I really dont understand why people praise certain stage actors for giving a different performance every night. Really, why is this an advantage? Dont get me wrong, I think that actors need to listen to their fellow actors onstage; I think it always needs to appear fresh and spontaneous; and of course if an understudy or takeover comes on then they need to adapt to them. But just doing a different performance every night for the hell of it? Isnt that a bit selfish? Its not fair on their fellow actors, who have to watch that person like a hawk every show (and alter THEIR performance because of it); its not fair on the MD (if its a musical), sound technician, or anyone who has to follow cues, because they also have to adapt; and its not fair on an audience: Somebody may see a show and recommend it to a friend, and that friend may go a week later and be disappointed, because the first person saw one performance and the second saw a completely different one. And surely its not fair on the producer or director, for all the reasons above. Their job as a stage actor is to be consistent, and deliver the same product every show for a paying audience. Constantly mixing it up only seems to benefit the actor him/herself, and possibly the FOH staff, who get bored watching the same thing every day, but have no responsibility over it and dont care if it goes wrong. This is not based on anyone in particular and is certainly not based on any personal experience. Its just my opinion and Id love to hear your views :)
Posted on: Fri, 25 Oct 2013 07:37:24 +0000
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