Why is Heather Missing so Many Shows

[MattDe]

The producers of The Bodyguard cannot guarantee the appearance of any particular artist, which is always subject to illness and holidays. Heather Headley is expected to appear at all performances excluding Monday 12 & Monday 19 November, Tuesday 4 December 3:00pm, Friday 28 December 3:00pm, Wednesday 2 & Thursday 3 Jan 3:00pm, Monday 21 - Wednesday 23 January inclusive, Monday 18 – Saturday 23 March inclusive, and all Wednesday matinee

[MattDe]

It is taken from the Bodyguard Website

[Princeton Returns]

They have been announced for ages, i wouldnt say its that many. I kbow she is missing some at the moment but id say thats down to vocal rest as she rehearses during the day then performs at night

[Nickhutson]

because she has a kid and there's a stalker around...

Don't know...

Maybe she needed those days off and it was agreed originally? Debbie's much better, anyway.

[sparepart973]

These are pre-agreed dates probably set as personal leave and also due to other engagement (ie she is missing one evening to do the Royal Variety performance). But I think she missed at least two performances outside of these dates as well. I believe she was off last Monday and last Saturday matinee. It's a taxing high belting highly physical role that rests on her shoulders.

I honestly think that one pro-fixed day off during the week is not enough, and it's starting to show. I think she needs to take one full night off and one full matinee off to do six shows instead of seven shows a week.

[Princeton Returns]

Debbie? gloria is the alternate

[Nickhutson]

Yes - but I merely meant Debbie is the more interesting of the duo within the show :)

[sparepart973]

You mean Gloria?

[ClapYo'Hands]

Debbie better than Heather? Really?

[theaterfan14]

The way i see it is, currently there are no Wednesday matinees which is when Gloria would perform, so they are giving her Monday evenings. The other dates are either when the matinee days have been switched to the Tuesday for instance or to allow for extra performances over christmas.

[sparepart973]

Is the Monday thing for certain now? I have tickets three days in a row :) Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday early in December (2nd to last preview, last preview and opening night) and I really wanted my "debut" to be Heather!

[sparepart973]

Is the Monday thing for certain now? I have tickets three days in a row :) Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday early in December (2nd to last preview, last preview and opening night) and I really wanted my "debut" to be Heather!

[mrkringas]

As much as I wanted to see Heather Headley, I cannot fault Gloria Ontirini. Stunning vocals and nailed the unlikeable character you eventually warm to.

Shame Thea Sharrock has made such a mess of the show. Slick, soulless and pointless musical. But a good cast. Annoying gay joke character aside.

Recommend nabbing a front row day seat. The higher priced stalls seats seem to eliminate the problems I've read from rowdy audience members.

Although there were a couple of annoying call outs from the balcony. Particular pantomime reactions to the appearance of the villain at several moments. And worse.. a "c'mon Frank" shout out near the end.

Its not Sondheim but when did it become ok to heckle in such a crass and blundering manner? Worse still are the sporadic audience titters to the comments made.

I remember the joys of seeing a new musical during previews. The audience would be packed with industry types, fans and over keen drama students. The atmosphere was usually good. I guess that doesn't happen so much now with some of the new shows we are blessed with.

Roll on The Book of Mormon and A Chorus Line.

[Princeton Returns]

I think id rather have 'cmon Frank' comments than over keen drama students who I find the worst audience members

[mrkringas]

I agree its a fine line...

There was one early performance of Betty Blue Eyes where I was treated to an interval rendition of the title song by some sitting behind me. To be honest it was rather good. Too good. They must have seen the material in advance. More cringe than anything else.

Bottom line is that there has been a definite upsurge in behavior that interrupts the theatrical experience of other patrons during the performance.

In an ideal world I would take their name and photo and ban them from the theatre. And its def not a class thing. Some incredibly posh women at the Regents Park Open Air were the worst offenders this year. Quite enjoyable when they proceeded to deny their loud conversation and other patrons started joining in my harranging of the offending folk.

[sparepart973]

Can I ask what performance you saw? Was it a scheduled day off for Heather or was it a matinee?

[Phantom of London]

'Roll on The Book of Mormon and A Chorus Line.'

Here, Here, can I also add Once to that.

Sounds to be on the same wavelength as Viva and both M1 multi car + petrol tanker pile up.

[philitalia]

"Here, Here, can I also add Once to that."

For Once you can :-;

[mrkringas]

I attended a Saturday matinee. According to the website she should have been on.

However given it is previews I'm not surprised they are changing up to avoid burnout. I remember seeing Evita on a Saturday night the week before opening night. Elena off and her belting alternate on.

[Phantom of London]

With the show opening this week to mixed reviews and the paper print hasn't yet at a chance to dry, Heather has already gone AWOL, she was out for this afternoon matinee, I am not sure about the evening though?

Maybe with the rumoured beast from the east striking the UK this week, it might be playing havoc with her 'Diva'culitis!

[sparepart973]

I saw this afternoon's performance as well, but knew she was off. She's only doing evening shows now. It's official but not announced, I think. It's completely mismanaged by the management not making it clear that Gloria has taken over both matinees.

[Phantom of London]

I didn't know that thanks.

The poor dear cannot manage 8 shows a week, my heart bleeds for her, compare this with the grand octogenarian who is virtually ever present on stage for the whole show and has roughly 15 songs to sing and that is the veteran Tommy Steele in Scrooge.

[MusicalBoy]

I would love to hear Tommy Steele even begin to attempt the stuff Heather's singing.

Also, POL, please don't see every thread about this show as an opportunity to attack it, I certainly don't hear you launching the same criticisms at Elena Roger, the current Donna in Mamma Mia, Gillian Bevan in Billy Elliot, the current Frankie in Jersey Boys or any of the world's Christines, who 'cannot manage all 8 shows a week' either.

[Princeton Returns]

i think its disgraceful they are allowing her to take every matinee off. most alternates have a midweek matinee and a midweek evening. so anybody who is only able to see a matinee wont see the only constant good thing about the show nearly all the reviews agree on. its also incredibly bad that if this is true they still havent advertised the fact yet