Neither will Canadians it just doesn't happen, besides an hour long show can sometimes be better it leaves them wanting more. Sometimes I only do 35 -45 minutes depending on the venue. I still get paid and often groups are happier as it gives tham more time to sell booze. one thing we need to remember as performers is balance, every venue we perform in from bars to casinos are all looking to make money other than corporate this istrue for most venues.

The important thing is pleasing the client if they want two hours do two hours if they want 45 minutes do 45 there is no point argueing because honestly audiances are different everywhere they. want different things.

Jesse

Jessie that is my point. Audiences here, and in Canada aparantly won't sit for the show that long. Across the pond they do it regularly aparantly, although they also tell us there is no work so aparantly not many of those shows exist there any more either.

Different venues need different things too. A venue large venue will have a much more expensive ticket price so people expect a bigger show than from a small club or hotel. I might make around £500 in a small club. I would make anywhere between £2000-£6000 in a theatre. There is a guy here who makes anything up to £30,000 a weekend or at least he used to a few years back. And hes being doing this venue for 20+ years.

This summer I am performing in front of a 2500 person audiance for 45 minutes why because its what the client wants, they want a 45 minute time slot that's what they get and the pay cheque is right up there with those fancy theater shows and yes they are paying for tickets too.

the difference is what the client wants not the performer do I have two hours of material yes do I have enough for ten hours yes I do. will I do over a two hour show ever no simply because I feel it devalues me and the show would not be as good. I know my limits others are different and I understand that. I try to do and give what is best for my audiance it works.

Jesse

I hate 45 minute (or less) shows and refuse to do them unless the gig or money is fantastic. To me they're harder to do than a 90 minute or 2 hour show. I think a good stage hypnosis show, in my opinion, needs to be at least an hour.

I too perfer exactly an hour show it is my perfect time frame, it is what I do most of the time but once again the clients needs are always first not mine. I honestly hated the thirtyminute shows because its not quite enough and I hated the two hour shows because it is just too much. Keep in mind the few 30 minute shows have been for schools after a presentation for high schoolers ie bullying, addiction, self esteem.

I also think that my markets are suited to my style of show not everyones would be. I keep it clean even in adult shows it allows me to get more corporate gigs since its non offensive which is where the hour long show fits perfectly.

Jesse

I really like the hours or hours and a half format.

That's the big difference you are performing a slot for a client not a full theatre show on your own terms. When you do a full theatre show the audience are there to see only you and expect something bigger. I assume that you are not the only act and that 2500 people don't turn up to sit for only 45 mins? The overall show must be longer surely?

You are quite wrong you just don't know how to do a full theatre show. It never devalues you quite the opposite. Sure it will devalue you if you cannot hold an audience for that period.

I like all formats of a minimum of an hour upwards. Doing theatre I wouldn't want to do less than two hours because I know the format structure and build up is far better than anything less for a venue of this size. Sure I would be happy to do a "slot" for a client but that's not a full show.

Its not about having enough material Jesse its about having a two hour show there is a difference. "fancy theatre shows" that just sums it up for me. A theatre show takes more skill and more thought into the structure. Im not surprised you don't like them not everybody can carry them off.

How many shows have you done in the last decade mindpunisher?

HK

You didn't ask me but I averaged 8 shows a week for a long time, but dropped to 6. So in the past decade it is over 3,000 shows. Closer to 4,000.

Now I have always worked places like comedy clubs or resorts or tourist Towns with theaters mind you. In Branson I had a 5 show week. Comedy clubs were an 8 show week back in the day. I never chased the one night corporate gigs.

This also meant I knew the set up when I would come in. This is an advantage. I have always had jobs where the people are brought to me. Seems easier.