The New Zealand Comedy Guild Incorporated was established in March 1999 to promote and protect the interests of the professional stand-up comedians and live comedy performers in New Zealand’s entertainment industry.

Rhys Matthewson is the 2010 Billy T Award winner.

Wilson Dixon is the 2010 winner of 'The Fred'

GUIDELINES FOR RUNNING A SUCCESSFUL GIG

1. Door Charge

Experience shows that a comedy night is more likely to be a success if your clientele knows that it is a special event. If they’ve paid a door charge (even a nominal one) it will be clear to everyone present that they’re there to experience a comedy show. It raises their expectations and reduces the chance that someone will feel their night out socialising has just been interrupted by some guy with a microphone.

2. Signage

If comedy is a new thing at your place, whack up a sign to let people know where you’re having it - a sandwich-board on the pavement, or a sign in the foyer that says "Comedy Upstairs". It will attract impulse buyers, and comfort the comedy novices.

3. Sound

Comedians will almost always need a PA, a microphone and a stand, even if your room is small. It’s essential they can be heard, especially down the back of the room - if people can’t hear, they lose focus and start their own conversations, which then makes it difficult for everyone else in the room. If you don’t have your own PA, the Guild can put you in touch with members who hire them out at a very low cost.  Relatively high-energy music played before the show and during the breaks will help create the right atmosphere.

4. Visibility

Set the stage where everyone in the room can see it. (If you have an "L" shaped room, set the stage at the apex.)  The stage needs to be high enough for performers to be seen from the back of the room over the audience’s heads. It needs to be big enough and stable enough for one person to pace comfortably. It doesn’t have to be sophisticated - a stack of beer pallets with a cover can work.   Ideally, the performer should have more light on them than on the audience to help create a focus. Again, this doesn’t have to be sophisticated - we’ve been known to tape desk lamps to the roof when we’ve had to! If you have a spotlight with a coloured gel, go for warm colours - orange rather than blue.

5. Seating

Put the seats as close to the stage as possible. (A gap between stage and seating works like a "comedy moat" and makes intimacy with the crowd difficult.) If you have a dance floor you want to use later, clear the seats from it after the show.

6. Distractions

If there are Pokie machines and tv screens in the same room as the show, turn them off during the performance, and cover your pool tables. Turn off the music at the start of the show, and have it ready to go again in the break.  And have a think about how external noise might affect the show - is there a band playing downstairs, or does a freight train pass by the side window every 20 minutes?  Even if the noise is out of your control, it’s helpful to let the performers know what they might have to deal with.

7. Bar Operation

Bars can function normally throughout the performance, though it helps if staff and customers talk quietly, and that bottle bins are emptied during the breaks in the show.  If you have a large room with difficult bar access, you may want to think about offering table service during the show.

8. Liaison with Performers

There will usually be one person in the line-up of comedians in charge of the gig - either the MC or the Producer. They are your first point of contact with the performers. Talk to them about how long you want the show to be, and how many breaks you would like in the show to encourage the audience to keep your bar ticking over. If you’re not sure, they can advise you.

9. Hospitality

It is customary for venue operators to provide a tab for performers’ drinks, though this is entirely up to you. It is helpful if you make this clear at the beginning of the night. Performers are unlikely to abuse this kind of hospitality, and you are welcome to put a cap on it.

10. Hecklers

Hecklers are a normal part of a comedy night. Very rarely, a heckler may get out of hand and disrupt a show. Please check with the MC/Producer before you take action against someone - comedians may be able to deal with it from the stage, or they may ask your staff to help resolve the problem during the break.

11. Content

Professional comedians are usually very good at reading your audience, and delivering their material in a way that makes them happy. However, if there are any recent events in your community that might make some material inappropriate, or you have specific concerns about language, talk it over with the MC or producer prior to the show.  If you want the show tailored to the interests of a business or club, that takes more preparation. Talk to the MC or producer about this well in advance, at the time you book your show.

12. Advertising

The best gigs are almost always full gigs. Use every avenue open to you to promote the comedy night to your regular clientele, and to new customers.   Comedians will be more than willing to assist with providing photos, written profiles, making themselves available to local reporters and radio stations, voicing radio ads for you... whatever they can do to make it a good performance for them, a fun night for the audience, and a profitable night for you.