Such a shame, i have friends who work on this show grrrr. Really enjoyed the show. It's a shame when crap in the West End can run so long and this can't.
True, although word of mouth has been mixed too from what ive heard. Also I think there is an element of 'theyll turn anything into a musical' in peoples minds now. I work in a pretty big office and I have heard similar such comments from people when emails about shows come through etc. Like jukebox shows, having a brand name is no longer a guarantee of success. Add in the struggling economy and a very high ticket price range for many of the seats and its going to be hard to appeal to people. They also seemed to go for the romantic angle, but that market is kind of owned by Phantom
Sadly, as I said, the cast are typically last to know. Its only due to producers wanting to give them precise information, its a shame they cant be more honest though with the situation.
Viva Forever isnt on sale. It goes on sale June 27th.
The problem that Ghost has had, ever since the beginning, is that it needed to be a virtual sellout to make money. The set is spectacular, but the show is hugely expensive to run on a weekly basis. Once the inevitable dip in sales came along, the show doesn't have enough going for it either artistically (mixed reviews and word-of-mouth) or commercially (more of a "date" show than a "hen night" show due to depressing story, poor footfall past the Piccadilly, no star names or awards to bolster appeal)
The show as it is is unlikely to tour because it's so massive. It'll need some hefty reconception - I guess it could play Bristol and the other big ATG venues but I can't imagine that being an easy get in/get out. Would it even be worth seeing scaled down? The main appeal of the show, regrettably, is the spectacle and tricks.
With the Dutch production "postponed" I wonder what will happen to the Australian production? It seems like they just went too fast too quickly with trying to go global on the show.
I don't agree, i think the show had a great amount going on in front of that spectacular set, i really like the score and always liked the story. You are right though the set was so expensive that it needed to be selling out. I always thought the marketing of this show was weak. All they needed to do as well was bring in a few names in to the show to keep afloat, it kinda feels like they have given up to easy with this one.
The show sold HUGE here in Manchester for 6 weeks so i think a tour of major venues could work, i hope it comes back to Manchester.
It always struck me the set for Ghost was very expensive to develop, but not complicated, as it is 3 moveable LED screens and a potters wheel. so I think it wouldn't be that hard to tour, the only problem I would of thought is the screens are made for the Piccadilly theatre, which seems to have a narrow stage and guess stages around the country would be wider, so you would have to overcome the gap on each side of the screens.
It is strange that Ghost has failed, but the inferior Dirty Dancing was a massive hit, I enjoyed both, but liked Ghost more, but I know people on here loathed Dirty Dancing, but I guess dirty Dancing was a novelty and picked a momentum, which ghost never did, perhaps this might strike into the heart of what Princeton observed and that is peoples eyes rolling, commenting "they're turn anything into a musical these day".
I'd never even heard of Dirty Dancing until the show opened lol. (Still have not seen either the movie or the show.)
Ghost, however, I certainly knew of and had seen the movie. Strangely enough, I did not like the movie at all - but I LOVE the show. So tragic that it has not captured an audience.
Love the movie, didn't like the musical when saw it last autumn, for me it was just 'too much' with the set etc. and I just couldn't stand the score so not sad that it will close.
joined:11/29/09
Posted: 6/13/12 at 06:01pm