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Post by sparky5000 on Mar 27, 2019 23:23:33 GMT
I wonder if that’s why Laura Benanti is only contracts for 7 performances a week of MFL also? It’s funny because broadway superfans were giving Lauren Ambrose a load of crap for agreeing to 7 days (probably because of snobbery due to her not being an established broadway darling), but as soon as Laura agreed the same thing she got an absolute pass from the same people 😄 I thought it was only Diana Rigg that had a problem with Lauren Ambrose taking Sundays off. Then Michael Riedel, everyone's favorite theatre columnist, picked up the story and went crazy with it. Well yeah maybe that was the origin of it, but Lauren has gotten a lot of unfair crap from some of the MT stans on the BWW boards for reasons which I don’t understand. Maybe she’s not an established Broadway star but that doesn’t make her any less deserving of praise when it’s due. I saw her as Eliza in MFL last year and thought she was great and her Tony nom very much deserved. |
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Post by MrsCondomine on Mar 28, 2019 9:30:51 GMT
Does anyone know if La Lansbury missed any Blithe Spirit performances? I saw it twice and she was FABULOUS both times (OBVIOUSLY).
I think the understudy was Sandra Dickinson, whose voice makes me want to shoot my own ears off.
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Post by danieljohnson14 on Mar 28, 2019 9:35:04 GMT
Does anyone know if La Lansbury missed any Blithe Spirit performances? I saw it twice and she was FABULOUS both times (OBVIOUSLY). I think the understudy was Sandra Dickinson, whose voice makes me want to shoot my own ears off. I don't think she actually missed any performances at all? I could be wrong but I don't think so anyway. |
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Post by MrsCondomine on Mar 28, 2019 9:38:47 GMT
Does anyone know if La Lansbury missed any Blithe Spirit performances? I saw it twice and she was FABULOUS both times (OBVIOUSLY). I think the understudy was Sandra Dickinson, whose voice makes me want to shoot my own ears off. I don't think she actually missed any performances at all? I could be wrong but I don't think so anyway. That was my understanding too (same when she repeated the performance on Broadway) - I wasn't 100% sure though. She is the queen  |
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Post by wickedgrin on Mar 28, 2019 11:08:14 GMT
Dare I be a bit controversial here?
Obviously actors are human and are sometimes unavoidably ill and genuinely hate missing shows. However, IMO, I think there is a generational work ethic issue going on here too.
To answer the thread question directly (that makes a change from going off topic!) I would put the case that the older generation have a stronger work ethic and are more reliable - Patti Lu Pone (69), Angela Lansbury (93), Ian McKellen (79) currently embarking on a huge solo tour, Imelda Staunton (63) Diana Rigg (80) and others.
The younger generation - I am not going to name names - but they know who they are - are more unreliable. Some leading actors in long running musicals (who tend to be younger) seem to perform on a rota and only go on when they feel like it. Martine McCutcheon (already mentioned) was a case in point - although she was absolutely fabulous when I was lucky enough to catch the odd show she did. There are more recent examples though - leading cast actors in Dreamgirls, Hamilton, Phantom etc.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2019 11:17:26 GMT
I think it is incredibly unfair to brand any performer "unreliable." We never know the state of their physical and mental health, nor of their private lives. When something happens and time has to be missed, it's always down to one of those things. To hold it against them is tantamount to bullying, I think. Good point. I agree to an extent but I still go to work no matter what twisted state my head is in or what part of my body has decided to malfunction today. I had to reluctantly change career because my body became unreliable for the job I was doing. Just because they're a 'star' why should different rules apply? (Playing Devil's Advocate) |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2019 11:44:53 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2019 11:47:18 GMT
I think this is more a case of Producers using the 'name' to get sales rather than actor-driven attendance issue, which is a whole different kettle of fish. |
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Post by jgblunners on Mar 28, 2019 11:55:27 GMT
Since you asked for it... Although I don't know what profession you're in, turning up to an office job or similar while a little headachey or unsettled is manageable, but running around/dancing/singing your chops off on stage is a very different matter. In fact, quite a lot of performer absences for 'illness' are just as much about taking the time to recover swiftly as they are about being physically unfit to perform. If continuing to go on stage means it'll take you a few weeks to recover instead of a few days, it makes sense to take the time off. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2019 11:57:32 GMT
I recently moved back to London from NYC and there’s always been lots of chat on the BWW boards about which stars are notorious for unreliability in terms of attendance, or conversely for being super reliable. Granted the most recent discussions were based around all the drama with people meaning about Patti Murin missing shows due to her anxiety (which I thought was out of order). Laura Benanti also has a bit of a bad rep for unreliability too for example (although not sure how fair or not that is). Was just interested to know what names here in the West End have similar reps, if at all? In terms of reliability, I was reading the Sunday Times interview with Rosalie Craig this week and she said she hasn’t missed a single show during her entire Company run through sickness (and I don’t think at all?) which is pretty impressive! I have anxiety. I wonder how long if I got fired from the places I work at for being inconsistent. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2019 12:01:57 GMT
