Re: When to call it?
When I am hired to supply production, it is made clear to whoever is signing the check that I am able to call off the show "for safety reasons". eg: provided stage is un-safe, weather, and so forth.
My reasonong usually goes along the lines of:
Misting, or light rain - show goes on until water starts pooling on the stage. At that point, power is cut. As long as we can clear the puddles, we can go back on.
If I see lightning, Show's over. Power is cut, stage is cleared, audience is asked to seek shelter either in their cars, or at whatever local building is available. (A lot of my outdoor shows are in Church or communty center parking lots)
A couple of times, we have re-set in the Church basement, and continued with the show. It's amazing how fast FOH and Stage can "get inside" when a couple of hundred people each grab 1 thing !
In the last 15 years or so, I have called 2 shows before taking the stage, and 6 or 7 once under way.
Yes, I have gotten flack for it.
Yes, I have been hired by the same folks again.
Electricity and water don't mix. No matter what someone saw on TV last night......
Chris.
