Tag: Comedy Show

Nine Tips for a Successful Corporate Comedy Event

Mark Doyle asked:

Here are some things to help you book a comic for your corporate event or holiday party.

There are a number of things you can do to insure the comedy show is a great success.

1. Get the right act for the event. Think about the audience the comic will be performing for. You may like edgy comedy buy others may find it distasteful. Find the right act and they will be able to entertain without offending anyone at the same time.

2. Use a professional booking agency to help you find the right talent for your event. A good agency will be hooked up with hundreds of acts and will be able to find a good match for your event.

3. If you do try to book the comic yourself get there promo pack and bio prior to booking them. If you are booking a corporate event make sure they have experience performing for this kind of event. You don’t want the CEO and his wife sitting through some potty mouthed act he doesn’t like. You can avoid that by using an agent that will know who can work clean and still be funny.

4. Make sure the event will have good light and sound. It is required for a successful event. The funniest act in the world will flop if the audience can not hear them.

5. If you are having a dinner at the event have the show on after the dinner has finished and the clean up is complete. Wait staff clearing dishes away are a distraction from the show.

6. Have some member of upper management introduce the comic by telling some of their credits(television, movies, past performances). They should also ask the audience to keep there conversation down to a minimum and turn off cell phones.

7. There is always someone that would enjoy being in on the act. If you have some inside information the comic can us let them know prior to the show. A good act will usually work with the audience some to get some of the better known members of the audience in on the act.

8 Most comedy shows of this kind will last 30 to 45 minuets. The comic may be able to do longer but it is always a good idea to leave them wanting more.

9. You may to have to provide a hotel room if the talent is from out of town. The only other thing for you to do is sit back and enjoy the show and the praise from those that had such a good time at the party.

Tips for a Successful Holiday Comedy Party

Mark Doyle asked:

The Holiday  comedy party  can transform the usual dull banquet or holiday party into a huge success. While it can be a challenge to entertain your corporate officers and staff with a comedy show it can also be a great way to break down barriers with in the organization.

The number one thing to do is book the right act.   The comic should have experience with working at comedy holiday parties.  The talent should understand that this is not a comedy club performance and they must work clean and with in the guide lines you set out for them.  This should not be a problem for the right act and a good agent or comedy Booker should be able to suggest a good act for your event.

Good sound and lights are a must. The funniest comic in the world will get nothing if they can not be heard. Good light is also important. A riser or stage will allow better sight lines for the audience is also helpful but not required.

If dinner is also part of the evening it is best to have dinner concluded prior to the start of the show. The clearing of dishes and noise associated with it will detract form the show.

If you are having a gift exchange or awards presentation that should take place after the show. Many trophy stores on line offer a great selection and discount pricing, but make sure you give them enough time for production and shipping.

A representative of the company should say a few words prior to the entertainment. Welcome remarks and thanks to the organizer would be appropriate. This will help people get settled and focus on the stage.

The intro for the comic should start with some credits where the audience may have seen them, (television or movie credits). The intro should always climax with the acts name. Any inside information about the company or individuals in attendance can help make the event more fun. While many of the corporate comedy acts have built in bits for this a little input is helpful.

The comic will usually do a show 30 to 45 minutes long. Remember if the audience has just had a large meal they will start to get sleepy if they have to sit much longer than that and you still want them awake if you have awards or speeches later.  

There you have done it, put together a successful holiday corporate comedy event and you can now enjoy the positive comments from all those in attendance.

Two of a Kind – Superstar Stand Up Comedy

Alistair Plint asked:

Mel Miller and Tony Stewart, have been performing on stages world wide for some ninety years, and as Tony so eloquently put it “We’re still standing!”

Tony started his career at 16 years of age in the circus, and went on to become an impressionist, by age 18 he was performing as a solo performer around the world, he has had his share of everything this industry has to offer including Television, Radio, international performance and local ovations.

Mel Miller, shot to fame in 1974 in South Africa’s first ever televised stand up comedy show, Biltong and pot-roast. Mel’s performances have been seen country wide and have shone through all the changes and developments in South Africa. Mel has headlined performances locally and abroad.

The two veteran superstars are back in full force, offering audiences two full performances, one after another. From Tony you can expect the wild antics, crazy music and mad impersonations, that he has become loved for. From Mel the topical antieverything humor that made him “The God Father of South African Comedy!”

The East Rand Italian Club is pleased to be hosting the event, which will take place on

the 21st September and will adorn the audience with finger snacks in support of the spring

theme. The Show will offer a full one man performance by Tony Stewart, an intermission

followed by a full one man show by Mel Miller. The tickets are only R120.00 for the show and snacks and are available from The Fairy Godmother – 084 502 1311 booking is essential.