Southend Sorcerers at the Dixon Studio - 7th-12th Feb 2011
As I write this, the Dixon shows ended just last Saturday and I can’t tell you how proud I am of everyone in the club and all we have achieved for two years running now. For those who weren’t aware, the entire run of six shows was completely sold out again and the theatre management told us that we could have sold it out twice; such was the interest from the public. We even had a request from Brian Miller, the president of the IBM British Ring, who wanted to attend with his wife and write an article for The Budget, the Ring’s magazine. But we had to turn him down because there were simply no tickets left to give him.
Of course, thanks go to so many people who helped make the shows the success they were and I hope to bring you a fuller account next month when I’ve had a chance to recover a little (!). But for now can I simply say thank you:
To all our stage and close up performers who gave of their time so freely and put on a great show every time;
To all the ‘Dream Team’ – the girls who held the fort in the foyer selling programmes and merchandise (not forgetting Wally of course!);
To all those who helped backstage, particularly Paul Mills who was there at every rehearsal and show, even beating me to the theatre most days and carrying his kit bag of ‘problem solvers’;
To all those members who weren’t directly involved but who nevertheless bought a ticket and came to see the show with their families and friends;
To Tracy who, with her other half, hosted a wonderful after show party on the last night;
To Antony and James who provided some great live music to kick the shows off;
And last but not least, to the families of all our performers, especially our juniors, who willingly gave their support to the whole venture.
It was an exhausting week, but how rewarding as well! Andy Smith sent me a lovely e-mail after it had all ended (thanks Andy) and I think he sums it up when he says:
‘’I know that all of us who took part are enormously grateful for the opportunity to perform and to be part of something that is very popular and successful.Most definitely, we should do it again next year and in the same format. The informality and local involvement are its great strengths.And always leave the audience wanting more!’’
Just today I had an email from the theatre breaking down the money side of things, and the club has made a healthy profit which will be put to good use for us all, booking higher profile lecturers and buying additional equipment to help improve our shows.
But the whole idea of running the Dixon shows has never been about the money. The plan was always to give our members an opportunity to perform in a professional environment; and to build confidence and gain experience, while raising the profile of magic locally, and I think we’ve succeeded in doing that. I’m aware that some members are uncomfortable with us charging admission for what is, after all, an amateur show; but there are many local amateur dramatic societies who put on plays and musicals and charge admission. We couldn’t even consider running the Dixon project without charging admission as the costs would be too high, but anyway, the several compliments from the audiences as they left made it clear that they were very happy paying for their tickets. Many who attended were there last year and have promised to come back next year too. And from little acorns, who knows what might grow one day.
What we have achieved as a magic society shouldn’t be underestimated. We are one of the very few small clubs in this country who attempt a project on this scale, and as a result I know we are envied by members of other societies.
Thanks again – and, all being well, here’s to next year!!
