How many shows?

[susanjacobs]

Hey there... I will attending the MICF this year. I have gone in years past, but only to one or two shows a year. This year, I will be attending more. I need some advice. I know that shows are going on sale now (with more to come).

If you don't mind answering, how many shows do you normally go to? Should I get some tickets now (as to avoid a huge payout at once)? When is the full program usually out? Will there still be tickets available in April?

Many thanks!

[sara]

I guess how many shows you see varies between people and their circumstances. My friends and I for instance only get to go for between four and five nights and so fit as many shows in as possible. Last year we saw at least two, but mainly three, shows a night and then a late night one like festival club, spinning wheel or laugha. If I lived in Melbourne I think I'd do it differently. But I would reccomend trying the overly packed night at least once, because it's very fun.

As for booking we've always booked in advanced, however we've decided not to do that for all our shows this year. Whilst we will be booking for the shows that are likely to sell out we found it too restrictive not having any spare time. Last year we missed out on seeing Tim Minchin and Eddie Perfect as well as quite a few other people, because we didn't know that we liked them until after we saw them at laugha.

[Gutter Monkey]

Originally Posted by susanjacobs

If you don't mind answering, how many shows do you normally go to?

30 plus (not counting attending the festival club).

Of course, that's small potatoes compared to the effort some of the other Moshers put in.

[Spawn of Satan]

I hope I make 30+ this year

[op shop girl]

Originally Posted by sara

But I would reccomend trying the overly packed night at least once, because it's very fun.

It is indeed very fun, but it's probably best to give it a little planning.
I've only been down to the MICF once, but managed to see 7 shows in my two nights there. Unfortunately, on the first night we missed half of Simon Munnery because Lee Mack ran overtime, and the second night we missed half of Ross Noble to go see Sarah Kendal.

That said, I'm planning on doing the cramped weekend again this year. I just need to pick some dates

[Alisso]

A good way to go is to book your absolute MUST see shows in advance, leaving plenty of space around them. It's also good to book anything in a reserved seating venue that you want to see (Ross, and I say again, Ross...very important to book early for Ross) as early as you can, so you get a decent seat. But there aren't that many reserved seating venues in use during the festival.

Then, when you get down there, or when you get the guide, fill in the gaps with stuff that sounds interesting, that you'd like to see, or that Janet in the info booth (assuming she's there again this year) tells you is worth seeing *G* If you go to her and tell her when you have gaps and where you'll be, she can give you the word on what's doing well, what'll fit your timetable, and what won't have sold out yet *G* For Janet knows all *G* She's also very, very good at picking shows that will do well *g*

If you do want to have a really packed night, it's worth asking around first and finding out which acts have been running over, and which venues have been running late...all it takes is one act starting or finishing late early in the evening, and suddenly everything in that room gets in and out 15 minutes later than advertised, and you're bolting across Swanston Street in front of a cab to get to a show you've already missed the first ten minutes of.

Try to book nice people for any shows you're going to risk being late for *G* In my case, it was Justin, who directed us to two empty seats in the second row and gave us a recap of what we'd missed...but certain comedians will give you a hard time, ask you where you've been or involve you in the show in some way, and at the least you're looking at having to creep through the crowd to find the empty single seats people have left. Also be wary of shows that are going to be queuing up early. Cause you'll want to leave enough time to join the queue before it gets huge, or you'll end up miles away from the stage with someone's head in your way.

Last year I saw at least 36 shows over the four weeks...probably more, I just don't have the tickets for all of them anymore. And some didn't have tickets. The most I ever did in one night was five, and I only missed a little bit of one show, and fortunately it was nice people I know *g* and the final show started late so it didn't matter that show number four also ran over a bit. But three shows and a late show (Festival Club or Laughapoolooza) was a pretty common run for me.

Three is about the most I would normally try to fit in, unless there's something mid-afternoon or earlier that you can go to before the normal shows get going *G*

Okay, I just checked, and if you count late shows and festival club and so on, I managed 60 shows last year *giggles* Which is an average of about 2.3 shows per night, so if you're there for a week and can't manage at least 16 shows, you're not trying hard enough *G*



In general, book early for big names and reserved seating, but you can leave the rest if you like. The full program goes on sale, I think, February 24th, but I don't think the guide will come out till the end of March (go figure), and yes, there will be PLENTY of tickets available in April, to the point that for a lot of shows, you can pick up a ticket the night you want to see it (just don't leave it too late, the queue at the town hall box office is always big in the evenings...and they don't take eftpos, credit or cash only), so don't worry about that.

And ALWAYS refer to the map when scheduling closely *larfs* Sure, a half hour gap is usually plenty of time between shows, leaves time for lateness and so on, but it's no good if your venues are miles away from each other *G* I've run from the Pony to the Lower Town Hall room between shows, and it isn't a whole lot of fun *G*

[Squirrel]

The guide is out on the 24th February, online at least.

[Alisso]

Originally Posted by Squirrel

The guide is out on the 24th February, online at least.

I read that the festival launch is 24th Feb, and the tickets will be available then, but the only date I've heard come up for the actual guide being released was 31st March. Which works, I guess, but I like planning my tickets from the guide *g* It's fun, I always end up with multiple copies so that one is a souvenir, one gets pulled apart so we can refer to the big chart in the middle without having to flip back and forth, and one gets written all over with notes about what's been seen, what we want to see, what clashes with what *g*

[Squirrel]

"The full 2006 Festival program will be released online on Friday 24 February."

That's from the MICF Press Release.

[Ally]

Last year I only managed 3 or 4 shows. Thats only because of my lack of a job which would give me money. My dream for this year is to see 14 shows, but I think I'll get about 5. (topic change) 24th of February! Thats pretty close.