Idina reportedly highest paid actress in West End History

Disclaimer: I couldn't find the other idina in London thread and the search feature is coming up blank for me right now.

Anyway, just found this article. Here's the link:
http://news.independent.co.uk/people/pandora/article361347.ece

Here's a snippet:
"It's the sort of pay deal you'd expect to grease the palms of a Premiership footballer. In a blow for female equality, Idina Menzel is set to become the highest-paid actress in West End history. Although little known in the UK, Menzel, whose performance garnered a Tony for "best actress" in New York, will command a truly jaw-dropping fee. Potential investors tell me her package is budgeted at $30,000 per week, plus accommodation. That dwarfs the probable record for a leading lady, held by Jerry Hall, who got an estimated £10,000 a week for The Graduate."

The spokesman for the show goes on to say that nothing's been finalized yet, but you get the general idea...

Of course she'd take the deal. All expenses paid trip to London doing something you obviously enjoy?

She'd be an idiot not to.

That's $30,000 for a West End run. I'm sure there are actresses on Broadway who've gotten more that that.

And actually, if you look at that as the "package" - the 30,000 AND the fact that they're covering her accomodations, which I'm sure will be lovely, it's MORE than 30,000.

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Even though they mess up the symbols, I'm pretty sure it's pounds. (which is more) + like mentioned above, expenses.
Sweet deal.

No wonder ticket prices get so outrageous!

Go Idina. Considering she got a third of Kristin salary when Wicked first started, she has every right to get a nice chunk of change. And don't forget, she's only doing the West End for only three months!

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I don't get why they would put it in dollars. Especially since they're comparing her salary to other salaries in pounds. Confusing.

I new it had to be a lot. They are worried about how her reviews will be???? I am sure they will be like the New York reviews. I dont know how the shows reviews are going to be but her reviews wont suprise me.

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Although I think this is a wonderful opportunity for her, frankly I'm worried for Idina's voice. This role wreaked havok on her chords the first time around, whats to say it wont happen again. And if she does lose it again, as she did around the middle of her B'way run, I'm afraid that London critics and audiences wont be anywhere near as forgiving as US audiences were. Of course, these fears may all be totally unnecessary, but I think theyre valid points to consider.

This was already said but I'll echo it. Why? Idina Menzel doesn't really mean much in the UK... and her take on the role is not really definitive... does a Tony mean that much? Are there no belters in England?

kmc

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By doing the show across the pond, she is cementing the fact that she owns the role. She owns Elphaba the way Jennifer owns Effie, Barbra owns Fanny, Carol owns Dolly, etc., etc.

"Elaine Paige seems to have a going rate of £25k for her last outings in King and I and Sunset Boulevard. So the whole things about Jerry Hall holding the record at £10k is inaccurate. "

I was thinking the exact same thing. Idina beat Elaine Paige in terms of salary??

Oh...my ....gods!

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