Seasons Come and Seasons Go. But for how long?

So as promised here is my thread on seasons.

I have spent considerable time in the UK where amateur or local or "little" theatre, rarely seems to run more than a week. Open on Tuesday or Wednesday run till Saturday get pissed go home.

In SA we seem to run the magic 3 weeks. Some companies run as few as two shows a week plus maybe a matinee and some up to 5 or 6 but three weeks seems to be the magic number. I know of one company that runs wednesday to saturday for four weeks with a matinee on every saturday but he's the exception rather than the rule.

Of course the factor of money up front cuts in. We have to pay royalties in advance in most cases so the bill begins to be very big if we extend to four weeks say twenty shows. Theatre hire is up. Insurance costs depend on your policy. Some insurance co's will increase your premium if you do more shows.

Will we attract enough audience to pay for all this in anextended season?

I remember in the seventies an amatuer production of Pippin I was involed in ran for about seven weeks in the end. We just kept extending. Eventually the company started reimbursing the performers financially because the show just went on and on. Took me about six weeks to recover.

I guess if the product is good enough then the risk is worthwhile.

Then we have the problem of continuing the season. What about other bookings in the theatre, can the show be moved?

Any other thoughts?

I am about to mount a co-op show in what can best be described as a non traditional theatrical venue. (A Scout Hall) it's a big one wiith lots of facilities and I can run for as long as I like on Fridays and Saturdays.

 And while we're on the subject Sunday Matinees? Any thoughts?