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Post by caroliner on Aug 29, 2021 21:26:56 GMT
I do find it a bit crap that I managed to go through the main Palladium entrance, through all the corridors, down to the front of the stalls, read some of the programme, and be actually watching the show before there was any indication the understudy Narrator was on. I didn’t see any signs, there was no slip in the programme, and no announcement before the show. Like I say… a bit crap. I feel your pain! They should have made an announcement at the start of the performance - horrible way for you to find out Linzi wasn't there. And not fair on Rochelle - there were certainly some confused people where I was sitting! I only found out about Linzi 7 minutes before the show on a piece of A4 stuck in a non-obvious place in the bar area. I got into Joseph via the same route as you - ie as a kid watching Going Live! Saw it twice with Philip Schofield, was my first West End show, and has always been very special to me. Never went to see it again over the years as I didn't want other versions to spoil my memory of it. However... I went in 2019 purely because of it being at the Palladium and Jason Donovan being it in... even though I never saw him as Joseph, I grew up with the soundtrack etc so it felt special to see him as Pharaoh. The performance didn't disappoint, loved every minute, and even though I wasn't into the narrator-as-Jacob/Mrs Potipher etc idea at all, Sheridan Smith made it work. Having said that, once was enough, and I didn't intend to see again... ...until Linzi Hateley was announced as (special performances) Narrator for this run! OMG! Being very Covid-cautious, Linzi was literally the only person who could have got me into that theatre today. I was pretty devastated when I saw the notice. I went to find the manager, and explained that I'd booked for the person, not the show. Obviously, I've been to enough shows to know that you can't get a refund etc - I'm not daft, and I accept that. However, I asked if I could possibly exchange for another day (explaining the emotional attachment!) but was told absolutely no way. In all fairness, if they did it for me, they'd have to do it for everyone etc... I get that, sadly. However, what is NOT cool is that I bought my ticket yesterday, and the ticketing website was showing Linzi as playing the Narrator for both of Saturday's and Sunday's performances. At this point, she'd already dropped out of Saturday's performances, so why was she still touted as being the Narrator? If the site had been corrected, then I'd have known something was up and might have waited before booking, or phoned the venue etc on the day. When I saw the A4 notice, the first thing I did was check the ticketing site on my phone, and they were still selling tickets for my performance saying specifically that Linzi Hateley will be the Narrator. I took a screengrab of this on my phone as proof. Like I say, really not cool. To be honest, I was close to tears, and as the performance began I felt totally miserable. It would be nice if, in these situations, the Production Company could at least offer to allow you back for another performance at the last minute, subject to a seat being free. This could be on a no-promises, turn up at your own risk, basis - it would be a nice gesture. On another note... Covid safety at the Palladium was appalling and not as advertised. There was no checking for Covid passes and very poor mask enforcement. When I turned around at the end, during the finale, only about 20% of the Circle seemed to be wearing masks. On this basis, I'm not sure I'd want to go back even if I was offered a ticket for one of Linzi's two remaining shows. Anyway, health is the most important thing - I hope Linzi rests up and gets better soon - I've just seen her lovely tweet, explaining her absence, which was a very thoughtful thing to do. And well done to Rochelle, it was nice to see her get a great reaction from the crowd. If anyone from the cast/crew reads this... please know that you're all amazing, and my gripe is solely with the theatre!  |
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Post by buckybear on Aug 30, 2021 7:33:44 GMT
I completely agree with the comments above. The production is using a name to sell the show, if the ‘name’ is unavailable for any reason, an alternate should be offered to the customer not an attitude of ‘tough, suck it up’.. Spending upwards of £100 on each ticket plus fares etc. makes for an incredibly expensive outing. The audience should be offered the right to see who they paid to see at another performance - and don’t come back with the crap about paying to see the show. Some of you may, but many pay to see the advertised name IN the show.
In the case of Carolina, her experience appears to be the result of blatant false advertising. Caroline was allowed to purchase a ticket under false pretences and should take this up with the production company. Unfortunately this all leaves a very sour taste in the mouth. What should be an enjoyable outing turns into a battle.
I have said before, if the attitude is you pay to see ‘the show’, don’t advertise artists names on any publicity to try and sell more more tickets!.
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Post by richey on Aug 30, 2021 7:45:43 GMT
How is it "blatant false advertising"? She bought a ticket to see Joseph and she got to see Joseph.
