17 different versions of Lear as the same play, right? I just thought that you might be interested as you were specifically asking about repeat-viewing of plays, but you're evidently not. I'd count it as the same play, just different productions. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2019 8:56:22 GMT
I’m sorry that you feel so ignored by my post. It wasn’t deliberate. I have a bit of a blind spot about Mischief plays. Is it all the ‘play that goes wrong’ or the ‘comedy about a (insert scenario)’ stuff? In case any Shakespeareans feel slighted, I don’t think we’d count 17 different versions of Lear as the same play, right? I just thought that you might be interested as you were specifically asking about repeat-viewing of plays, but you're evidently not. I'd count it as the same play, just different productions. No, I am very interested in repeat views of plays, I just didn’t remember your post. Let’s not fall into the trap of mistaking opinion for evidence. |
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Post by Stasia on Mar 13, 2019 9:11:44 GMT
Surely if it you see the same things over and over, it gets a bit repetitive? if you make love with someone multiple times it becomes repetitive (even one time can be a rather repetitive thing). but people still like to have a long-term partner and find smth new in the "same thing to do"  Just as with orgasms, having one (or a few) yesterday doesn't mean you won't have another one today. And even if it is caused by the same "repetitive" things happening with the same person/persons, it still feels great! |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2019 9:24:51 GMT
Jon There’s often comfort in repetition. Or at least, some people find comfort in repetition. I have ADHD and I find that watching the same small number of TV shows to be a really great calming/comforting/winding down mechanism. The shame is that I didn’t know that this was why I know entire episodes of 30 Rock by heart and I just thought I was weird for a very long time. Reading the thread on here about theatre collecting, and this one about repeat views, there seems to be some anecdata that there’s some sort of link between neurodiversity and the two.
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Post by Stasia on Mar 13, 2019 9:28:35 GMT
My most-seen show in English is Once, which I've seen 34 times in London West End, off West End and in Dublin over 2013-2018. Next ones on the imaginary list are In The Heights and Kinky Boots, both in 20-smths. Also, not even sorry, but I've already seen Hamilton 13 times and have tickets number 14 and 15 booked. There were also a couple of shows in Moscow which I've seen more times, but I decided I'm not giving away any numbers bigger than my age I was significantly younger, had comps and a company of friends both in the cast and among the fellow theatregoers so we were always going for drinks after or spent weekends on my dacha. But I wouldn't be able to do as many repeat visits nowadays as I did back then. As my theatregoing in London is usually limited to 4-5 weekly visits per year, I am usually doing 2-3 repeat visits to my fave show in one visit. As much as I may like one of them and miss it, I don't want to see it every day. Especially as all of them are/were very tear-jerking... (I did 3 Hamiltons in my first week of Hamilton in my life and it was too much for me. Using my orgasm analogy (sorrynotsorry), you need a couple of days after some of these! |
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Post by MrsCondomine on Mar 13, 2019 9:28:40 GMT
I rarely do repeats (if I go to see something a second time it usually means I'm utterly besotted with either a performer or the piece itself), but I made an exception for War Horse, which I've seen four times. I could happily watch that once a week and I would still cry through most of it  Edit in case anyone is interested in things I've seen twice (and my questionable taste in stuff aha): Les Mis Light Princess Current Tartuffe at the NT Pericles at the Sam W Nell Gwynn Mary Stuart (the Williams/Stevenson coin-toss one) |
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Post by jaqs on Mar 13, 2019 9:44:02 GMT
I saw Hairspray far too many times but I loved it, and there were so many superfans who had seen it many more times than I had, I could be happy I wasnt in the extreme category. Avenue Q, Legally Blonde and Rock of Ages had multiple visits too.
Getting a cheap ticket after a rubbish day at work for something feelgood was my therapy.
I've not fallen in love with a show for a while, and I do miss having a go to option, that is guaranteed to cheer me up.
