Dirty Dancing in Westend......... — Page 2

There is plenty of "trash" produced on both sides of the Atlantic. You have to remember though that running costs for any west end show is going to be a lot lower as the Equity minimums are quite different.

There are certain producers in the UK who put on shows with low budget sets, wide appeal, discounted tkts and a talented cast working their butts off for not that much money (in relative terms).

Mack and Mabel isnt trash. Its not a "cheap" production and who cares if David Soul is an ass? Loved the production and seen him out in Manchester with a very cool leather trenchcoat with younger women crowding him!

Footloose was great fun too and its well executed. But you cant compare it to Sunday in the Park or even Billy Elliot. Entirely different aims and objectives. No disrespect intended. Even in a long running "trash" (your terms people!) show like Fame you can find talented leads and ensemble. Look at the cast of Avenue Q. Julie Atherton is a wonderful young performer. However she did spend a lot of time in Fame. Do we diss her or others talent? No, cause anytime I have gone to such shows I am almost always impressed by the level of talent in the West End. We are not as big as Broadway but its still a cut throat business to get to that level.

If anything its the market thats at fault here. The demand for musical theatre and what produceres are willing to invest in. Wht can get them a good steady return. Therefore its sad to see so many great performers over the years "wasted" in such shows but its still work and they give 110%

I'm so ashamed of how long a run Fame had in London, and even moreso that Dirty Dancing has such a huge advance. It will also run for years full of people who've never been to the theatre before but who just want to see the movie played out onstage. Meanwhile, Mack & Mabel, a far more creative and entertaining show, struggles to fill seats. Sigh. I hate that accessible, brainless trash is so popular.

It is sad. And I mean, I do enjoy those three shows you mentioned, it just sucks that mediocre but brainless entertainment dominates the masterpieces. I don't know The Wild Party but omg Caroline!! I'm so excited to see it in London the end of this year. I've been watching the youtube vids in anticipation!

Some very interesting arguments put forward by all parties here.

At the end of the day you have to remember it is showBUSINESS. So if there is an audience for DIRTY DANCING or FAME who are willing to pay their money to be entertained by these shows let them. That's their choice. It also provides work for actors, singers, dancers, musicians, crew, front of house etc. at that isn't a bad thing is it?

Footnote: The producer of DIRTY DANCING also produced the very successful Australian tour of FAME which ran for over a year and provided a lot of employment too.

I get your point, West End, but please stop refering to Barefoot in the Park as high art.

It's a second rate Neil Simon.

And I believe that the Wicked's of the world could/should be able to coexist with the Caroline, or Change's of the world.

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