I'm sorry but this argument about getting to see the named star has been going ln for years and I think by now we know that, as annoying as it may be not to see the person you wanted to, there's not a lot we can do about it
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Post by Phantom of London on Aug 30, 2021 7:57:19 GMT
When Lee Mead was out at the Adelphi the box office were giving refunds.
Saying that if you have splashed out on a expensive ticket, hotel and fares and whatever else, it must be tremendous gutting to then see the understudy.
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Post by viserys on Aug 30, 2021 8:21:29 GMT
Oh come on. Lee Mead had the top job and got that via a much publicised TV show. Naturally everyone was itching to see him. Same as Jason Donovan was the superstar to lead the '92 production, quite possibly Sheridan the star people booked to see two years ago.
But Linzi isn't even the main performer for the Narrator - people here have beein cheering when they saw her instead of Alexandra Burke instead of demanding their money back. Linzi is an insider gift to the musical theatre community, but certainly not a star name one could expect refunds for. The entitlement is baffling.
I just found out that I won't get to see CHF when I finally get to see Cinderella in early October, since she's on holiday that Saturday. Am I disappointed? Yea, especially since I think it's rude to take holidays this early in the run of a brand new show. Will I shriek for my money back? Hell no. Who knows, the understudy may give one of those "a star is born" performances.
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Post by caroliner on Aug 30, 2021 8:44:54 GMT
Thanks for the feedback everyone! To be clear, I wasn't after a refund and didn't believe I had any grounds to request one anyway. My one gripe is that the official ticketing site (ie the point at which money changes hands!) still highlighted both of Saturday's and Sunday's performances as including Linzi, even after she'd pulled out. The wording was "At this performance the role of the Narrator will be played by Linzi Hateley". It still said this 5 minutes before my show started. It doesn't even say "is currently scheduled to be..." - it's very specific.
I pointed the above out to the manager, and hoped there might be something that could be done. I was very nice about it, I explained how upset I was, but I was not an "angry customer" etc! I'd have happily swapped my premium seat for a lesser seat at Linzi's next performance (with no partial refund etc) for example. Instead I just got the "T&Cs" quoted to me, which was disappointing. The show wasn't sold out, so it wouldn't have hurt to have organised an exchange (which you can do up to 24 hours before the show starts). It would have been nice to have been shown a little kindness, that's all.
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Post by Jon on Aug 30, 2021 9:00:58 GMT
Considering that some audience members have had the shows they've booked cancelled at the last minute due to self isolation, I think seeing an understudy isn't that big a deal in the grand scheme of things.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2021 10:04:17 GMT
Oh come on. Lee Mead had the top job and got that via a much publicised TV show. Naturally everyone was itching to see him. Same as Jason Donovan was the superstar to lead the '92 production, quite possibly Sheridan the star people booked to see two years ago. But Linzi isn't even the main performer for the Narrator - people here have beein cheering when they saw her instead of Alexandra Burke instead of demanding their money back. Linzi is an insider gift to the musical theatre community, but certainly not a star name one could expect refunds for. The entitlement is baffling. I just found out that I won't get to see CHF when I finally get to see Cinderella in early October, since she's on holiday that Saturday. Am I disappointed? Yea, especially since I think it's rude to take holidays this early in the run of a brand new show. Will I shriek for my money back? Hell no. Who knows, the understudy may give one of those "a star is born" performances. There's no entitlement when it comes to getting what you have paid for. Imagine you order a product online and it's advertised that it does this and that and makes your coffee in the morning, once it arrives and doesn't deliver on those promises. You're allowed to return it. Same with these shows, they are advertising a show with specific people in it. They have a duty to the customer to make sure they deliver on that. I realise people get sick or injured, but that's what the refund/exchange should be there for. It should be protected under some kind of consumer rights act. Unfortunately and I don't know how, they can get away with not delivering on that through pages and pages of small print. The customer should have the OPTION to choose what they want to do, whether that's an exchange or a refund, in the event that for their booked performance is not going to be as advertised. I'll say it again, theatre tickets are expensive! But even if they weren't, it's still hard earned cash thats being spent. It feels a bit like gambling and it shouldn't. A show is a product that you are buying, if it doesn't work as advertised you should be able to get an exchange or refund; simple. Not everyone will but some people will want to and that shouldn't be discriminated against. |
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Post by danielwhit on Aug 30, 2021 11:42:28 GMT
Oh come on. Lee Mead had the top job and got that via a much publicised TV show. Naturally everyone was itching to see him. Same as Jason Donovan was the superstar to lead the '92 production, quite possibly Sheridan the star people booked to see two years ago. But Linzi isn't even the main performer for the Narrator - people here have beein cheering when they saw her instead of Alexandra Burke instead of demanding their money back. Linzi is an insider gift to the musical theatre community, but certainly not a star name one could expect refunds for. The entitlement is baffling. I just found out that I won't get to see CHF when I finally get to see Cinderella in early October, since she's on holiday that Saturday. Am I disappointed? Yea, especially since I think it's rude to take holidays this early in the run of a brand new show. Will I shriek for my money back? Hell no. Who knows, the understudy may give one of those "a star is born" performances. I agree with almost everything except for the idea that it's "rude" for a performer to take holiday several months into their contract (when did Cinderella rehearsals start properly, May?). Problem is some need to take holidays pretty early as a production can't be in a position where they lose several people at once late in the contract cycle, especially when you consider understudy availability especially if 2nd covers know multiple tracks etc. |
