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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2020 7:26:04 GMT
Oops, sorry poster J - messages crossed!
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2,753 posts
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Post by ceebee on Oct 13, 2020 7:38:36 GMT
Why are people betchin about something so joyous and wonderful? Take off your misery masks and cynical shades and try seeing the world in a better light. This production is progress and sure as hell beats dark theatres.
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4,458 posts
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Post by poster J on Oct 13, 2020 7:45:55 GMT
Oops, sorry poster J - messages crossed! Not at all, you said it better than I did!
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4,458 posts
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Post by poster J on Oct 13, 2020 7:51:31 GMT
He's talking about the famous actors in the cast if that quote you provided is accurate - in other words, Matt Lucas and Alfie Boe took a pay cut from salaries that were presumably considerably larger than everyone else's, in order to ensure that all the other actors and production staff (who you seem happy to ignore) can be paid as much as possible while covering the running costs as any business would do. Possibly CHF and the other less famous leads took a bit of a cut, but all voluntary so no issue. Doesn't sound as if the production company is going to make a huge profit out of this. Indeed, there is nothing about that whatsoever, and it seems very likely to me that they are just going to be covering costs given it is deliberately a short run. Please read the quote properly rather than taking it out of context to create entirely unwarranted criticism. I've provided the link to the article if you doubt the accuracy of my quote, which I assure you was done by simple copy & paste, after reading the quote properly Of course it's "all voluntary" otherwise they wouldn't be hired but no one says no to Cammack in the industry Apparently I am happy to ignore the rest of the cast who "can be paid as much as possible" (where did you find that quote?) but I am simply pointing out that for every concession his PR people are willing to admit to the public there are dozens more left unsaid or forbidden to mention. Call it reading between the lines, rather than taking Cameron's PR manoeuvres word for word like you are happy to do so Enjoy your show! Again, please read - I was including all the backstage staff who you seemed to have forgotten about entirely. There are many, many people who will need to be paid for this show to happen at all. And being paid as much as possible is just a fact of life in the current circumstances - many people in all walks of life have taken pay cuts and pay freezes due to the current circumstances, that is just business. Any expectation that people will continue to be paid at pre-pandemic levels is living on another planet at present. Enabling jobs to continue so people can earn a wage at all is far more important. And if you think the likes of Boe and Lucas wouldn't have the pull to say no to Cameron Mackintosh then I think you really have put him on a ridiculously high pedestal that isn't justified in the slightest. Of course the press release doesn't give every single detail, nothing like that will ever tell the whole story. But neither does your unnecessary negativity, which is all assumptions in itself and a twisting of the words that are there which is entirely unsubstantiated. In the current times, I do have to question why on earth you are trying to create difficulties when the industry is facing enough of them as it is.
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Post by 141920grm on Oct 13, 2020 8:00:34 GMT
Why are people betchin about something so joyous and wonderful? Take off your misery masks and cynical shades and try seeing the world in a better light. This production is progress and sure as hell beats dark theatres. 😂😂😂 Les Mis is one of my favourite pieces of theatre and I’m just as happy as any other that its music and story can bring joy and wonder and work opportunities to hundreds of people for 6 weeks, but I am also aware that Cammack is NOT the shining saviour of the UK arts as he tries so very hard to portray himself to be, releasing bits of PR left right and centre when it suits his business interests, keeping mum when he can’t spin things to his business advantage (i.e. the entire past half year). Maybe Cameron’s moves are just that much more transparent through my “misery masks and cynical shades”? (best laugh all month, thank you!) I’ll continue to appreciate the artistry of theatre while keeping a realistic worldview on the business side of the industry.
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Post by Dr Tom on Oct 13, 2020 8:30:26 GMT
Aren't the actors as much of an employee as any other person from his company? Why must their value be diminished- actors putting in good, honest work to deliver stellar shows nightly- to cover the losses that the producer/producing company should bear, given that the show is produced by, well, the producers? I think he has done many things badly, but surely the alternative (i.e. keeping the theatre dark) is far worse for all concerned?
