Huge, unfunny barnsAn oversized room is a killer for every event, as I have written before.
In an excellent and fascinating article in February's Smithsonian Magazine, über-comic Steve Martin makes the same observation:
"I got a welcome job in 1971 with Ann-Margret, five weeks opening the show for her at the International Hilton in Vegas, a huge, unfunny barn with sculptured pink cherubs hanging from the corners of the proscenium.
Laughter in these poorly designed places rose a few feet into the air and dissipated like steam, always giving me the feeling I was bombing*."
Remember if you are planning an event - always choose your room one size too small...
Photo from stevemartin.com
*If you are unfamiliar with the term, "bombing" is comic-speke
for completely failing to amuse an audience. It's no fun.
And don't ask me about my last gig in Budapest...
for completely failing to amuse an audience. It's no fun.
And don't ask me about my last gig in Budapest...
2 comments:
So, Adam, what about your last gig in Budapest? ;)
Do note that he says he felt he bombed because of the room's acoustics preventing feedback to him; the audience did laugh though; they were quite possibly having a good time considering this was Steve Martin before "cheaper by the dozen".
The principle "room slightly too small = better atmosphere" is absolutely right, but the gig doesn't automatically do a big fat belly flop just because the room isn't ideal. Potential killer, yes. Insta-death for someone who can still play the audience? No.
Thank you for being youu
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