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Not bowing after a performance?

Tue, 26 Aug 2008, 01:03 am
Louisa Fitzhardinge27 posts in thread
Would 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).

Bows

Wed, 27 Aug 2008, 10:09 pm
Personally, I hate the clapping to the bio-box and backstage. I think it looks twee. As an actor, when given the choice, I vote NO every time. As a biobox operator (and I've done a lot of that) I invariably ask the director that I not be included in this way. If the actors want to say thanks, I would rather it be done at the bar after the show. My preference. www.meltheco.org.au

Thread (27 posts)

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