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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2020 20:55:33 GMT
Apparently there is a Migrant Theatre Company doing an fully immersive version of 33 Men in A Boat by Jerome k.Jerome in the Channel each day.
They are also planning a version of Showboat and the Border Force will do the song from Phoenix Nights - Send the ****** Back in response. We could also have Sailing, Orinoco Flow maybe get one in a Womble costume from Mike Batt!
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Post by Mark on Aug 12, 2020 21:06:30 GMT
Respect to Lloyd Webber. He really will stop at nothing and I love that.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2020 21:57:20 GMT
Brave move by ALW considering that he is 72 years old. The real ground zero would be if someone like him or Sir Cameron decided to liquidate all their assets and effectively retire.
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Post by Dr Tom on Aug 12, 2020 22:16:30 GMT
I went to the New Normal Festival tonight to see Natasha Barnes and Vicki Stone in what I believe is the final night of their short "Funny Gals" tour.
Feels so good to have seen some theatre and both ladies were terrific.
The venue is difficult. Outside in a courtyard, surrounded on all sides by parts of the building. Sheltered stage at one side. Barbecue at another. Seats are arranged to suit different size groups and first-come first-served. I arrived about 40 minutes before the start and could only get a seat near the back. Unfortunately the seating area is on a slight slope, so it gets very hard to see.
Very surprised that only a handful of people, other than the crew, were wearing masks. In face people really weren't respecting social distancing much at all. People were moving chairs, greeting other people they knew etc and a lot of the blocks weren't 1m apart.
My biggest concern is that the venue really isn't suited for musicals. The seating is on gravel, people naturally move their feet and this creates a nasty scraping noise. People also seen to think talking is acceptable at any time and there was one very loud group seated at a table behind me who I presume really only wanted to use their local pub to drink and chat. Thankfully they left (or were removed) about halfway through. They really ruined "Greatest Star" which otherwise was one of the highlights of the night. The cleaning and taking down of the barbecue was also exceptionally loud.
On positive notes, the weather held up and it was a very pleasant evening. The staff were all helpful. I didn't try the barbecue, but it was half price (Monday to Wednesday) and lots of people were tucking in. The show was very funny with lots of musical hits from the start of musical theatre to today.
Laughing with a mask on is not easy!
Show ran from 20:05 to 21:15, which I presume is about average for the whole season.
Not sure yet if I'd go there again. This probably works better for plays where the noise is less distracting. It is difficult to find the way in and I ended up walking through a housing estate which Google suggested was an entrance (it wasn't). But it seems you really need to be there back on 18:00 (two hours before the show starts) to get a decent seat and that is a lot of hanging around if you're a solo theatre goer.
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Post by stevejohnson678 on Aug 13, 2020 21:44:17 GMT
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Post by Mark on Aug 13, 2020 22:04:34 GMT
Next challenge, allow them to open and actually make some money... ie, remove the need for social distancing (but have precautions such as masks etc as in shops)
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Post by oxfordsimon on Aug 13, 2020 23:23:45 GMT
At this stage, getting any live performance going again is the most important thing
Risking prolonged contact in a confined space (even with a mask) is not something that should be taken lightly. I know that is not what people want to hear - but whereas many countries are seeing a significant uptick in cases, our rate of growth is more manageable. We should reopen things very very carefully - otherwise we will get a return to March/April
So bring on the monologues, the recitals, evenings with a big name star talking about their life, comedy gigs - that will get things moving again.
Something is better than nothing. And it is also about rebuilding confidence so that people are happy to return to theatres more readily once we can take away those restrictions.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2020 8:17:22 GMT
Next challenge, allow them to open and actually make some money... ie, remove the need for social distancing (but have precautions such as masks etc as in shops) And whilst they figure that challenge out, theatre producers still yet to receive any of the £1.57bn support package are also expected to figure out how to magically produce theatre out of nowhere with no notice, with all of the £0 income they've taken over the last 6 months. Yes its funadmentally good news, but riddled with issues.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2020 9:16:36 GMT
OK, said this before, I'll say it again. I do think it's time for certain West End productions to give it a go and open up with social distancing. The government have said they can - it's time to stop moaning and start doing.