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Post by danb on Aug 30, 2021 11:46:53 GMT
Oh come on. Lee Mead had the top job and got that via a much publicised TV show. Naturally everyone was itching to see him. Same as Jason Donovan was the superstar to lead the '92 production, quite possibly Sheridan the star people booked to see two years ago. But Linzi isn't even the main performer for the Narrator - people here have beein cheering when they saw her instead of Alexandra Burke instead of demanding their money back. Linzi is an insider gift to the musical theatre community, but certainly not a star name one could expect refunds for. The entitlement is baffling. I just found out that I won't get to see CHF when I finally get to see Cinderella in early October, since she's on holiday that Saturday. Am I disappointed? Yea, especially since I think it's rude to take holidays this early in the run of a brand new show. Will I shriek for my money back? Hell no. Who knows, the understudy may give one of those "a star is born" performances. I’m not sure anyone is taking their holidays when they thought they were these days! 🤣 |
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Post by Mark on Aug 30, 2021 12:00:25 GMT
I just found out that I won't get to see CHF when I finally get to see Cinderella in early October, since she's on holiday that Saturday. Am I disappointed? Yea, especially since I think it's rude to take holidays this early in the run of a brand new show. Will I shriek for my money back? Hell no. Who knows, the understudy may give one of those "a star is born" performances. I’m not sure anyone is taking their holidays when they thought they were these days! 🤣 Rude to take holidays? I mean, the show has started over a year later than originally planned, and she's taking a weekend off (3 performances within the first 6 months of the run). Maybe she has a family event or a wedding to attent. Performers are entitled to take their annual leave the same as everyone else. |
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Post by fiyero on Aug 30, 2021 12:32:41 GMT
I’m not sure anyone is taking their holidays when they thought they were these days! 🤣 Rude to take holidays? I mean, the show has started over a year later than originally planned, and she's taking a weekend off (3 performances within the first 6 months of the run). Maybe she has a family event or a wedding to attent. Performers are entitled to take their annual leave the same as everyone else. And she’s letting people know! I wish all shows did, both to increase chances of not missing someone and so you can try and see a cover. |
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Post by shady23 on Aug 30, 2021 15:55:48 GMT
You could say this for every single show.
Each show has the advertised cast on the website.
I am sure they also have "cannot guarantee the appearance of any artist" on, however.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2021 16:17:27 GMT
You could say this for every single show. Each show has the advertised cast on the website. I am sure they also have "cannot guarantee the appearance of any artist" on, however. Absolutely. If they are going to advertise any kinds of specifics like that and don't deliver, the option should be there. It's very unfair to the customer. A little asterisk or bit of small print is not acceptable. As I have said before, not every single customer will want a refund or exchange but it should be available and theatres shouldn't be slated for wanting to do right by the customer, which is what happened at the Southbank for Light in the Piazza. |
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Post by danb on Aug 30, 2021 16:38:40 GMT
It’s a very emotive subject, and I’ve been on both sides of it. I’d have been devastated if Linzi had been sick on my date, but also appreciate that people get ill. Producers can’t afford to be refunding when they are just getting back on their feet (I’m sure Michael Harrisons feet are very expensively shod already) as it sets a president. Smaller shows couldn’t hope to turn a profit if this became widespread. Perhaps some sort of insurance could be offered?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2021 16:52:32 GMT
You could say this for every single show. Each show has the advertised cast on the website. I am sure they also have "cannot guarantee the appearance of any artist" on, however. Absolutely. If they are going to advertise any kinds of specifics like that and don't deliver, the option should be there. It's very unfair to the customer. A little asterisk or bit of small print is not acceptable. As I have said before, not every single customer will want a refund or exchange but it should be available and theatres shouldn't be slated for wanting to do right by the customer, which is what happened at the Southbank for Light in the Piazza. It's not unfair - life happens. You buy a ticket, you sign up to its terms and conditions. Don't like them, don't purchase. Theatres are at the end of the day businesses like anything else, they can't afford to refund people who think they are above seeing the understudy. And I say that as someone who has been in that position - my strike rate trying to see Samantha Barks in anything is 2 out of 5! But not once did I attempt to get a refund for the shows she didn't make. And funnily enough the understudies were good. |
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Post by geraldine64 on Aug 30, 2021 17:01:45 GMT
It would be so helpful and reassuring if theatres could show a little flexibility, in ticket sales generally, but especially in situations like this which can cause such disappointment. Most audience members would be happy to watch the show they have bought tickets for whoever is performing (and will obviously see a great show with the superb covers and swings), but for the person who has booked specifically to see a specific performer and is devastated if they are not performing, I can't see that it would be too difficult to offer either an exchange or credit voucher, and would be a great improvement in customer service. A few (very few) theatres are very good at offering credits/exchanges, if only more would follow suit!
