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And Now For Something Completely Different....

Fri, 19 Feb 1999, 08:00 am
Kimberley8 posts in thread
For those who are still reading after seeing my name at the top of this, I'd like you to think about the following.....There is a continuing problem in community theatre with people booking tickets and then not showing up. This is not a big deal until you "sell out" the house, turn people away, then find you have empty seats ( which by Murphy's Law will be the "best seats" ).As a result of this, several companies,( including both companies I'm a member of - I am NOT slamming anyone ), have introduced policies saying that you have to pick up your tickets prior to performance nights.Many patrons ( particularly regular community theatre goers ) find this difficult.Here is the challenge.Can anyone think of a system we can develop which could identify "low risk patrons " or regular theatregoers, meaning that a range of community theatres could accept their booking and payment at the door, without worrying that they are not going to turn up ?It would need to work with both box offices run from a person's house as well as those through independent agencies ( except perhaps BOCS....which would be too big an ask ).I've been playing with a couple of ideas......The questions are 1) Is it worth it ?2) Would it be feasable ?3) Do enough people care ?KimberleyPS - The Coralie debate has taken up too much room on the board. Please send any future arguments against me directly to my email.Incidently I thought the tone of my gripe about companies changing dates and details was light enough to be recognised as a dig at myself. I obviously dug myself so deep that Adam thought he would play undertaker. NEVER MIND I HAVE RISEN FROM THE DEAD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: And Now For Something Completely Different....

Fri, 19 Feb 1999, 08:58 am
EMAILNOTICES>no> The questions are 1) Is it worth it ?That depends on the cost of the problem and the cost of the solution.a) A simple solution is to enforce an arrival of ten or so min.s before a showor tickets may be re-sold. This would only occur on nights with full housebookings and the tickets have not been paid for.b) You could also give special considerations to members over other patrons.For example, no ten minute dead-line or no prior payment options (ie can payat door.)> 2) Would it be feasable ?The two suggestions above would not be all that difficult to impliment andin the case of b) the basic structure is already in-place for most clubs.> 3) Do enough people care ?Stay tuned for that one. Just watch the discussions that may or may notfollow.Jeff Watkins

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