Have you done a rougher, tougher gig?

Over the Easter holidays I have had the pleasure of performing at one of the roughest, toughest venues I have ever been to.
On arrival I was pleasantly greeted by the shimmering surface of the car park, only to realise that was all broken glass!
I looked at the venue to notice all windows were fitted with re enforced safety cages around them!
On arrival I needed the loo, so popped into the gents and noticed that all the cubicles had had their toilet seats either stolen or broken and on closer inspection I noticed that none of them had locks on the doors!
When I went inside and to the bar I noticed that the till was protected behind a big wrought iron grill, Inviting! I thought!
However, the crowd were a little rough and ready but the show went well and as a bonus, when I left, my car was still where I left it and undamaged, that's what I call a good night!
Have you worked anywhere rougher?
P.S. Whilst there, I used the staff toilets behind the bar, they were no better and the light bulb was missing (or stolen)!

It's a busy Easter!

Just finished show two and another four to go!
This Easter I am working six days out of the next seven, luckily most of them are fairly local, the only longish distance one is tomorrow, in Liverpool.
The first two have gone down really well, both venues are rebooking for later in the year, because they had such a good response.

Not a trophy hypnotist!

Bit of an unusual event this week!
Arrived at a gig in the Midlands, it was a five a side league presentation night. Spoke to the duty manager and he explained where he wanted me to set up and he proudly showed me the pool table stuffed full of trophies.
We discussed the show, times etc. and he told me that he wanted me to follow the presentations.
Well, the agreed start time came and went and we only had 3 teams turn up to get their trophies and 1 of them was definitely not staying for the show and the other 2 would quite liked to have watched, but no way were they going to take part.
So I got paid, packed up and did the long drive home!

STILL BY ROYAL APPOINTMENT!

Hi Everybody!
Great news! I have just confirmed my re booking at Alnwick castle, this December, for the Duchess of Northumberlands' staff and childrens Christmas party.
I performed there a few years ago and, apparently, they are still talking about it and want more of the same again this year!

Please read the contract before cancelling

Unfortunately, I have just had an unpleasant experience with a venue in Hull.
I phoned the venue the day before I was booked to appear to double check the arrangements, to be told he thought someone else had been in touch to cancel me.
I explained that they had not and there was nothing I could do about it at this late stage anyway.
I listened to his excuses, and although I was now entitled to full fee, made him a very generous offer for a cancellation fee. He refused and tried the old cop out of he did not sign and return the contract. I pointed out that in British law once you offer someone an engagement (even verbally) it becomes a contract (although this one is often hard to prove without witnesses), however under the terms and conditions of my contract even if he did not sign and return the contract if he does not raise any objections within 7 days it is deemed to have been accepted.
He still feels he is exempt from this, even though I pointed out that I am a member of Equity and that they have successfully sued Booker's, several times, in the past under these terms.
I have now referred this to Equity who will claim my full fee, plus interest, plus any court costs.
This is now going to cost him a lot more than the cancellation fee I was willing to accept!

Should have paid more attention in those Geography lessons!

Almost made a bit of a hash of a double booking last week!
I had an early evening booking in the diary for what I thought was Chatham, so it did not seem too unreasonable to accept a late booking for a squaddies "Going to Afgan party" in Canterbury.
This should of been only some 20 or so miles apart, quite acceptable. However on the day, I get both contracts out to find out the first gig is not in Chatham, it is in Caterham in Kent, some 70 miles away.
I was very luck, with some rushing about and very fast driving I managed to pull off both gigs to both clients satisfaction.
Plus the squaddies want me back for their coming home party in six months time! (Good luck out there lads, come home safe!).

"As You LIke It", Like it!

Just recently performed a gig at a new Cabaret venue in My home town of Newcastle, As You Like It.
It went very well and was well received by patrons, staff and the local licencing officer who came along to vet my show.
In fact I have been re booked for two more dates!
This is a great new cabaret venue and I wish them every success!

Busy, Busy, Busy!

Well, It's been another busy week!
Wednesday saw me travelling to Manchester to do 2 hypnotherapy sessions, then on to Liverpool to do a show in a nightclub there.
I did not go on stage until 1am, but it went really well and they loved me!
got to my hotel at 3 am, short sleep then drive down to Canterbury for a show for the military, a group of squaddies just about to go on a tour of duty.
Again a great show and they are already talking about booking me for their welcome home party in six months time!
Then a long drive through the night to get me back home!
And that is just the midweek stuff!