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Post by schuttep on Mar 13, 2019 10:52:04 GMT
I've seen shows multiple times often because I'm going with someone who's not seen it before. If it's a show I've enjoyed, I'm happy to see it again and it's made even more pleasurable by seeing someone like it for the first time.
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Post by missthelma on Mar 13, 2019 13:32:40 GMT
I am a little bit in awe of everybody on this thread for their committment whilst at the same time not really being able to understand the compulsion to revisit a show multiple times. The cost alone would put me off. I can understand seeing different interpretations of a role (heck I've seen Richard III and Streetcar loads of times) and I suppose with long runners it makes sense especially if you have a connection or special feeling for a show.
I have done it twice that I recall, seeing the same production that is. And both actually left me with feelings of disappointment which is why I have avoided this I think over the years as I don't like the thought of spoiling a good memory! My partner was unable to come to Hair when we had tickets and so I went back with him, and all I noticed the second time was how dreadful and confused the second act is, although the second trip did get me up on the stage and Will Swenson spoke to me so I guess it was worth it. I also saw Sister Act twice, the first time with Patina Miller who simply blew me away and I felt like I'd witnessed the birth of a new great star. I went back to see her specifically but didn't check and saw an understudy (no idea who) who was dreadful and also made me realise that the show sucked big time.
And as I'm typing I've just remembered The Bodyguard, not sure if that counts, saw the first staging with Heather Headley at Adelphi and then Beverley Knight at the Dominion. I actually went back to see if Beverley Knight could save this sh*te show with her talent. She couldn't.
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Post by Dawnstar on Mar 13, 2019 13:57:19 GMT
That's what I used to say to people at uni when they asked me how I could afford to keep going to the theatre: that I wasn't going out drinking & that at least I could remember my evenings out! Well, she says "say," meaning "slurred," which didn't really add verisimilitude to her argument, if we are honest. I do not drink & never have done in my life, partly because I am well aware I have an obsessive personality. I realise this is said as a joke but I am afraid that I actually find it quite an upsetting insinuation, as I am very anti-alcohol. |
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Post by Stasia on Mar 13, 2019 14:24:57 GMT
Btw, I am totally fine with people do not making repeat visits to any shows and not understanding those who do return to their favourites. What I don't understand in when money argument comes in. "I wonder how they could afford it" - obviously, by saving on smth else. Eating cheap and not going out, wearing cheap clothes, saving money on not paying for a rental flat closer to work and spending 4-5 hours daily travelling to and from office... Or they may earn more? or have rich parents\partners. But even with the unlimited amount of money, there are always priorities. And someone else's priorities will always differ from yours, just as the size of your eyes/hips/whatever. So, basically, asking these rhetorical questions on "how can people afford seeing Wicked XXX times" for me sounds pretty much as "how can that person wear size 6 when I'm wearing size 16". We all are different, that's how.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2019 14:57:29 GMT
Well, she says "say," meaning "slurred," which didn't really add verisimilitude to her argument, if we are honest. I do not drink & never have done in my life, partly because I am well aware I have an obsessive personality. I realise this is said as a joke but I am afraid that I actually find it quite an upsetting insinuation, as I am very anti-alcohol. I think it’s one thing being personally “I don’t want to do something” (as indeed with this thread) but being very anti something just because you don’t choose to partake is the same as if I said to you “I’m very anti mischief theatre” just because I don’t choose to see it. Also Monkey was making a (funny) lighthearted joke, as we often do on this forum so maybe a little over the top reaction there. |
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Post by martello736 on Mar 13, 2019 15:25:17 GMT
I've seen Wicked 243 times although about 235 of those were 2017 or earlier. I've seen Showstopper: The Improvised Musical 63 times but that doesn't really count as it changes from show to show  Wicked was my most seen show from 2013-17, Showstopper took the title in 2018 and I imagine it'll go to Six this year. |
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Post by daisy24601 on Mar 13, 2019 15:38:12 GMT
Another one is Memphis, also at 27 times but all during the one year it ran in London. The first cast was absolute perfection and I still miss the show so dearly that I'd go out of my way to see it again. Sadly I can't stand the Broadway cast (especially their weird Huey), so the DVD is no proper replacement. They should have filmed the West End production professionally - or at least the Broadway replacement cast with Adam Pascal.