Of course I know it's not that simple. But I am sure certain shows can make it work. The first would be ones that recouped yonks ago and are relatively cheap to run. Mamma Mia springs to mind (shame they've just let their cast go). They could easily turn a profit at 50-70% capacity full price (they usually discount a lot; many shows there are half full anyway). Les Mis at 100 quid odd a ticket would be another one. Though of course Cam Mac won't.
Other shows are ones that once set up are relatively cheap to run with modest cast and band. Hansen, Come from Away and &Juliet spring to mind. The former two aim for full price I know but Juliet was build for a discount model. And again at Shaftesbury, most weekday nights I went, there was natural social distancing anyway, nowhere near full.
I do think someone needs to take the plunge and give it a go.
The first full scale musical that I am aware of to reopen in Europe will be Cats in Vienna end next month. If they can do it, why can't we?!
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Post by stevejohnson678 on Aug 14, 2020 9:29:51 GMT
They could easily turn a profit at 50-70% capacity full price (they usually discount a lot; many shows there are half full anyway). Which West End theatres would be able to open at anything like 50-70% capacity with social distancing measures in place?
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Post by poster J on Aug 14, 2020 9:34:35 GMT
They could easily turn a profit at 50-70% capacity full price (they usually discount a lot; many shows there are half full anyway). Which West End theatres would be able to open at anything like 50-70% capacity with social distancing measures in place? With 1m social distancing and masks you might get to 50%. That is no different to what is happening on trains and buses anyway, there is no need to leave every other row empty if everyone is wearing masks, just space out the seating so no-one is sat directly in front of or behind someone else But really theatres need to be able to open without social distancing with mask wearing and we don't seem to be there yet.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2020 9:43:10 GMT
They could easily turn a profit at 50-70% capacity full price (they usually discount a lot; many shows there are half full anyway). Which West End theatres would be able to open at anything like 50-70% capacity with social distancing measures in place? You do make a very good point, that the physical nature of the buildings make it harder than the new open theatres of Europe. However, I think it just takes creative thinking and some new ways of doing things. Narrow corridors, so you need to prevent congregating and create continuous flow - that is key. I said it somewhere upthread but IMHO like this: Auditorium opens at same time as building. An hour before show to spread things out. One way systems, people come in and straight into auditorium. Bars closed, merch stands closed. Take seat. Ushers in auditorium can bring water and maybe a reduced bar range and merchandise to you. Maybe order on phone via a QR code at seat? Anyway, just chucking ideas out. Where there is a will, there's a way. Just need a daring producer to take the plunge. Someone has to be first. I just think the time has passed for the 'oh we couldn't possibly dream of doing anything until all restrictions are 100% gone' mentality. It's unrealistic. The world has changed. It isn't going back to the way we knew things. The virus is here. The vaccine isn't. We have to find a way to live together.
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Post by talkingheads on Aug 14, 2020 10:08:35 GMT
The National reopening in October with a sequel to Death of England called Death of England: Delroy:
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Post by TallPaul on Aug 14, 2020 10:12:33 GMT
When the pilot resumes tomorrow afternoon at the World Snooker Championship, there will be about 300 in the audience, which even I can work out is 30% of the Crucible's usual capacity.
@sharpe12, I think you must have the ear of someone in authority, as almost all of your suggestions have actually been adopted. 🙂 The main exception being food and drink. If you want either, you have to bring it with you, which is a 180° turn from the policy many theatres have adopted in recent years.
With regards to the West End, although obviously not a musical, surely The Woman in Black must be a candidate for early reopening?
