Not bowing after a performance?
Tue, 26 Aug 2008, 01:03 amLouisa Fitzhardinge27 posts in thread
Not bowing after a performance?
Tue, 26 Aug 2008, 01:03 amWould you consider leaving the traditional bows out of the end of a piece of theatre?
Have you seen or been involved in a production that has opted to end the show at curtain down?
I've just arrived home from the tech run of SIX (a UDS production; we open on Thursday) where we had a bit of a heated discussion over bows, and whether or not they are necessary/desirable for a play. I think, as an audience member, I'd feel a bit disgruntled if everyone was clapping for minutes on end and the bows just never came. It's expected. Especially in Perth, especially for community theatre, when half the audience is the actors' friends and family. And as an actor, it just seems a bit pretentious and ungrateful not to.
Audience: "You guys were great!"
Actor: "Whatever; shut up. Theatre is an expression of meaning, not an opportunity to bathe in kudos. You clearly don't understand."
Plus it gives an opportunity to thank the SM, lighting crew, sound crew etc...
So what do you reckon? Are curtain calls archaic, pointless and vain? Does it break the tone of the ending of a play if everyone comes on and bows afterwards? Or do they bring the play to a proper end and connect the actors with the audience?
(Of course I don't mean massive Broadway-style choreographed bows... just an ensemble cast taking one bow, applauding to the box and applauding to the wings).
I get embarassed!I know
Tue, 26 Aug 2008, 12:52 pmI get embarassed!
I know its stupid im suppose to love standing up and strutting my stuff in front of people. My sister once said "Why did you pull that shitty sour puss face during bows - it makes you look stuck up" - for ONCE (and only once!) she is right. I do pull a stupid face and its because I suddenly have to become...me. And to be honest 'me' is far far far less interesting than the characters I play and quite frankly - a nerd.
I have spent the whole time on stage being someone else and then suddenly in the blink of an eye - become me. It takes me ages to get into character - i cant get rid of it that quickly either.
OR! (light bulb goes off) should I stay the character taking the bow?
The only time I've ever felt comfortable bowing was after We Will Rock You, cos the atmosphere was electric, the songs were still blasting, the cast would go crazy (like their characters) and hell! i deserved the bow cos i would be head to toe in sweat by the end of the show.
I dont really know where this post was going - so i'm going to finish it...
Ohhhh man do I need to end with a closing sentence? or can I just cut it there! ARGH!
- Sky
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