7.30pm or 8.00pm Curtain Up

Thu, 3 Sept 2009, 09:42 am

billythekid11 posts in thread

It appears that the majority of Community Theatre productions start at 8.00pm, whereas professional and pro/am (eg Les Mis) productions and others such as WAAPA start at 7.30pm. I was just curious as to why this might be the case. For myself, I prefer the earlier start, it means I am on my way home or to a party after the show at a more reasonable hour. More time in the bar after the show also if that's your thing. I am new to Perth and would be interested in comments from others on this. Cheers!

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billythekidThu, 3 Sept 2009, 09:42 am

LabrugThu, 3 Sept 2009, 09:52 am

Not certain

That is actually a very interesting question and I too would be quite interested to find the origins of this. \

I have my suspicisions that it would be most likely from the fact that in Community Theatre 90% if not all of those involved in the production are either Full-Time employees in other capacities, or full-time students. An earlier start time would cause happy stress as people struggled to get home, have dinner (maybe a shower) get down to the theatre with enough time to get into costume, make up and the like, maybe a Hair style is required, do a quick warm-up and have the opening performers ready to go by 7:30. The extra 1/2 hour eases the load just right.

In professional theatre, performers have probably been there for hours already.

Absit invidia (and DFT :nono:)

Jeff Watkins
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LogosThu, 3 Sept 2009, 10:24 am

It is interesting, Oddly

It is interesting, Oddly enough in the UK 7.45 was quite common while I was there. Splitting the difference I guess. Between the wars and indeed into the fifties 8.30pm was quite common for professional theatre. I like Labrugs idea. For amateurs the 8.00pm curtain gives time for the performers to get home from work and get all the family duties sorted before getting to the theatre. 7.30 makes it just a bit harder. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au

Walter PlingeThu, 3 Sept 2009, 10:43 am

7.30 for longer shows

I’m inclined to think that 7.30 would be a good compromise for shows running in excess of 2-and-a-half hours. Whilst it might put a little stress on those involved in the production, this can be offset by the extra time made available after the show for sleeping, boozing, whatever. It is also important to consider the audience, many of whom may struggle to make it to the end of a show which wraps up at a later time.

LabrugThu, 3 Sept 2009, 11:04 am

Research

Just doing a little research...

Perth Theatres...

His Maj - appears to prefer the 7:30 pm start

The Regal - 8:00 pm

Black Swan - 7:30 pm to 8:00 pm

The Blue Room - Bounces between 7:00 pm and 8:30 pm

Some of the above times would appear to depend upon two factors - The venue and the Length or type of production.

Absit invidia (and DFT :nono:)

Jeff Watkins
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LabrugThu, 3 Sept 2009, 11:10 am

Additional

I also note that some of the Down Stairs Maj productions start at 8:30 pm.

Absit invidia (and DFT :nono:)

Jeff Watkins
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NormaThu, 3 Sept 2009, 12:02 pm

Second Additional!

Old Mill used to start at 7.30 , but now we are 8 pm, except for long shows , ie most musicals etc.

We changed partly in response to the actors for reasons already given above, but also in response to our Audience feedback!!

LabrugThu, 3 Sept 2009, 12:15 pm

Just to Confirm

So Norma, you are saying that the majority of Audience Feedback is that they actually preferred a later starting time? Just to make this clear for everyone.

Absit invidia (and DFT :nono:)

Jeff Watkins
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NormaThu, 3 Sept 2009, 04:53 pm

Just to confim

That is quite correct, many of our audience members said they preferred 8 pm as they didn't feel there was so much of a rush to get to the theatre after work, and even for those not working most still liked an 8 pm start so that they could enjoy an evening meal-especially at a restaurant.

On the other hand when we have done a show at which we can expect a lot of childrenin the audience, 7.30 is generally the preferred time.

You win some, you lose some!!

mike raineThu, 3 Sept 2009, 08:03 pm

preferred time

Huon Valley Theatre productions have, to my knowledge, always started at 7.30pm. This doesn't seem to have posed any problems for patrons or participants.

crgwllmsFri, 4 Sept 2009, 02:23 am

observed research

The Subi Arts Centre is generally 8.00pm for its mainhouse shows. Times can often differ for the Studio shows. Like the Blue Room venues, sometimes this is to relieve the congestion at the ticket office and bar area. Front of House Staff might find it easier with a staggered start, rather than several shows starting at once. However, the staff note that whenever tickets vary from the standard 8.00pm start, they inevitably have to deal with latecomers arriving who didn't realise the show started earlier...which ties up FOH staff after all. As well as length or type of production, you should also add type of audience. Evening shows by Barking Gecko are often at 6.30 or 7.00, given that families with young children are the target audience. And there was a notable decline in popularity of early shows over summer - particularly with daylight saving. People didn't tend to attend when it was still daylight in the evening. Cheers, Craig ~<8>-/====\---------

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