I'm with you there. I don't like the interpretation of Huey so can't watch it. Really hope it comes back to the UK one day. I have also seen Wicked 23 times, 20 of which were while Willemijn was in it in 2017 and I was just going to see her. I went back again a year after she left and it was still too soon, I knew every word and I felt a bit bored. The others I've seen the most are Les Miserables (13) and Kinky Boots (15) but they weren't quite as successive and I absolutely love them both and am not bored of them at all. |
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Post by Dawnstar on Mar 13, 2019 18:33:54 GMT
No, I am very interested in repeat views of plays, I just didn’t remember your post. Let’s not fall into the trap of mistaking opinion for evidence. I'm sorry, I took your use of "blind spot" when referring to to Mischief Theatre to indicate disinterest in them. Apologies I think it’s one thing being personally “I don’t want to do something” (as indeed with this thread) but being very anti something just because you don’t choose to partake is the same as if I said to you “I’m very anti mischief theatre” just because I don’t choose to see it. Also Monkey was making a (funny) lighthearted joke, as we often do on this forum so maybe a little over the top reaction there. Yes, and I'm sure most normal people would agree with you. Unfortunately I am not normal and their are certain types of joke which I at best don't get and at worst find very upsetting. If someone had made a joke like that to my face I would have probably fled the room in tears. I actually find quite a lot of the jokes on here a bit/a lot to much but if they're not directed at me then it's not my business to say so. I have absolutely no problem with you or anyone else saying you are anti Mischief Theatre. I'd view that as slightly reducing the competition for tickets! |
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Post by Mr Snow on Mar 13, 2019 19:27:59 GMT
This thread reminds me that I’ve always been curious how “creative” types like actors can perform in long runs?
Happy to add that the shows I’ve seen the most are On your toes and 42nd st. Each one 5 or 6 times and nearly 40 years between First and last shows
Opera. Rigoletto and La Traviata at least a dozen productions of each. The ENO mafia version of the former and the Richard Eyre ROH Traviata have each been seen more than any show. This thread does show how individual we are despite all qualifying as “slightly obsessive “. I have seen over 100 operas but never Ariadne that makes Dawnstars list.
Apologies for the spelling but half way through OH ‘borrowed” the “communal” gasses.
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Post by 49thand8th on Mar 13, 2019 19:51:33 GMT
Surely if it you see the same things over and over, it gets a bit repetitive? That's basically the definition, yes. Reasons I've gone back to a show: * an understudy is on who I'd like to see * it's the last performance of an actor whose work I enjoy * they've revamped the show quite a bit (I saw Spider-Man twice two months apart for this reason) * this is a totally different production than one I saw before * this is the tour of the same production I saw on Broadway and enjoyed * this is the Broadway production of a tour I saw and enjoyed * I'm making it part of my vacation * a friend is in town and wants to see a show that I enjoyed enough to go back and experience it with them * a friend had an extra ticket that they couldn't use and I enjoyed the show enough to go back and experience it with them * my first choice of a show is sold out/I otherwise can't go, but there's something I reliably like that's easier or as easy to see * I was bored |
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Post by hannechalk on Mar 13, 2019 22:12:16 GMT
Seen Blood Brothers 56 times now all over the place. Next four trips booked. The beggars are booking venues I can easily get to in September and October at a rate of going once a week. I do see other shows too. Honest. ruby will vouch for me. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2019 22:14:15 GMT
I've seen shows multiple times often because I'm going with someone who's not seen it before. If it's a show I've enjoyed, I'm happy to see it again and it's made even more pleasurable by seeing someone like it for the first time. Yes! Although, it’s so painful when they don’t like it. My brother *actually checked his phone* during Ladies Who Lunch. I’m now doubting we’re related. |
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Post by hannechalk on Mar 13, 2019 22:23:53 GMT
This thread reminds me that I’ve always been curious how “creative” types like actors can perform in long runs? Because they have bills to pay, family to feed and they enjoy the role? No-one finds it weird when non-creative types are with the same employer for 10+ years, so why would it be any different? |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 14, 2019 0:01:19 GMT
On reasons why multiple viewings of immersive shows are what appeal to me. One viewing gives you a flavour of such a production, it can be a complete contained experience if you want it to be but it is only a partial experience. Knowing that I want to see the rest, to put together the pieces of the puzzle.
