Moving Picture World (Nov-Dec 1927)

66 MOVING PICTURE WORLD j /Z> •• © ST THE New Year Midnight show has become somewhat of a custom — at least one theatre in a town boasting two or more houses, put on a midnight show or “Frolic” as this sort of entertainment is popularly called. Serious thought and careful consideration should be given the midnight show. The fact that the public is out for a “good time,” that your patrons are inclined to be boisterous and good-natured. is no reason why just “anything” should be considered good enough for the entertainment. On the contrary, the “Frolic” should be just as carefully staged as your other presentations; the best talent obtainable should be engaged and the show presented in an artistic and showmanlike manner. Your patrons look forward to something different, something better than, and certainly not inferior to, your usual stage show. The “Frolic” is more or less criterion, to be referred to for comparison, and should therefore compare favorably with the stage shows your patrons are accustomed to seeing. The midnight show can be staged along the “night club” idea ; it can be a unit show or a straight variety bill. The “night club” idea requires, in addition to soloists and other turns, a stage band and a master of ceremonies, and of the two requisites the latter is perhaps the most important. It is comparatively easy to secure the services of a good, or at least fair, stage band which, with intensive rehearsing, can be fashioned into a desirable unit, but a master of ceremonies must be good, must be able to “sell” the show, must get it across. THE master of ceremonies can make or break the show ; he is in front of the audience continuously ; he must be ready and capable of filling any emergency which may arise ; O. T. TAYLORS Stage Give patrons midnight show New Year Frolic Tips here will tickle box office Build business and please patrons, -j* -J -j* j* -j* -j* I he must understand music and be capable of directing the i* band; he must be an artist, a comedian, and last, but by no I means least, he must possess a winning personality. If you] have a man who measures up to these requirements, makel your midnight show a “night club” and you can be reasonably! certain that your efforts will be well received. The program should be carefully7 arranged and well balanced. Singers, soloists and a trio or quartette, dancers in j solos and ensembles, comedians and “nut stunts” are essential I to a well-balanced bill. Needless to say, the very best material] that can be secured and afforded should be used. A peppy chorus or pony ballet is a desirable unit. Here again we wantl to suggest the use of selected local talent, especially7 in dance I and musical numbers, in preference to doubtful professiona pick-ups. THE UNIT SHOW differs from the night club in that the! master of ceremonies may be dispensed with. The banc I could furnish the accompaniment to most of the acts in ad1 dition to its own program. The entire program is closely con1 nected and interwoven, performers in one act could fill in or I some other act, one act leading directly to and into the follow1 mg offering. An afterpiece, a sort of ensemble or finale ir | which most of the performers take part, usually closes tht I show. The Variety idea is a straight vaude bill, the perform1 ers appearing only7 in their own act, each act in it’s own setting. At least one flash act should be incorporated in the bill. Usually this is a dance, singing or musical act, or a combination of any two or all three of these. A special setting should be provided for the flash act and the routine and setting should in some manner carry7 out the New Year idea. Other acts work in their own scenery or house pieces such as olio, street, etc. The number of acts, from eight to twelve, will of course, make the construction of special pieces for each act prohibitive. Early booking may make possible the selection of good acts which carry their own setting. The night club idea