Comedy in Large Venues
Richard1960
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Reading todays metro newspaper i had the thought why would anybody want to see a comedian in a 10,000 seat venue?
I noted John Bishop had sold a large number of big dates he is not the only one, i myself love heavy rock but am very wary about seeing bands in large venues simply because its so impersonal, but at least they can fill a stadium with light and sound its spectacular.
Surely if you are in the back of a 10,000 seater stadium and one man is on stage then its just like watching a DVD.
Back in the day when Bob Monkhouse was one of the biggest comedians around he still played smaller clubs a lot. So there was still a feeling of "connection".
Lee evens played a string of warm up shows at Cambridge this year but there was a warning at even £30 odd quid a pop ,! these were rehearsals for the stadium shows and he could be reading off a piece of paper.! That was actually on the website.
Its was more of a wonder why people would pay so much money to see what is essentially a DVD if you are further back then the middle.?
I noted John Bishop had sold a large number of big dates he is not the only one, i myself love heavy rock but am very wary about seeing bands in large venues simply because its so impersonal, but at least they can fill a stadium with light and sound its spectacular.
Surely if you are in the back of a 10,000 seater stadium and one man is on stage then its just like watching a DVD.
Back in the day when Bob Monkhouse was one of the biggest comedians around he still played smaller clubs a lot. So there was still a feeling of "connection".
Lee evens played a string of warm up shows at Cambridge this year but there was a warning at even £30 odd quid a pop ,! these were rehearsals for the stadium shows and he could be reading off a piece of paper.! That was actually on the website.
Its was more of a wonder why people would pay so much money to see what is essentially a DVD if you are further back then the middle.?
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On the other hand some people find larger venues too soulless and prefer smaller ones, it would be boring if everyone liked the same things.
I've seen comedians in 10,000 seater arena's and in comedy clubs that hold 50 people. Every place has a different feel but a good entertainer can reach every single person in a crowd no matter how big or small it may be.
And its also mine a comedy show i saw this year had a song requested by a son of a audience member,who had a birthday recently, try getting that in a 10,000 seat arena.
I am used to smaller venues personally where the comedian has some contact with the audience.
Bob Monkhouse was an example i used, he was very clever and played smaller venues all his career which was very successful, and to the day he died he still remained connected with people.
I love it being able to banter with the comedian if you so want.;-)
I always watch out for warm up gigs. Ok so they can be a little hit and miss, but there's much more atmosphere, interaction and for a lot less money.
I guess with some acts it's a case of bigger venues is better than not seeing them live at all, which is more likely with those really popular 'mainstream' acts. I saw Michael McIntyre live at the O2 (or Wembley? I think it was the O2 haha), and we were quite far back, but I'm still happy to have seen that because I love seeing live comedy, I love the atmosphere at live shows, and I just love arenas and stadiums. I saw Jason Manford at the Brighton Centre which is reasonably small and that worked better for him I think, and I saw Jimmy Carr and Jon Richardson at the Brighton Dome, and I think they worked brilliantly there for the more intimate atmosphere (and Jimmy Carr went out to the bar area and met everyone who wanted to afterwards, which was great of him and which obviously wouldn't be so easy to do at a huge arena).
I don't think i'd want to see a comedian in a venue bigger than that. I've seen DVDs of 02 gigs and they look so wrong.
Just far too big. Sound delays. Basically having to watch on the big screens because it would be virtually impossible to see them on stage.
I would agree about the atmosphere though. It's definately different laughing along with a few throusand people than a couple at home.
O'Brien - If you mean Dara O Briain then he is a standup.
Danny Boyle - Movie director.
Not sure why you would expect two of those to be entertaining you with a standup gig?