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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....

Sun, 21 Feb 1999, 01:21 pm
Melville haven't had TOO many problems with patrons not turning up but now that we have installed raked seating which has reduced the available seats to 120 maybe we shall have to have a re-think. Incidentally we opened last Wednesday with the aforementioned seating (which was finished at 11 pm the previous evening!)and have had lots of positve comments. The Mayor said she loved not having to dodge back and forth to see all the action! so it's already been worth the cost/trauma/anguish. we are actually beginning to look like a theatre instead of a barn. One more week to see a very funny play, "Don't Misunderstand Me" by Patrick Cargill. Plays WEd/Fri/Sat. book 9457-4994Norma Davis (wearing MTC hat)> Thanks Grant.> If these ideas were to be implimented, they would certainly need> some> fleshing out, however I'm yet to see them actually used anywhere> and> I have attended shows at at least 6 different theatres north> of the river.> Simple solutions are usually the best.> Regs,> Jeff.

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