There was a story from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival last week concerning English actress Georgie Grier whose one-woman show Sunsets attracted a grand audience of one. A tweet with pictures of a tearful Grier after the show prompted considerable sympathy and the following night she found herself performing to a near full-house which she joked felt the equivalent of “Wembley”.
Some believe the first night was really a publicity stunt designed to attract a bigger crowd. Maybe it was, but it still highlights the important role patrons play. I mean just imagine if you put on a show and no-one turned up.
At least Grier could see her audience, which was not the case when the pantomime Little Red Riding Hood was performed at Terry’s Theatre in London’s West End many moons ago. The panto attracted two customers, both of whom were sitting hidden away “up in the gods” otherwise…
