Technical Info & Touring Specifications
The Burlesque Hour, created by Finucane & Smith is a cabaret-style work with flexible staging and specifications. Accordingly, this information should be viewed as a guide only. Presenters are required to contact the Technical Manager for specifications appropriate to their venue.
Contact Finucane & Smith
The Burlesque Hour - General Notes
Staging
The Burlesque Hour is ideally staged with full cabaret seating, in front of a raised stage with a catwalk extending into the seating area. The space ideally will seat between 150 - 350 patrons and bar service will be available prior to the performance, and during interval, with patrons able to bring their drinks into the performance space.
The Burlesque Hour establishes a 'salubrious salon' within the performance space; with red velvet curtains, candy striped curtains parasols, The Burlesque Hour sign and gold tasselled swagging defining the stage; chinese lanterns hanging throughout the space, satin tablecloths and curiosities on each table.
The Burlesque Hour is able to be adapted to suit a range of spaces including cabaret rooms, studio style and 'black box' theatres, Spiegeltents and contemporary circus tents, raked theatres using a mix of raked and table seating, and irregular sized venues. The Burlesque Hour can be staged in a number of configurations:
- cabaret seating in front of a raised stage with catwalk extending into the space (optimal setting)
- a mixture of cabaret style seating and raked seating with a raised stage and catwalk
- proscenium arch stage, where, if possible, a catwalk can be constructed to thrust out into the seating area.
Minimum Dimensions
The Burlesque Hour is able to be adapted to suit a range of spaces (see above). However, for the work to be staged effectively, The Burlesque Hour has minimum requirements that must be met.
- Minimum ceiling height: (floor to LX grid) should be no less that 3800mm; ideally the height from floor to grid should be more than 4m
- Minimum stage dimensions: 4000mm x 4000mm.
- Mininum catwalk dimensions: Ideally 6000m long in total, with an 'island' of 2m x 2m at the end (round or square)
- Minimum stage height: Ideally stage height is 600mm. Min: 400mm
- Minimum space dimensions: These are dependant on style of space (cabaret, raked seating, studio etc). Generally, the venue should be able to contain the stage, a catwalk (ideally 6000mm) thrust out from centre stage, and audience in front of and to either side of the catwalk.
If venue does not meet these minimum dimensions, The Burlesque Hour may be able to be adapted to suit venue specifications. Please contact the Burlesque Hour Technical Manager as soon as possible to discuss your venue specifications.
Shared Venue
The Burlesque Hour does not generally share a venue during the season due to the difficulties associated with masking the set and/or striking the set between shows. Presenters wishing to discuss a shared venue arrangement should contact the Burlesque Hour Technical Manager as soon as possible to discuss options.
Touring Company
The Touring Company is made up of a total of 5* people:
3 Performers (Moira Finucane (also co-director); Azaria Universe; Yumi Umiumare)
1 Director (Jackie Smith)
1 Technical/Production Manager
1 Stage Manager
* The touring party can also include up to 2 guest artistes (see below).
Guest Artiste/s
The Burlesque Hour program has a 'guest artiste' or 'guest artistes' role for up to 3 short acts (no more than 5 minutes) over the course of the show. A diversity of guest artistes have featured, and are often sourced from the tour destination, both to engage with local artists and local audiences.
Guest artistes will either be a local artist/group selected by Finucane & Smith in consultation with the local presenter; or where this is not possible or desirable, The Burlesque Hour will tour with one or two guest artistes.
Running Times /Warnings
RUNNING TIME
- The Burlesque Hour runs for 70 - 75 minutes (depending on guest artiste) plus a 15 minute interval. Total running time 90 minutes
- The Burlesque Hour has a range of pre show activities to establish the 'salon atmosphere' and can open for drinks, and other pre-show activities (colouring in competition, fortune telling fish) prior to show time. In this model we recommend the door opens at least 30 minutes prior to show time to establish the salon atmosphere. Door opening time TBC with presenter.
- Latecomers are allowed entry after the finish of each act.
