Work Based Learning Assignment: Kinky & Quirky Halloween Burlesque 31/10/09

Dear followers!!!

Below is what Laura and myself got up to on Halloween, for the Kinky and Quirky Burlesque and Boogie night- Halloween special!!
Laura and I had been having meetings with Sarah and Mark Bell, finding out what kind of jobs they have to do before a show, tickets, contacts, numbers ect (see previous posts!), but this first show was the real thing for Laura and myself, to see everything come together and hopefully run smoothly with out hiccups!

Arriving . . .

We arrived at Havana, in Exeter at 3pm that day (Saturday 31st), to find Havana locked up, so we presumed Sarah and Mark had the key. When they arrived however, they were also confused as to how everything was locked, when they always turn up at the same time for the shows preparation . . .a quick call to the manager/ vice-manager, and a cup of coffee, someone was down to open up the venue.

Setting-up . .

The first task Laura and I had to help with was to set up the actual venue for the night's show. All the tables and chairs had to be put in certain places, with however many people were sat at that particular table. There were some very large groups coming that night, so big tables at the back for 15, 20, 25 people were moved and laid out.

What struck me as being very bad, on Havana's part, was that the floor had not been cleaned- neither the tables and chairs, and I swear I stepped in something sticky. When I queried this to Sarah and Mark, they replied by saying the manager won't pay for the staff to come in a couple of hours earlier to clean . . but assured me that it would be clean by the time the show started. Hmmm . . . .also, I was quite confused as to the chairs. . .the venue holds 250 people, yet there are not enough chairs to go round for 250 people. We ended up getting chairs from the balcony and bringing them into the inside venue area.

Final Preparation . . .

After the table and chairs had been laid, labelled, cleaned (!), and a quick break, Laura and I were just putting the finishing touches to the seating area. Cards on the tables, lighting table candles, putting pumpkins around, and making sure everything was generally looking better than it had 4 hours earlier!!

And backstage . . . .

As the burlesque performers were arriving, and also a magician, we were both given a set list. This was for the aid of stage hands (us), the tech guys playing the music and doing the lights, and both Sarah and Mark. On the set list was:

1. Who the performer was

2. What their act was called

3. What the music and where it was (with the tech guy already?)

4. Any props?

Laura and I went round everyone of the artists performing that night, and asked these questions. When we had ascertained this, we then started sorting out where and when we needed to get props on and off the stage. Because we now had the running order as well, we could work out what props needed to be near the front of being back stage (close at hand), and others that we didn't need till after a certain time. At this point as well, the audience were starting to arrive and fill the venue.

(Above- sorting out the set list, below, heading backstage . . .)
(Don't we look all authoritarian with bits of paper!!)

The actual show . . .cripes!

When the set list was written out, and learned, all the props were ready for deployment at the right time, all the performers rehearsed and ready in their Halloween styled costumes- it was ready for the show. I have to admit- I was quite nervous, only because I didn't want anything to go wrong. I know what it's like to be on stage with a prop that should be there, but isn't, it's frustrating and brings your whole performance down. So I almost wanted to get it right first time. Laura and I were also pick-up girls (not that sort!!) after the performers had left the stage. They had discarded their clothes throughout the act, and we had to go on stage and pick them up. After this, we had to get the props on stage ready for the next act, making sure they were in the place the performers had wanted.

It all seems so straight forward now when I tell you. .but at the time I was inwardly freaking out that I'd done everything I had to!

(Getting a strobe light fitted and worked out before the performance on stage. . .)

(Watching a rehearsal on stage, making sure all the performers props were ready at hand)

In the end. . . .
This show went really smoothly, in my opinion. As soon as Laura and I started working as a team to get the tasks done throughout the show done, it worked really well. There were no mistakes on our part, and all the performers thanked us for a good job, which made me feel good! It was a shame it all had to end, as I did enjoy sorting out the different things I had to do, as, even when the show starts, your job has not ended, you still need to make sure all the props are ready, make sure the performers are doing OK, and if they need anything . ect. ect. It was a lot of fun!!

Conclusion . . .

In reflection to the first show, I had a really great time. I really enjoyed getting everything ready, making sure Laura and myself knew exactly what we had to do and when. I was exhausted by the end of the night, it had been a long day! But I would do it all again! The only problem I had was really with Havana, they didn't see at all professional when it came to the appearance of the venue, and I felt they half-heartily agree to do what they should be doing anyway. Appearance, when it comes to a night like this, is everything. The venue has got to look clean and tidy and ready for us to set up and do what we need to do. I was ready to don some gloves and start scrubbing and floor and chairs myself! Things like that matter to me.

Apart from the above, the evening went as well as could be expected. It helps that Laura and I are doing more than one show, as next month, we will know exactly what needs to be done!

Me, at the of the night. . .I might be smiling, but my feet are killing me!!