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Post by Jon on Aug 30, 2021 17:06:51 GMT
It's not unfair - life happens. You buy a ticket, you sign up to its terms and conditions. Don't like them, don't purchase. Theatres are at the end of the day businesses like anything else, they can't afford to refund people who think they are above seeing the understudy. And I say that as someone who has been in that position - my strike rate trying to see Samantha Barks in anything is 2 out of 5! But not once did I attempt to get a refund for the shows she didn't make. And funnily enough the understudies were good. I agree, these shows are not cheap to put on and if every show had to refund or exchange every time someone was off, we have no theatre at all and keep in mind that commercial theatre does not have the luxury of exchanging tickets on a whim, that's at the discretion of the producers of the show. The magic of theatre is that it's live but it means that if someone gets ill, that's tough luck but then you wouldn't get things like at Constellations where Omari Douglas replaced Anna Maxwell Martin because she was off sick, I saw Tovey and Douglas and loved it but it would have fantastic to see the O'Dowd/Douglas pairing! |
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Post by shady23 on Aug 30, 2021 17:07:22 GMT
This is a bit of a departure from talking about this production specifically, however, what is it that draws people to this show? I was too young to see the original but from what I have seen and heard; the Donny Osmond recording, many clips of this production online, listened to the soundtrack - this show is not anything to write home about. What is it that people like about this show? Is it just purely the nostalgia? In my opinion, the music is God awful and the story is just nothing. It really does feel like a show that just be performed in churches or primary schools, which it was only ever supposed to be as I understand it. But I am always willing to have my mind changed if someone can convince me. So, please feel free to share - what is it that you like about Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat? My Mum was a big fan of it when Lee Mead was in it and she went to see him in London many times. I've seen it a few times on tour since and the tours have differed greatly in quality. The one recently with Joe McCelderry I quite enjoyed, however some of the other tours with the likes of Keith Jack and Craig Charmers seemed to have been done on a shoestring with just the bridge that children sat on in the background. It was like watching a high school show. The story seemed to be iver quick and then the same songs just being repeated to pad it out. I enjoyed it at the Palladium last outing but it seemed more lavish than I had seen it previously and I am a big fan of Sheridan. Unless there's someone in it I like I cannot imagine I will go and watch it again. |
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Post by forevercolours on Aug 30, 2021 17:08:40 GMT
It would be so helpful and reassuring if theatres could show a little flexibility, in ticket sales generally, but especially in situations like this which can cause such disappointment. Most audience members would be happy to watch the show they have bought tickets for whoever is performing (and will obviously see a great show with the superb covers and swings), but for the person who has booked specifically to see a specific performer and is devastated if they are not performing, I can't see that it would be too difficult to offer either an exchange or credit voucher, and would be a great improvement in customer service. A few (very few) theatres are very good at offering credits/exchanges, if only more would follow suit! This is a system that could very easily be abused though. If people hear that theatres will fork out refunds if you act upset and disappointed because a certain performer is off unexpectedly then it is easy enough to ramp up the disappointment and beg for a refund, even if they were perfectly happy with the cast that was on/didn’t actually care about a certain performer being absent. |
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Post by Jon on Aug 30, 2021 17:09:23 GMT
It would be so helpful and reassuring if theatres could show a little flexibility, in ticket sales generally, but especially in situations like this which can cause such disappointment. Most audience members would be happy to watch the show they have bought tickets for whoever is performing (and will obviously see a great show with the superb covers and swings), but for the person who has booked specifically to see a specific performer and is devastated if they are not performing, I can't see that it would be too difficult to offer either an exchange or credit voucher, and would be a great improvement in customer service. A few (very few) theatres are very good at offering credits/exchanges, if only more would follow suit! The problem with that is it could easily be abused by people. If the show is cancelled, then it's valid but the show went on as planned. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2021 17:11:51 GMT
