What makes a good summer show ?
So what makes a good outdoor promenade show ? People talk to us about specific images, sometimes about what nature throws up, occasionally about the spell of a story taking hold. Often it's about things happening in the distance or images we walk past as we move from scene to scene. Anyone got any examples of specific ingredients they reckon need to be in the mix ?
Show Parameters
I was just wondering if we could get a few more details as to the parameters for the summer show?
For example, I'm pretty sure you're not looking for ideas for a minimalist two-hander, but what size of cast should we be thinking of? Also, in terms of role distribution, are you looking for roles of roughly equal size and import, or maybe a few key roles supplemented by a 'chorus' or similar?
Additionally, in regards to setting, is there anything in particular we should keep in mind? I take it from "through parks or woodlands" a story set across a city wouldn't work?
If there's anything else we should have in mind - resources, time frames, etc - then any info would be greatly appreciated.
Sorry this is more a questions post than answering yours above - I'll have a think about the points you raise and hopefully have something to contribute next time.
show parameters
Yes I was wondering similar things, Is it definitley going to be a walk about show ? I know you have done everything from great myths and classic stories to Shakespeare in the past , things with a sort of epic scale BUT that doesn't necessarily mean it has to be one this time does it ?
One thing people could do is have a look in the archive section of the main Bubble website, there used to be a list of all the shows over the past few years in there, this could give some ideas and help avoid duplicates.
Parameters - some answers
Paremeters - some answers
Well these are all good questions. I can say straight away we're not looking for a two-hander but describing the exact scale is tricky. As Dan says we've done a range of projects before. Cast sizes have been as a large as 14, and small as 7. We've budgetted this one as a medium sized project, and as a promenade that visits between 6 and 8 sites and that has live music. But we've budgetted the income side on a 50% attendance, and selling 500 stakes. Should we exceed these income targets (and this is possible) then the scale of the project can be more ambitious.
The other variable is the type of show. Some pieces require spectacle - big sets, projection, fire sculptures or sound scapes - others work on pure actor power. So it depends where the money needs to be spent. This is a choice and when people make a submission it would be really helpful if they say - this has got to have a fully working life sized model of a blue whale - at the outset. ... Moby Duck - there's a thought. (can't be well known Conrad novel as the website will render it as D**k).
For me it's the narrative and subject that is them most important consideration. What will move an audience - both emotionally and from place to place ? We do want this to be a promenade as people really enjoy moving around outdoor spaces at night, but we want the moves to be motivated.
Lastly, we approach different ideas in different ways. Sometimes shows come out of a team of performers workshopping an idea. Sometimes we commission a script from a writer. Again we've kept things flexible so we can respond to ideas appropriately.
Parameters
Thanks very much, those answers are very useful.
One final question (famous last words!): when is the deadline for submissions? I know the shortlisted ideas go up on Mon 13th April but I assume you've got to have time to decide on the shortlist first!*
*apologies if this is already answered somewhere else.
Timing
The short-listers will have their final meeting on or around the 13th april. We'll be looking at the ideas as they come in, and the longer we've got the better. The other things is we're hoping to put ideas up on the discussion board to see how people respond so the earlier the better.
These are good questions. Thank you.
Revivals
What if people want you to do a show you have already done once ? Some people might particularly like a old show and want it done again , would that be okay ?
Revivals
Over the years Bubble have done shows more than once - but never the same way.
If you want to propose a specific idea we can put it up for discussion here. If people are enthusiastic it can go on the shortlist to be voted on.
Bear in you can make more than one proposal.
more than one proposal
Do you have to buy more stakes to make more proposals or do you have an unlimited number of proposals from just the one stake (if you see what I mean ).
Yes, you can make more than one proposal
Yes, propose away !
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