448 posts
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Post by ShoesForRent on May 20, 2016 12:39:15 GMT
Benanti (currently leading the revival of She Loves Me on B'way) posted this tweet last night:
The video is also on her instagram.
What do you think? I personally think it seems entitled of her, while I am a fan of hers, her adressig this topic, especially the way that she did just makes me uneasy.
There is quite a discussion on over on American forum, BWW, and I feel while in America the applause are at a point where they borderline excessive, in the UK the audience is much more subdued (not at all in a bad way)- and so I thought it might make for an interesting discussion here.
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2016 12:41:08 GMT
I generally love Laura Benanti, but she doesn't know by looking who's got painful joints and would rather not exacerbate their health issues by slamming their hands together just so a room full of strangers doesn't leap to the conclusion that they're an asshole.
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Post by Carly on May 20, 2016 12:46:40 GMT
Why should people have to clap? Maybe they think it's not deserved or just don't want to.
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2016 12:50:25 GMT
Clapping just prolongs the performance. It'd all be done much sooner if we all just yawned or rolled our eyes.
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Post by ShoesForRent on May 20, 2016 12:55:29 GMT
See this is why I love UK theatre- clapping and standig ovations aren't a must, they are earned... There is such a heated discussion on BWW how clapping is theatre etiquette and not clapping is rude... I find myself now and again unimpressed with a solo (granted musical theatre here isnt all that) and just don't clap... Rarely have I felt someone earned a standing ovation- and I think thats fine.
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Post by vickster51 on May 20, 2016 13:18:34 GMT
If I go to a musical here in the UK I tend to clap after each song. It just seems to be what happens, but I'd never clap a particular scene in a play, as to me that would interrupt the flow of it. I also don't like the clapping a performer when they first arrive on stage. I think here clapping in musicals seems quite standard.
Having recently returned from a couple of weeks in NYC for theatre the difference was interesting, as you're right, over there was a lot more clapping after certain scenes, but the biggest difference for me was the standing ovations. I stand when something has really impressed me or if I've seen a production a few times and go the final show as a way to congratulate the cast on the end of the run. It seemed odd to me in NYC that literally as soon as it finished most people would be on their feet. I guess it's a personal choice, but I still think standing ovations need to be earned and not just automatic.
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2016 14:17:27 GMT
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Post by bellboard27 on May 20, 2016 14:34:05 GMT
I thought all the clapping was to keep the air circulating in theatres without air conditioning. Well, you live and learn.
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Post by infofreako on May 20, 2016 14:41:50 GMT
Applause for anything is earned, I've sat in theatres and been tutted at by other audience members for not joining in the applause when I've felt it hasn't Warranted it.
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2016 14:46:41 GMT
It would be impossible to organise, but I'd love it if the response to someone complaining about the audience not clapping was to have the next night's audience respond with a single clap.
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Post by theatremadness on May 20, 2016 14:54:32 GMT
By all accounts Laura seems like a very witty, clever and talented woman, but this childish and desperate plea for attention makes her sound as if she thinks she's God's gift to mankind and musical theatre. To make up a little snide song with that look of sarcasm on her face leaves such a horrendous and bitter taste in my mouth. Why does she care so much about the few-and-far between who maybe don't applaud for whatever reason and, on this occasion, just completely ignore her legions of fans who obviously adore her and have most likely given her the ego boost she was seemingly craving for.
Maybe this wasn't what she was intending, maybe it was supposed to be a laugh, but it really didn't come across that way. I'm all for a joke, I completely adore Miriam Margoyles (in reference to that above article), she's totally established herself as that kind of human character and, over her advanced years, has 'grown old distastefully' one might say, and couldn't care less what people think of what she says or who she offends, and there's always a very jokey tone to what she says, even if she is being deadly serious, that I find hilarious and I just love her for it! But I really don't like Laura's very pretentious "I'm doing something very special and meaningful up here, you must appreciate me". Just my opinion, of course, some can't stand Miriam Margoyles & others may think Laura Benanti is completely justified!
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Post by Hamilton Addict on May 20, 2016 14:54:43 GMT
Clapping is like stage dooring, it is nice to do so, but neither party is entitled for either.
I feel Laura Benanti comes across as a spoilt child in the video. If they wish not to clap, they don't have to.
One thing on Broadway that always bugs me is that you see a standing ovation at every show. I standing ovation should only be given to something that is completely mesmerising and mind-blowing, but instead it is given to every show on B.Way (well, at least the ones I've seen). I hated Fun Home, but stood up out of awkwardness.
