Sunday, October 14, 2007
Tickets for King Lear starring Ian McKellen hit $1,700
CBC.ca Arts: "The 68-year-old thespian — who has also played Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings trilogy and Magneto in the X-Men films — says he doesn't think it's his marquee name that's boosting ticket prices."
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11 comments:
Although I do think that the show would have sold out no matter what, I think that McKellan's name is making the tickets go for so much money. Naturally, many would be attracted to seeing him perform in the role, knowing that he is a fairly established Shakespearean actor. In the theatre world, Trevor Nunn's name is also huge, so he is probably helping the ticket sales as well in regards to the "theatre" audience.
Personally, I think it is ridiculous that prices for the tickets have climbed so high, but not necessarily surprising. Although he denies it, I think that McKellen's name on the marquee is a huge factor, both because of his fame for his achievement in stage acting, but also his fame in hollywood. For theater goers, I'm sure Nunn is also a huge draw. But just to combine the forces of the Royal Shakespeare Company, McKellen, Nunn, and King Lear is bound to produce an something awesome. But then again, maybe not, and thats the beauty of the theater, nothing is for sure, even if you pay $1700 for it.
The highest price $90 sounds acceptable. After all, both the Royal Shakespeare Company and Ian McKellen are really good. But $1700 is ridiculously high. The seller is smart. He probably thinks Ian McKellen is worldwide well known and the rich men and celebrities may pay this money to watch his live show on stage. But it is not fair for the audience who really love to see either Royal Shakespeare's show or King Lear.
Not surprising to me. I think that with or with out McKellan, the show would sell, but the price of the tickets I'm sure have something to do with him. I am really happy that he is getting such notice. How can you not when you're in this situation? Never the less, good things happen to good people and I hope this experience for him turns out to be everything he wants it to be.
This just reminds me of the article from last week about how ticket prices in general are getting high because of people who buy them right away and then sell them online for a ridiculous profit.
with so many high profile names on the bill i would be more surprised if this sort of thing didnt happen. my concern is that people who would be getting the most out of seeing this kind of performance wont be able to afford the tickets and will never be able to experience it. whereas people who will get nothing special out of it but go because they can afford it and want to be able to brag to their friends in the hamptons that they saw Ian McKellan in person will be filling the seats instead.
I really think something needs to be done about this, it's completely ridiculous how high the ticket prices are going. Brokering tickets isn't really ok. I feel like there are some serious copyright lines being crossed. I absolutely adore Ian McKellen, and to think there is a serious chance that would I have a chance to see the show, I couldn't because all the tickets were taken by the ticket brokers. It's just absurd that this is still continuing. No one wins in this situation. The box office could just raise they're ticket prices and the money the brokers are making could be going to the theatre, but instead, it's just going to a bunch of people who create programs to get in line before the actual theatre-goers.
Last week there was an article about rising ticket prices and this is an extreme example of that. Even though all the box office tickets are below $100 online re-sellers are making bank. Unfortunately this starts to limit theatre to only those who can afford it, not necessarily those who will enjoy it the most. I don't think there is anything that could easily be done, but this is a situation that we will have to begin to look at.
All I have to say is Oh wow. He is a superb actor but tickets for over a grand? I think I would consider another outing. He must have very loyal fans and I do not see why not. He is great. I am a fan as well.
As someone who does not care for Shakespeare, the thought of paying $1,700 for a single ticket to "King Lear" blows my mind. However, this does show the power of celebrity in today's society. For Shakespeare's connossieur the Royal Shakespeare Company couples with the celebrity of Ian McKellen as a supercelebrity production. I am sure that the show will be well done, but does it make a $1700 return to the patrons paying that price?
It’s amazing that Ian McKellen isn’t letting $1,700 ticket sales go to his head. There is no doubt in my mind that he is the reason fro such outrageous ticket prices. The kind of professionalism that it takes to be humble while getting such a strong response is a sign of many years of experience and talent. I hope at some point in my career there are people willing to pay $1,700 to watch me do two hours of work.
wow, i wuold love to see this production but i don't think that i would/could pay that much. it is good to know that it is getting this attention. hopefully the audience is leaving though with more then having just seen a "Star". i am confident that there is a powerful message within this production, let's hope it permeates through the audience and their lives.
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