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Shows are available for big and small spaces that are definitely not ‘theatres’ including village halls, churches, schools and community centres. Venues with only 40-50 ‘seats’ have had Live & Local performances.
Live & Local differentiates between a ‘performance area’ which may or may not be a raised area, and a ‘stage’ which is always a raised area.
Live & Local performances don't necessarily have to be on a raised 'stage' and indeed many performers will not necessarily use your hall's own raised stage as it may be too small or too remote from the audience. Live & Local performers are experienced at working in venues that have limited equipment, including no stage or 'theatre' lights or a sound system and will bring all the basics for their performance with them. They will balance their technical and spatial requirements with visibility (sightlines) and intimacy.
Other options include setting the performance area up against a side wall or even seating some audience on your raised stage (if available) with the performance taking place on the floor of the hall. (This option depends on the overall size of the hall, position of the exits and access to toilets, etc.)
Your capacity may be affected by the position of the performance area. If we have an accurate ground plan of your venue we can advise you of the best format and the likely capacity for a particular show whilst discussing your performance requests.
If theatre lights and/or a sound system are a necessity, the company will bring them, otherwise your standard 'house lights' may suffice.
However, all shows benefit from being able to delineate the performance area and it helps to be able to indicate the start of the performance and the beginning of the second half with lights.
Generally we will have visited your venue during the recruitment process so will have an idea about your facilities. However, we also ask you to return a form detailing the facilities along with a sketched ground plan and to complete a Venue & Visitor Information Form.
Technical and other requirements are described in the information section with each show in our Menu. Please check these against your venue and if in doubt please call us as the technical details for shows can change.
The sizes quoted in each information section are for:
(a) the ideal ‘performance area’
(b) the minimum ‘performance area’
(c) the minimum raised ‘stage area’ if available.
The required raised ‘stage area’ will generally be larger than the ‘performance area’ as performers cannot work on the edge of a precipice or up against a wall!
Most shows benefit from being on a raised area (or by raising some of the audience). If a raised area is a necessity the company will bring a stage or raised area. Otherwise it would be good (but not a requirement) if you could provide a raised area of the size detailed. Alternatively you might consider raising some of the audience; maybe by putting them on your stage.
This suggests suitable seating arrangements for the show:
(a) "Theatre" (in rows)
(b) "Tables" (tables & chairs – sometimes described as ‘cabaret’ format).
(c) "Theatre/Tables" means that either will work - but do check your capacity and remember that all Live & Local shows are for listening to - not talking over!
(d) "Dance" means that, if possible, leave an area for the audience to dance in. This could be in front of the stage and/or at the back of the hall for the more shy people!
NB: “Tables” or “Theatre/Tables” do not automatically mean that a bar can remain open during the performance. Only those shows that are marked “Bar can remain open……” can do so.
This information will tell you where the performers prefer the performing area to be in relationship to the audience:
(a) "End-on" means that all the audience must all be in front of the performance area.
(b) "Thrust" means that the audience can be completely or partially on three sides of the performance area.
(c) "Traverse" means that the audience can sit on either side of the performance area.
(d) "Round" means they can sit on all sides.
W (width) D (deep) H (height) (in feet)
This does not necessarily mean your "stage". Some performers (especially theatre companies, but some musicians as well) will NOT use your stage. Instead they will set up using a variety of seating layouts and formats (see above) in the main body of the hall.
This is the time the company needs to set up before you let the audience in. In order to work out when the company would need access, add half an hour to the time quoted for letting in the audience.
Also check the “Get Out” time. Usually this is pretty quick, but if you have a caretaker who locks up you may want to take account of this information.
Turn on the heating in advance if necessary or, more rarely, open the windows! NB. Make sure the heating in the ‘Dressing Room’ is as near as possible to the temperature as in the main hall, especially for musicians; otherwise their instruments go out of tune.
Noisy doors or heaters? Sort them out before the show.
Don’t lay out the seats/tables before the company arrive unless previously agreed with the company. They may need the space during their ‘get-in’.
When they do arrive discuss the following:
Do a health and safety check before the show. For further information please refer to the 'Health & Safety - Risk Assessments' sheet in the 'On the Day' section of this Handbook. It is pretty much common sense stuff.
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