Tech show stops

[theatreguy12]

Posted: 12/21/16 at 11:31am

Was at The King and I in LA last night when the lights came up, as I recall, right after the presentation of the children.  Tech difficulties were cited as the reason.

There was an ever so subtle, but apparent, popping in the sound through the opening numbers and dialogue. 

The announcement was met with some applause.

It got me thinking, in decades of theater-going, that's the first time I've ever seen a show stopped like this.

In a case like that, who would make the call to stop the show?  The sound guy, stage manager, an actor?  Any combination of all these people?  

[Justin D]

Posted: 12/21/16 at 11:43am

Ultimately I would think the main stage manager would have to make that call

[GhostXmasPast]

Posted: 12/21/16 at 12:24pm

Unless safety related, Tech Stops would be coordinated through stage manager - and would typically be based on input from a member of the tech crew.

in cases of safety related matters - potentially impacting actors, crew or audience - any member of the crew or house staff would typically be expected to act as rapidly as possible on their own.

[GhostXmasPast]

Posted: 12/21/16 at 12:25pm

Unless safety related, Tech Stops would be coordinated through stage manager - and would typically be based on input from a member of the tech crew.

in cases of safety related matters - potentially impacting actors, crew or audience - any member of the crew or house staff would typically be expected to act as rapidly as possible on their own.

[sm33]

Posted: 12/21/16 at 12:55pm

I was at the same show, and maybe it depended on where you were seated, but that noise was not subtle at all. It started during the overture, and continued until they stopped the show about 1/4 of the way through, and it was horribly distracting. I was actually angry that they did not stop the show sooner, because it ruined my enjoyment of the first act. I was seated in the rear right orchestra, and the sound was pervasive, sporadic and I find it hard to believe that it wouldn't have been super distracting for the performers as well. 

[theatreguy12]

Posted: 12/21/16 at 1:15pm

I was seated fourth row center mezzanine but my hearing isn't what it used to be.  Too many years at rock concerts I guess.  Probably why it came off as more subtle for me.  It was definitely there though.   And pervasive, yes.  Glad they stopped the show and rectified the situation.  I could see it being real problematic for the performers. 

[Anna_Elizabeth]

Posted: 12/21/16 at 3:51pm

There is a reason why the Stage Manager is called the Voice of God. Everything needs to go through the Stage Manager, whether something happens backstage or front of house. I'm sure people were complaining to the House Manager, who kept relaying what was going on with the Stage Manager, who then decided to stop the show.

[@z5]

Posted: 12/21/16 at 4:08pm

Only time I've had something like this was last year at MISERY about 2 mins into the show they stopped it and said there's a technical difficulty. But it was resolved very quickly and the show went on. 

[sparkledust]

Posted: 12/22/16 at 1:13pm

Anna_Elizabeth said: "There is a reason why the Stage Manager is called the Voice of God."

 

I don't think I've never heard an SM referred to as that...

[morosco]

Posted: 12/22/16 at 4:52pm

Well... they do use a God Mic.

[trpguyy]

Posted: 12/22/16 at 5:07pm

Any microphone that is used for off-stage announcements is called a Voice of God mic, or god mic for short. The stage manager has a god mic, as does the sound board operator, director, choreographer, sometimes lighting designer in tech...