The discussion about wishing to include people who don’t wish to become performers is so true. I’m a huge theatre fan. This event should be for me. But every single advertisement skews so young, so female, and so centred on “becoming a performer” that I feel like it shunned me. And older theatre fans like me. BTS on the making of shows is something that I feel is needed. And is so rare to hear about. It’s fascinating. And random that it’s missed.
I went to musical con last year, I can't remember what level I paid for it, and I was sorely disappointed. They claimed they were drawing some focus to the behind the scenes elements of musicals, but that was only directors, choreographers and designers. No acknowledge of the lighting, sound, stage management, automation technicians and WHAM who are very under represented. If they truly want. to celebrate musicals, they need to take into account everyone backstage who makes a show happen. So was nice to hear CamMac did something towards that. Also in regards to the masterclases, I struggled to find where they were initially and so missed out on one of them due to lack of staff to ask and clear directions to them and so I lost out on it and was out of pocket. Even messaging the performer who ran it got no response.
I agree with some of what you say. I’m 33, not a performer (I take dance classes for enjoyment but for nothing else) and a huge MT fan. This was my third year. I don’t want to see dance students perform to be honest. I want to see MT stars I love and admire. I don’t need all those dance colleges to be there - it’s not for me. I enjoyed the WHAM panel this year and the puppetry panel last year. I’d enjoy a panel on lighting/sound etc. I missed the cinema this year - it was a good place to have some time out. Lack of seating for the main stage area - I can’t be standing all day long. I enjoy seeing all the cosplayers and the effort that went into it as well the star of musical con section.
I remember when Musical Con was announced, I was so excited! I love musical theatre, and theatre in general, I go to shows whenever my wallet allows and have yet to see a show in London I didn't enjoy - even small production with less experienced actors. But I got the impression that the con didn't have much to offer just from the ads. "Meet actors, do workshops, see performances" - 3 of those are at extra cost 😅 Like you, I have no interest in acting. What I want to see is the writers of the shows, I wanna hear the stage designers talk about how they developed the set, I wanna hear the producers talk about taking a Broadway show to the west end and vice versa, I wanna know how the costumes are made and why, I want to know how the music functions, leit motifs and themes and instrumentals etc. I don't need 10 talks on how to act. And while there are many performers that I do love, I don't feel as though the average theater goer goes for the performers. We go because of the shows, and if we recognize a name, that's a bonus. It should be about the SHOWS. An event like MCM Comic Con is a good example of broad variety - while it has many of the same issues, such as noise and crowds and overlapping panels, it does an amazing job of catering to a lot of interests. You've got book signings, writing panels, comics, video games, anime, kpop, boardgames, drag, cosplay, and so much more. It's all about the passion for a hobby, while I feel musical con is, like you say, about the performers. It feels like they misunderstood the average theater lover.
@MilieNopeNotHere totally agree that MCM is the "gold standard" of conventions in the UK at the moment even if it still has issues of its own. MCM has gone though the same issues as musical con and worked through a lot of them since it started, but MCM excels because nothing costs more to do than paying for your ticket to go
I went last year and this year. I think the layout last year was a lot better, you had more space to escape my daughter has ADHD and found not the quiet space but a side. My daughter is now 18, 17 at musicalcon. She is hoping to go to performing arts uni, she is at a performing arts college at the moment. Her top 2 choices are performers and bird so she was happy to chat to them. We did a talk on choreography on a off chance and it was really good,.she also did a workshop on confidence for auditions. We did 2 days well 1 and a half. As we had to leave early on the Sunday to get home. Performance wise I felt it was lacking I was so excited when it said about spotlights on the shows, I thought that it would be like the Lion King last year where they sand a few songs. Instead we got 1 maybe 2 songs from the shows. Pricewise I wouldn't of paid the price if I was paying for 2 tickets being disabled I get a free carer and to me this makes it more affordable. As a wheelchair user I used the disabled queue, opposite the queue you where in. The wheelchair platform was terrible, it took about 16 wheelchairs at that and no carers where allowed into the platform. If you where on the backrow Everytime someone wanted to leave it meant that if you where on the backrow then you had to all go down the ramp to let them out then back up the ramp. 2nd day we went to the side seating, better but the big screens meant you only got to see the side of the stars heads, so you sat and watched the TV. We where meant to do the cosplay but we never got my chair decorated so I did email and withdraw. We still went in some cosplay, on the 1st day my daughter was in a red dress and white gloves for pretty woman, I went as Mary from Jesus Christ superstar. 2nd day we did legally blonde and we where Paulette and her dog. Getting around the shops wasn't fun in a wheelchair and same with the mackintosh area which was so good. I didn't even know what why am I so single was about or where it was on whereas at least Hadestown gave out the flyer for the show and flowers. All in all we enjoyed it, we came home each day with headaches. I am not going next yr but that's more because of going on holiday. If I wasn't I would go back with a free carer. I think the opening dancers where bird college 3rd years. With the schools it was lovely surprise to see Courtney that had gone to Napa and my daughter had done shows with taking one of the solos in performers . Sorry long post . Also last year I said about the viewing platform and it was much smaller then last year, I always dread if there was a fire that it would be bedlum trying to match carer to wheelchair and then getting them all down the ramp.
@lizlilliman3644 this is so informative, thank you so much for sharing your experience of the event. I am so glad your daughter got to chat with the schools she's interested in and I wish her all the luck with getting in too!
Its the ticketing that put me off. Why couldnt they just do what MCM does, and just 2 sets of tickets, proirity and general with everything else included like panels etc.
Also regarding VIP specifically, the first year, everyone got a lanyard and pass, but then second year and onwards it was just a paper wristband which just felt so cheap compared to the first year. I only did the Sunday this year, but I thought it was much poorer than previous years. Also it seemed like there were a lot of tech issues which obviously happen, it’s a hard venue to work in, but for the price paid by some, even in the closing ceremony, Sophie Evans’ track didn’t play on cue and she said “I knew this would happen” which I think says a lot.
@eddiecomerford8307 totally agree about the wristband suitation. I showered between days and mine didn't seem to like that but they wouldn't give me another one bc they claimed they were waterproof. Likewise I just felt so conscious of the fact that I was underwhelmed with what I was experiencing and I was there for free. 200£ for VIP and i would have wanted a refund
The closing and opening ceremony was definitely a highlight for me. This was my first time going and I really enjoyed it. I also had a great time in the 2 workshops/masterclasses I did.
I do not want to watch colleges perform…. 🤨 that’s what “Move It” is for …. Sorry but not my vibe! 😖 I want to see more history on musicals and theatres, I agree more technical theatre as well would be great! ❤ thanks for your review I feel it’s quite accurate. 😅
