OldGeezer
4 posts
Jan 08, 2013
11:13 AM
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While this is Off Topic, it's not that far off since most of you are probably performers (I'm not), and this story is about a performer. I don't know how true it is, but I read it someplace long ago.
The late, great, Scottish music hall comedian and singer Sir Harry Lauder (1870-1950) toured the world playing in music halls and vaudeville theaters over a forty year career. He wrote and made famous several well-known tunes - "Roamin' in the Gloamin'", "I love a Lassie", and "A Wee Deoch-an-doris" (don't ask, I don't know what this means. I do know the tune, though.)- amongst others.
In 1916 he was appearing in a theater in Australia. Just before the curtain was to go up, the theater manager told him that they had just received the news that Sir Harry's only son had been killed while serving in the Army in France (WW-I). The manager told him that they would understand if if did not go on. He said to the manager "No, the show must go on". It did, and as soon as the curtain went down for the last time after his act, he collapsed dead away.
So my question is this: Could any of you performers do the same thing if faced with the same news? I couldn't.
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Sherwin
2 posts
Jan 08, 2013
5:36 PM
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I'm biting my tongue/keyboard
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nacoran
6367 posts
Jan 08, 2013
6:53 PM
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I guess it would depend on how often my son called. badadumpump.
I don't know. I don't have kids, but I've had bad days, and I've had distractions. It might very much depend on what else was in the offing. If I was on the road and there wasn't family to comfort me, doing something routine might be the best thing. You turn the autopilot on and worry about it later. I could see that working for a while. I guess it depends on how quick you move through the five stages of acceptance. It probably only works in stage 1 and 5.
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Nate
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Sarge
299 posts
Jan 08, 2013
6:45 PM
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NO!
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Wisdom does not always come with old age. Sometimes old age arrives alone.
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Michael Rubin
713 posts
Jan 09, 2013
9:31 AM
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I hope never to have to face that question, but I have definitely gone RIGHT onstage after serious bad news. I recently was on tour and about five minutes before the stage received word that my mother was in a car accident and in the hospital. I have had girlfriends break up or start HUGE fights right before I go on. Actually, I think that's a very common game people in relationship play, not just women.
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