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Post by forevercolours on Aug 11, 2021 13:20:36 GMT
I have been reading through a few threads and something I found interesting is the reasoning behind people seeing the same show multiple times and I thought it could be a fun discussion.
What shows have you seen multiple times and what was your reasoning behind it? Do you only go see it again if there is a cast change? Was there a specific performer you wanted to see more than once? Do you just love the show so much that you will go see it at often as you can no matter what?
Also, what show have you seen the most? How many times?
I have seen Six 4 times so far (which I am aware is not that many times compared to some) and this is because I support all of the swings and I am keen to see them play all of their cover tracks and see the spin they put on them. I have also seen around 6/7 professional and local performances of Joseph over the years because it’s just a lot of fun and it’s impossible to not feel happy when it has finished!
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Post by theatreian on Aug 11, 2021 15:20:20 GMT
I have seen several shows multiple times. I am not so organised as to keep a record of precisely what I have seen and when but Blood Brothers is probably the most seen show.. maybe approaching mid teens. Sunset probably 8ish, similarly Les Mis 8 ish.Chess about 5, Wicked probably 5 or 6, Martin Guerre about 6. There are many shows I have seen a couple of times such as The Graduate, Phantom,Miss Saigon, The Sound of Music, Oliver, Whistle down the Wind... I could go on.
Reasons can be casting sometimes or I have just loved a particular show and not seen it for some time. Most of my multiple visits are to musicals.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2021 15:28:03 GMT
I've seen Wicked about 15 times I think (I don't entirely keep track), across three different productions. About half of those visits were to see specific performers, the others were with various groups of people who hadnt seen it before. And those visits were in a time period of over 10 years, so on that measure it isn't a lot. I haven't seen that show since Rachel Tucker's last performance in London.
I've seen We Will Rock You about 8 times, Come From Away 6 times, Hamilton 6 times, Once 4 times, 42nd Street 4 times, Les Mis 3 times, Tina twice, Girl From the North Country twice and Memphis twice, all because I really enjoyed the show. Often on my own but sometimes with different groups of people.
I've also seen Funny Girl, Phantom and Chicago twice because I went with different groups of people rather than because I particularly wanted to see the shows again.
There are also a few other shows I've seen multiple times due to seeing different productions, such as Evita and My Fair Lady.
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Post by ruby on Aug 11, 2021 15:29:08 GMT
I booked to see 42nd Street and was quite looking forward to it but really only booked because it was a classic that I thought I should see.
I was completely blown away and went back 8 more times over the 2 years, if it hadn't closed I'm pretty sure I'd still be going. It just made me so happy at a time when other things in my life were not.
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Post by nick on Aug 11, 2021 15:41:26 GMT
If we are talking about the same production then I've seen Menier's Pippin, The Vault's Hair and Regents Park's Evita all three time because I loved the production and wanted the opportunity to see it from different places in the theatre - often because I realised there was a better place to sit.
If it's different productions then Shakespeare because directors are usually keen to put their own stamp so it's interesting to see what can be done.
I've just realised that I'm not particularly that interested in the performers. I appreciate a good performance but it's the staging that really attracts me.
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Post by fiyerorocher on Aug 11, 2021 15:56:19 GMT
I definitely often go back to a show to take people who haven't seen it before. Some shows I see again because there's been a cast change, or because they've made changes and I'm curious as to what (especially during previews). Sometimes tickets are cheap and I know it's a decent night out. And sometimes shows are just comfortingly familiar - some people reread the same book over and over, some people rewatch the same film, I go back to the same shows. Besides, when you're more familiar with the show then you notice far more of what goes wrong, and that's always fun :') I could never reread the same book or rewatch the same film much, but live theatre is never the same experience twice, even if it's the same production and cast. You never know when there'll be a show stop because the barricades get stuck on stage, an actor will faint mid-show, or someone will forget their entire solo and break down with laughter.
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Post by sfsusan on Aug 11, 2021 16:17:55 GMT
I went to Ian McKellan's recent-ish King Lear twice because the first time I arrived late and watched as a standee until they were able to seat latecomers. Unfortunately, in the meantime I had a bad reaction to dinner, so ended up just watching from the bar until the interval.
