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Show Choices - Valuable Lessons!!
I rarely contribute to TP Talk, however just wanted to bring up something that seems to be talked about, but not actually addressed by many companies.
It's been awful to see the recent fall of Whitehorse and slowly see smaller companies fade into the darkness, but as we all know (but do not voice) the majority of these companies make bad choices with selecting productions.
Although PLOS is a company dear to my heart, I don't feel bias in saying that I believe that this company has made the wisest and most rewarding changes to their productions. They did this by changing one thing - Marketing; meeting the expectations of their audience and ultimately, "giving them what they want".
I find too many companies are getting cought up with the "we want to do" and not giving enough thought to the "what we must do".
Just saying...
Drew Downing
...
I saw a Thursday night
I saw a Thursday night performance of PLOS Sound of Music (congrats and well done all!!) having only called earlier in the day to book 2 tix. The best seats available were in the centre of the last row of the dress circle! That in itself says something very positive about show choices, timing and audience!!
I have to agree PLOS do it
I have to agree PLOS do it better than the others at the moment
There is that set list of
There is that set list of musicals that where ever you do them in Australia, as long as they are done well and MARKETED well you will get nice fullish houses.
I understand how Whitehorse is dying when they did RENT and that was because they dont understand their demographic and there wore atleast 4 RENTS in Victoria last year... too much of a good thing is never good.
RENT is a kinda cult show, you need someone to tell you about it to get you to go or seen the movie/recording of the Broadway show. unlike SOM which everyone in the world (expect my girlfriend apparently) knows.
-p
I heard that RENT was
I heard that RENT was actually a very successful show for Whitehorse.
hey p you said... "There is
hey p
you said...
"There is that set list of musicals that where ever you do them in Australia, as long as they are done well and MARKETED well you will get nice fullish houses"
RENT was done well and was marketed well and played to fullish houses.
CLOC - Show Selection
I think CLOC have excellent show selection. They are one of the most consistently adventurous companies I've ever worked with. They do all the oldies, but they weave in a lot of more obscure works - Most recently - La Mancha and Aspects of Love. Their audience knows that the standard of show is going to be pretty good, regardless if they know the show or not, so they are able to transition their mainstream audience across to their less GP friendly shows. They also showcase their productions to their group bookers prior to the season via an intimate little showcase night... genius. They really make their audience feel like they are a part of the company. I don't know POLS all that well, but I get the impression that they also have a strong connection with their audience too and are entrenched as part of their local community.
They've had some duds
They've had some duds too...Dusty for example, but yeah I agree with you
Agree
I have to agree. I heard it wasn't actually Rent that was the problem, it was poor ticket sales over a couple of other shows that had a cumulative effect.
Nova
Nova is an excellent example of a company that plays to THEIR market. They have excellent audiences, plenty of money in the bank (so I believe from the grape vine) and have been comfortable for some time. All this despite what many people in the amatuer theatre world think of Nova and their shows.
On the flip side though, I put on my creating independent theatre hat now, I think it is VERY improtant for a theatre creators to put on theatre THEY want to do. Artistic, creative theatre instead of consumerable dribble.
Re: Nova
Hey Mr D. I believe you may be right on this account, but in addition I am also fairly sure that they are also able to benefit from the loyal patronage of The Whitehorse Centre. The Whitehorse Centre has a whole bunch of people subscribed to their newsletters that keep up to date on all the goings on of the venue. You can check out their website and see all the different shows and events running. So the membership of the whitehorse center also provides additional patronage to companies performing there.
Yes to the deteriment of it's
Yes to the deteriment of it's 'poorer' cousin Babirra
Mr D, I totally agree with
Mr D, I totally agree with your "theatre hat" statement about companies putting on theatre they are passionate about. After all, that's what it's all about. But - it's a flip-side answer. If a company presents bi-annual productions, they need to be performing a "bums on seats" and a "risk we'll take for creativeness" show. Companies are doing it wrong and I don't understand!
Nova are brilliant with their seasons and marketting. I believe that they are on numerous mailing lists and patronage program, but this didn't happen by a miracle! It was planned, marketed, approached and carried out. And I seriously doubt that this happened overnight.
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