Thread: Tips for a First Time MC / Compere

I have been asked to compere a good friend's very lavish Birthday bash and I am thrilled to have been asked but also rather nervous as I have never done any form of compere or MC work. I have plenty of acting experience under my belt so I have no nerves about going on stage but any advice anyone can give me about material or other tidbits of info would be greatly appreciated!

DG

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The only advice I've ever heard about compering is as follows.

Check with the person you are introducing what they want said, if they want you to make it up then check with them what you are going to say.

Remember that the compere is just there to get the next act announced, not to serve themselves (unless you are also a cabaret act like Dusty Limits or Des O'Connor).

It's always useful for the compere to let the audience know the rules - no getting onto the stage but make as much noise in support of the performers as you can.

A bit of satire goes a long long way.
Do some reading up, trash magazines, tabloids, see if anyones made a real tit out of themselves and exploit it.x

Other than that be your charming self x x x

And make sure you can improvise or put any (god forbid) hecklers in their place - the acting should help you out there

I don't know how appropriate this will be for the event but you might want to try and create a character to play it in-not a huge Lily Savage type alter ego or anything like that, but a different version of yourself you can perform in might make you more comfortable.

Good Luck-I'm sure it'll be a great experience.

xxx

All excellent advice, thank you and keep it coming!

DG