Broadway versus West End

[USTheater.TV]

Posted: 6/30/06 at 12:50pm

Hi there

I'm keen to understand if anyone thinks a show is different whether it is performed on Broadway or the West End. Is the atmosphere different, are the performers better in one versus another, is there a big price differential or is it harder to get tickets in one place versus another.

Not wanting to start a war here, just healthy opinions from those who have experienced both.

Douglas
US Theater TV

[rosekwbp]

Posted: 6/30/06 at 12:55pm

This isn't a comment about the performances or the talent at all. But I prefer Bway just because whenever I went to a show in West End the theatre were all in different parts of town and when I go to a Bway show I love being in the middle of all those theatres.

[Pippin]

Posted: 6/30/06 at 12:58pm

well, they are expensive on either side of the pond.

I think it is an atmosphere thing. I know that West End auds. are generally more reserved, not prone to clapping or sceaming to often, as we yanks are every chance we get, which I sometime think is annoying, and prefer the more reserved and respectable approach. but then again, it depends on the style of the show. also, certain shows have a "feel" that can't be duplicated in another country.

for example, haven't seen Mary poppins or chitty, but I have a feeling they were much better in the west end, becuase the story itself is british, and the actors have british accents. the authenticity of the production, (mary poppins) will probably not translate as well, even though Poppins is beloved throughout both countries.

but with "Chicago", the feel of the piece is so american and is about the american culture, that I don't think the brits got that one quite right. I have not personally seen it over there, but every one I know that has seen it in the West End say that it has lacked something. I am sure that something is the authenticity of the american story, atmosphere, and attitude.

Updated On: 6/30/06 at 12:58 PM

[Gothampc]

Posted: 6/30/06 at 1:01pm

I like that they sell ice cream in the West End theaters. You can sit in your seat and have a tasty Haagen Daz.

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 6/30/06 at 1:04pm

I agree about the audiences. Otherwise, not sure there is much difference. I hope MARY POPPINS plays better on Broadway, because I thought it was pretty awful in London.

[west end artist1]

Posted: 6/30/06 at 1:06pm

people go wild for chicago in the uk

and i oftern see people up and dancing at the show im in(an american show)as well as many others.

I think the whole atmosphere of broadway is a bit more electric (and god bless the person who said about the theatres been spread all over the place in london you are sooooooooo right).
I do think that london puts a bit more effort in to there shows though but broadway is great at advertising and spectacle

lol

[USTheater.TV]

Posted: 6/30/06 at 1:13pm

Magic ! Great comments so far, liked the ice cream comment I had no idea that was a difference, good idea during the hot summers. On the location front, "Theatreland" in London, as its becoming known, has a lot of investment and focus to make it easier to connect between one theatre at Leicester Square and another at Piccadilly. They are a few blocks apart so I can understand how easy it is to get a little confused.

I haven't personally seen Mary Poppins but it is getting great press over here and is the number 1 show. I will be reviewing it in a couple of weeks and see what all the fuss is about.

Chicago ? Yeah and with my fellow Scots, Marty Pellow and Darius Danesh in the lead roles, trying to believe they are American is not always easy

On the advertising front, I know that UK Theatre in general doesn't always know how to build up the razamatazz like Broadway so I would have to agree with that one as well.


Fantastic feedback, I am learning lots already.

Keep 'em coming....

Douglas

Updated On: 6/30/06 at 01:13 PM

[Gothampc]

Posted: 6/30/06 at 1:16pm

I don't remember all the fangurls at the stage doors in the West End. Is that an American tradition?

[All_For_Laura]

Posted: 6/30/06 at 1:16pm

I love west end theatre, but it is true the audience is much more subdued, and there is only a tepid applause after most numbers. Funny Story: I was seeing Woman in White in London and after All For Laura I cheered really loudly, as the rest of the audience quietly applauded and I think people just stared at me, so I was a bit softer the rest of the show, hehe. But it is nice to see, even after all this time, that blood brothers still gets a standing ovation when the show is over! And the ice cream is a plus! Who else sells dutch chocolate ice cream at intermissions other than London Theatres? hehe!