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Post by stevejohnson678 on Aug 14, 2020 10:15:09 GMT
I just think the time has passed for the 'oh we couldn't possibly dream of doing anything until all restrictions are 100% gone' mentality. I agree with that but the Government seem to have made it clear they're not shifting on the 1m rule even with all the mitigations that ALW was demonstrating at the Palladium. With the significantly reduced capacity that that entails, I don't expect to see Mamma Mia or any show with a decent-sized ensemble re-opening any time soon but could something like Dear Evan Hansen be just about viable? Could Six come to an arrangement to move into a bigger West End home temporarily? Could new musicals like The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, with its cast of five actor-musicians, not be given a chance to play at a currently empty venue in the West End? I think the 'thinking outside the box' requires the powers that be in London theatre to move away from the view that Mary Poppins, for example, is occupying the Prince Edward Theatre so until that can return as before the theatre remains dark. I suppose that ultimately the extreme caution we're seeing is partly because the rug could be pulled out from under a production's feet at any moment, meaning that even for those productions where opening on a socially distanced basis is a possibility, it wouldn't be worth the risk of potentially having to shut everything down again.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2020 10:19:36 GMT
When the pilot resumes tomorrow afternoon at the World Snooker Championship, there will be about 300 in the audience, which even I can work out is 30% of the Crucible's usual capacity. @sharpe12 , I think you must have the ear of someone in authority, as almost all of your suggestions have actually been adopted. 🙂 The main exception being food and drink. If you want either, you have to bring it with you, which is a 180° turn from the policy many theatres have adopted in recent years. With regards to the West End, although obviously not a musical, surely The Woman in Black must be a candidate for early reopening? Haha, I wish I did have the ear of someone in authority ;-)
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Post by NeilVHughes on Aug 14, 2020 10:26:13 GMT
The Mousetrap already have socially distanced tickets for sale for when they re-open in the West End late October.
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Post by vickyg on Aug 14, 2020 10:55:58 GMT
Which West End theatres would be able to open at anything like 50-70% capacity with social distancing measures in place? With 1m social distancing and masks you might get to 50%. That is no different to what is happening on trains and buses anyway, there is no need to leave every other row empty if everyone is wearing masks, just space out the seating so no-one is sat directly in front of or behind someone else But really theatres need to be able to open without social distancing with mask wearing and we don't seem to be there yet. Interesting thinking about what theatres will feel constitutes sufficient distancing. In the Donmar they did feel they had to leave a row empty as in the circle there are only 2 rows and only one was in use. Looks to be the same at The Bridge from the seating plan.
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Post by poster J on Aug 14, 2020 12:51:15 GMT
With 1m social distancing and masks you might get to 50%. That is no different to what is happening on trains and buses anyway, there is no need to leave every other row empty if everyone is wearing masks, just space out the seating so no-one is sat directly in front of or behind someone else But really theatres need to be able to open without social distancing with mask wearing and we don't seem to be there yet. Interesting thinking about what theatres will feel constitutes sufficient distancing. In the Donmar they did feel they had to leave a row empty as in the circle there are only 2 rows and only one was in use. Looks to be the same at The Bridge from the seating plan. I'm just thinking more as someone who has begun using public transport in London again - there is no 2m distancing, or even really 1m distancing, on buses and trains - rows aren't roped off to stop people using them, so you have situations where every row of seats is occupied, but by one person rather than two. Nearly everyone is wearing masks. I don't see why theatres can't do the same, and they have the space to ensure people aren't sitting directly behind each other. That could get you above 30% capacity while still distancing.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2020 17:30:01 GMT
Really important video to be seen here, not sure if theres been much attention thrown over to the #WeMakeEvents campaign here. For the majority of the major theatres, productions and the whole live music industry, there is no sign of shows restarting and as a result the production industry that makes these shows happen is on the brink of collapse. Bluntly put, furlough stops shortly for hundreds of thousands of freelancers, including theatre makers and when that happens chances are, to survive they will have to find work in alternative industries. When they're gone, theres no-one to staff these shows. This applies to actors across the board too. How long can they continue to support themselves on nothing? This video, whilst slightly centric to Liverpool gives a really helpful insight into this. Please spend some time watching this video and think about what you can do to help. This affects theatre profoundly! www.facebook.com/Adlib.co.uk/videos/343853353449236/?refsrc=https%3A%2F%2Fm.facebook.com%2Fstory.php
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2020 7:49:37 GMT
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Post by vickyg on Aug 15, 2020 12:58:56 GMT
Very surprised to see that the audience for the snooker aren’t wearing masks and are not distanced. Under what rules do they not have to do that?!
