Royalties

I can't answer the royalties, but on the question of paying for programmes: I think the biggest difficulty is that there isn't one system in use across theatres. You go to big professional shows and you have to pay $20 per programme; but some actually also offer limited B&W programmes in the foyer as well, for free. Other smaller venues or touring shows have programmes for free or donation. Others sell programmes at a couple of dollars each. Because there's no hard and fast rule to selling programmes, I think this instills a certain laziness on the part of the audience member: they don't feel the need to buy one, because they're not forced to at every show. There again, is another point: most people don't want programmes. Have you ever noticed the number of trashed programmes in foyers or seating? It's because people generally only want them if: the show is extremely memorable (not likely to be every show), there are great colour photos of amazing costumes, sets, or scenes (again, not every show), or they know someone in the cast. My last show I printed one programme for every seat, and handed them out for free. I think I found about half actually ended up back in my programme box, with several left lying in the venue. I don't know what the answer is - yes, programmes take a lot of time and money to make, so you want some sort of return on it. My best guess is to make something that costs as little as possible - I print from home. Amazingly enough a colour printer cartridge or two, and a ream of paper from Officeworks, is heaps cheaper than photocopying or hiring a printer. Then maybe charge a dollar or two - donations rarely work I think. Alternatively, you can do something else: make a programme that is as memorable as the show. I went to see an abstract puppetry performance, and the programme came with a set of collapsible binoculars; plus the programme itself was somewhat puppet-themed, with velcro-ed hands attached as a clasp. One show I did, we also had magnets on offer, and a lot of people took a brochure and a magnet, and left a donation - more because they were impressed with the handmade clay magnets, than the programme (the magnets cost very little to make, some spare clay, glue, and some old magnets). The real answer is though: no one really wants to buy a programme. They just want to read it before house lights go down or in interval, because there's not much else to do. Sticky Apple Legs www.thepromptcopy.com/sal Puppets in Melbourne www.puppetsinmelbourne.com.au My puppets www.collectzing.com/collection/137/