According to Michael Musto, she is leaving the show on Sept. 9 for personal reasons.
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
I do hope she's OK. Selfishly, I'm happy to hear she will be on (and given recent stories, I have no doubt that she WILL be on) when I see the matinee on the 8th.
I mean, what did she expect? I don't really disagree what she expressed, but deciding to say it publicly at the same time that her co-star is still giving a three-hour-long, demanding performance eight (well, I guess now seven) times a week was totally obnoxious.
Takeaway from all this: ride out your contract before you diss your teammates.
The idea that Rigg's contract would be voided or bought out because of her comments about Ambrose is patently ridiculous and shows how little many people here understand about business. I have no inside information about this situation, but assuming it's true that Rigg is leaving the show in two months' time, she's likely either exercising her right to leave the show by giving sufficient notice, or her contract was always set to end in September -- which is plausible since the production was originally only announced for a limited run.
Damn, I'm guessing they've been walking around on eggshells since this broke - and the next two months aren't going to be any more pleasant.
A shame for everyone.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
nasty_khakis said: "but like, isn't this tweet throwing Rigg under the bus?"
I would agree, yeah. I think it was very unprofessional of Sher to tweet that.
LarryD2 said: "The idea that Rigg's contract would be voided or bought out because of her comments about Ambrose is patently ridiculous and shows how little many people here understand about business. I have no inside information about this situation, but assuming it's true that Rigg is leaving the show in two months' time, she's likely either exercising her right to leave the show by giving sufficient notice, or her contract was always set to end in September -- which is plausible since the production was originally only announced for a limited run."
But they did specify that it was for "personal reasons," so it can't just be a mere matter of her deciding not to renew her contract. That may be part if, but it can't be all of it, otherwise they just would have said she was leaving the show, and that's that.
And why is it so ridiculous to think that disagreements between cast members and the director might lead to someone leaving the show? Hasn't that happened plenty of times before? I'll admit I DON'T know very much about how and why contracts can end, so please enlighten me!
If it was "just" her contract expiring - it would be worded as such. The words personal reasons wouldn't be added.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
Since September 9th is a Sunday, I guess Diana Rigg will be playing her final performance with the Eliza understudy...unless Lauren Ambrose unexpectedly shows up that day (but with the controversy, I'm not sure why she would want to).
I would have liked to attend Diana's final show, but would rather it be with the full original cast...
I love Diana Rigg and will be rooting for her to win the Emmy for Game of Thrones (she's spectacular). Don't laugh, but the first thing I ever saw her in (without realizing who she was) was The Great Muppet Caper as a kid and I didn't know it planted a seed in me for the rest of my life. That said, I disagreed with the way she publicly went about this whole situation. However, we have no idea why she's leaving exactly and maybe the personal reasons really are for something much more serious than this incident.
Anyway, she gave a few people here a way to take more jabs at Lauren Ambrose, so she'll always be a hero to them for that reason.
Perhaps her contract was up or was at a point for optional extension, but given her recent statements, felt it was necessary to make an announcement (to ensure that ticket buyers are given advance notice). And, in making the announcement, felt that a reason was necessary and selected the ubiquitous "personal reasons."
So glad I’ll get to see her before she leaves. I’m attending the August 18th evening show, and will treasure every moment of it! My credit card will suffer dearly at the souvenir stands.
Well, I'm certainly glad my LincTix is for the 4th. She's the cast member I'm most looking forward to. Nothing like seeing legends of the theatre do what they do best.
"Sticks and stones, sister. Here, have a Valium." - Patti LuPone, a Memoir
The tweet in and of itself is disrespectful to Rigg and essentially undercuts the message it's trying to convey by in turn attacking her stance. She is from another era and is a living legend- the production was lucky to have her in a thankless role. I'm 98% positive this board is making more out of the situation where there is none. Her contract was short, it was documented from the beginning as the poster above noted, so while coincidental, I doubt she'd succumb to any drama or that she'd be terminated given her status in the biz. Casts change, moving on...