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- the gumby's opinion
Sun, 18 Mar 2001, 10:07 amWalter Plinge
Depending on the style of the show (ie what mood it leaves the audience in) I believe Curtain Calls should abide by the KISS principle. Get on, do the bleeding thing, and get off. Nothing is more excrutiating for an audience (with the exception of some Columibian torture practices) to sit through a Curtain Call that lasts as long as an act from Parsifal.
I agree with Mr Fry that it's a crime against humanity to watch actors applaud themselves. I'd prefer to leave the "you were fab-u-lous, dahlink"'s for the dressing room. I'm not sure on the practice of applauding the bio box. Absolutely the techhies deserves (more) recognition, but it should be judged how appropriate the display will be for the end of a show.
Now, MY question is: should actors bow IN CHARACTER or should they accept the applause AS THEMSELVES, or a combination of the two? I personally feel that as the actor did the work (and NOT the character) that the actor should bow as the Actor. It is then up to them to behave themselves and not wave to the audence and engage in conversation with Uncle Melba as to whether s/he liked their performance....
Eliot
I agree with Mr Fry that it's a crime against humanity to watch actors applaud themselves. I'd prefer to leave the "you were fab-u-lous, dahlink"'s for the dressing room. I'm not sure on the practice of applauding the bio box. Absolutely the techhies deserves (more) recognition, but it should be judged how appropriate the display will be for the end of a show.
Now, MY question is: should actors bow IN CHARACTER or should they accept the applause AS THEMSELVES, or a combination of the two? I personally feel that as the actor did the work (and NOT the character) that the actor should bow as the Actor. It is then up to them to behave themselves and not wave to the audence and engage in conversation with Uncle Melba as to whether s/he liked their performance....
Eliot