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-cue: Curtain Calls?
Mon, 12 Mar 2001, 11:14 pmUnfortunetly, most CC's (sorry about that?) are more like curtain falls and are viewed much the same, as a last minute effort thrown together during the interval, as total prat-falls by most Directors.
To that end I agree with Don, especaily when it can become a 'wing it production' for the crew and a total panic for the stage manager.
In most productions, they are very important and wxpected by the BOS's, therefore they should be considered and rehearsed as though they are a scene from the show. Sure in some shows they just don't work, but final dress or during opening night is not the time to remeber it or quickly arrange one (without advising the crew) - because they always come out looking make-shift.
In turn they only acheive making us tech's look like googes and your production suffers - remeber in most cases you have had months to rehearse, but in most instances the crew don't even get a proper cue-to-cue (which is usually blown out and becomes only another dress rehearsal) never mind a full run through.
Yet as always we are expected to 'do-it' completly in the dark and make it work first time by always performing 'safe sets'.
GAA'FA
Joe McCabe
To that end I agree with Don, especaily when it can become a 'wing it production' for the crew and a total panic for the stage manager.
In most productions, they are very important and wxpected by the BOS's, therefore they should be considered and rehearsed as though they are a scene from the show. Sure in some shows they just don't work, but final dress or during opening night is not the time to remeber it or quickly arrange one (without advising the crew) - because they always come out looking make-shift.
In turn they only acheive making us tech's look like googes and your production suffers - remeber in most cases you have had months to rehearse, but in most instances the crew don't even get a proper cue-to-cue (which is usually blown out and becomes only another dress rehearsal) never mind a full run through.
Yet as always we are expected to 'do-it' completly in the dark and make it work first time by always performing 'safe sets'.
GAA'FA
Joe McCabe