Size doesn't matter
It's what you do with it that counts
Last night with Murder Inc, audience members were thin on the ground.
And who can blame them?
The enticing embrace of a summer pub garden in Manchester is almost impossible to ignore. But tiaras off to the awesome people who rocked up and watched us lot thrash around as three dwarves in a coat and a Disneyfied toilet attendant.
All you lovies will recognise the feeling of trepidation when walking out infront of a smaller crowd than expected. Do we acknowledge the fact that its quiet or play as if there are five hundred people in the room?
And WHY do the punters suddenly feel uncomfortably close to the stage? The front row are nebbing right up your left nostril and you’re worried you haven’t picked it in months.
So, what to do when faced with a small crowd?
Well, we did what any troupe would do:
We jumped out of the window and ran for the castle.
I’m joking.
We rolled up our princess sleeves and emitted our energy to generate a bonkers show. It took us down dark disney tunnels, a turkey leg addiction and a mother who left all her kids in the park for eight years because she couldn’t be bothered to look after them.
And who can blame her…
Luckily the audience didn’t take away any moral lessons. I hope they didn’t anyway, because it wasn’t a TIE show. If it was, we’d all be in prison.
But we got a chance to see the whites of their eyes and hear individual laughter, gasps, cringing and guffaws. This ended up being a really lovely experience.
Yes, a bigger crowd does generate the adrenaline to power the magic kingdom, but the smaller crowds are a reminder of the initimate human connection that comedy creates. You get a much better sense of it and it’s the BEST most MAGICAL PIXIE DUST feeling.
And we did that!
Well, technically Goofy did that- who turned out to be Danny from HR.
I told you it was bonkers.
If you’ve got a gig and only five people show up, take a breather and embrace it. I mean, how on earth are you going to allow yourself to enjoy huge crowds when you can’t find the joy in the intimate ones?
It’s a small world after all.
(P.S. If Kristen Chenoweth or any of her team happened to be in the audience last night, I cannot be held responsible for my impression of her. I am a 5ft 10 woman, trying to channel a tiny woman with the voice of a goddess. Please do NOT sue.)
