Before I joined Belper Musical Theatre I had never realised just how much work goes into getting a show up and on to the stage. I guess that some of the roles are fairly obvious - for example our musical director, choreographer and producer put hours into getting our sound, moves and overall performance spot on. But then there are also the unsung heroes who design, build, paint and put together the set for us. There's the team who put together the publicity materials, posters and flyers, talk to local papers and radio stations and stand on street corners handing them out and trying to be nice to everyone and get people to come along (and it's very cold at this time of the year!). There's our ticket secretary Andrea who takes all of the phone calls and opens all the envelopes, then manages sheets of reservations and bookings to get people in the right places for them - not so easy when someone says can I just book three for now, but there maybe someone else coming with them, so can you leave a space for them just in case. So many different roles and activities and I am fairly sure that I will have missed someone by mistake! Sorry.
But the people I wanted to just spend a moment thinking about just now were those who have provided us with just a bit of financial support by putting adverts in our programme.
In general I am one of those people who flicks through adverts as if they are just a waste of space - happily fast forwarding through the ones on the TV if I have pre-recorded the programme. After all it's big companies with big budgets trying to get more of our money for something that we probably don't need. In our programme though, that tends not to be the case! I don't think we have an advert from anyone who has a big budget!
Our highest paying advertisers are probably the larger businesses in the area. This includes an East Midlands small pharmacy chain (Manor Pharmacy), the only hotel in Belper (the Lion hotel) and the local dance school (Vanessa Millar). Yet none of these is a multi million pound business, just local ones who offer us this support; we then have our annual dinner at the Lion Hotel which tends to be a fantastic evening out!
Some of the advertisers help us out in getting our show up and running. Steve Davies checks our electricity for us, Carolyn Hardy designs and directs our artwork and oversees scenic design. Some are from our company members - BMT is pleased to have the director of Talk Staff (a recruitment agency) as a member, as well one of the team running Kalico (a gift shop on Belper's rather brilliant high street). There are then those who keep some of our company members looking stunning - Hair Design and Simone seem to feature particularly high here! And then there are other local businesses. How many town high streets can still boast a proper butcher like Jerry Howarths, a lovely bakery such as Strutts,or a great drinking and eating establishment like the Devonshire (you can often find us in here after rehearsals!). And finally there is support from people who will help you do or be better. We have the amazing Lynn Nelson offering to help you find your own singing voice, or help with weight loss and personal training if anyone has a need there.
Overall I think that we have a great mix of advertisers, showcasing some of the best that Belper has to offer. Without them our programme would cost you more than the average paperback. So please have a look through, pop in, use their services and mention the fact that you saw their advert with BMT - it will help them to know that their investment in us really was worthwhile.
And if you want to see how good the programme looks, then make sure you get your tickets booked now - call Andrea on 01332 882909 - and buy your copy on arrival.
Thank you.
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