All this month, Avocado Improv are taking the reigns of writing for us to allow us to explore more about the team. This week they take us behind the scenes of running a show and the challenges it can bring…

Audience, audience, audience. One challenge that will never go away. Luckily, unlike bigger shows with props and cues and live symphony orchestras, us lazy improvisors have much less to worry about, so we can focus on the aforementioned audience. The biggest prep we do is showing up early to talk to anyone in the theatre or pub or random basement, wherever the show is, to sell, sell, sell. Having time to chat to anyone interested goes a very long way, not in the least, so you don’t feel rushed yourself before the show. These days, it’s really our only warm up for the night, it gets the juices flowing and reminds us, ‘Holy s***, we’ve got a show tonight!’

Now of course, there are a few essentials worth mentioning. Whether your show is ridiculously simple or ridiculously complicated, a good tech needs good timing. It’s so important to have your tech sorted as soon as you know the next gig, to send them all the info, have a little chat, and hopefully, help them into the space as early as possible to get comfy with the space and the desk. There’s no substitute for repetition, and having the same tech on every show is a luxury that we can’t always afford, but is always the ideal. The more we work with the same tech, the smoother the timing is all around. 

When it comes to booking acts, get in touch as soon as humanly possible. Give all the details you can and then a hard deadline to hear back by. Chances are, you’ll hear back smack on the deadline, but that’s just par for the course. When it comes to booking, there’s one mantra to follow; Always have a plan B. And C. And D. Have a long list of lots of great groups you want to invite, then space out your deadlines so if someone can’t make it, you’ve still got time to get another answer, and another, and even another. But all in all, booking is pretty simple, just be open, quick to answer questions, and if you can take photos of the other acts, you’ll earn some good will for life.

But let’s face it, every night can feel like a disaster waiting in the wings. Who will show up? Will there be a tube strike? How will our set go? We do our best to take a big deep breath and accept what will be, will be. At a certain point, all the work is done… and there’s nothing to do but get on stage.

To find out more about the team head to www.avocadoimprov.com

Upcoming shows by the team:

– Sep 13, Omnibus Theatre, 9pm

– Oct 5, Barons Court Theatre, 9:30pm

– Oct 11, Omnibus Theatre, 9pm

– Oct 25, Barons Court Theatre, 9:30pm