Recently, I spent 100 pounds (the most I've ever spent) on two Evita stalls, (Adelphi Theatre, London) because the new acclaimed Argentian "star" Elena Roger got such rave reviews. Imagine my surprise to find a really 3rd rate understudy playing "Evita": she couldn't sing, dance or act and no under-study had been announced. At the interval, I found the manager and asked what was happening. He airily said "Oh, everyone knows Elena Roger doesn't perform at matinees or Mondays!! You should have been told!"
Of course, I hadn't been told, neither had a theatre full of people, including a dozen other angry customers who all walked out at the interval. Would you term this a fraudulent practice and a flouting of The Trade Description Act?
I have written Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber requesting my hundred pounds back. (Some hopes!)
How do you solve a problem like "Evita"??????
2006-09-07 21:23:52 · 6 answers · asked by simon2blues 4 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Theater & Acting
Totally out of order in my opinion....
You have a couple of legitimate options...
1) You could always go to the people whom actually sold you the tickets and ask for a refund (assuming you brought them through an agent etc)... They have "vicarious liability" to ensure the product you brought from them, meets your expectation... if your expectations have been "set" by advertising the role being played by Elena Roger... then Bob's your uncle Lloyd-Webber...
2) As an absolute bare minimum, I would be asking the Theatre Manager for credit against future performances (again - assuming that you don't want to see the show again!!)...
Good luck - take no prisoners!
2006-09-07 21:31:18 · answer #1 · answered by ShowMeTheLite 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
How likely is it that the understudy 'couldn't sing, dance or act' ?
Do you think such people are brought in from the street?
The majority of theatre-goers wouldn't know these disciplines from a shovel of sheight.
I can see why the disappointment arose and there might be grounds for a refund but to have such a low opinion of a replacement performer suggests the complainer simply enjoys complaining.
Or is it a gay thing?
2006-09-08 12:07:05 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Wow, I feel really bad for you, that is a lot of money to spend on an understudy, and it should have been made clear that you wouldn't be seeing Elena. However, just because it SHOULD have been doesn't mean it HAD to have been. So I doubt you'll be able to get your money back. I am pretty sure that ALW has nothing to do with decisions like these, so instead of writing him I would confront whoever sold you the tickets.
2006-09-09 19:58:59 · answer #3 · answered by operagirlmary 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My money is on there being some small print somewhere that says 'people may be replaced without prior notice ..etc .etc'
There usually is .. I had a lucky escape with this in that I went to see Chicago and Bonnie Langford couldnt perform .. result!
2006-09-08 09:29:28 · answer #4 · answered by enzuigiriuk 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's really sad! This new production is amazing and my friend is the understudy and she has an amazing voice!
I'm really sorry for your bad experience (I don't know why - I wasn't playing Evita!) but are you sure it was as bad as you say it was?
2006-09-08 10:57:17 · answer #5 · answered by Huckleberry Finn 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
'Don't cry for her, simon2blues' !!
2006-09-08 04:32:23 · answer #6 · answered by Zarama 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