One of the problems we all encounter especially around Xmas is the need to be rather fluid with your timings, you have a show which runs an hour, your booked from 2pm to 3pm to do a show, you're all set up and by the time the kids have finished eating, or arrived it's now gone 5 past 2, the booker then tells you Santa is now coming at 2:50 and has to be away sharpish so please finish by 2:45 and can you introduce Santa? So your starting late, and finishing early.

Others like me can be quite flexible with their show, things can be shortened, removed, lenghtened at a whim if required, but how about those who's show is tightly scripted, maybe with a few musical numbers, each routine timed to perfection leading into the next. How do you cope with these sudden demands to be more 'extremely bendy' than 'flexible.

PS, I'm not knocking those who work to timed perection, I'm just curious, it hacks me off so it must drive you guy's potty.

Sorry for the jollity Clive, will try and be serious now.

It means less Magic, as Magic is the poor relative in our shows. I think it's wise to fit in with their wishes as far as humanly possible, as to some people this is what they remember you for, and the fact you pulled a three week old calf from up your nose is irrelevant!

Tony.

Like Clive, I know my show inside and out and every part of every routine. If I simply MUST start late, then I simply have learned to adapt and cut my performance down to account for this new time.

I also have a rough idea of the timing of every routine I do. I have done this based upon the videos I take at my festival and public performances so I know generally how long each routine is. I keep this info handy as it is so important to be right on time when I am working my festival market.

This also helps me with my kids show because I can just look at my card I carry with me and know percisely what effect I can take out or shorten to reach the required end time.

Generally starting late really urks me as I am sure it does others. I usually am flexible and can work around it the best that I can. However, if I have another show I have to do that day, I will let the client know ahead of time that I must go on no later then a set time. They usually are understanding about this if the need arises.

Overall I simply adapt.

Kyle

I like starting on time as well. But I would say if you are doing kids shows then you have to be flexible from the start. I will say if I get started late because of the client and it is important to keep a tight show day then I will shorten routines to even cutting routines out.

But being able to switch gears and change things is a key to a lot of success to kids performers.

Ken

I agree Ken. I think the more you perform, the more you become accustomed to learning how to adapt to diffeent situations you find yourself in. I know I constantly learn from every show I do. Being able to adapt my routines or shorten them, is always a big help for me as I know I can still deliver on a quality show.

Kyle

I work on the principle at Xmas that actually starting on time is a luxury,
We've covered the starting late, what about the can you finish early as well.

If you've had to start late, you'll always get the booker who ignores your advice and who's booked you to start at the same time the kids actually start arriving, and then on top of that you have to finish early because of Santa. Your ready to perform your 1-hour show, which now has to be squeezed down to 40 minutes.

To me this means the complete dropping of one routine, and adjusting what's left to fit, which could entail, lengthening/shortening one or all the routines that's left. Each of my seperate routines run Approx 15 minutes.

The shortest 1-hour show I did this year was 35 minutes.

I have had that problem a lot as well Clive. This is where knowing your routines by heart really comes in handy. You can learn to adapt and shorten the routines without disturbing the overall quality and entertainment value of the show as a whole. Of course this only comes with a lot of practice and a lot of getting out there and doing it.

Timing out my routines also has helped me a lot. I know how long each routine is that I do and I can take one out and olug in a shorter one at will and be able to still have a fun, great show that ends at the time I need it to end. For me this is all apart of adapting myself to the changing situations that I run into.

Kyle