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The Paranormalist Special user United Kingdom 702 Posts |
Hi, I’ve been having discussions with a hotel, with regard to having me entertain one evening every week. This is something I put forward to them myself as it’s something I have personally wanted to do for a long time and they very much like the idea.
The hotel is in a part of England that gets quite a lot of tourism as well as having a conference centre nearby, so I’m quite confident with the number of people the town gets. The show will take place in room that comfortably seats 45 – 50 people with the chairs set out theatre style, or the audience can be seated around small tables and then the number of people would only be about 24. Tickets would be sold for the shows via an internet website and at the hotels reception, prior to the event as well as on the evening of the performance. The room doesn’t have a stage so it would be very much like in a cabaret setting and I very much like the intimate feel of this. Obviously the evenings need to be well publicised and leaflets would be available at the hotels reception and at various tourist points around the town. An advertising banner would also be on display outside the hotel. Media releases will be sent out to television, radio and newspapers where hopefully they will take interest, and who knows where it will lead? Hopefully the interest in seeing the show will snowball with attendees telling their friends, etc. Now my main reason for writing this here is what happens if the number of attendees for any particular evening doesn’t reach a suitable number of shall we say 10 people in the audience to stage the show??? I plan the performance to run for ninety minutes with an interval. Of course I could entertain close-up, but again not for less than 10 people for ninety minutes. Maybe I am looking at this pessimistically but it does have to be taken into consideration. Any thoughts would be very helpful. |
MatCult Inner circle 1518 Posts |
I once went to a Sean Hughes poetry reading where very few people turned up (less than 20).
After reading a couple of poems, he looked around the room and said "Aw, this feels a bit stupid, shall we all just go down the pub?". He proceeded to buy us all a pint and later on took a few of us who remained for a curry. I'm not suggesting it's a practical solution every time you get a poor turnout, but the way he broke the fourth wall and stopped it being a 'him and us' formal situation was amazing and made the evening unforgettable.
"Disbelief in magic can force a poor soul into believing in government and business."
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tmoca Inner circle 1113 Posts |
Good question. I don't have the answer just yet, but in regards to the first show, why not sell your tickets WELL in advance. This way it will give you time to make sure tickets are sold, and to help you to gauge how long it is taking to sell "x" amount of tickets.
You could also have more dates confirmed and start selling those NOW as well. This will get the ball rolling in your favor. Now, let's say that you don't have a whole lot of time to pre-sell the tickets or add extra dates, why not have a bank of tickets that you can "comp" just to fill the room. I would work out a deal with the hotel, that you get "x" amount of tickets to do as you wish with. Sell, comp, etc. This will guarantee that you have at minimum, your comp seats filled. Just some initial/off the top of my head thoughts. Cheers! |
The Paranormalist Special user United Kingdom 702 Posts |
Hi Tmoca, I was thinking about having the first night in August but I completely agree with you about giving the publicity more time to take hold and will postpone it for a month later. Also it was suggested to have a show every Friday evening at 8.30pm and have a calendar on the web site where tickets can be purchased.
Many thanks, certainly some good ideas Franklin |
Mindpro Eternal Order 10588 Posts |
Consider your first show being a Pre-opening night Event specifically for VIPs (hotel management, Mayor or town leaders, politicians, etc.), Press & Media, hotel's concierge staff (extremely important to your overall success), Convention & Tourism officials and reps, and so on to create a showcase and initial buzz from key people than can assist you in promoting your show to tourists, convention groups, other businesses in the area, while getting important media coverage.
Of course this is all based on the fact that you have a fantastic, well-rehearsed show that is ready for this type of professional showcase. If not, the entire thing could backfire and get you negative publicity and kill the effort before it even gets started. |
The Paranormalist Special user United Kingdom 702 Posts |
Hi Mindpro
Great idea, thanks. |
Mindpro Eternal Order 10588 Posts |
Sure, best of luck and keep us posted on how it's going.
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dusty Veteran user 352 Posts |
Hi Franklin,
I agree with Mindpro on having an opning night, however I would suggest you get few nights under your belt before the "Big Night". It's known as a soft opening. Invite friends colleagues etc. along for a free show. Explain that you want to try out new routines and effects etc. This will allow you to iron out any blocking issues, sound and light changes, routining of effects etc.
Regards,
Dusty aka Max Gordon. "Always give 100%, Unless you're a blood donor!" Exclusive publications available from: www.solutions.yolasite.com |
The Paranormalist Special user United Kingdom 702 Posts |
Hi Dusty
I hear what you are saying. Thanks |
NabilT New user Caracas, Venezuela 16 Posts |
When I read the MindPro answer I thought what Dusty said! So my contribution would be telling you to enjoy small audiences in the case you get them, because they are easier to talk with, make a stronger bond with you and, everyone gets their mind read! so they leave even more mystified!
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Art Vanderlay Special user All I Read Was Corinda And Now I Have 642 Posts |
Lets imagine you have 7 people attend, you open an envelope that says:
"can my seven lucky attendees please follow me to the bar!" And the perform some close up mentalism OR You arrange the chairs in a circle, you stand in the circle and perform Bumbershoot or something similar? Cheers, Art.
THE MAN WHO CONTROLS THE ELEMENTS!
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The Paranormalist Special user United Kingdom 702 Posts |
The thought of entertaining close-up has crossed my mind and it's certainly no problem, but how long could you realistically entertain a small number of people for? Especially when they are expecting a 90 minute show.
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