[ruthiefan_felix]

Posted: 6/30/06 at 1:19pm

'people go wild for chicago in the uk'
For the moment true, but there was a very dark period for the show cuz the casts were so dull and lack of energy

'I like that they sell ice cream in the West End theaters'
Don't they in the US? Boy you're missing out!

I haven't been to Broadway, but I really love the Westend. I don't think the theatres are as concentrated in one area as Broadway. About 2 yrs ago, Westend's shows I feel weren't as gd. But since the big 3 (WiW, MP & Producers) opened in the Westend, the WE started to bloom and it's never been better now! I mean, I haven't seen SO many shows opening in a yr! I am very excited! And SO many exchange of casts of both shores going on!

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 6/30/06 at 1:20pm

I want ice cream!!!!!

[vmlinnie]

Posted: 6/30/06 at 1:22pm

I prefer the West End. Leaving Price aside, I actually prefer the layout of Theatreland, and the atmosphere in the theatres (most of them anyway) is far better.

The main difference I'd say is that the average Broadway show costs $3million less to put on in London.

[jwsel]

Posted: 6/30/06 at 1:41pm

I may get flamed for this, but I think the quality of acting in the West End is overall better than on Broadway. I'm not saying every show is better acted, but I think the training for actors is generally more rigorous, so from top to bottom, you tend to get better acting in plays from the smaller roles to the big ones.

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/30/06 at 1:46pm

I think some Westend performers have trouble with using an American accent, more so than American actors using British accents.

It's just something I've observed, don't yell at me.

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 6/30/06 at 1:48pm

I wish they would sell ice cream here! If people brought it back to their seat(even though they shouldn't) it would be quieter. Unlike people who see a broadway show think it's all right to bring popcorn and candy while crinkiling the wrappers loudly.

[USTheater.TV]

Posted: 6/30/06 at 1:53pm

Ljay you are entitled to your opinion so don't worry about expressing it. I always have a laugh at an American, or Canadian's attempt at a Scottish accent, but I know they are trying hard and "cut them some slack" -did you like my American accent at the end there ?

[Gothampc]

Posted: 6/30/06 at 1:55pm

"I may get flamed for this, but I think the quality of acting in the West End is overall better than on Broadway."

I agree. I think Broadway rushes to find a star that will sell tickets, whether the person can act the part or not.

[Hawker]

Posted: 6/30/06 at 1:55pm

I think West End drama is vastly superior to Broadway and off-Broadway drama but that Broadway is considerably superior in the area of musical theater because it's a fundamentally American creation.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 6/30/06 at 1:57pm

I like that they call it Theaterland. Cute.

I love the West End theaters more. Just the look of the marquees and the theaters themselves are just so classy. The Broadway marquees are so clunky and eyesores. I wish the big producers would just strip them all down to something really nice and clean - like Disney has done.

[west end artist1]

Posted: 6/30/06 at 1:59pm

i have to say i think the americans are worse at the british accents than vica versa but hey its all fun.

I agree that the acting is better on the westend but i do think a lot of the singing is better on broadway

lol

[USTheater.TV]

Posted: 6/30/06 at 2:31pm

Really interesting comments. What about the size and style of theatres, air-conditioning, size of stages, investment in set. Are these all the same ? Do Broadway production gross more than West End and therefore able to invest more in actors, set and promotion ?

Keep posting. I'm learning lots, hope you are too.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 6/30/06 at 2:37pm

"think the americans are worse at the british accents than vica versa but hey its all fun."

The British always forget to add the American "R".

girls = gulls

[best12bars]

Posted: 6/30/06 at 2:40pm

I have a feeling they catch us Yanks on all sorts of "wrong-isms" with our British accents too.

WE think we're doing much better at their accents, because we can't spot all the bad pronunciations.

We can sure spot the "oopses" in their American accents though.

Is it my imagination, or do Aussies have a better track record with American accents? I find they hold them better than Brits.

Not to make this an "accent thread"...

Updated On: 6/30/06 at 02:40 PM

[west end artist1]

Posted: 6/30/06 at 2:43pm

haha ive never thought about that before but yeah i think your right lol

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/30/06 at 2:51pm

There are times on some London Cast Recordings, where the performers are trying to stick with their American accent, but at some points the British accent just pours out.. (Ruthie Henshall in Chicago comes to mind, though I love her dearly)