How To Create a Successful Variety Show

Now is the perfect time to dive into Variety Theatre. There has been a resurgence in interest in variety theatre, possibly because the opportunity to showcase a wide range of talent creates a unique experience every time, keeping your audience engaged. Whether you’re an experienced director or just starting out in the world of amateur theatre, we’re here to guide you through the exciting journey of creating your own Variety Theatre show.

Create a Concept

Decide on a theme and style for your show, keeping your audience in mind! Understanding the demographics you’ll be performing to, such as age range, is crucial for tailoring an enjoyable experience.

Curate a Lineup

List the types of performances you would like to include. Either reach out to appropriate local performers or advertise auditions locally – local Facebook groups can be a great place to get your message out! If you are part of or running an amateur theatre group, then see which members of your group would like to get involved, and if they have any hidden talents they want to showcase.

Reach out to other local groups like choirs and dance groups to collaborate. Perhaps a local venue hosts comedy performances and may be able to help you find a comedy act? Think outside of the box to ensure you’re showcasing a balanced mix of acts.

A group of young adults performing an short play on stage at part of an variety show

Examples of acts you might find in a Variety Theatre Show to get you started here.

The Logistics

Do you have a go-to venue? Make sure your venue suits the style and scale of your show. Schedule the order and timings of the acts accurately to ensure smooth transitions between acts. Organise sound, lighting and stage setup to enhance the overall production.

Rehearse, Rehearse, Rehearse

Ensure full run-throughs of all acts are conducted and everything runs seamlessly – Encourage and demonstrate open communication among performers. Take on the performer feedback and make adjustments to refine the show, you’re all working together! Technical rehearsals are essential to troubleshoot any potential technical problems before the day of the event.

Promotion

Social media is your friend, and creating digital posters and image graphics to post is easy and free with Canva. Engage with your community, speak to local news outlets and businesses, see if they can widen your reach. Implement an accessible ticketing system to streamline the ticket purchasing process for your audience.

Keep Your Audience Engaged

Incorporating interactive elements and maintaining a varied pace throughout the show will keep your audience engaged. If you can work in some fun surprises with some unexpected twists and turns, this will keep them entertained and invested throughout the performances.

After the Show

Gather feedback where possible from attendees, this will give you ideas for improvements and help you optimise the audience experience in the future. You can also use positive feedback to advertise future shows. It’s important to take the time to review and reflect on the overall success. Celebrate your achievements and identify areas for growth.

Tips

Be adaptable, you’ll want to make adjustments based on rehearsals and feedback.

Prioritise quality over quantity.

Collaborate with reliable talent.

Keep detailed plans and schedules to keep everything running smoothly.

Communicate well with everyone involved in the show.

Stay passionate – your passion for your project might just inspire others.

And don’t forget, if you’re planning on including singers or choirs in your variety show – you’ll probably want to have sheet music or lyrics on hand for rehearsals. Stay compliant with copyright law by making sure all your sheet music and lyrics are legally obtained, you can hire or purchase sheet music with lyrics for each singer, or obtain a PMLL Amateur Group Singing Licence to allow you to legally photocopy music for rehearsals.

Find out more: https://pmll.org.uk/licence-information/amateur-group-singing-licence/