History Boys is up and running. The first two shows were about as successful as we could have hoped and tickets are selling well for the remaining shows. Something I've been reminded the last two nights is the fact that you never know how an audience is going to react to anything. Something you want to be dramatic can be hysterical to them, and vice versa. This is different than when you want something to be funny and it is not (that has more to do with just trying too hard) but instead is all about the fact that the audience determines whether something is funny or dramatic.
This makes things difficult for me. I have worked hard and long to come to the conclusion that you can't worry about the audience, you have to more or less do things on stage for yourself (comedy, improv, anything), but truely the audience makes or breaks your show. And so I thought about it and this is what I think...
Firstly, the audience hates it when you pander to them. They know you are doing it and they hate it. Its like if someone shoved a painting in your face and yelled "YOU LIKE THIS". Even if you do, the presentation was just too abrasive. Secondly, all audiences are different, so you have an idea of what a particular audience will like, but there are no absolutes. But there seems to be something close to an absolute: audiences love honesty. If you can be completely focused and honest that is about the best you can do, and a bonus if you are having a killer time doing it. Audiences will feed off your energy and want to be up there with you. I think there is a big of fruedian actor-envy with most spectators.
So thats my theory and it looks pretty good to me right now anyway. Doesn't mean the next time I'm on stage I'm not going to be piss scared the audience will hate me, that doesn't really ever go away I don't think...
I've always thought that about how the audience reacts (more so what you said about telling someone "You like this"). We had a discussion about it at a marketing meeting a couple of weeks ago, and how crappy of an idea that is. Anyway, you can't tell someone what to take away from art. For me, it doesn't matter if someone takes away the exact message that maybe the artist intended as long as they're thinking and taking SOMETHING away. We're encouraging people to form thoughts and opinions about things, and of course not everyone will agree. I'm sure that you already know all of this. I think there is a fine line, though, between creating your art the way you want it and having to think about what the audiences will enjoy. There is always a budget and target audience to think of, plus future seasons. Someone was saying in a meeting today that you have to think that if a subscriber (or many subscribers) gets pissed about a show, you might lose them for next season, so it's important to emphasize to people that when they subscribe, they're making an overall contribution to the community and to the arts. Anyway, I'm sorry for writing a novel, but some of the same things were brought to my attention recently. Glad to hear the show is running well! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat's the deal with the run at Fisher in August? I'm really happy that I'll get to see it after all.
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