Curtain Calls
Fri, 9 Mar 2001, 01:43 pmWalter Plinge12 posts in thread
Curtain Calls
Fri, 9 Mar 2001, 01:43 pmI'd like a bit of discussion about curtain calls.What are the protocols?They seem to vary & this may be a good thing.But,should they be judged as part of the show?I have at times seena very tight and well directed show,followed by a sloppy CC.Sometimes the CC seems to be a "free for all"with waves to family & friends,thumbs up signs,indespersed with random bows.
During some CCs (and I think this only applies to non professional theatre),cast members applaud EACH OTHER,a practice which makes me cringe.I think members of the audience should be the sole judges of who's worth a clap.But what about applause for the Bio Box mob & the backstage crew??Is this a good idea?
And finally CCs frequently look like an after thought,which the director afterall the hard& creative work on the production says (or thinks)Oh ,now what about the bloody CC.Maybe this could be a job for the stage manager;the Director having completed the actual production!!Whatdoyareckon?
PS There's also the question of wether we need CCs at all.Some productions don't have them,usually because of the negative impact they may have on the show.
So to have or not to have,or how to have & what to do!!! Any comments???
During some CCs (and I think this only applies to non professional theatre),cast members applaud EACH OTHER,a practice which makes me cringe.I think members of the audience should be the sole judges of who's worth a clap.But what about applause for the Bio Box mob & the backstage crew??Is this a good idea?
And finally CCs frequently look like an after thought,which the director afterall the hard& creative work on the production says (or thinks)Oh ,now what about the bloody CC.Maybe this could be a job for the stage manager;the Director having completed the actual production!!Whatdoyareckon?
PS There's also the question of wether we need CCs at all.Some productions don't have them,usually because of the negative impact they may have on the show.
So to have or not to have,or how to have & what to do!!! Any comments???
RE: Curtain Calls
Fri, 9 Mar 2001, 02:14 pmHi Peter,
Nice to have you aboard the good ship Cyberspace.
In my (vast) experience, CC's are almost always an afterthought, rarely addressed before the final dress rehearsal. I think its a pity, as it's the one moment when we humble toilers on the boards can actually bask in the love of our adoring public. Very often they are messy, being under-rehearsed and unimaginative.
I have seen CC's in professional, West End theatre, which have been a work of art in themselves, with split second timing and rivetting choreography. I'd like to see some of that here.
And yes, I certainly think the bio-box folk deserve a wave and a clap, even if half the audience have no idea who we're pointing at; where would we be without those unseen but vital techies? In the dark, and sans applause methinks.
See you tomorrow,
Jonno.
Nice to have you aboard the good ship Cyberspace.
In my (vast) experience, CC's are almost always an afterthought, rarely addressed before the final dress rehearsal. I think its a pity, as it's the one moment when we humble toilers on the boards can actually bask in the love of our adoring public. Very often they are messy, being under-rehearsed and unimaginative.
I have seen CC's in professional, West End theatre, which have been a work of art in themselves, with split second timing and rivetting choreography. I'd like to see some of that here.
And yes, I certainly think the bio-box folk deserve a wave and a clap, even if half the audience have no idea who we're pointing at; where would we be without those unseen but vital techies? In the dark, and sans applause methinks.
See you tomorrow,
Jonno.