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Post by ceebee on Oct 13, 2020 8:49:27 GMT
I think CamMack is passionate about theatre and just trying to do his best in a crap situation for all. Maybe he needs better PR people (though he is his best PR person). Cut him some slack - he clearly cares deeply. It is not the job of a billionaire to serve society - government have that role, and collectively are doing it badly in both Westminster and Holyrood.
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Post by 141920grm on Oct 13, 2020 9:02:42 GMT
Aren't the actors as much of an employee as any other person from his company? Why must their value be diminished- actors putting in good, honest work to deliver stellar shows nightly- to cover the losses that the producer/producing company should bear, given that the show is produced by, well, the producers? I think he has done many things badly, but surely the alternative (i.e. keeping the theatre dark) is far worse for all concerned? In no way in my previous posts have I said I’m advocating for the alternative/for theatres to stay dark instead- of course not! I’m a huge fan of many of the performers in this cast and I’m overjoyed they get the work they all deserve, and that musical theatre lovers get to see their beloved show onstage again. All I’m saying, in case anyone has inferred otherwise, is that just because this arrangement happens to be the lesser of the two evils, so to say, doesn’t mean its inner workings and reduced-pay business model are 100% ideal, doesn’t mean I can’t point out its flaws while still acknowledging its irrefutable strengths, surely? Nor does it make Cameron a complete saint for daring to put this show on- it’s Les Mis in the West End, it’s bound to succeed- but across social media I’m not the only one to point out that this production is backed by resources other independent/regional theatres are not as fortunate enough to have, and I’m simply wary that if even such a glitzy London show has its producer so publicly bemoaning its need to skimp on pay and rent, it doesn’t inspire much hope for the still-dark rest of UK theatre.
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Post by TallPaul on Oct 13, 2020 9:06:53 GMT
Except many regional theatres, backed by the resources of the taxpayer, reopened, or announced they were reopening, long before last Saturday night.
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Post by 141920grm on Oct 13, 2020 9:39:04 GMT
Except many regional theatres, backed by the resources of the taxpayer, reopened, or announced they were reopening, long before last Saturday night. I’m talking about the big picture and this setting an unfavourable precedent, but I’ll take this discussion elsewhere since this thread is obviously unreceptive to anyone daring to dampen the joy of getting 6 weeks of Cameron’s Les Mis! Cheers~
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Post by FrontroverPaul on Oct 13, 2020 10:08:59 GMT
I'm currently sitting on a London overground train on my way to work. I would estimate about 50% of the train, which is busy, are wearing a face mask or wearing it correctly. In a few minutes I will get to Barking when there will be a scramble to get off the train and up the stairs with absolutely no regard for social distancing. When I get to work I will spend 8 hours in closer contact with colleagues than I would like to be. Do I feel safe? Absolutely not. I have, so far been to the Bridge Theatre, Southwark Playhouse and the London Palladium. Everyone wearing face masks, keeping their distance and very organised entry and exit. They couldn't do more for your wellbeing. Did I feel safe? Absolutely yes. Just wanted to share this with anyone feeling a bit concerned about returning to the theatre. I haven't been to any theatre or entertainment venue since lockdown but have three shows booked now including Les Mis. I prefer to wear a face visor though I always have a new face mask with me should I be challenged - were there visor-wearers at the theatres you have visited ?
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Post by latefortheoverture on Oct 13, 2020 10:27:59 GMT
My email has arrived!!
Also says on the holding page that more performances are being added. This could run and run, especially given the cut down capacity.
'Demand for this production has been unprecedented. Should you be unable to find suitable tickets today, we are in the process of organising extra performances, so please check back tomorrow when we hope additional tickets will be released for general onsale at noon.'
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Post by daisy24601 on Oct 13, 2020 10:37:10 GMT
"Demand for this production has been unprecedented"
Really?!
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Post by Figaro on Oct 13, 2020 10:51:29 GMT
Extension announced tomorrow?
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Post by latefortheoverture on Oct 13, 2020 11:00:49 GMT
Says I'm in the queue but doesn't give any numbers!
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544 posts
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Post by amp09 on Oct 13, 2020 11:01:34 GMT
4500 users ahead of me in the queue 😭😭😭
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Post by latefortheoverture on Oct 13, 2020 11:01:40 GMT
Does now- 16,133 on computer and 19,843 on phone.