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Post by Jon on Aug 15, 2020 13:00:44 GMT
Very surprised to see that the audience for the snooker aren’t wearing masks and are not distanced. Under what rules do they not have to do that?! I wonder if this is deliberate in order to test whether a social distanced performances needs audiences to wear masks or not as the Crucible is one of the pilot venues. There is a fair bit of distance but I assume those sitting together are in social bubbles.
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Post by Dr Tom on Aug 15, 2020 13:02:06 GMT
Very surprised to see that the audience for the snooker aren’t wearing masks and are not distanced. Under what rules do they not have to do that?! Maybe they've all been tested? But not a good advertisement to show on TV, as it makes other people think they have the right to do what they want.
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Post by talkingheads on Aug 15, 2020 13:57:56 GMT
Very surprised to see that the audience for the snooker aren’t wearing masks and are not distanced. Under what rules do they not have to do that?! Maybe they've all been tested? But not a good advertisement to show on TV, as it makes other people think they have the right to do what they want. I was under the impression that if distancing was in place then masks weren't needed? Though maybe that's just for outdoor events.
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Post by vickyg on Aug 15, 2020 14:22:43 GMT
Maybe they've all been tested? But not a good advertisement to show on TV, as it makes other people think they have the right to do what they want. I was under the impression that if distancing was in place then masks weren't needed? Though maybe that's just for outdoor events. We’re now required to wear them at a very large number of indoor places irrespective of whether distancing is in place (which having got a better look I can see the audience is actually distanced) including ‘visitor attractions and entertainment venues’ which I would have though that counts as. www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-ownInteresting also to see that even if it’s not required I haven’t seen a single person who has chosen to wear one. ETA I've just looked on the ticket seller's website which says spectators are only required to wear masks when entering and walking around around the venue. When they're in their seat they are welcome to remove their masks. Sounds very unusual and not at all in keeping with the law...
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Post by Dr Tom on Aug 15, 2020 14:44:49 GMT
ETA I've just looked on the ticket seller's website which says spectators are only required to wear masks when entering and walking around around the venue. When they're in their seat they are welcome to remove their masks. Sounds very unusual and not at all in keeping with the law... Best thing to do is to tweet how disgusted you are, then it will end up as a news story for a load of the online versions of the papers where they have to turnaround 10 stories each a day.
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Post by talkingheads on Aug 15, 2020 17:18:55 GMT
I was under the impression that if distancing was in place then masks weren't needed? Though maybe that's just for outdoor events. We’re now required to wear them at a very large number of indoor places irrespective of whether distancing is in place (which having got a better look I can see the audience is actually distanced) including ‘visitor attractions and entertainment venues’ which I would have though that counts as. www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-ownInteresting also to see that even if it’s not required I haven’t seen a single person who has chosen to wear one. ETA I've just looked on the ticket seller's website which says spectators are only required to wear masks when entering and walking around around the venue. When they're in their seat they are welcome to remove their masks. Sounds very unusual and not at all in keeping with the law... Ah right. I only wondered because of the mixed messaging from a few places, especially cinemas where even now when asked can't say if you wear your mask through the film or not.
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Post by zahidf on Aug 15, 2020 18:18:53 GMT
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Post by Phantom of London on Aug 15, 2020 19:33:50 GMT
The Government announced yesterday that fines are going to increase for non compliance of mask wearing, which All sounds very good and well, but like everything else with this dreadful Government it isn’t policed, the only time things are policed now, if you commit a crime against the great and good of this country. Speaking to my neighbour who is Moroccan told me if you are caught not wearing a mask in public, in his country, no ifs and buts, it is a 3 months prison sentence and they enforce it.
I still cannot fathom how they allow to reopen theatre, but have no contact tracing in place.
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