Performance Time

When I started working as a part-time stage actor, I had assumed that longer performance times were better. If the audience pays the same amount of money for their tickets, longer performances might be to their advantage.

Now I think this is not a good idea. I think there is such a thing as a moderate performance period. When I was young, I didn’t care about this. There is a big problem with longer performance times: bathroom breaks.

The mini-theater of which I am part usually doesn’t have breaks during the show. It is a small theater. If an audience member stands up and leaves their seat during the show, this can disturb the performance.

If a theater doesn’t have breaks, I think a moderate performance period may be about an hour and a half. Performance times longer than this challenge my urinating limit. For instance, when the performance reaches its climax, “bathroom” might be the only one thing I can think of. After the show, the actors see off the audience at the lounge. I would want to offer my compliments to the actors, but first, I would have to run to the bathroom.

I try my best to reduce my bathroom breaks. I cut down on drinking fluids. I go to the bathroom right before the show starts. Still, sometimes I can’t keep up. Once, I watched a show whose performance time was three hours, with no breaks. It was pure hell. I can’t remember anything about the show except for needing to go to the bathroom.

Overall, moderate performance times might be essential for good performances.

 

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Picture by Tyrol