WARNINGS
- The Burlesque Hour contains nudity, but the Artistic Diretcors would prefer no warning regarding this unless required by law or presenter policy. If a warning is required the following wording should be used "Warning: this show contains nudity" or "Warning: nudity"
- No language warnings are required.
- Strobe lighting is used in the work, and a cigarette is smoked during performance.
Generic Touring Schedule
Week One
On Day prior to Day 1 (eg Sunday pm) arrive*
Day 1 Bump-in and tech (approximately 8am - 11pm)
Day 2 Day 2 tech rehearsal continues, dress rehearsal, first performance (approximately 8am to finish of first performance) Please note that the show cannot commence before 7.30pm on the first night.
Day 3 Performance
Day 4 Performance
Day 5 Performance
Day 6 Performance
Day 7 Performance
Week Two
Day 1 Day off
Days 2 - 7 Performances
(Please Note for international tours an additional day of rest may be required prior to commencement of bump-in, depending on flight duration & arrival; please contact us to confirm this)
Number of performances
Standard: 6 per week, 1 show per day. Maximum: 2 shows per day for peak periods (eg Saturdays) can be available (excluding opening night - max 1). Split Week buy available (depending on distances between presenting venues and freight requirements).
Other Notes
Please check for any alterations with The Burlesque Hour Technical Manager before proceeding with technical arrangements for the show.
Where possible, it is requested that the presenter provide the touring company with access to laundering facilities (for costume maintenance during season) and an office area with telephone and fax facilities (any expenses arising from use of these facilities will be paid by the Producer of The Burlesque Hour).
The Burlesque Hour will provide the following:
- Set: (as per plan provided)
Curtains consisting of: 1 x white backdrop; 2 x split curtains; 2 x legs; 1 x swag
1 x sign 'The Burlesque Hour'
40 x Chinese lanterns
20 x table cloths
set decorations
candle holders for tables with battery operated table lights if candles are not permissible
- Stage plan, Rigging plot, Lighting plan, Instrument schedule including channel list, and colour cut information.
- Props and running props as required
- All costumes as required
- 1x Technical/Tour Manager who can call show or operate LX as agreed
- 1 x Stage Manager & Dresser
The Presenter will provide the following technical requirements
Scenery
- 12 x Rostra 1000mm x 2000mm x 600mm high (height may vary, depednant on venue specs) with 'lock up together' system;
- Treads 1000mm wide, from floor to 400mm - access to Rostra (2 Black) (number dependant on venue staging, approx 3);
- 4m tab track system with 20 runners (for curtain) (if available);
- Sand bags or equivalent;
- Round 'cabaret' tables 900mm diameter or similar. Quantity venue dependant.
- Black flats/ and or curtains and masking gear; (as per plan provided)
- Black skirting to mask sides of Rostra;
- Pipes or trusses + rigging gear for set and lx; (as per plan provided)
- 2 x 10m Rope to anchor track system (stop bar moving sideways), if necessary
Sound
- 1 x cordless lapel microphone + receiver + batteries;
- 1 x standard SM58 microphone + stand (bio);
- Surround powerful PA + amps;
- Subwoofer + amp;
- 2 x Professional CD players with 'single play' (easy reach from LX board);
- Mixing board compatible.