Although saying that made me realize, do shows keep you from re-entering if you have to pop out? If not, why not? That's got to be just as disruptive as a latecomer arriving. (Unless it's more spread out and returnees presumably know where their seat is so won't stand in the aisle dithering.)
(Speaking of people who see shows repeatedly, my husband and I went to 'Phantom' in San Francisco and he sat next to a woman who turned and excitedly shared that she'd seen the show x number of times and we were in for a treat and...and... My husband made me change places so he wouldn't have to sit next to the 'crazy lady'.)
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Post by Someone in a tree on Aug 11, 2021 16:18:32 GMT
I generally don't see the same production multiple times as there is always something else I want to see. Although I did see the recent Company 3 times but that is an exception to the rule.
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Post by lichtie on Aug 11, 2021 16:20:35 GMT
I've seen the same show in different places (London version vs touring version) which leads to some interesting differences in staging and casting usually. I've occasionally gone back to a show I really liked (same as I do with films). And I have more rarely gone back to something where I've inadvertently been fast asleep for too much of it (typically summer London shows where I will have been walking around all day before getting to a nice warm place in the evening and the light go out in more ways than one...)
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Post by alece10 on Aug 11, 2021 16:50:08 GMT
I've seen many shows multiple times but that's cheating slightly as I was working in the theatre at the time.
I have seen several shows 3 or 4 times but the biggie for me is 42nd Street which I saw 11 times simply because it made me feel really happy every time I went and was a great pick me up. If it was still going I would probably still be going once a month. Have seen Les Mis probably as many times but they have been different productions i.e original cast, 25th anniversary, staged concert etc.
Have also seen most Sondheim shows multiple times but different productions.
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Post by peggs on Aug 11, 2021 17:26:47 GMT
From this thread and elsewhere this seems to be more a musical than a play thing, which I guess makes sense, they tend to run for much longer and have cast changes in a way that most plays don't (unless they're very successful) so there is more opportunity and difference. I'm not a musical person so can't comment but have seen some productions of plays a few times and for rather the reverse reason that I want to see it exactly as I did the time before. As in no case changes etc and because I liked it so much I want to experience it again (always something of a risk though, in case it doesn't stand up to repeat viewing, someone is off, not as good a seat etc). It's not often because frankly it's too expensive but there's real joy when you've seen something once and get to do it again knowing this time all the bits you really can look for. Or because you watched certain people first time round you can watch someone else second time round. And productions do develop and change especially if you see them at either end of the run.
I know someone who goes to see globe productions dozens and dozens time each which I did think a bit much but have been forced to admit he has a much better overall understanding of them, having seen them develop, how they play with different audiences etc and often offers insights that have plain sailed past me with just a viewing.
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Post by Dr Tom on Aug 11, 2021 18:35:45 GMT
There are several shows I've seen multiple times. I did start to keep a list of what I'd seen back in 2018 as I just realised my memory wasn't as good as I thought it was. I won't give numbers when I can see there are people here who are thinking seeing the same show three times is a lot!
But, of a long time my record was In The Heights at Kings Cross (I missed the earlier incarnation). That was a strange one, as I didn't take to the show at all the first time I saw it, but went back, sat on the front that time knowing the songs and what would happen, and it just worked for me. At the time, I was getting to London once every few weeks and I made an effort to book when I was there, knowing I'd enjoy it. It also helped they had some very good ticket offers. I also like to see different casts, so I made sure to attend fairly soon after cast changes. My regret really with In The Heights is I never got to see Cleve September during the few times he went on as Usnavi.
There are a few other shows I've liked since and made an effort to see multiple times. I've also ended up working in London and with time to fill in the evenings (especially when I spent weeknights in some quite grotty hotels, although I now have my own place), so reliable musicals were also a thing then especially with good pricing. Like others, 42nd Street fit in perfectly there. Then there's always the chance to try and see the covers when they're on. And knowing a show you like is going to close is another reason to fit in a few more visits.
