Why do we have so many London 'stars' opening on Broadway?- Page 2

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 2/24/12 at 4:18pm

To put some perspective, I have been told that British Equity is not nearly as concerned about the "exchange" system. It is fairly one sided, with AEA (US Equity) being the enforcer and "watchdog" over foreigners stealing work from US citizens.

And yes, the uproar over Miss Saigon was much more over the idea of a caucasian playing an Asian role, as Jonathan Pryce was considered an established enough star at the time that he would have qualified to come over with the show otherwise.

[Jonwo]

Posted: 2/24/12 at 5:12pm

I wonder when whole casts come over like The History Boys and the upcoming One Man Two Guvnors, how they do exchanges or would this be an exception to the rule as it's not like for like.

[ajh]

Posted: 2/25/12 at 10:59am

I assume that Richard Fleeshman -the male lead in GHOST- is appearing on B'way in exchange for Caisse Levy originating the female role in the West End. Adequate though he is, it really isn't a great performance, or at least it wasn't when I saw it in previews (Sharon D Clarke as Oda Mae is terrific and would have been far more deserving of being seen in NYC and one can only assume that there are personal reasons why she isn't making the Transatlantic crossing). There are surely countless NYC-based actors more than capable of doing what Fleeshman does; I suspect the critics/opinion boarders will have a field day with him....and quite possibly the whole show.....

[Phantom of London]

Posted: 2/25/12 at 11:15am

Adam Godley when he played the part of Sir Evelyn Oakleigh in Anything goes, who isn't a star, but he absolutely nailed the part and that's what matters.

[Phantom of London]

Posted: 2/25/12 at 11:44am

Adam Godley who isn't a star, but he absolutely nailed the part of Sir Evelyn Oakleigh,in Anything Goes and that's what matters.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 2/25/12 at 12:14pm

I think it's amazing how quickly things transfer from London to New York, but how slowly things go from New York to London. It took Hairspray forever to open in London. And it doesn't seem like plays bounce over the pond to London that quickly.

[Jonwo]

Posted: 2/25/12 at 10:27pm

Musicals tend to take 2-3 years, Ghost is the exception as is Hairspray as that was delayed due to lack of theatres. Plays tend to transfer a lot quicker.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 2/25/12 at 11:17pm

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but it always seemed to me that the West End didn't have as many dancers as did Broadway. So when there was a dance heavy musical, US dancers would go over and do the show.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 2/25/12 at 11:28pm

But it seems even plays take awhile. Or maybe they are just less publicized. Has "August: Osage County" played over there? Or any of the big plays of the last few years. Did "God of Carnage" make its way over?

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 2/25/12 at 11:59pm

God of Carnage actually played London before it played Broadway. August Osage County played London in September, 2008 with many members of the original cast. I think it's why most of the Chicago cast finished the Broadway production right after the Tony Awards.

I don't know the timelines for most plays, but that's the story of those two, Ripped.

[exedore]

Posted: 2/26/12 at 12:58pm

August: Osage County played at the National Theatre with most of its US cast intact.

God of Carnage played the UK first, but was recast for Broadway.

[DefyGravity777]

Posted: 2/26/12 at 3:47pm

"Yeah, and a big stink was made over Lea Salonga because she was neither British nor American."


Why would it matter since she was playing an Asian and she is Asian herself?

[AC126748]

Posted: 2/26/12 at 3:50pm

Because it was felt that she was depriving an Asian-American actress of the role...

[BroadwayFan12]

Posted: 2/26/12 at 4:41pm

Marin Mazzie and Hannah Waddingham switched sides of the Atlantic for Spamalot, as did Idina Menzel and Kerry Ellis for Wicked.

[Tamerlano]

Posted: 2/26/12 at 7:30pm

Spare a thought for poor LORETTA ABLES SAYRE who did two and half years as Bloody Mary with South Pacific on Braodway. She is halfway through a substandard, crappy cast,piss poor tour of Lincoln Center's South Pacific here in the UK. She is a star turn but I'm sure it ticks boxes for Equity on both sides of the water. A bit like Bonnie Langford doing Chicago in the middle of nowhere USA.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 2/26/12 at 8:10pm

"Yeah, and a big stink was made over Lea Salonga because she was neither British nor American."


Why would it matter since she was playing an Asian and she is Asian herself?

AC is right about depriving an Asian-American actress a shot at the role, but also because it wouldn't work out to an even exchange in the eyes of AEA (I could be wrong about this, though).

[ChildrenwillListen]

Posted: 3/12/12 at 8:55pm

So that we Americans get the chance to experience the amazingness. Like Patina Miller in Sister Act and the Ghost cast. And the British had the chance to experience the OBC of Hair. So it's fair.

[juggles]

Posted: 3/13/12 at 10:37am

American producers decide where to invest their money. They first travel to the UK to watch a potential money spinning production. So it's not actually the UK's fault, if one considers it to be a fault. I think it's brilliant to have good productions on rather than lesser ones just because they happen to be American written etc

Updated On: 3/13/12 at 10:37 AM