Just a thought...

> However, if Effie had been producing Shows that the majority> of the public wanted to see, would they have still been in the predicament> that they ended up in? Maybe Effie brought in on themselves by sticking> to their guns and doing what THEY wanted as opposed to what would> bring the profits? I will not even pretend to guess what Effie's policies> regarding this were but if a Profession Theatre company is producing> shows that people come to watch, and therefore are doing well business-wise,> would they need the support of government funding?> Jeff "Devil's Advocate" WatkinsI am not sure about the new management, but when it run by Elizabeth, she knew and ensured that she account for every cent. Even when she booked a venue, you would not charge for a piece of gell or gaffer tape, unless you had an order, (writen in blood and had been blessed) or you would hear about it and you would have 3 chances of being paid and yours was not one of them. She was straight, to the piont and did not mess about. She would travel with the Dave's truck, 'bump in and out' along with the other techs.Like every venture and especialy 'shoe string' theatre, you have to watch the cents (reverse charge phone calls to venues - is favourite - along with no comps. I even had to pay for Effie 'T' shirt gifts from them to the crew, but no one minded - because it was Elizabeth). Unfortunetly, with any show - even the greatest - you have to throw money at promotion to ensure the recovery is above expectations, if you have not got the readies, you have to engineer no cost methods. In order to make a show viable a lot of up front is required, as the biggest cost is rehearsals and ensuring the warm props can feed at least once a day. This is while there is no return, only your bank (which costs), thengamble on the bookings, in most venues you won't see this for up to 7 days after you have performed (you can get arrange a sub or spiv as tour cost, about 10%, at a lot of places. This is not always the case?) so effectively, especailt in the country (as 60% of the audiance are walk-ups on the night - they will not pre-book, unless they realise it is close to sold out)you may start seeing the overdraught to reduce after 3 months of starting, in the mean time the house hold ex's goes on and on - a bit like what happens at home.There was one show they did, a sudden storm hit the town the of the day of the first show and only 50 turned up (they were the ones who booked and could not get their money back for not turning up)the rest stayed home, so Effie had to do another one in order to break even. They had to pay for the venue, if they cancel or not - catch 22 or was it now 44? - these things happen! Didn't a famous Gershwin Musical 'bomb out', because the Titanic sank?I can see what your view is about Jeff and it is probably true, as what happend to the infamous Opera Company of the time, in this town, who it was alleged used taxi's to commute the Principle Performers to and from rehearsals and shows, then wondered why they were in IT up to their arm pits - but again I could be totally wrong as it was not made public, just became general gossip.All I can say is Effie was an efficient and cost effect Company, how they got into IT, I don't know - but having been their and had the 'T' shirt for IT - it can't happen in the blink of an eye, unless you are strong enough to sit on it. But, there are always ways and means, for the dying horse to get up - besides flogging it!I know if I offered to do the shows for not cost, this would only be a pimple token.Maybe, we as an ITA collective, could offer to donate our time and efforts to help fill the money money viod, with a production on behalf of Effie. I will be in it for one! So long as the full picture was disclosed first?Lets be pro-active with this pre-negative (I hate these 'globby' terms) and create a working circuit?Joe McCabe