Of the shows that are still open, Jamie is the show I've seen the most and I've got more bookings in before this closes. I've managed to see everyone who has played the lead role (in the UK).
I don't think I've ever seen the same play twice in the same venue. I have occasionally seen the same production more than once (especially for transfers). I've seen The History Boys three times (but over three different productions). I seen three Hamlets, three Macbeths, but that can't be unusual. And many more on film.
Sometimes, when I look at the list, things even surprise me. Like, I've seen Les Mis on three different continents, but I wouldn't put it even in my top 10 favourite shows. Actually, there are several shows I've seen on more than one continent, but sometimes it just happens that you're led by what happens to be showing when you're visiting somewhere.
Now, if I said I'd gone out of my way to a small US town to see the non-Equity tour of Pippin, because my previous viewing of the Equity tour (in Amsterdam) was unfulfilling because it started 30 minutes earlier than it said on my ticket, you might think I was mad. So, I won't mention it.
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Post by ronnette on Aug 11, 2021 19:00:38 GMT
When I go back to Hamilton in early Sept it will be my 10th visit.
For me, initially it was to see how Jam developed from first night to last. After that it was because there was so much to look at and it looks so different from different places in the Palace.
Then I’ve taken other people to see it.
Then I think it’s become a habit.
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Post by Dawnstar on Aug 11, 2021 19:04:44 GMT
From this thread and elsewhere this seems to be more a musical than a play thing, which I guess makes sense, they tend to run for much longer and have cast changes in a way that most plays don't (unless they're very successful) so there is more opportunity and difference. I guess I'm the exception to this, as the show I've seen the most number of times is The Comedy About A Bank Robbery, which admittedly includes a few songs but is definitely a play rather than a musical. Of course it did run for long enough to go through several cast changes & Mischief shows have musical-levels of understudies going on rather than normal-play-levels. |
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Post by sfsusan on Aug 11, 2021 22:02:20 GMT
I just realized I saw A Chorus Line twice (in San Francisco). Primarily because the first time I had seats in the back of the gods... couldn't understand a word of the songs (which meant I had no idea what was happening) and couldn't see well, either. I later went back with better seats to have some clue as to what the fuss was about.
And I 'might' have seen Rent twice, too. Flew down to LA from SF with some friends and loved it; I think saw it in SF and it was only ok. (Certainly unmemorable, if I did see it again.)
With some classic plays, like Shakespeare, seeing different actors in the same role wouldn't count as seeing the same show twice for me. I did see Benedict Cumberbatch and Andrew Scott both play Hamlet and the differences were really interesting. Cumberbatch did a very athletic and physical interpretation (the opposite of his role in Sherlock) and Scott did a very introspective, hesitant interpretation (the opposite of HIS role in Sherlock).
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Post by Peter on Aug 12, 2021 7:15:40 GMT
My reasons vary - as others have said, there are some shows that just make you happy or hit some other undefined spot. For me that was Witches of Eastwick (which I’ve seen 10 times in London as well as the US, UK Tour and numerous amateur productions), though there is also the interest of seeing the show evolve as it has gone through many many changes from opening night at Drury Lane!
Then there are the ‘old faithfuls’ which I’ve seen lots, but still produce much the same emotional reaction each time, so are a good fall back if there is nothing else on (or I can score cheap tickets) - for me, this was Les Mis, Ave Q, Blood Brothers. I also used to visit Phantom, but as that was primarily for the experience of that orchestra (I used get the cheap seats behind the conductor) I’m in no rush to return to the London production any time soon.
Finally I there’s the show I know I won’t get to see mounted again for a while - mostly Sondheim - so I take the opportunity to catch at least a couple of times if possible to get a full impression of the production.
As a bonus, there are the shows that I love but are clearly going to flop hard, so I try to get a few showings in before their inevitable demise - Bat Boy at the Shaftesbury was the most memorable, I think I saw it five times!
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Post by robertb213 on Aug 12, 2021 10:28:05 GMT
I've seen Wicked 10 times, mostly because of cast changes to see particular witches. Kinky Boots and Priscilla are both tied in second place at 5 times each, but they've been boosted by my usher volunteering so I only paid for a couple of the viewings.
