Opening night disgraces
Thu, 23 Nov 2006, 08:50 pmGordon the Optom9 posts in thread
Opening night disgraces
Thu, 23 Nov 2006, 08:50 pmFor the second time in a month I have arrived at a theatre only to find that the opening night performance has been cancelled.
The first show was a professional production, part of Artrage, and I was told of the play that very same afternoon, by a family member of the production’s team. I drove into the city, parked at a metered area and paid for 2.5 hours. On arriving at the theatre I didn’t notice the A5 handwritten sign on the front door and walked in, only to find all of the lights and scenery still on the floor.
The second show was an amateur production which I found on the ‘What’s on today’ section of this site. On arrival at the theatre, the banner outside still stated the incorrect opening night date. On entering cast and crew stared at me as though I was from another planet, before I was told that instead of the show, this was a final rehearsal and that the play was delayed ‘due to unforeseen circumstances’ – the same lame excuse as the first show.
On both occasions very little embarrassment was shown for the inconvenience.
Is this a new norm for Perth theatre productions? And is it now generally acceptable?
The first show was a professional production, part of Artrage, and I was told of the play that very same afternoon, by a family member of the production’s team. I drove into the city, parked at a metered area and paid for 2.5 hours. On arriving at the theatre I didn’t notice the A5 handwritten sign on the front door and walked in, only to find all of the lights and scenery still on the floor.
The second show was an amateur production which I found on the ‘What’s on today’ section of this site. On arrival at the theatre, the banner outside still stated the incorrect opening night date. On entering cast and crew stared at me as though I was from another planet, before I was told that instead of the show, this was a final rehearsal and that the play was delayed ‘due to unforeseen circumstances’ – the same lame excuse as the first show.
On both occasions very little embarrassment was shown for the inconvenience.
Is this a new norm for Perth theatre productions? And is it now generally acceptable?
Opening night disgraces
Sun, 26 Nov 2006, 12:07 pmNo, it's not a 'norm' but co-incidentally it does seem to have happened a few times this year. I would hope that the companies concerned would take the trouble to explain in a courteous manner to anyone who was unaware and turned up on "opening night".
On one recent occasion a notice was placed on the billboards section, but obviously not everyone was able to see it in time. Those people who had booked were of course contacted. As previous correspondents have said it takes a lot of agonising, AND courage to make these decisions, they are not taken lightly.
I realise that this does not really answer your question/complaint Gordon and on behalf of local theatre I apologise to you, but go and see the show anyway - the audiences seem to be enjoying it!