Andrew Girvan

Must Reads for Arts Managers: Free by Chris Anderson

By: agirvan

07-01-2010

Chris Anderson’s first book The Long Tail, propelled the Wired Magazine editor from respected tech maven to innovative business book writer. His first book, published in 2007, took an in depth look at the way the internet has disrupted the recorded entertainment market. Looking particularly at the music and book industries Anderson examined the ability of niche products to reach a large enough audience to be highly profitable. With nothing but a simple analysis of how many more books Amazon can sell than your average (if it hasn’t already been shuttered) neighbourhood book shop he expertly illustrates how the retail rules most of us grew up with no longer apply.

Chris Anderson’s latest book is no less thought provoking. The full title, “Free: The Future of a Radical Price: The Economics of Abundance and Why Zero Pricing Is Changing the Face of Business” might not roll off the tongue but it does lay out pretty clearly what the book looks to tackle. Kicking off the book with an interesting study of how free gained its place in the marketing arsenal, popularised by the likes of King Gillette with his revolutionary safety razor.

Musical Theatre at the Edinburgh Fringe 2010?

By: agirvan

29-12-2009

Fringe, Musical Theatre, News

News has slowly spread that Musical Theatre @ George Square will not be operating as a dedicated musical theatre venue again this summer. No official announcement seems to have been made but companies looking for venues for their 2010 Edinburgh Fringe run have had the news confirmed by the Edinburgh University Festivals Office. The Festivals Office, which previously played a large role in the running of the venue advised looking to other Fringe venues.

Operated as a dedicated home for musical theatre on the Fringe, the venue first opened it doors for the 2008 Fringe with programming and leadership from then Head of Musical Theatre Matters UK and ex-Head of Licensing with Cameron Mackintosh, Chris Grady at the helm. Chris has since moved on to become Head of External Relations at the Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds whilst his job administering Musical Theatre Matters UK has passed to Laoise Davidson. Chris retains chairmanship of the organisation but presumably does not have time to programme and manage a Fringe venue in addition to his new job.

Musical Theatre on TV: Glee comes to E4 December 15

By: agirvan

07-12-2009

Actors, American Theatre, Broadway, News, Professional Performers, Television, Youth Engagement

I have quite an admission to make. I have just spent the evening gorging on the first 8 episodes of Fox’s surprising ratings winner, Glee. I first read about the American musical comedy series on Ken Davenport’s blog, Producer’s Perspective, where he highlighted how good for Broadway the series was. Ken felt it was a great way of getting Broadway stars working in a high profile project as well as bringing musical numbers into line with pop songs and onto TV.

It would appear that the launch and marketing behind this musical theatre bonanza could not have been better primed. The pilot episode was premiered straight after an episode of American Idol in May, capturing a ready made audience of tweens, lovers of all things camp and those who appreciate a tight dance routine – the perfect musical theatre audience.

Will Edinburgh Crush The New London Festival Fringe?

By: agirvan

25-11-2009

Fringe, London Theatre

No sooner was the idea of a London Fringe floated in the press yesterday than the soapboxes were quickly assembled and shouted from. The first article I read on the subject was in The Standard who obviously swallowed the London Fringe press release wholeheartedly, describing the idea of trying to run a large scale festival in London in August as “throwing down the gauntlet” to Edinburgh, an event with a 60 year history and international reputation.

Swiftly followed a Gruniad piece on the subject penned by Veronica Lee which pretty much covered my main concerns - that trying to set up a fringe festival in direct competition to Edinburgh would be a fruitless endeavour because the majority of companies, arts journalists and dedicated fringe theatre goers will have made the 400 mile trip north.

129 Theatre People To Follow On Twitter

By: agirvan

23-11-2009

Actors, London Theatre, New Media, Professional Performers, Twitter

Twitter is only as useful as the people you follow. Here are 100 theatre people to follow on Twitter so that you know what’s going on and keep you up to date. You’ll be surprised the number of people who follow you back, engaging in conversation with you. Remember to retweet and @reply to be active in your online community

Update: Thank you for all of the feedback on who to include in the list. Harnessing the power of other people’s Twitter lists and suggestions you made the list of 100 has now swelled to 129. Enjoy.

London Theatres

Follow them all in one click with Twitter Lists

1. @NationalTheatre The National Theatre on the Southbank, with six or seven productions in repertory at any one time.
2. @OldVicTheatre Led by Artistic Director Kevin Spacy. Original home of the National Theatre company.
3. @NTLive The National Theatre’s initiative to broadcast live theatre to cinemas.
4. @TheRSC The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) based in Stratford-upon-Avon but perform worldwide.
5. @RoyalOperaHouse Home of The Royal Opera, The Royal Ballet and the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House.

Top 5 Tips for Actors Promoting Themselves Online

By: agirvan

19-11-2009

Actors, New Media, Professional Performers

There may be no business like show business but professional performers can certainly borrow techniques from other industries to promote themselves. Just like the real world, new media is all about building lasting relationships. Use the tips below to help turn the web from a way to while your time off to finding your next big gig.

Here are my top tips for how actors and professional perfomers should promote themselves using New Media:

1. Buy your own .com

Actors are increadibly lucky in the way that the industry protects stage names, with uniqueness guaranteed by Spotlight and Equity. Once you have your stage name registered, or even before you sign on the dotted line, check if yourname.com is available. If it is – jump on it! We’ll come back to what you should do with your domain name once you’ve bought it, but the most important thing is to make sure its you that controls it. There is a common misconception that domain names are expensive. They’re not! A .com domain can be bought from sites like GoDaddy.com for as little as £6.35 a year and are an invaluable tool for self promotion. For as long as you continue to pay an annual fee, you have complete control over that domain.

London Theatre Review: Jest End at Jermyn Street

By: agirvan

18-11-2009

London Theatre, Theatre Review

Bringing a fantastically irreverant look at the West End to the West End, Jest End doesn’t miss a beat from start to finish. Having watched previews of the show online I knew Jest End was slick, taking well known West End numbers and replacing lyrics with a series of fast paced, tongue in cheek romps through musical theatre past and present.

Combining well choreographed chorus numbers with wonderfully witty solo performances the show doesn’t take any prisoners, unashamedly taking the mick out of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Cameron Mackintosh and just about everyone who has taken a part in a West End musical, or written one.