Whats the difference between a "preview" and a normal performance of play?

[Shawady]

Whats the difference between a preview and a normal performance of play?
I want to see Alan Rickman in the Abbey and the only dates that suit are the first week of the previews. The tickets are cheaper and I was wondering why.

 

[niceoneted]

It like there are testing the play with the audience. Mistakes may occur, timings are checked and so on. It's usually just the same but things can go wrong and that is why you get the tickets cheaper. I've been to previews like you when dates only suited and never thought the performance was any less.

 

[pixiebean22]

Agree with ted, I've gone to a few previews and they're pretty much the same deal. It's just to get their timing/lines/etc etc etc perfected.

 

[siteissues]

always look out for preview tickets, usually a monday night.

 

[mtk]

usually pretty good never seen any gliches myself

 

[Time]

Alan Rickman may not appear in previews.

 

[Shawady]

Alan Rickman may not appear in previews.

Do you really think this might happen? I've bought tickets for one of the previews. The preview shows were almost fully booked up.

 

[jnh]

I'd be very, very surprised if the preview didn't have the full 'opening night' cast. I have been to a load of previews and have never found this to be the case. It's a preview, not a tech rehearsal.It's not like Alan Rickman is just going to fly over on opening night to do his part.

 

[Milly]

Not 100% sure but I think critics are not allowed to review a performance if its a preview

 

[Time]

They can review anything they want if they have paid in to the performance.

 

[jnh]

They can review anything they want if they have paid in to the performance.

Critics paying into a performance??? Yeah, right!

Critics (as in press) will not review a preview