Is Broadway BETTER than West-end?

[BroadwayEnthusiast]

Posted: 2/22/04 at 3:47pm

A big question we all must ask ourselves. What do you think, despite the fact that u might be from London(england), or New york (USA) it doesn't matter, overall which do u think is the best? From what they have to offer, and what they have contributed to the consumer?

[JakeB]

Posted: 2/22/04 at 4:25pm

Broadway. There are lots of reasongs, but I don't have time to list them all, so here's a couple:

1. Quality of shows. If a show is crap on Broadway, it closes the same week. If a show is crap in England, it just seems to stay open, often with just 50 people in the audience. I don't think it's fair to someone who has paid money to see a show to see a show with a bad audience atmosphere.

2. Staying on quality - we have a lot of tribute band musicals. At the moment there is Mamma Mia (Abba), We Will Rock You (Queen), Tonight's the Night (Rod Stewart), The Rat Pack Live from Las Vegas (Rat Pack) and, to a degree, we're about to get Jailhouse Rock (Elvis). America just doesn't put up with duff, badly written shows.

3. There is a considerably smaller theatre following in the UK and hardly any teenagers are passionate about theatre, which is worrying because they're the next generation of theatregoers. A lot of theatres have started to realise this and have cottoned onto bringing them back in, which is working.

4. Theatre performers are famous. There will be no-one waiting at the stage door for our biggest musical theatre stars. In America, they have barriers. Go figure.

They're the main points that bug me.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 2/22/04 at 7:10pm

West End is better.

1. You get to eat ice cream at your seat.

2. West End offers concession prices to people who are unemployed.

3. West End theater is less expensive.

4. Shakespeare is done as regular theater, not as a star vehicle where they have to have a reason to lure in the audience.

5. Judi Dench, Patricia Routledge, Maggie Smith, The National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company

Updated On: 2/23/04 at 07:10 PM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/22/04 at 7:36pm

I have only been to London once, but I did catch a West End shows while I was over there, and I definitely like Broadway better. Since I only saw a few shows, it is difficult to judge the quality of the shows, but I felt that there was something lacking when I was in a theater in London that there is on Broadway. Perhaps it's the huge following Broadway has in comparison to the West End, and that community feel you get from it. I don't really know.

[alterego]

Posted: 2/22/04 at 10:54pm

As someone from neither Britain or the United States I look at it this way...for musicals I look to Broadway for straight theatre you have to go to the West End. Those are their strengths. I also love the old theatres of the West End (even those without airconditioning!).

[catcher]

Posted: 2/23/04 at 2:18am

I haven't seen enough West End shows to make that call, but I will say... One great thing about the West End is cast size. I think because running costs are lower, cast size can be bigger there. The musicals I saw there and gigantic ensembles and were still running with them years later--here the running cost for those casts sizes would be way too high for anything but the biggest hits.

[JakeB]

Posted: 2/23/04 at 7:31am

Yes, the National Theatre is perhaps something that really laughs up Broadway. But, we don't consider it 'West End', so it's kind of like looking at New York vs London instead.

[Greekmusicalfan]

Posted: 2/23/04 at 10:25am

Before my NYC trip this December, all my big theatrical experiences were in London. I love London and the productions are also fantastic there. But ever since I came to Broadway, I fell in love with it. I don't know what it is, maybe the atmosphere, the air, the NAME which is like a Holy Place for all theatre lovers, but I have to say that now I prefer Broadway. And as a foreigner I have to say that I always had the feeling that West End productions are a bit British oriented, while Broadway productions are universally oriented !

Take care

[MabesNY]

Posted: 2/23/04 at 12:13pm

London is better. Prices are cheaper. More matinees. TKTS booth is better organized.

[Annie Get Your Rose]

Posted: 2/23/04 at 3:42pm

I would for sure say Broadway right now bc it has Bernadette Peters, Harvey Fierstein,Hugh Jackman,Idina Mendzel, and Kirstin Chenoweth.

Posted: 2/23/04 at 3:48pm

I hope you all realize many of the things youre saying all relate. ticket prices are lower because operating costs are lower, operating costs are lower because their casts dont have the celebrity recognition that broadway casts have and thus they can pay them less and have larger casts.

-Christina

[megreen31]

Posted: 2/25/04 at 10:17am

i prefer broadway. saw 6 west end shows this year and while they were amazing, they were not broadway. it's just not the same feeling as new york. i dont really have any evidence.

[bially082]

Posted: 2/25/04 at 12:13pm

I am really surprised that WestEndBird hasn't responded to this one yet! Come on WestEnd!!

[BroadwayPhil]

Posted: 2/25/04 at 3:25pm

I used to love taking long weekends to London ( before I had kids). Can't wait to go back. The theaters are larger and tickets were half the price of broadway, and yes they sell ice cream at intermision you can eat in your seat. And if you are a beer lover, the pubs are great, fish and chips instead of corned beef. Can't say London is better but very different.

[BrdwyThtr]

Posted: 2/25/04 at 3:31pm

Broadway is better, IMHO. It's an entire "experiance".

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 2/25/04 at 3:45pm

I think that the west end seems a bit more stuffier than broadway. haha but i shouldnt say anything because ive yet to go to london.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 2/25/04 at 6:12pm

In the West End you can order your drink ahead of time.

Also, the ushers are polite and say "Mind the step". On Broadway, they just let you fall and then act annoyed that you are holding up the line.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 2/25/04 at 6:40pm

It's hard to believe the producers of Broadway would allow Jerry Hall to pull a stunt like she did on the West End. Can you BELIEVE that ****?

[bially082]

Posted: 2/25/04 at 11:49pm

I prefer Broadway, for several obvious reasons for those that know me. Although I do hve to say that the ticket prices in England are far more appealing.....

Updated On: 2/25/04 at 11:49 PM

[WestEndBird]

Posted: 2/26/04 at 12:37pm

Broadway is certainly one of the greatest places to be, and while London may indeed be my fave city...I would have to say that I hold both in high esteem, they can both compliment each other greatly...Broadway happens to be closer to home for me but London is the greatest treat when I get another chance to go there!!! (thanks for the nudge Bially..*wink*)

[stop!]

Posted: 2/27/04 at 12:36am

well its weird....west end is different...known for real good dramas and acting (graduate, when harry met sally exceptions) but its musicals can be farfetched....and more kitch... i liked it though but i love ny

[BroadwayEnthusiast]

Posted: 2/27/04 at 7:53pm

I see.