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Roslyn
Inner circle
3200 Posts
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Posted: May 7, 2012 8:04am
So, I was working the fair on Southwick Green this weekend and it was completely washed out. In fact I write this whilst sheltering from the rain inside the Lambert.
It's the first funfair I've worked. Done a few steam rallies and country fairs now, but this is my first actual funfair.
I don't have anything punters can shelter inside whilst watching my show so I was wondering first if anyone had any suggestions on things that can be used. Ideally I'd love a little big top, but I'm a one-man show and this isn't feasible.
Alternatively does anyone have any suggestions as to little bits of business that can be done to give the feel of a show going on but doesn't rely on having a crowd stop for too long.
I've already thought of balloons. I can shelter under the lambert and make them. And I also do little juggling routines set to music.
Cheers,
Ros
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Jim Hand
Regular user
Ocala,Fl.
131 Posts
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Posted: May 7, 2012 9:01am
How little a "bigtop" were you thinking...a 20 ft x 20 ft push pole is really EASY for one man to put up by himself. This size gives you a nice 10x10 area to perfom and still have room for about 30 people. When younger I moved a 20x40 everyday by myself.
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Harley Newman
Inner circle
4593 Posts
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Posted: May 7, 2012 10:08am
Or you could rent umbrellas.
“You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus” -Mark Twain
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Kondini
Inner circle
3462 Posts
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Posted: May 7, 2012 4:32pm
If you tent over you would be better off charging the punters,,,did this for several seasons but extra wages and transport charges defeated the object.
Had a single pole light wieght tent which was ok but restricted speckies to around 30 only. Sold this as a Circus workshop tent and its still doing pretty well.
Some bookers will supply you with a Marquee so you can work inside which makes your own unit defunkt. Or lift one sidewall of their tent and position your own unit looking in,,,,did this as well but when it rained it leaked between me and audience so defeated the aim again.
Best option I have found when useing the Lambert in bad weather was to work dems inside it,,,svens, sponges, rings etc etc you can get a crowd of 15 or more if you lift up both end flaps and use the centre section as your dem area......also you make extra cash this way and the bookers feel you doing your best to oblige hahaha.
Best idea of the lot is to up sticks and work in a country with less rainfall !!!!
Ken.
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thegreatnippulini
Inner circle
of Hell because I've made
2544 Posts
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Posted: May 7, 2012 6:20pm
Wait a minute... I've BEEN to England... isn't a cloudy dull rainy day the norm? I enjoyed it when I was there, but seriously... hearing Brits complain about rain amuses me for some odd reason. 
The Great Nippulini: body piercer, Guinness World Record holder, blacksmith and man with The World's Strongest Nipples! Does the WORLD care? We shall see...
http://www.greatnippulini.com
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Kondini
Inner circle
3462 Posts
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Posted: May 8, 2012 4:21am
Im not laughing,,,had next weekend stopped due to flooded venue already.
This would have been our 21st year at Stoke Goldington Steam Rally !!! Now what will I do ????
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thegreatnippulini
Inner circle
of Hell because I've made
2544 Posts
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Posted: May 8, 2012 10:18am
Invest in umbrellas?
I do apologize for my feeble attempt to make you laugh... now on the other end of the spectrum there are areas in severe drought that also affects shows.
The Great Nippulini: body piercer, Guinness World Record holder, blacksmith and man with The World's Strongest Nipples! Does the WORLD care? We shall see...
http://www.greatnippulini.com
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jay kirwan
Regular user
Ireland
106 Posts
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Posted: May 8, 2012 8:23pm
Jims 20 x 20 tent idea is sound, small enough to manage
though large enough for an audience.
Currently 2 of us tour a 60 x 40 (12m x 18m) and that
presents another weather problem, the wind.
Over a period of time it is a cinch to build up and pull down
such a tent but in a storm having only two middle aged
people to deal with a tent that wants to be a parachute,
is not fun.
I remember too well when tenting in the UK the nights
we spent in the tent alert to any ropes loosening or
pegs pulling due to stormy weather!
Ken mentioned having the booker provide the venue.
Here in Australia a lot of acts work this way.
Indeed if we are booked to a fair or agricultural show,
our tent plays host to a number of acts that play between
our showtimes.
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Jim Hand
Regular user
Ocala,Fl.
131 Posts
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Posted: May 8, 2012 10:13pm
One of the main reasons old time shows did one day stands ...was the top was down and in the truck overnight and they didn't have to stay up and baby sit it.... Tents made of vinyl are stronger and they can handle the pressure the crank type straps put on them.
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Roslyn
Inner circle
3200 Posts
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Posted: May 10, 2012 3:20pm
Thanks all.
I'll have a think about all the suggestions. All valid points.
Cheers,
Ros
Ps
Of course the alternative is to sell up here and move somewhere less wet!
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abigkahuna/1
Loyal user
259 Posts
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Posted: May 14, 2012 9:01pm
The Flip side of a Wash Out is a Sun Out! Was at a Feast here in Las Vegas where the temps were very very hot....no one coming out until around 8:30 pm, which means one has around two hours to make the whole day....
As for rain, we do a lot of shows in the Pacific Northwest and found that folks there tolerate the rain. Then again, its mostly showers that come and go throughout the day, so there are good breaks between the drops.
A 20 x 20 is a good size for a one man/woman show. Aluminum Poles make it easier to put up with one or two people. In the Pacific Northwest, the Peruvians use 3/4 to 1 inch poles to create a peaked roof with awning using common white tarps. Simplistic and it works. Takes an extra bit of time to set up, but light weight enough for a single person to do.
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