Because it is a massive puzzle, one that appeals to my liking for making connections, for digging deeper, for sharing ideas. There is a whole community that pools their experiences if the show is running for months and gradually they put together a map of the show (literally in terms of understanding the performance space). It starts off as being something unimaginably complex and gradually it comes fully into focus. That then leads to greater insights into the wider meanings of the production and you end with a satisfaction of a puzzle solved and, with it being a team effort, of being part of a community that has a shared purpose.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 14, 2019 8:19:17 GMT
This thread reminds me that I’ve always been curious how “creative” types like actors can perform in long runs? Because they have bills to pay, family to feed and they enjoy the role? No-one finds it weird when non-creative types are with the same employer for 10+ years, so why would it be any different? The same way I sat through Peter Pan 19 times in 4 weeks...bills to pay. Also most creative types have done far worse for less money than belt out “Music of the Night” 8 times a week. One might even say that’s the dream... |
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Post by ctas on Mar 14, 2019 8:50:58 GMT
Interestingly nobody has mentioned dance or ballet. Being a contemporary dance watcher predominantly it's harder to clock up repeats but fans of ballet surely must rack up a long list of Swan Lake etc over a lifetime? I have racked up a few repeats of Matthew Bourne shows already, and the odd Hip Hop dance show that rolls around. Alright, I’m here now 😂. I genuinely haven’t/can’t bring myself to count numbers of times over the years because I’ve been a semi-regular at the Royal Ballet since I was very young but my most repeats of the same production in a season is probably the four Sleeping Beautys I witnessed a few years ago at the ROH. I had tickets to see as Aurora: my favourite (Nuñez), an exciting debut (Hayward), a guest performer (Salenko) and a ballerina who stepped in as injury replacement (Takada) when I greedily tried to book a second Hayward performance. As a general rule I will repeat view within the same season if it’s a ballet or a performer I particularly love, or if there’s a guest performer as you don’t get as much opportunity to see them. So, the upcoming run of Romeo and Juliet is getting rather expensive for me even if I restrict myself to cheap seats! This general rule of who/what I book for has actually changed my opinion on a few ballet productions, as the first time I saw Manon I was underwhelmed but the second time I saw Roberto Bolle using my “guest performer” rule and his performance made me love the ballet so much I booked again to see him the very next week. I saw three Manons in that particular run! As for plays and musicals, my most is anything Kander and Ebb. I saw Chicago in every West End home it had and also go whenever it hits Wimbledon, I’ve seen a fair amount of Cabaret, I’m already seriously considering two visits to Curtains in one week when that tour starts and the biggest would be the 17 times I saw The Scottsboro Boys. I saw it once at the Young Vic, tried and failed to get a ticket for later in the run as it was already sold out and raved about it to enough people that a year later when the Garrick run started I’d been gifted four sets of tickets within the first ten days of the run. They also ran an excellent 25-and-under scheme for £10 tickets that I miss being the right age for! The show had a drop off in attendance in the middle (although towards the end of the run audiences filled right back up again!) and I felt compelled to keep supporting it as it moved me so much every time. And at £10 a go who can argue with that?! When I counted up and realised it was 16 times in a 20 week run it felt a little ridiculous but I loved every performance. |
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