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Post by ShoesForRent on May 20, 2016 15:31:31 GMT
HA! Guess who just retweeted it- miss Carrie Hope Fletcher.. see I might believe this was just an unsuccessful joke on Benanti's part, I do NOT like Carrie, one bit, and have no doubt she retweeted it in the serious sense... Just ughh... cant stand the girl
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Post by Hamilton Addict on May 20, 2016 15:37:27 GMT
HA! Guess who just retweeted it- miss Carrie Hope Fletcher.. see I might believe this was just an unsuccessful joke on Benanti's part, I do NOT like Carrie, one bit, and have no doubt she retweeted it in the serious sense... Just ughh... cant stand the girl Would you mind telling me why people dislike Carrie Hope Fletcher? Never seen her perform, but have heard a lot of people saying they disliked her. |
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Post by Hamilton Addict on May 20, 2016 15:43:34 GMT
I have a friend who works with Laura Benanti on She Loves Me, apparently it was just a joke.
Perhaps the joke was she was making fun of people who expect applause? I honestly don't get this 'joke'.
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Post by theatremadness on May 20, 2016 15:47:11 GMT
Of course, it's very easy to say it was a joke if the reaction from outside her fanbase hasn't been what she expected! Though I highly doubt she cares, so maybe it was a joke. But it backfired, in my opinion of her anyhow (again, like it matters to her!).
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Post by ShoesForRent on May 20, 2016 15:59:40 GMT
I have a friend who works with Laura Benanti on She Loves Me, apparently it was just a joke. Perhaps the joke was she was making fun of people who expect applause? I honestly don't get this 'joke'. Benanti's twitter is filled with this type of humor, that was smartly described somewhere else as insecure humor- that her insecurities show through most times she jokes.. and being insecure is fine- most actors are. Maybe she needs the approval She also tweeted this after I dont if I believe it's 100% a joke or her insecurities or both, it still comes of as entitled... :/ |
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2016 16:19:47 GMT
Depends how the audience member wants to look to the rest of the audience (and cast), if you are a lone clapper you look out of place and a bit mad, if not crazed, if you are unmoving and surrounded by clappers you come across as arrogant (as in what makes you think the rest of the audience are wrong?)
Yes, a few might have health issues but a well placed smile can show appreciation instead, just as deaf people will wave their hands in the air, there are ways.
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Post by mallardo on May 20, 2016 17:30:56 GMT
Not exactly on point but I was in a theatre audience which included Stephen Sondheim and, of course, my eyes kept shifting in his direction and I noticed that when he applauded he slapped one hand against his knee - I presume that indicates some sort of problem with the other hand. But he still applauded everything, probably because he's American.
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Post by hitmewithurbethshot on May 20, 2016 17:44:38 GMT
HA! Guess who just retweeted it- miss Carrie Hope Fletcher.. see I might believe this was just an unsuccessful joke on Benanti's part, I do NOT like Carrie, one bit, and have no doubt she retweeted it in the serious sense... Just ughh... cant stand the girl Would you mind telling me why people dislike Carrie Hope Fletcher? Never seen her perform, but have heard a lot of people saying they disliked her. This is just my view, but my main issue with Carrie is actually her fans, they get very annoying especially at stage door; and I posted a comparison video on Youtube a while ago of different Eponines singing the ending high note of On My Own and half the comments are just people bickering over whether Carrie is good/the best ever/suitable for the role etc etc etc. She also has a reputation for searching her name on twitter and responding to comments, even ones that didn't tag her directly, which sends her hoards of fans over to that person if she disagreed with them particularly. And there's this little whinge, when the original tweet is clearly more directed at the directing than the actors. I notice it didn't stop her doing photos/performances/interviews with Frances when the 30th anniversary came around. |
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Post by ShoesForRent on May 20, 2016 17:54:22 GMT
I posted my opinion on Carrie but deleted it , because I don't enjoy posting such negative comments on performers, at least not publicly. I do fully agree with hitmewithurbethshot and saved my initial comment on my computer, if anyone is intrested I dont mind privately messaging it.
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Post by Hamilton Addict on May 20, 2016 18:01:53 GMT
I posted my opinion on Carrie but deleted it , because I don't enjoy posting such negative comments on performers, at least not publicly. I do fully agree with hitmewithurbethshot and saved my initial comment on my computer, if anyone is intrested I dont mind privately messaging it. Would you mind PM'ing it?  |
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Post by Hamilton Addict on May 20, 2016 18:02:20 GMT
Would you mind telling me why people dislike Carrie Hope Fletcher? Never seen her perform, but have heard a lot of people saying they disliked her. This is just my view, but my main issue with Carrie is actually her fans, they get very annoying especially at stage door; and I posted a comparison video on Youtube a while ago of different Eponines singing the ending high note of On My Own and half the comments are just people bickering over whether Carrie is good/the best ever/suitable for the role etc etc etc. She also has a reputation for searching her name on twitter and responding to comments, even ones that didn't tag her directly, which sends her hoards of fans over to that person if she disagreed with them particularly. And there's this little whinge, when the original tweet is clearly more directed at the directing than the actors. I notice it didn't stop her doing photos/performances/interviews with Frances when the 30th anniversary came around. Thanks for that, she sounds a little bit of a nightmare! |
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448 posts
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Post by ShoesForRent on May 20, 2016 18:18:46 GMT
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Post by hitmewithurbethshot on May 20, 2016 18:27:13 GMT
Nice knowing you ShoesForRent  |
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