It's not unfair - life happens. You buy a ticket, you sign up to its terms and conditions. Don't like them, don't purchase. Theatres are at the end of the day businesses like anything else, they can't afford to refund people who think they are above seeing the understudy. And I say that as someone who has been in that position - my strike rate trying to see Samantha Barks in anything is 2 out of 5! But not once did I attempt to get a refund for the shows she didn't make. And funnily enough the understudies were good. I agree, these shows are not cheap to put on and if every show had to refund or exchange every time someone was off, we have no theatre at all and keep in mind that commercial theatre does not have the luxury of exchanging tickets on a whim, that's at the discretion of the producers of the show. The magic of theatre is that it's live but it means that if someone gets ill, that's tough luck but then you wouldn't get things like at Constellations where Omari Douglas replaced Anna Maxwell Martin because she was off sick, I saw Tovey and Douglas and loved it but it would have fantastic to see the O'Dowd/Douglas pairing! I'm truly shocked by this seemingly popular consensus. Tough luck? That's so wrong. You would still get those magical moments! No one is forcing you get a refund or exchange, but you should be allowed and not judged for wanting to get what you paid for. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2021 17:18:42 GMT
It would be so helpful and reassuring if theatres could show a little flexibility, in ticket sales generally, but especially in situations like this which can cause such disappointment. Most audience members would be happy to watch the show they have bought tickets for whoever is performing (and will obviously see a great show with the superb covers and swings), but for the person who has booked specifically to see a specific performer and is devastated if they are not performing, I can't see that it would be too difficult to offer either an exchange or credit voucher, and would be a great improvement in customer service. A few (very few) theatres are very good at offering credits/exchanges, if only more would follow suit! The problem with that is it could easily be abused by people. If the show is cancelled, then it's valid but the show went on as planned. That's why theatres then need to cover their backs as much as possible. Let people know as soon as they know that someone is off. Put posters up everywhere inside. Inform the public of holidays. Make announcements. Anything and everything. It's not hard. But it's so hush hush and hidden, why? Because the producers want your sweet, sweet moolah. Chaching. Once the curtain goes up, that should be the cut off or perhaps 5 minutes in. If someone becomes indisposed during the show, that's different! In other industry would this type of daylight robbery be acceptable. But theatre? "Tough luck" |
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Post by Phantom of London on Aug 30, 2021 17:22:30 GMT
They refund on Broadway, if above the title.so why can’t they do it here?
If you have splashed out to see a particular performer and they’re not on, it must be gaoling. Especially when producers advertise the name so blatantly. If the understudy is on for say the Phantom, I wouldn’t expect a refund as the show isn’t sold as a star vehicle, but as a show.
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Post by geraldine64 on Aug 30, 2021 17:24:00 GMT
It would be so helpful and reassuring if theatres could show a little flexibility, in ticket sales generally, but especially in situations like this which can cause such disappointment. Most audience members would be happy to watch the show they have bought tickets for whoever is performing (and will obviously see a great show with the superb covers and swings), but for the person who has booked specifically to see a specific performer and is devastated if they are not performing, I can't see that it would be too difficult to offer either an exchange or credit voucher, and would be a great improvement in customer service. A few (very few) theatres are very good at offering credits/exchanges, if only more would follow suit! This is a system that could very easily be abused though. If people hear that theatres will fork out refunds if you act upset and disappointed because a certain performer is off unexpectedly then it is easy enough to ramp up the disappointment and beg for a refund, even if they were perfectly happy with the cast that was on/didn’t actually care about a certain performer being absent. Yes, I get what you're saying, there are always going to be some people who will play the system. I know that we buy a ticket to see the show, not the performer, and wouldn't expect theatres to offer any refunds, but still think a credit or exchange would be doable for the relatively small number of people who might want to attend a different performance in order to see the specific performer they are desperate to see. |
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