Stagedooring

[InsomniacVampire]

Do people do that often? Is it very common?
I know that when a big celeb is on West End it's probably more/very likely people will be waiting for autographs etc. But I am oging to see a play (provided it's not cancelled) with actors that are definitely not famous at all, I have no heard of most of the cast but one whom I saw in a random play last year, and loved it, and would love to say 'hi/good job sort of thing' when I see them in this new thing this week. I am just feeling very conscious that there is likely not really going to be anyone else hanging around, and the actor I am going to see is not even in the any of the main roles (by the looks of it it seems it's lucky if they have a maximum of 10 lines...).
I dont even know what the AIBU is, just wondered if people had experiences with this 😅

We did it after Hamilton and a few of the cast came out and were lovely with my boys who were starstruck (me too a bit!). They signed our program and we said they were brilliant and then went on our way.
Apparently they’re not doing it at the moment because of Covid though, which I can understand.

I used to go to a lot of plays when I was younger and my mum would take me to the stage door for autographs afterwards.

Several cast members who I got autographs from have gone on to be very famous actors, so it's worth doing!

Yes, it's completely normal. If it's a show that doesn't have famous actors in it then there might not be many people stage dooring, but that's much better. Huge stars make for big, crowded and impersonal stage doors where the celeb just goes down the line signing autographs and doesn't really engage. With smaller stage doors actors often stay and chat.

If you wanted to stop an actor and say "oh I saw you in x and you were really good", I think most less well known actors would be thrilled at that.

Do it ! Life’s too short.

I think there are people who go to stage doors for every play they see, whether the actors are 'big names' or not. For some people, getting their copy of the programme autographed is part of their theatre experience, or they collect autographs as a hobby in itself. So I'm sure the actors will have experienced this kind of thing before.

I am curious as to why this particular non-famous actor who has a tiny role in the play is significant enough to you for you to want to hang around for him though! Are we talking a crush here?

I would add that in my experience, no actor is ever unhappy to have someone tell them they saw them in something and thought they were good, so you should be fine!

@10HailMarys definitely not a crush, I actually had one on another person from that play last year which is why I went 🤣🤣🤣 I did love it though and wanted to see more of everyone's work. Which is hard as they do very little work seemingly, so was quite excited to see one of them in anything at all!
He's actually much older so not sure it's likely he'll become a huge star, but then he was really good in that other thing, so kind of wanted to say that as didn't have a chance last year!

I think at the stage door is the MOST appropriate time to approach an actor (compared to trying to get a selfie when you see them with their kids in the supermarket, for example) and agree with PP, no actor isn't going to enjoy you telling them you appreciate their work!

Friend of mine recently stagedoored Hugh Jackman in New York! He was wearing a mask and he didn't do selfies but she said he was lovely. Think maybe selfies are a bit pre covid now.

I stage doored Chris O’ Dowd last year in London after a play.
He was lovely, friendly, chatty and signed autographs.
We asked him if we could have a photo and he obliged, very briefly pulled his mask down!
He seems a very nice chap😊😊

I’ve not done the stage door thing for a long time but always did as a teenager, absolutely loved getting my programs signed and photos with the cast. I think they appreciate it even more when it’s a lesser known cast, it means a lot to them that you took your time to wait and meet them, and makes them feel extra special (in general, provided they’re a nice person of course!).
so go for it!

I've done it many times myself, it's fine, and got my programmes signed by lots of different and talented people. On a few (very few!) occasions people have also done it to me. It's lovely to hear that people enjoyed your performance and so nice to feel appreciated.

Definitely go for it! I hope you enjoy the play. x

@InsomniacVampire Haha, I completely understand what you mean! When I really notice an actor's performance in a play, I always feel like I want to tell them how good they were as well! Maybe even more so when they aren't the star, because you know they probably don't get the same plaudits. I've never actually done it but maybe I should.

I have never gone to the stage door but when I was younger I sent a letter to the cast c/o the theatre a couple of times saying how much I enjoyed the show. Got sent a programme signed by most the cast one time (with added coffee stain from someone's mug!). The other time I got a signed photo of Kenneth Branagh (the star of that show).

My mother (an actress) says it's lovely when people say thank you, and tell her that they enjoyed the show and so on.

But please be aware that an actor has just done something exhausting, and they may not always want to be "on." It is also exhausting dealing with complete strangers who think they know you.

I find it really nasty when people start threads in here about "horrible celebrities." It's presumptuous and ignorant. But @InsomniacVampire I'm sure you won't be like that!

@LuftBalloons Oh no, hope not at least! I mean I saw someone iI really admired recently but they were with friends and I would not even think to approach them, if they are not busy, cool, if they are, then I won't be there hanging around.

I actually realised I dont know where the stage door for that place is, some of the smaller theatres I went to had just one and the cast left through the main door anyways, so it's possible I wont even get to see the cast at all 😂

I work in theatre, if you want to post the name of the theatre in the thread (or DM if you'd prefer) I'd probably be able to tell you where the stage door is, if it's a London theatre. Some theatres don't have stage doors or the stage door is internal.

A couple of times when we've had dinner after a matinee the cast have been eating too. It would be rude to approach them whilst they're eating, but we have afterwards said hi and that we enjoyed the show, which I hope was ok.

I’m sure most performers would be pleased to hear that you enjoyed their work and even more that you remember a previous show. Regarding autographs, you never know how they may develop in the future. I still have the programme from ? 1976 when someone who went on to be a pretty big name appeared as a child lead in an amateur panto. If only I’d got the very first autograph!

We should normalise telling everyone who does a good job that they’ve done a good job. Who doesn’t want to hear that!
I was on holiday with my parents and we were at a lovely, beachy, non posh restaurant in Barbados and my dad said “please send our compliments to the chef” and the chef came out absolutely beaming and said he’d only been there a short time having worked in London but he missed home too much and was so happy we liked the food. My parents were there all the time after that!
My mum is always complimenting people on things; a nice coat, a good outfit etc and it’s never failed to elicit a smile.

Veni vidi vici, went to see the play, waited outside with a crowd of...one (there were more but all dispersed to my despair) proud parent waiting for their offspring who were in the play too, spoke to the actor for 15 seconds, got a handhsake.

I see from here most people did stagedooring when they were younger, so starting now feels a bit weird, but it was fun and the guy was very nice. He also had a fair deal to say not 3 lines as I feared, so a good evening overal.

@Ozgirl75 75 I totaly agree, I love giving people random compliments, and it also makes my day getting one. I think here the only awkwardness is waiting around for someone to leave when literally the street is empty, and that dude left the last from the whole cast as well 😂

It sounds like a good night out - I'm glad you plucked up the courage to do it and had a good time!

The amazing Miriam Margolyes told a very funny story on The Graham Norton Show once about the time she waited for Sir Laurence Olivier at a stage door - (bit rude though).

In my youth, I, too, stagedoored Sir Laurence Olivier and have his autograph. He was lovely and I was completely charmed, but not quite so much as Miriam Margolyes.

Haha that clip! Tbh that was me last year during that other play ooops.
But yeah it was really nice. I am super shy so coming up to people does not come very natural to me, but they seemed pleased someone stuck around so it sort of made up for my awkwardness.
Definitely will do that again if I ever have opportunity!

Hi, Jemima. Sorry to dig up a slightly older thread but do you know where the stage door is for the Dorfman theatre in London? Thanks.