Generally I'll only see a show more than once if one of my friends wants to see it, or if a particular performer goes into it (or I get it for free through volunteering). I'd prefer to see more shows fewer times than keep revisiting the same ones.
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Post by greeny11 on Aug 12, 2021 10:56:39 GMT
I've seen multiple shows many times - cast changes, understudies and just simply a love for the show are all reasons I have for returning to shows.
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Post by Forrest on Aug 12, 2021 12:56:30 GMT
I'm very happy to see a show more than once - in fact I love doing it! I don't watch musicals so cast changes are not an applicable reason for me, just my impression and enjoyment of the play as such, or a cast member whose performance I really love, or if it is done by a playwright/director whose work is particularly interesting to me, or simply because it's so good that I want a friend or a colleague to see it and they may be reluctant to go alone. Sometimes other factors might play a part too, e.g. I'd happily go and see a great play again if I attended a talk on it with the cast and/or crew and that revealed something unexpected and fascinating to me.
I've seen a few plays twice (The Hunt and The Doctor at the Almeida, for instance - because I simply loved everything about those), I've seen one play 5 times, 4 of which were on consecutive nights (and I would do it again in a heartbeat, and even more times if I could, but that play was a pretty special, transformative experience for me) and I've seen one play 6 times, but it was only partially by intention, and partially by chance, because I took a few people and then friends who knew I loved it and couldn't go ended up gifting me their tickets. (I loved it each time, too!)
But yes, I sometimes joke that I am a repeat offender when it comes to theatre. :)
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Post by TallPaul on Aug 12, 2021 14:16:35 GMT
Right now, I'd be happy to see anything just once! ☹
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Post by crowblack on Aug 12, 2021 15:31:40 GMT
Growing up, one of my local theatres was the Manchester Royal Exchange and I would often go back and see a show again if there was a post-show talk, which they were doing back in the 80s, and it's something I still do whenever I can, if it's a production worth sitting through twice, it's got favourite actors and the seats are cheap. An added thing with the Royal Exchange is that it's in the round, so if I go twice I'll book on the opposite side of the theatre and it can sometimes change the feel of a play. As someone who tends to book previews because it's cheaper, if I've really enjoyed the play I'll try to go back later in the run to see how its evolved (I'm trying to write myself, so if it's a new play it's interesting to see where it's grown or been pruned, and the way actors windsurf with the audience, if you see what I mean). And, again, if I've loved it and think someone I know will love it, I'll go back and see it again with them.
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Post by nick on Aug 12, 2021 17:06:55 GMT
Growing up, one of my local theatres was the Manchester Royal Exchange and I would often go back and see a show again if there was a post-show talk, which they were doing back in the 80s, and it's something I still do whenever I can, if it's a production worth sitting through twice, it's got favourite actors and the seats are cheap. An added thing with the Royal Exchange is that it's in the round, so if I go twice I'll book on the opposite side of the theatre and it can sometimes change the feel of a play. As someone who tends to book previews because it's cheaper, if I've really enjoyed the play I'll try to go back later in the run to see how its evolved (I'm trying to write myself, so if it's a new play it's interesting to see where it's grown or been pruned, and the way actors windsurf with the audience, if you see what I mean). And, again, if I've loved it and think someone I know will love it, I'll go back and see it again with them. That's such a lovely theatre. Unfortunately, having moved to London in the 90s, I haven't been for a long time. When I write a mental list of why I should move back up north the Royal Exchange is always on it. |
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Post by mkb on Aug 12, 2021 23:55:57 GMT
There are too many new shows to have much time for repeat visits to the same production. I made an exception for The Drowned Man and Sleep No More -- several times each -- for which multiple trips are needed just to experience the whole thing (or as much as possible).
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Aug 13, 2021 8:07:04 GMT
Got into a habit of going to see Kevin Spacey multiple times. I adored him on stage
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Post by luke on Aug 13, 2021 9:36:12 GMT
I loved the recent Company revival so much and ended up seeing it 8 times 😬 Waitress and Come from Away are tied for second position at 6 times each!
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