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Post by interval99 on Apr 22, 2022 9:49:04 GMT
Two days to join other musical lovers and meet the performers, do workshops, lip sync, autographs and cos play! or be discovered as the next west end star as the publicity says.
Split on this as both sounds interesting and something to keep well away from and it's a long trek to the excel complex
Tickets from £29 per day and special ticket rates for VIP access.
Thought there were a couple of West end flea markets and bake off already planned this year as well as the normal west end live so will be overload this year.
Expect some board members to be planning their musical cosplay costume now and they have six months to prepare.
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Post by HereForTheatre on Apr 22, 2022 9:54:03 GMT
It's about time we had something like this. Remember several years ago when one was announced and fell through? I think it was a con from the off and they still have my money!
Anyway this sounds good, has the backing of loads of stars and the ticket prices are so reasonable!!
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Post by danb on Apr 22, 2022 10:07:55 GMT
Hmmmm, it’s monetising something people love. I guess it is making a version of stagedooring safe after Covid? Not sure how I feel about this. I took my daughter to a Dr Who fan event once which was really well run and gave you access to ‘the stars’ but was very very pricey.
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Post by alece10 on Apr 22, 2022 10:44:52 GMT
It's about time we had something like this. Remember several years ago when one was announced and fell through? I think it was a con from the off and they still have my money! Anyway this sounds good, has the backing of loads of stars and the ticket prices are so reasonable!! I was just thinking that. It was about 3 years ago? And the cancellation had nothing to do with covid. |
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Post by alece10 on Apr 22, 2022 10:46:41 GMT
Hope it soes well.
I wonder if people will dress up as their favourite musical characters as they do at Comic Con.
If Heather's or Wicked are there they will probably need extra security for the fan girls as, no doubt, fights will happen.
I won't be going as can't manage the walking and standing around but I wish them luck.
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Post by viserys on Apr 22, 2022 10:56:12 GMT
It sounds like fan hysteria central and I'd walk miles to avoid it.
Not to diss on the general idea, but the line up of "stars" with so many performers from Six, Heathers and other fan favourites and most of what's announced like "...epic cosplay competition, fan meetups, musical lip-sync battles and show sing-alongs" sounds like it's very squarely aimed at a young fan audience, probably with Mom and Dad in tow to finance overpriced "photo opportunities" and "rare merchandise" and so on.
I wish they would announce the West End Flea Market a lot earlier or make it a fixed date like the Broadway Flea Market, so I could plan for THAT as I'd much rather simply have a stroll along stalls, pick up some bits, knowing the money goes to an actual charity and savour the atmosphere without all the hysteria and hype, or as Aimie Atkinson is quoted "It's stagedoor turned all the way to the max"
Hell, no. I'm rather officially old.
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Post by Being Alive on Apr 22, 2022 11:10:42 GMT
Think I'm officially old too - a building just full of the Six, Heathers and Be More Chill fangirls sounds like something I'd pay to avoid.
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Post by og on Apr 22, 2022 12:56:14 GMT
Hmmmm, it’s monetising something people love. I guess it is making a version of stagedooring safe after Covid? Not sure how I feel about this. I took my daughter to a Dr Who fan event once which was really well run and gave you access to ‘the stars’ but was very very pricey. Either way it is still a business venture, not a hobby or plaything, which some who hold it dear behave at times. You wouldn’t keep a leaking bucket even if it was your favourite bucket. You might spend years and unrealistic amounts patching up the holes, but know that eventually you’ll need to throw it away and replace it with a new one. Sorry, which way do you want it? It's ok to monetise a show by selling tickets for it, but not by selling tickets to a convention about the shows? |
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Post by anthony40 on Apr 22, 2022 13:11:46 GMT
I will go to this.
Although I m very much aware of them, I have never been to any sort of .Com. I have also never been to Excel.
However musicals are my passion and one of the (many) reasons that I moved to London.
For the people organising, as this the first I think this will be very much 'testing the waters' to gauge attendance numbers, what worked and what didn't etc. fir next year- assuming there is a next year.
As I say, as this will be the first time attending such an event, I will purchase only the basic package and just go for one day.
It's already marked on my calendar and I will purchase my ticket online tonight. |
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Post by stagebyte on Apr 22, 2022 14:12:35 GMT
Wonder whether the outdoor con which was supposed to run in May fell at the post because of this one?
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Post by anthony40 on Apr 22, 2022 14:58:30 GMT
(Just an out there kinda thought) but I'm wondering is, judging on the number of attendees over the two days whether Excel has the potential to hose future West End Lives.
I mean it's kinda outgrown Trafalgar Square.
It has the capacity.
It's under shelter.
Location wise- if theatre fans are willing to travel for this, why not West End Live?
