Originally Posted by BionicBard:
“So is Thomas according to his twitter! I think they probably flit to and fro across the pond quite frequently. I suppose it's no different to a trip to NYC for them.
What a treat to read all the reports - a great time had by all, including the stars of the show!
Now I'm hoping someone will manage to capture the new charleston in Edinburgh, I'd really love to see that.”
I would also love to see the Charleston again. In one respect, I wish we had recordings of it in all performances to see how it changed. I'm pretty sure Aliona and J were consistently finessing the choreography. It is also a very different dance to the new music. Was particularly different in the Sat evening performance when the audience was clapping along all the way through.
But as someone has already said, the most important thing is to enjoy it live. In too many performances now, people are so concerned with remembering it for the future that they forget to experience it in the present. I think that's why stadium applause is so much more muted than it used to be. Everyone's got a camera in their hand so they can't applaud, and can't jump up and down. They also rarely want to whoop or sing along because the cameras will catch their voices, so they are more reserved. I remember when I went to see Queen all those years ago, everyone was singing along to every song at the top of their voices (regardless of whether they could sing or not!), cheering and clapping wildly, jumping up and down (especially in the return to stage in the middle of the Bo Rap). I might not have any photos of the day, but my memory is clear about how it all felt and the emotions it produced. It was one of the best days of my life and I was walking on air for weeks afterwards. I was not at one remove behind a camera.
In fact, they did film that concert (although the one they filmed was not the day I went but the next day) and even though I was there, watching it on DVD is nothing like the same experience. For one thing, you cannot hear anything like the volume of the audience as they have to tone that down. You also can't tell how loud the band was itself. (Loud!) There's also nothing quite like 'live', with music/dance/theatre being produced right as you watch, not looked back on as a finished product. There are no two performances exactly alike.
So although in one way it's a shame that theatres are much stricter about the no camera thing, especially as it means you can't share with those of us who weren't there, I think it creates a better experience for those who are there. Enjoy it fully.
Sorry to have rambled along at length there, but it's just some thoughts I've had for a while now.
PS This is IN NO WAY a criticism of those who do take videos etc. It gives people mementoes, it gives people a chance to share. I just do worry sometimes that it diminishes the experience for them in the first place. That's another reason I really like to hear about those Jaymeets. I mean yes, people are taking photos, but most of the experience is immediate and first hand. A Jayhug can't be experienced behind a camera.
ETA just seen the length of my post. I really did go on a bit there, didn't I
maybe just expressing some thoughts/feelings I've been developing for a while.
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