Amateur Stage Magazine

In future issues of Amateur Stage we'll be developing a series of articles and advice columns related to technical theatre.



To help us develop the style of these articles we'd like your input. Obviously, the needs of amateur theatre groups different vastly depending on the shows and venues in question so have a think and let us know which of the following would be beneficial to your group. Possibilities include:-

• Behind the scenes at professional shows. Whether it be plays, musicals or large scale spectaculars like Ka in Las Vegas, we'd take a look at the technology and staging techniques at work to give you inspiration;
• Advice - Q & A style articles answering your specific technical questions;
• How To - brief guides on technical subjects to give you a quick overview;
• Interviews - with set designers, lighting and sound designers or other technical practitioners;
• Production scene stealers - looking at how amateur groups creatively solve technical problems on a budget.

These are just a few of the possibilities. Let us know what you want to read. Email your thoughts to editor@asmagazine.co.uk.

 

Just because your show is the most expensive Broadway musical ever produced it doesn’t mean you are spared the gaffaws when your show goes horribly wrong.

At it’s first public performance the stars of the Spider-Man musical were left dangling in mid-air.

With a score by U2’s Bono and The Edge and direction and concept by Julie Taymor who created a monster smash with Disney’s The Lion King, Spiderman has been subject to some incredibly lengthy postponements and damaging rumours with some pundits wondering if the show would ever open at all.

During its first preview, leading man Reeve Carney and actress Natalie Mendoza were suspended at different times over the crowd as flying stunts went wrong, audience members said. The New York Times said the audience was reduced to laughter after Carney was left dangling yards above them while backstage staff tried to grab his foot to pull him down.

The New York Times said the $65m (£41.8m) show was stopped five times and ran for more than three hours.

Director Julie Taymor, has said the cost of the show - billed as "a thrilling experience in ways never before dreamed possible in live theatre" - is due to the complexities of more than 20 flying sequences.

Taymor, as well as Bono and The Edge, have previously said they expected technical problems in early performances.

In an interview with CBS broadcast on Sunday night, Taymor admitted she was "scared".

"If you don't have fear, then you are not taking a chance," she said.

http://spidermanonbroadway.marvel.com/