CAREER MAN ON TOP Mig Kimpton, Executive Director at the Arts Theatre in central London
Show at the Royal Albert Hall. The show featured a huge line-up of stars: Elton John and George Michael, Lulu and many community groups – it was the biggest gay show the Albert Hall has ever seen! I’m often asked when the next one will be.
Q
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR WORK?
The people. There is such a wide range in the theatre world – from the hard-and- fast-talking technicians to the stars who are obsessed with cushions and flowers, to the young people who just want to work in the environment. I spent time working for the National Youth Theatre and to work with young people with such enthusiasm was great.
Q
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY LEAST? OR FIND MOST CHALLENGING?
Being in a senior management role means that the day can sometimes get bogged down with contracts and cash forecasts. Everything must be contracted and financially planned, especially in this day and age – though I have done some deals in the old fashion way with just a handshake – but it is a tricky business and everybody must be clear on the parameters and responsibilities.
have never been in! It is a very tolerant industry and includes everyone whatever their sexual proclivity. It just doesn’t become a topic unless you are trying to work out whether one of the chorus is gay or straight – purely for personal reasons!
Q Mig Kimpton Q
TELL US ABOUT YOUR WORK AND WHAT IT INVOLVES.
I am the Executive Director of the Arts Theatre, here in London. It is an independent commercial theatre and we seat 350 people. I am responsible for the programming of all the shows and am already working on stuff for 2013. It is like doing a tricky jigsaw puzzle as there are so many factors that have to be taken into consideration – whether it is a good play/musical, whether the figures stack up and the producer has enough money to put on the show, but also making sure the producer knows about press, marketing, and the nuts and bolts of the business and how to make a show work. The more I work in this industry, the more
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it is like working in a gambling environment as so much financially is at stake – if you get it right then all is well and if you get it wrong – you can lose everything.
Q
HOW DID YOU GET INTO YOUR LINE OF WORK?
I left school having failed my A levels, so I got a job behind the bar at Bristol Hippodrome 30 years ago and here I am running a West End Theatre! Along the way I have run some regional theatres, toured with everyone from Sian Phillips to Lily Savage. I have managed tours for Sir Ian McKellen and Sandi Toksvig – to name but two. I also spent ten years producing the annual fund raising Stonewall Equality
PROFESSION? Firstly, it’s not an industry in which to make money – many jobs are badly paid, so unless you are a talented and well- known actor, you are unlikely to make millions. But if you want to work in an environment that is never the same two days running, this is it. You have to possess a passion and dedication. You’ll work long hours and weekends. Also, there are lots of different possibilities so if, like me, you have had enough on one side of the curtain, you can work the other side. I spent the first 15 years of my career working front of house, bars, box office, house manager and then when I decided I’d had enough of dealing with the public, I went backstage to deal with the actors and technicians – now I am on both sides of the curtain!
Q
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ANYONE WANTING TO ENTER YOUR
ARE YOU COMPLETELY OUT AT WORK? Out? Thankfully, in this industry, I
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