Can't say I'm feeling hopeful
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874 posts
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Post by daisy24601 on Oct 13, 2020 11:01:44 GMT
17764 😭
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Post by westendcub on Oct 13, 2020 11:03:55 GMT
I have 2802 in front, thankful it’s not 24601!!
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Post by latefortheoverture on Oct 13, 2020 11:04:14 GMT
I'm giving myself 30 minutes, then I'm giving up, can't be doing this all day!
Last time around I got front row returns, no doubt they'll be plenty of returns before the run!
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874 posts
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Post by daisy24601 on Oct 13, 2020 11:07:08 GMT
I'm giving myself 30 minutes, then I'm giving up, can't be doing this all day! Last time around I got front row returns, no doubt they'll be plenty of returns before the run! How did you get them?
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Post by latefortheoverture on Oct 13, 2020 11:13:10 GMT
I'm giving myself 30 minutes, then I'm giving up, can't be doing this all day! Last time around I got front row returns, no doubt they'll be plenty of returns before the run! How did you get them? Just kept checking the website- I think I was checking it 5/6 times a day at one stage as I was desperate for seats. There was always a couple seats there, but nothing that suited. Then when I checked one day I found 3 front row seats on a date that suited me. Think it was about 2 weeks before the performance, but the run had started. No show is ever sold out, theres always returns. I find once the show is running returns happen more often. Delfont Mackintosh is the best place to check for them, as it is the box office direct. The Ferryman and Company I also got some last minute returns for via the Box Office.
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Post by bob2010 on Oct 13, 2020 11:13:17 GMT
Not much of a presale if tickets are available to everyone anyway
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Post by Mark on Oct 13, 2020 11:18:09 GMT
Lots of the family on multiple devices to join the queue, and I got pretty much straight in with position 60 on my laptop. Got the seats I wanted for the performance I wanted (Grand circle cheap slips). If anything, I'll hear it...
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Post by Being Alive on Oct 13, 2020 11:19:04 GMT
Got through on the click of 12 o'clock. Straight in for a Tuesday eve (obviously want JOJ) and there is lots of availability. Best of lucky'all!
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Post by jaqs on Oct 13, 2020 11:21:50 GMT
I clicked the link straight away but still ended up with 20k people ahead of me in the queue when it opened. Ah well at least I saw it in the summer.
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Post by justinj on Oct 13, 2020 11:22:10 GMT
I’m going to see JoJ Well at least hear him, got a cheap grand circle slip.
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Post by alece10 on Oct 13, 2020 11:35:09 GMT
I'm currently sitting on a London overground train on my way to work. I would estimate about 50% of the train, which is busy, are wearing a face mask or wearing it correctly. In a few minutes I will get to Barking when there will be a scramble to get off the train and up the stairs with absolutely no regard for social distancing. When I get to work I will spend 8 hours in closer contact with colleagues than I would like to be. Do I feel safe? Absolutely not. I have, so far been to the Bridge Theatre, Southwark Playhouse and the London Palladium. Everyone wearing face masks, keeping their distance and very organised entry and exit. They couldn't do more for your wellbeing. Did I feel safe? Absolutely yes. Just wanted to share this with anyone feeling a bit concerned about returning to the theatre. I haven't been to any theatre or entertainment venue since lockdown but have three shows booked now including Les Mis. I prefer to wear a face visor though I always have a new face mask with me should I be challenged - were there visor-wearers at the theatres you have visited ? Can't say I saw any visors. Just masks and several were theatre related including mine which is a "the show must go on" one. But the visor does the same job and probably more comfortable.
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Post by solitaire on Oct 13, 2020 11:37:16 GMT
I've been on since 11:15 and still at 15287 since the 12:00 start. If I go on a new session there's over 30k users ahead of me. Very very popular 😱. Not sure what will be left 🙈😭😭😭🤣🤣
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Post by daisy24601 on Oct 13, 2020 11:39:09 GMT
Same! Had it open as the clock went down and still was thousands from being in. I might give up and check back later.
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