CAST: Practical jokes on final performance?

[planetmike]

I'd love to hear any tips on how to "convince" or "encourage" a cast not to play any practical jokes on one another during the final performance. My planned stern lecture given during pre-show notes I doubt will be effective. Before the show I'll be asking the producer what his expectations are; but knowing the cast like I do, I doubt most of them will be at all receptive to being professional on their final outing, and I'm worried about how the cast's actions will reflect on me.

[kiwitechgirl]

I usually find that a stern lecture has almost no effect.  The method I've found works the best is to say "I know I don't need to tell you this, because I know you're all much too professional to even consider practical jokes, but I'm going to say it anyway.  Tonight's audience has paid the same amount of money as everyone else to see this show, and so they deserve to see the same show as everyone else got to see - please can we make sure they do.  Thanks"

[SMrose]

The most recent director I worked with has an " I won't cast you again" policy when it comes to practical jokes during a performance.

[cprted]

I usually find that a stern lecture has almost no effect.  The method I've found works the best is to say "I know I don't need to tell you this, because I know you're all much too professional to even consider practical jokes, but I'm going to say it anyway.  Tonight's audience has paid the same amount of money as everyone else to see this show, and so they deserve to see the same show as everyone else got to see - please can we make sure they do.  Thanks"

That's almost word for word what I say and I usually add, "we've spent X weeks and a lot of blood sweat and tears to make this the great show that it is.  Don't throw all that work away for a silly gag."

[MatthewShiner]

You know, you have to be very careful about this.

I worked on a show once where there was a general sense of frivolity among the cast and crew, with little jokes happening throughout the show - the show was silly, light and airy - and actually helped the morale and the general nature of the show. As things happened, I pulled people aside and said that it CAN NOT effect the show, but I hope they could figure out a way to have fun and do the show as directed, not have the audience or me know, and do their little jokes, so be it.  Life went on, everyone had fun.

I had to leave the show, and my assistant had to take over.  She had VERY little tolerance to this type of behavior, and came down hard.  Did the joking stop?  No, it actually escalated.  Stage Manager came down harder, they responded more.  It did eventually bleed out and effect the show.

It's a fine line to walk.

[geoffsm]

Did the joking stop?  No, it actually escalated.  Stage Manager came down harder, they responded more.  It did eventually bleed out and effect the show.

It's a fine line to walk.

Agreed.  I find that although a brief lecture is not likely to be effective, at least you can say that you said it.  A lot depends on the relationship you have with your cast from the get go.  If they respect you and the show, they are less likely to screw it up for the sake of a joke.

It the problem escalates (and I hate even threatening this, although I have had to (for other reasons) in the past)-If you get the director/producer/managing director on board, you can institute a fine system (it can help keep non Equity folks in line).  But I really wouldn't suggest this unless problems persist because it is a sure fire way to build resentment. 
A fine line, indeed.

[On_Headset]

Although I fully admit they don't work, I'm a fan of giving a lecture as a means of plausible deniability. If practical jokes start happening anyway, I start pulling people aside for a one-on-one: "Look, I really don't care if you play pranks backstage. But if you create problems for the company by damaging property, offending personnel or endangering the quality of the show, you're creating problems for the producer and might even void your contract. I warned you once when I told the entire company about this: consider this your second warning. There might not be a third."

[planetmike]

The producer was on board with the stern lecture. Appealing to the cast's sense of professionalism, plus sharing that many of the cast members' (half were under age 18) families were finally coming to see the show, actually seemed to work.

It was a very stressful rehearsal process, a kinda stressful production, all for a very fun show. Whatever jokes they did stayed backstage. All in all, the show was a success. Thanks very much for the suggestions and ideas.

[Stage Rose]

! I SM at a performing arts high school, and it's a charter school.  So kicking kids out is easy-peasy.  I believe, that one should not necessarily discourage practical jokes, but instead, warn that if it's anything too serious, consequences could occur.  Here, if it is extremely detrimental to the show, they are either A: Kicked out of all future productions at the school or B: Kicked out entirely, depending on the case.  Part of the fun of doing shows, is the practical jokes played on closing night.  Especially when the audience has no idea what just happened, but there's lots of snickering backstage. 
I always threaten to pull them, but my kids have never done anything too horrible, so it's fun.  I try not to be such a downer about everything.

-Rose

[iamchristuffin]

I don't know if it's the same in the US/On Broadway, but in the West End over here most shows add practical jokes, either to the final performance or a 'Muck-Up Matinee'. The sheer number of Avid Musical Fans/Stage Door-ers who come and see a show 4 or 5 times for a cast often come to the last performance purely to see the practical jokes, and say goodbye to the cast in their own way. As an example, when the cast of Wicked last changed (back in May this year), the writing on Dr. Dillamond's blackboard was changed from 'Animals should be seen and not heard' to 'Oh Shiz!'. As fair as I know, no one complained, and it generated huge laughter from the audience.

2p

[loebtmc]

WOW - I have never heard of professional shows where practical jokes are seen/heard by the audience and/or in any way disrupt or alter the show!

[Stage Rose]

WOW - I have never heard of professional shows where practical jokes are seen/heard by the audience and/or in any way disrupt or alter the show!

....why not? The actors themselves are as human as anyone else.  They deserve to have a little fun every once and a while. Granted, they are paid enormously, but I'm sure that the directors and producers and whatnot expect SOMETHING to happen....
-Rose

[MatthewShiner]

Nope - in professional settings like that, the audience that is seeing the performance is seeing it for the first time - and paying a lot.  I do not expect my cast to do pranks at any time - and have gone as far to speak to Agents about behavior that is less then professional.

Now, there are a layer of pranks that the audience never knows about - and that, I am fine with.

[maximillionx]

I don't know if it's the same in the US/On Broadway, but in the West End over here most shows add practical jokes, either to the final performance or a 'Muck-Up Matinee'. The sheer number of Avid Musical Fans/Stage Door-ers who come and see a show 4 or 5 times for a cast often come to the last performance purely to see the practical jokes, and say goodbye to the cast in their own way. As an example, when the cast of Wicked last changed (back in May this year), the writing on Dr. Dillamond's blackboard was changed from 'Animals should be seen and not heard' to 'Oh Shiz!'. As fair as I know, no one complained, and it generated huge laughter from the audience.

2p

Wow I really need to see one of these...

[kiwitechgirl]

WOW - I have never heard of professional shows where practical jokes are seen/heard by the audience and/or in any way disrupt or alter the show!

....why not? The actors themselves are as human as anyone else.  They deserve to have a little fun every once and a while. Granted, they are paid enormously, but I'm sure that the directors and producers and whatnot expect SOMETHING to happen....
-Rose

I'm totally with Matthew Shiner on this one.  If it affects how the audience see the show, it's an absolute no-go, and I won't hesitate to go to official warning territory, particularly if the cast have been warned (as in On-Headset's example).