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Ellen McPhilips is theatre director for the Cliffs Pavilion and Palace Theatres in Southend.  Part of her job involves booking shows at both venues.

With special requests from members of the public asking for specific shows, Ellen's job is quite a balancing act.

"The aim is that we have something in our programme for everyone," explains Ellen. "It sounds a bit clichéd, but we have to aim to be bringing everybody into the Cliffs and the Palace, so we need quite a variety."

Both theatres are very well known amongst people in the south of the county.  However, the Cliffs' reputation is well known across Essex.  Because of that, the theatre is attracting some of the big names.

"I've been here about a year and a half now.  I was in west Norfolk before," says Ellen.  "For me it's great to be managing the Cliffs, because it's big enough that everyone wants to play there.

"Whereas before I would work hard to bring in the big names into a smaller venue, now they queue up to come into the Cliffs Pavilion," she adds.

"Normally shows sit comfortably in one or the other because they are so very different," explains Ellen.  "The Cliffs is big capacity, big stage, seating, 1630.  The shows have to be really strong to go in there.

"The Palace is 600 seats and has a very different feel.  It's very much your old traditional Edwardian theatre."

Some artists will only play the Palace because they want the traditional theatre style.  It works really well for plays, dramas and comedy and there's also a big community programme.

"Probably 50% of what happens in the Palace is local arts groups and community groups, and it works brilliantly for that," says Ellen.

Planning ahead

Deciding what goes on when is done several months in advance.  Some of the big musicals plan a year ahead, which means that Ellen is already put things into the calendar for 2010.

However, with some bands only deciding to tour a short notice, they may only get eight weeks notice.

"As a rule we are forming a programme six to nine months ahead," says Ellen.

At the end of the day, the theatre has to make money.  Ellen has to put personal preferences aside and look at which productions will sell seats.