The show must go on
So the show goes on at countless venues across the country - whether that's pantomimes, or Christmas carol concerts or plays or comedy gigs.
Tales of performers manfully making their way through the snow to venues abound.
But what happens if the show doesn't go on?
Or worse, as happened in Glasgow last night, the show goes on, but half the audience can't get there.
Comedian Frankie Boyle was the top turn at the SECC.
Just hours before his comedy gig, the transport networks had suffered a meltdown.
With no buses, limited train travel, gridlock on the main routes and police warning against anything but essential travel, most fans assumed the gig would be off.
But it wasn't.
Frankie Boyle and his tour company had made it to the SECC and according to the venue, that meant they were obliged to stage the gig, regardless of the weather.
Only half of the 9,000 ticket holders made it to the venue.
Today, Boyle's management company defended the decision to go ahead with the gig.
Chambers Management said in a statement: ""While we fully understand the frustration of those fans of Frankie who couldn't make it to the gig, we have an obligation to all ticket holders to go ahead with a show when we possibly can.
"More than half the audience did manage to make it to the SECC and Frankie did not want to disappoint them."
But fans who didn't make it to the gig are understandably angry.
With police advising against all non-essential travel, it seems irresponsible to encourage fans to attend.
To add insult to injury, there'll be no refunds because the show went ahead.
Venues say they're in a legally difficult position.
If performers make it to the venue, they're obliged to stage the show.
And consider the efforts of those who've often travelled long distances to get there.
Where possible, they're trying to give as much notice as they can.
Tonight's concert by Faithless was called off at lunchtime.
The Scissor Sisters are still scheduled to appear tomorrow (Wednesday), although ticket holders should check with the venue.
Meanwhile, one venue hopes to provide a glimmer of light in the snow gloom.
The Stand in Edinburgh is offering any stranded travellers two tickets for shows at the venue this week.
Club director Tommy Shepherd says travellers only have to show their unused rail or air tickets to claim a freebie.
"We don't usually give away tickets for nothing, but these are exceptional circumstances", he says.
But be quick. The offer is for this week only.
Not London’s South Bank, but the south bank of the River Clyde in Glasgow - every bit as lively in cultural terms as its namesake. I’m Pauline McLean, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Scotland’s arts correspondent, and I’ll be blogging here about arts events and issues happening across the country.
Comment number 1.
At 8th Dec 2010, redrobb wrote:Firstly never heard this guy so simply won't comment on his talents. But his management team should re-consider not to reimburse fans who were caught out with the WEATHER! Hello, our so called leaders and captains of industry got caught with their pants down...So if this comedian gentleman does not want to lose some of his fans, he should have a quiet word in his management shell like.............
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Comment number 2.
At 8th Dec 2010, nic wrote:I've got tickets to see the scissor sisters tonight in Glasgow and despite the latest advice on the ´óÏó´«Ã½ news website stating that we should only travel if essential, I'm told by the SECC that the event will go ahead as planned. I love the band and look forward to seeing them again, but wouldn't class going to see them as 'essential', so I'm really disappointed that the secc and the promoters are putting people in a situation where they have to decide whether or not to risk travelling or lose their money. Are the promoters putting profits before safety?
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Comment number 3.
At 8th Dec 2010, feeing wrote:Crikey!! there's someone that's not heard of Frankie Boyle, amazing.
RE his decision to go on with the show, if Goverment ministers with all the information at their behest can get the weather wrong, who can point the finger of critiscism at Mr Boyle?
If I bought a ticket for the gig made my way there and he came onstage and cancelled, I would be less than understanding,. The point is well made re his legal, never mind his moral position to go on with the show.
It is unfortunate tha so many missed the show due to the weather, maybe a charitable donation by Mr Boyle would be a sop to the dissapointed, which would also be evidence that he is uncomfortable making money from his fans who couldn't get to the gig.
Either way the guy is dammed if the show goes on, and dammed if he cancelled.
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