What do you think of the cast interacting with the audience? — Page 2

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#26

What do you think of the cast interacting with the audience?

Posted: 3/22/13 at 11:56am

I think it depends on the context of the show. If a show is doing it just to be "silly" and "cool," then I think it is pointless (except in Hair's cast I thought it worked).

"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611

#27

What do you think of the cast interacting with the audience?

Posted: 3/22/13 at 11:58am

I think this can be done in two ways, direct audience interaction where the audience literally becomes part of the show or just turning the whole theater into the stage, where the performers can walk among the audience or appear from balconys, but they don't literally involve the audience into the story. Personally I prefer the latter one.

#28

What do you think of the cast interacting with the audience?

Posted: 3/22/13 at 11:58am

Honestly, I loathe it almost every time. Drood is the only show I can think of where it actually felt like it was relevant to the show and fit with the production.

Hair was a little try-hard for me.

"Get mad, then get over it." - Colin Powell

#29

What do you think of the cast interacting with the audience?

Posted: 3/22/13 at 1:11pm

Has no one in this thread brought up ONE MAN, TWO GUV'NORS yet? I thought that was the pinnacle of audience interaction, especially the way it blurred actual audience members and, well... "more involved" audiences when they dared.

Words don't deserve that kind of malarkey. They're innocent, neutral, precise, standing for this, describing that, meaning the other, so if you look after them you can build bridges across incomprehension and chaos. But when they get their corners knocked off, they're no good anymore…I don't think writers are sacred, but words are. They deserve respect. If you get the right ones in the right order, you can nudge the world a little.

#30

What do you think of the cast interacting with the audience?

Posted: 3/22/13 at 4:22pm

I remember some time in the mid-1990's, a woman sued Cameron Mackintosh because Rum Tum Tugger sat on her lap and "accosted her".

That's what you get for asking for aisle seats!

#31

What do you think of the cast interacting with the audience?

Posted: 3/22/13 at 5:57pm

I love it as an actor. As an audience member, it depends on the level of interaction, and the timing. It can be really cool, or make you want to run from the theatre in fear.

#32

What do you think of the cast interacting with the audience?

Posted: 3/22/13 at 6:06pm

Sometimes it works; sometimes it doesn't. Simple as that.

#33

What do you think of the cast interacting with the audience?

Posted: 3/22/13 at 6:08pm

Yeah, I think people are using different examples. I wouldn't call Into the Woods an audience participation thing--in the original The Witch does appear in a box and even address an audience member but that's far different than asking the person for information or singling them out.

Meh, it works in some shows, in others it doesn't. I admit I tend to be one of those people who gets uncomfortable if I ever get chosen to be brought up on stage, though.

The only time I've encountered it as an actor was when I was the male dance lead for Me and My Girl and we would go out in the aisles for Lambeth Walk. But it was nothing too aggressive--a few people in the aisles would get on their own (mainly older people actually, or very young kids) and want to dance and do the basic choreography with you, most just looked more or less amused.

#34

What do you think of the cast interacting with the audience?

Posted: 3/22/13 at 6:42pm

I'm much more likely to enjoy cast members appearing in the audience than I am cast members leaving the stage to pull audience members into an interaction. Some actors seem very good at reading audience member reactions and not pulling someone who's reluctant into the show. Others aren't and I find it uncomfortable to watch. Usually the rest of the show feels off to me after that.

#35

What do you think of the cast interacting with the audience?

Posted: 3/22/13 at 7:06pm

GavestonPS, you are a good sport.

Thank you, MCFan. I'm not such a good sport by nature, but I find that when I fake it, things usually turn out all right. :)

#36

What do you think of the cast interacting with the audience?

Posted: 3/22/13 at 7:13pm

Eric and others make the exact distinction: I don't care if actors use the house as part of their performance space. I object when they expect ME to perform along with them; I never got a copy of the script!

Directors should take note that Eric and many of the people objecting to the practice here are actually experienced actors themselves. If THEY aren't comfortable being forced to improvise with the onstage cast, just imagine how those of us who are NOT performers must feel?

#37

What do you think of the cast interacting with the audience?

Posted: 3/22/13 at 10:48pm

Dame Edna is a Master[Mistress?] at this form of entertainment.

Updated On: 3/22/13 at 10:48 PM

#38

What do you think of the cast interacting with the audience?

Posted: 3/23/13 at 12:08am

If performers are uncomfortable with audience interaction, maybe they shouldn't audition for shows that require it.

"Get mad, then get over it." - Colin Powell

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