[blahblah]

In todays Times (Sat 6th March) there is a large article with their arts correespondant talking to Andrew LLoyd Webber about LND and the blog backlash.

Personally, I saw an early preview of LND and enjoyed it. Yes, it wasn't ready to be unleashed on the press and thats why previews are done and I have no intention of slagging the show off - it will get better, the opening and the ending will be changed (and many other parts of the show). But if I am to believe ALW's comments today, then I must be mad. Why?

ALW "There's an old adage, rather surprisingly, never go and see a musical until a month after it opens".

ALW "Whats happening is that this small number of people have now got this marketplace (the web) where they can be the Benedict Nightingale of the day" (The Times veteran theatre critic).

ALW "What they ignore is that previews are not the same thing as the finished article. Audiences should understand that they are watching a work in progress"

ALW "There's a whole sad culture around the world of people who seem to only live by the old Phantom of the Opera".

With those comments, it could sound like he is knocking the "sad people" who continue to support Phantom and have kept the show alive all these years, but perhaps its just an unfortunate way of expressing it. Yes, I agree that the net has allowed many people to share their views easily which can often be quite nasty or too personal, but thats life now - we have these forums and its an open door to leave whatever comments you want, whether good or bad. As for saying that previews are not the same as the finished article, why then were prices exactly the same for previews as performances taking place after press night. What happened to "reduced price previews"? They used to be half price, then got to about £10 off, and now with LND, nothing off at all. So perhaps the criticism could be justified? If you pay the same price, then shouldn't you get the same product?

[monkeycarter89]

I don't think he means sad as in 'Look at those saddo's is that all they can think about...Phantom'

I think it's more of a sad as in 'upsetting' that people can't let go of it (hard to explain) but i don't think he's calling people sad acts.

[blahblah]

I don't think he means sad as in 'Look at those saddo's is that all they can think about...Phantom'

I think it's more of a sad as in 'upsetting' that people can't let go of it (hard to explain) but i don't think he's calling people sad acts.

Maybe you are right, just didnt read very well.

[monkeycarter89]

Who knows, would be great if i am

[VelmaMaureen]

What with the success and popularity of Phantom, was he really expecting a different reception? I do agree, though, that people shouldn't really criticise previews until they see how the show has been developed for opening night.

[Bricabrac]

No matter how ALW means it he is right, they are sad. Its like LND has reawoken the Phans which have always had a bit of a reputation (same with Les Mis, it also has its obsessives) but have been dorment for so long (overshadowed by Wicked fans these days). Im not saying ALL Phans are like that, but there is an almost cult like status that has built up around Phantom and some people live and breath it like its real, almost like the theatre equivalent of people believing Jedi is a religion.

Sad or not, and I believe the number who live and breathe the show is small, if he means what he said the way you take it, he is being pretty condescending and insulting to part of the audience of Phantom that has kept it running for years. How many of the negative posts, blogs, and so on have been made by the most fervent fans? I don't know, but I do know that a lot of negative comments have been made by people all the way from professional writers to semi-professional bloggers to fans who *haven't* seen the show a hundred times but have an emotional connection to it anyway.

Quite a few people are have been slamming LND because they have seen it and don't like parts of the show or all of it.

However, and this is what makes me angry, ALW saying audiences should treat previews as a work in progress...fine...charge half price for them. If its top price then the audience has a ritgh to expect a finished product. Cast and creative team lost the right of work in progress previews when prices were set the same as after opening

Right you are!

I will be surprised, though, if any major changes have been made since the first preview. I am guessing that they have tweaked the opening and conclusion but no major changes in the set, story, or characters have been made.

[jaqs]

The ticket prices are not for that of a work in progress.

[Ian]

Oh come on! You are being unfair. What you have to remember is that ALW is not like one of us, to him a premium seat price in the West End is less than chicken feed.

Once when he had a show opening on Broadway, he entertained some guests at his NY apartment. Just before leaving they requested to use the toilet, and The Lord had to phone his wife (who was in Europe) to find out where the guest lavatory was!

It is many years since Sir Andrew lived in anything like a real world. He is not alone in that, it is just that he speaks to the media more than most such privileged people. Sadly when he does speak, he often ends up making a prat of himself.

I completely agree with the OP - if theatre-goers are paying full price, then they have every right to the expectation of a "finished" show, not a "work-in-progress".