Another one is Sheridan of course with Funny Girl due to her father’s cancer and health issues. Obviously completely justified but I think she became known for being unreliable after that in the eyes of people who didn’t know the full story. Sheridan should have been more professional. Sonia Freedman should have been way more professional. When I say Sheridan should have been more professional. I would have just went I want 4 weeks off minimum. And said I will not show from these days and take my chances. She is a big name. She had a family issue. She had family to attend to which are all valid reasons. I am angry at (who I love) for mocking the whole thing. She should have done better. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2019 12:04:00 GMT
I didn’t realise Amber only ended up doing 5 out of 8 shows a week? I know Effie is fairly demanding but to only do 5 seems a bit lightweight! Then again, I guess if that’s what she agreed to in her contract can’t really knock her for it, and better to be reliable doing 5 shows a week than unreliable doing 7! she didn't agree to that initially. Her initial contract was 7 shows a week with an alternate doing the other one. But then, because of the attendance issues, they brought it down to 6 and then 5 because then no one could argue if Amber is off because the alternate would be on and those buying tickets would know prior. It's the reason Dreamgirls hasn't gone to Broadway yet. Amber was set to do it, and is still set to do it, but the producers are nervous because of her attendance in London. Because if she doesn't show up on Broadway, people can get refunds and the show is screwed unlike here. I have this odd feeling. I know this is the UK version and not USA. But Nicole who is on the Voice was set up by the producers to make her 'more famous' so they can use her as a name. She is terrific though. I would choose someone else. She abused her fame Amber. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2019 12:05:20 GMT
she didn't agree to that initially. Her initial contract was 7 shows a week with an alternate doing the other one. But then, because of the attendance issues, they brought it down to 6 and then 5 because then no one could argue if Amber is off because the alternate would be on and those buying tickets would know prior. It's the reason Dreamgirls hasn't gone to Broadway yet. Amber was set to do it, and is still set to do it, but the producers are nervous because of her attendance in London. Because if she doesn't show up on Broadway, people can get refunds and the show is screwed unlike here. If that’s true about it being the reason it’s not gone to broadway yet then surely they can cast someone else instead? Is Amber THAT big of a name? Or can’t they just cast her so she’s not listed above the title? I wonder if that’s why Laura Benanti is only contracts for 7 performances a week of MFL also? It’s funny because broadway superfans were giving Lauren Ambrose a load of crap for agreeing to 7 days (probably because of snobbery due to her not being an established broadway darling), but as soon as Laura agreed the same thing she got an absolute pass from the same people 😄 But she had been on Broadway and she sounded fine |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2019 12:07:27 GMT
Since you asked for it... Although I don't know what profession you're in, turning up to an office job or similar while a little headachey or unsettled is manageable, but running around/dancing/singing your chops off on stage is a very different matter. In fact, quite a lot of performer absences for 'illness' are just as much about taking the time to recover swiftly as they are about being physically unfit to perform. If continuing to go on stage means it'll take you a few weeks to recover instead of a few days, it makes sense to take the time off. I can't be sick in my work. So I understand that. Would you like to be sick because I cough and sneeze over the food you eat? I am casual so I loose money. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2019 12:15:23 GMT
Since you asked for it... Although I don't know what profession you're in, turning up to an office job or similar while a little headachey or unsettled is manageable, but running around/dancing/singing your chops off on stage is a very different matter. In fact, quite a lot of performer absences for 'illness' are just as much about taking the time to recover swiftly as they are about being physically unfit to perform. If continuing to go on stage means it'll take you a few weeks to recover instead of a few days, it makes sense to take the time off. Valid point. With regard the rest of it, I have a very different perception of it based on my own experience, perhaps I could consider the above more. My point was aimed more towards the mental health aspect rather than depreciating it as "headachey or unsettled" but we could consider that issues that appear trivial to us could be monumental to others. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2019 13:05:26 GMT
The VAAAAAST majority of theatre performers will not take a day off lightly, they've worked too hard to get where they are and they know it could all disappear at a moment's notice.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2019 13:17:38 GMT
Miranda Hart In Annie in the glitzy WE a few years ago.The show was literally sold on her name with photos of her on the tube escalator walls,in the press etc.Don’t know if anyone saw her in it? I certainly didn’t.Was she poorly at the time?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2019 13:21:28 GMT
Miranda Hart In Annie in the glitzy WE a few years ago.The show was literally sold on her name with photos of her on the tube escalator walls,in the press etc.Don’t know if anyone saw her in it? I certainly didn’t.Was she poorly at the time? I did and she was fabulous too! |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2019 13:47:20 GMT