Again, just a thought
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Post by danb on Apr 22, 2022 15:32:25 GMT
Hmmmm, it’s monetising something people love. I guess it is making a version of stagedooring safe after Covid? Not sure how I feel about this. I took my daughter to a Dr Who fan event once which was really well run and gave you access to ‘the stars’ but was very very pricey. Either way it is still a business venture, not a hobby or plaything, which some who hold it dear behave at times. You wouldn’t keep a leaking bucket even if it was your favourite bucket. You might spend years and unrealistic amounts patching up the holes, but know that eventually you’ll need to throw it away and replace it with a new one. Sorry, which way do you want it? It's ok to monetise a show by selling tickets for it, but not by selling tickets to a convention about the shows? The answer is there if you look for it…. ‘I’m not sure how I feel about it’. They are totally different things. Presumably some of it will be displays, informative talks and maybe the odd performance, but it will ultimately be about paying for a meet and great, and to get a photo & autograph. This used to be free and for some a fun part of their theatre trips. So, no I don’t think they are the same. Kind of you to go out of your way to quote me from a completely separate thread though, almost like having a discussion on a discussion board. |
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Post by anthony40 on Apr 22, 2022 15:47:38 GMT
Just booked. Anyone going on the Saturday, if you see me (trust me, it's more likely that you'll see me before I see you) feel free to say hello
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Post by mkb on Apr 22, 2022 16:16:43 GMT
Reading this thread, I had to Google what "cosplay" is. I'd heard the term but wrongly thought it was one of those new words trans people have coined. Here's the link for anyone similarly in need of education: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosplay |
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Post by danb on Apr 22, 2022 16:17:03 GMT
Might give West End Live a go this year. Is it the Saturday that normally has the best turns?
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Post by sprampster on Apr 22, 2022 16:24:15 GMT
Have to say and I don't think I am in the minority. But this sounds hateful. A pure money making exercise and no real genuine love behind this.
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Post by alece10 on Apr 22, 2022 16:24:17 GMT
Might give West End Live a go this year. Is it the Saturday that normally has the best turns? Yes. |
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Post by alece10 on Apr 22, 2022 16:29:51 GMT
(Just an out there kinda thought) but I'm wondering is, judging on the number of attendees over the two days whether Excel has the potential to hose future West End Lives. I mean it's kinda outgrown Trafalgar Square. It has the capacity. It's under shelter. Location wise- if theatre fans are willing to travel for this, why not West End Live? Again, just a Although Excel could take the number of people who attend Westend Live it wouldn't be practical. I've worked at a lot of events at Excel and the place is not really designed for one large open space even though the side rooms all open up you have the boulevard running down the middle so you would end up with a long narrow space and the stage miles away. |
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Post by alece10 on Apr 22, 2022 16:32:42 GMT
I hope there isn't too much negativity around this and people moaning.
I say good on them for trying something unique and it will be an excellent event for those who like the idea.
Not your thing? Don't go!
It's not my kind of thing so won't be going but I really wish the organisers all the best and if social media this morning is anything to go by it will be popular.
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Post by greeny11 on Apr 22, 2022 16:34:18 GMT
The only issue with the Excel in terms of West End Live is it's quite far out, it's not anywhere near the theatres. The best part of it being in Trafalgar Square is it's really close to most of the theatres, which is also a plus for the cast as it's not far to get back to their theatre. Also, with more shows doing Sunday shows now, I'd expect the Sunday of WEL to be better than it has previously been.
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Post by thesoberpanda on Apr 22, 2022 17:51:36 GMT
Hey all, new poster, long time lurker and all that ...
... Just thought I'd chime in with my thoughts on this.
I agree that when stage door has always been free, paying to meet the cast does seem like a kick in the teeth. However, renting space at the Excel would not be cheap so whoever's behind this could well lose a lot of money on this event (I think i read an article about how the first three years of cons never make any money). Plus no doubt they'll have to pay the actors to perform its a risky venture and they're not charging an extortionate amount I'd imagine they are relying on a lot of fans attending, I can see it being rammed !!
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Post by anthony40 on Apr 22, 2022 17:55:36 GMT
Welcome to the board thesoberpanda
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Post by HereForTheatre on Apr 22, 2022 18:20:06 GMT
I'm not sure why some folks are acting like they are trying to make money out of stage dooring. It's a whole convention. There will be performances, workshops, Interviews, stalls....all sorts.
There are conventions for all sorts of things, it's a pretty normal thing, I'm not quite sure why one for theatre is getting such a negative reaction.
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Post by lou on Apr 22, 2022 18:33:16 GMT
Plus when you go to a stage door you’re not guaranteed anything and with this you can ensure, at a price, that you get the photo or autograph you’d like.
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Post by danb on Apr 22, 2022 18:44:08 GMT
Because it hasn’t been done before and people don’t know what to expect. ‘Summer In The City’ at Ally Pally was a similar ‘you tuber’ type affair where they performed, did talks (unboxing candles LIVE! 🌈) which was v hit and miss. Certain sessions oversubscribed, having to jump through hoops to get into certain bits etc, but took a few years to find its organisational feet. This will need really good planning, availability of artists, managing expectations, (no Dawn, Alfie will not sign your tit!) and basically be the blueprint for things like this going forward. Unfortunately there will be no scope for finding their feet.
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