Monday, October 13, 2008
Mark Shenton on why Las Vegas has the best shows on Earth
guardian.co.uk: "I'm a sucker for Vegas. In six visits to this parched, neon-lit Nevada desert town in the last seven years, I've never dropped a quarter in a single slot machine or sat down at a roulette table. But as someone who loves show business and the business of shows, there's nowhere quite like it in the known universe. The entire place is theatre – a living playground of sensational excess and 24-hour pleasures, both corporeal and mental, and that's before you even get to the line-up of 70-plus shows that are playing here at any one time."
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7 comments:
The reason some people think that Las Vegas is the place to go for the greatest shows on earth is because of the special effects. New York does have special effects, but Las Vegas goes over the top. But at the same time Las Vegas does have other types of shows from plays to regional theatres. So in a way Las Vegas does have the best shows on earth because there are so many different types of shows available.
I like hearing about old vegas rather than todays Vegas. The Rat Pack entertained at night and the mob kept everyone in line after. Teddy told me about a quote that off broadway was the new Broadway, Broadway was the new Vegas, and Vegas was the new circus. It seems like that's coming true.
I have to admit with this guy that Vegas is an amazing place to see shows. I think people sometimes scoff at spectacle because it will hide the fact that the story is shit, but sometimes spectacle can be the show itself and just take it at face value. In addition, there is a certain feel of old vaudeville in Vegas (well, topless vaudeville) with some of their showgirl revues. Although, it's a place that goes over the top, it's also a place that reminds you of the simple pleasure of entertainment (magic,impressions) and the modern take on entertainment. There's just so much to see and do. When they say they have a variety of theater, they mean they have more than just plays and musicals.
One word: Spectacle. When people want to be 'wowed' and not simply entertained or even intellectually stimulated, they turn to Las Vegas and in return get fantastic spectacle and even better memories.
As a designer I appreciate the money and ability that the money allows in Vegas. The amount of tricks and the equipment they is available is ridiculous. However as an artist I think some of these shows are sell outs. Granted PHANTOM was never that artistically written anyway, but the spectacle-ized version is just brutal. It kills the last once of integrity of the show and sells out for bigger flashier things. The show had it's own theatre built specifically for it, for crying out loud. As for O its amazing. And that'd the kind of show that Vegas is all about.
I think the best part of Vegas is the magnitude of variety one gets all in one place! It is definitely a crowd pleaser, a little bit for everyone. Whether it be a high class Circe show or just your run of the mill strip show its all there.
i think vegas is best at using flare and spectacle to gain audiences. they have it down to an art in the city of sin. Getting people to come see shows that are over the top in effects and only 90 minutes long. the effects and "wow" factor are so much that people are statisfied, and even tired, after seeing one of these productions. Some of the shows are great, and if you want a lot of money, vegas is the place it seems.
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