And Now For Something Completely Different....

Acorn Theatre tackeled the problem of pre payment for tickets, in 1998.As we have only 28 seats,(yes we r trying to get in the Guinness Book of Records - to no avail, any suggestions welsome), we realised early on that if we filled a night then a booking of 5 or 10 cancelled, it would drastically reduce the size of our audiance, by half.And no one likes to perform to only a handful of patrons.So we introduced a pay before the night policy, which has worked reasonably well.Obviously as a small theatre with a small membership and small no of regular patrons, this is not as big a headach as it may be for larger companies.those patrons who could not send a cheque ( and we stated in flyers and publicity to pay 2 weeks prior), some dropped the money in personally, or in some cases , we did have to let them pay on the night.It was also a case of demand, when u only have 28 seats, even when u do a 9 show season, it limits the no of people who can come and enjoy the show. so we also had the advantage of saying we need the payment prior, because of the limited seating.If you book to go see Les mis.. at his Majestiy's this year, i can guarantee u, u will not be able to just rock up on the night and expect to get good seats if any. And it is not correct etiquite ( excuse spelling) to book for a professional show and not turn up without paying.Ameture theatre should not be any different. If anything, as we are all volunteers, it is more important the $$ comes in, and that the audiance is full, for our dedicated performers.hope this brings some good healthy theatrical debate.Sue ThomasPresidentAcorn Theatre>> 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 ?> Kimberley> PS - 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 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!>