The VAAAAAST majority of theatre performers will not take a day off lightly, they've worked too hard to get where they are and they know it could all disappear at a moment's notice. This and they love it, so unless they're genuinely ill won't. You DO tend to find it's more the TV Starts/Stunt casting who tend to be unreliable- partly a lack of training/stamina as they aren't used to the same schedules. Partly maybe they don't 'need' it (for want of a better word) than the ones who have come up through the ranks. |
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Post by kathryn on Mar 28, 2019 14:21:50 GMT
Dare I be a bit controversial here? Obviously actors are human and are sometimes unavoidably ill and genuinely hate missing shows. However, IMO, I think there is a generational work ethic issue going on here too. To answer the thread question directly (that makes a change from going off topic!) I would put the case that the older generation have a stronger work ethic and are more reliable - Patti Lu Pone (69), Angela Lansbury (93), Ian McKellen (79) currently embarking on a huge solo tour, Imelda Staunton (63) Diana Rigg (80) and others. The younger generation - I am not going to name names - but they know who they are - are more unreliable. Some leading actors in long running musicals (who tend to be younger) seem to perform on a rota and only go on when they feel like it. Martine McCutcheon (already mentioned) was a case in point - although she was absolutely fabulous when I was lucky enough to catch the odd show she did. There are more recent examples though - leading cast actors in Dreamgirls, Hamilton, Phantom etc. Alternatively, anyone whose mental and physical health is not robust enough to handle a theatre run simply stops doing theatre well before they reach the age of La Lupone, Lansbury, McKellan, etc. The older generation you see on stage are there because they love it and thrive on it, the younger generation are still figuring out whether it works for them. I'm sure there are plenty of performers in the older generation who gave up theatre long ago because it just didn't agree with them. |
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Post by danieljohnson14 on Mar 28, 2019 14:23:10 GMT
Miranda Hart In Annie in the glitzy WE a few years ago.The show was literally sold on her name with photos of her on the tube escalator walls,in the press etc.Don’t know if anyone saw her in it? I certainly didn’t.Was she poorly at the time? I did and I actually thought her and Jonny Fines were the only good parts of that production. |
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Post by sparky5000 on Mar 28, 2019 14:29:51 GMT
I recently moved back to London from NYC and there’s always been lots of chat on the BWW boards about which stars are notorious for unreliability in terms of attendance, or conversely for being super reliable. Granted the most recent discussions were based around all the drama with people meaning about Patti Murin missing shows due to her anxiety (which I thought was out of order). Laura Benanti also has a bit of a bad rep for unreliability too for example (although not sure how fair or not that is). Was just interested to know what names here in the West End have similar reps, if at all? In terms of reliability, I was reading the Sunday Times interview with Rosalie Craig this week and she said she hasn’t missed a single show during her entire Company run through sickness (and I don’t think at all?) which is pretty impressive! I have anxiety. I wonder how long if I got fired from the places I work at for being inconsistent. I think you've misunderstood me, sorry. I was saying it was out of order for Broadway fans to be attacking Patti Murin for missing shows due to anxiety, not that it was out of order for Patti to actually miss the shows. Maybe I shouldn't have used the terms reliable or unreliable in thread title but I was generally interested. People get sick and so I completely understand if they can't perform due to illness, but what I would say is that, using Martine as an extreme example, if I specifically wanted to see a show with a big name star and they had a history of being off a lot, that may make me think twice about buying a ticket or at least paying a lot for one. Im also sure that, for the most part, performers don't take not performing lightly, especially if they're the star name and know people will be disappointed. I'm sure lots of stars perform when they're feeling rough as anything. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2019 14:31:07 GMT
I'm sure there are plenty of performers in the older generation who gave up theatre long ago because it just didn't agree with them. Like the great living English stage actor, Sir Anthony Hopkins.  |
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Post by sf on Mar 28, 2019 16:06:18 GMT
The VAAAAAST majority of theatre performers will not take a day off lightly, they've worked too hard to get where they are and they know it could all disappear at a moment's notice.
True. But also, if they make a living from their voice they also know that pushing those muscles in the wrong way could cause serious, permanent damage.
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Post by sf on Mar 28, 2019 16:53:47 GMT
I think it is incredibly unfair to brand any performer "unreliable." We never know the state of their physical and mental health, nor of their private lives. When something happens and time has to be missed, it's always down to one of those things. To hold it against them is tantamount to bullying, I think.
Sometimes producers don't help, in terms of performers getting a reputation for not showing up. Laura Benanti missed a lot of performances in a Broadway revival of Into the Woods and eventually left the show and was replaced, and the fact that she missed a lot of performances attracted a lot of snide commentary online - but it later emerged that she'd sustained a spinal injury during a pratfall and treatment for it hadn't gone smoothly, and the producers forbade her from talking about it in public while she was in the show.
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