Lighting
- Computerized LX Board (minimal 12 assignable faders);
- 72 dimmers 2.4Kw;
- DMX Stroboscopic (type Martin Atomic 3000) + hook + cables (optional);
- Mirror ball 300mm diameter + engine + hook;
- 10 x Power board 10A with 4 outlets each;
- 04 x Asymmetric flood (type Strand Coda) + colour frame + hook + barndoor;
- 14 x Fresnel 1Kw (compact size units) + colour frame + hook + barndoor;
- 01 x PC 1Kw (compact size units) + colour frame + hook + barndoor;
- 31 x Zoom-Profile 1Kw 23°-50° + colour frame + hook +4 Iris/Diaphragma;
- 08 x Par 64 1Kw medium beam (110v) + colour frame + hook + splitters;
- 06 x Strip LX 2 mtrs long with 30 MR16's 36° each (type Altman) + spliters + splitters (optional dependant on venue);
- 01 x Follow Spot complete (must be dimmable by LX board, can be 2kw Profile adapted);
- Filter Lee 195 (HT) for 08 Parcans, 4 Fresnel and 2 floods;
- Filter Lee 200 for 4 Fresnel;
- Filter Lee 205 for 8 Fresnel;
- Filter Lee 126 for 4 Fresnel and 4 Floods;
- Filter Ros 119 (frost) for 16 Profiles;
- Leads, Looms, DMX cables;
Video Projection
- 1 X DVD standard player PAL compatible (bio);
- 1 x LCD projector min 2000 ANSI lumen + zoom and keystone capabilities;
- Tray to house projector with hanging facilities + Black Out mechanism;
- # video signal cable (length dependant on venue specs);
Separate Rehearsal Space
- Separate rehearsal space may be required for the artists during day 1 of bump in (times TBC).
Dressing Room
- One Dressing Area directly back stage for quick changes - equipped with costume rack, 2 x tables, 2 x mirrors
- 1-2 dressing rooms within easy access to stage with standard facilities including toilet, mirrors, shower, iron + board (if possible). One of the dressing rooms needs to be large enough to comfortably accommodate 3 artists and a number of complex changes.
Services Required Daily
- Cleaning up stage and tables before house opens.
- Laundering table cloths as required.
SHOW TIME PERSONNEL (suggested pre-show call 2 hours before door opening)
- 1 Follow Spot Operator;
- 1 LX Technician (bio) (can be Burlesque Hour Technical manager);
- 1 SND Technician (bio);
- 1 Assistant Stage Manager (will work with company SM)
Bump In Personnel:
- 4 Mechanists/Riggers;
- 4 LX Technicians/Electricians;
- 2 SND Technicians;
- 1 Assistant Stage Managers (must be able to work as runners too).
Bump Out Personnel
- 4 Mechanists/Riggers;
- 4 LX Technicians;
- 2 SND Technicians;
- 2 Assistant Stage Managers;
Other Requirements
- A Helium gas bottle with nozzle. Capacity: TBC (balloons provided by company)
Scenery & Properties Requests if Available:
- 2- 3 Props table backstage area - approx 750mm x 2000mm x 700mm to 800mm high;
- 1-2 backstage clothing racks.
- 3 mirrors backstage area for use with prop tables (free standing or able to be affixed to wall)
Other Information
RIGGING
- Rigging is required for a rope used on main stage and on the island at the end of the catwalk. The performer, Azaria Universe, uses the rope in conjunction with stilts to assist her to stand during the piece. At no time does the performer leave the ground using the rope. The rope is used for two such assisted stands during a piece of 3 minutes duration. The performer then exits on stilts along the catwalk and steps to floor level at the end of the catwalk (600mm step) using a rigged second length of rope to steady her step down. (please see video for details).
- Azaria Universe, the performer using the rope, is a qualified circus rigger and will undertake her rigging in conjunction with the appropriate venue staff. (please see rigging points marked on plan)
A CIGARETTE IS SMOKED DURING THE PERFORMANCE
Permission must be granted by the Presenter and preparations undertaken for a cigarette smoked in performance. The cigarette is lit on stage. The performer, Moira Finucane pulls a lighter and cigarette from her costume, and lights the cigarette. It is smoked for approximately 20 seconds, is used to pop two balloons, is then dropped onto the main stage and extinguished (crushed) by performer. It is ESSENTIAL to the performance.
Production Contacts
Please Note:
This document was originally produced by Burlesque Hour Technical Manager Alexandre Malta on 14/December/2004 and revised in 2005 & 2006. Every effort has been made to cover all details relating to the show's technical needs. Please note that adaptations to match the facilities available can be done in conjunction with the venue's Production Coordinator, and in agreement with the Tour and Technical manager. Additional requirements may come out of discussion with, and in agreement with, the venue's Production Coordinator.
For further Information Please Contact
