·Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)·

This page contains the answers to a range of questions that often get asked so hopefully you will find it helpful. If there is a question that is not covered here then contact us.

The Society

How can I get involved in the IDOLS?
How is IDOLS organised?
When and where are auditions held?
When and where are rehearsals held?
Will I get paid for taking part in a show?
Will IDOLS come and perform for my organisation?

Shows/Tickets

What is the next show and when is it?
How and where can I buy tickets?
Why can't I book tickets at The Little Theatre like other productions?
Why can't I pay for tickets with my credit card?
Why are there no concessions for senior citizens?
Can I get a refund if I can't make the show?
My tickets didn't arrive/I've lost them - what do I do?
Where does all the money go?

How can I get involved in the IDOLS?

It depends whether you want to be involved as a performer or in more of a supporting role.

As a potential performer you will need to pass an audition but if you want to help out behind the scenes then a more informal chat will probably be arranged. There is a annual membership fee and, if you are involved in a show then there is an additional show fee.

You can join as a non-performing member if you prefer, there are many supporting roles such as helping with costumes, backstage, prompting, front of house programme sales etc.

Contact us and let us know what you are interested in doing.

How is IDOLS organised?

The officers of the society are detailed here.

The committee respresents the membership on a day-to-day basis and usually meets monthly. Any member of the society can stand for election to the committee and there are usually two posts for election each year. The post lasts for 3 years and then is up for election. Committee members whose 3-year term has finished must wait a year before they can serve again, although if there are no new candidates a member can be asked to extend their tenure.

Members get to decide on the new committee members at the Annual General Meeting in February. All members are notified of the AGM date in advance so they can attend and we encourage as many as possible to come and take part.

The president, chair, secretary and treasurer posts are also confirmed at the AGM and members can propose other members for these posts or be proposed themselves.

When and where are auditions held?

Auditions are usually held in April in the physio gym at the Leicester Royal Infirmary.

New members are usually asked to bring along a song that they feel best suits their voice and will perform an audition, accompanied by our pianist, to a few members of the committee. If you can sing and are a dancer then even better!

If you are unsuccessful then you can always try again another year. If you pass audition for entry to the society you can then audition for a role in that year's production.

Audition dates will be published on this site once they are known.

When and where are rehearsals held?

Most rehearsals take place in the physiotherapy gym at the Leicester Royal Infirmary. The theatre is only available on the Sunday before the show opens so dress and technical rehearsals are held then.

If you have a leading role then rehearsals will usually be on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Chorus members rehearse on Tuesdays. In September everyone rehearses both Tuesdays and Thursdays and there will be some Sundays nearer to the show at the discretion of the producer. The regular weekday rehearsals began at 7:30pm and finish around 10pm. Sunday rehearsals can be morning or afternoon apart from the full dress rehearsal, which is in the afternoon/evening.

If you cannot make a scheduled rehearsal then you need to let the producer or the nominated attendence recorder know preferably well in advance, although that is not always possible.

Will I get paid for taking part in a show?

IDOLS is an amateur group so no, members who take part in shows or help out give of their time freely to support the society, raise money for the Leicester Royal Infirmary (and hopefully to enjoy themselves in the process). Social events are arranged for members during the year so there is always the opportunity to meet up outside of rehearsals.

Will IDOLS come and perform for my organisation?

From April through to October a large number of IDOLS members are usually occupied with the latest show. Outside of this time members have taken part in concerts and a number attend the Loros carol service at Christmas time. Some also perform show music and more contemporary songs in small groups outside of IDOLS.

We are always interested in hearing from organisations who would like us to perform in concerts so please contact us to discuss your requirements.

What is the next show and when is it?

Each year's production is usually decided at the AGM in February and is announced on this site once it has been agreed upon. Show week is usually at the beginning of October but it depends upon the dates available from the Little Theatre. Again this will be published here once it has been confirmed. The show starts as 7:30pm from Monday through to Saturday and there is usually a 2:30pm matinee performance on Saturday afternoon.

Finishing times depend upon the running time of the show, usually no later than 10:30pm. If you need to arrange transport after the show then it is best to check with us during show week so we can give you a better idea of finishing time.

How and where can I buy tickets?

Ticket usually go on sale in June and sales are handled by the IDOLS. We maintain a mailing list of people who have booked tickets in the previous two years and we send out a handbill/booking form to the list once the tickets are available. There are several ways you can order tickets:

If any tickets or returns are available on the night of the show they will be available in the foyer. It is preferable that you book your tickets in advance though as it can get rather manic pre-show and you may have to wait to be dealt with by a front-of-house staff member.

Why can't I book tickets at The Little Theatre like other productions?

The Little Theatre is a venue for its own society, the LDS, and for visiting (or Let) societies. Because a charge is made to Let societies for each ticket sold by the Little Theatre, most sell their own tickets to keep costs as low as possible. Sometimes tickets are available from the theatre in the week or two before the show. You should check our website for details at the time.

Why can't I pay for tickets with my credit card?

IDOLS are not registered to handle credit card payments. As a charity and an amateur society we need to keep our costs as low as possible and providing credit card facilities would cost around 3% of the payment value. Because of this we regret we can only accept payment by cheque.

Why are there no concessions for senior citizens?

To be able to offer concessions the ticket prices for other customers would have to be raised to cover the cost. We think that a fairer way is to have a matinée performance on the Saturday afternoon where all tickets are at a reduced price.

Can I get a refund if I can't make the show?

IDOLS policy, as with most theatre productions is no refunds. If you cannot use the tickets you have booked then the best option is to pass them on to a friend. If this is not possible then you can return them to us and we will attempt to re-sell them. Unfortunately this doesn't mean you will be refunded but it does mean that more money will be available to go to charity. A better option than them going to waste.

My tickets didn't arrive/I've lost them - what do I do?

If you have booked tickets with us and they have not turned up within a week then please get in touch so we can check whether your cheque was received. If not we will ask you to re-send payment - don't worry, we won't charge you twice if the original cheque does turn up.

If your tickets were sent out but lost either in the post or by you then, as long as you have contacted us, we will make sure the front of house staff know that you have paid and they will admit you without your tickets.

Where does all the money go?

We receive income from the ticket and programme sales. The largest proportion of our outgoings is the cost of putting on the production. The hire of the theatre is a major cost and then it depends upon the show that we put on. With a West End-style musical we have to pay for the rights to stage the show as well as for the hire of the scores and librettos. For a concert there are no rights applicable as long as we only perform a limited number of songs from any one show.

For many productions we have to hire in scenery, props and costumes. The radio mikes and sound equipment along with the technician is hired for the week. There is also the cost of producing handbills/booking forms and the postage to send them out to everyone on our mailing list.

From what is left a proportion goes towards keeping the society solvent and the remainder goes to charity. Usually this is the Leicester Royal Infirmary but occasionally (as in our IDOLAid concerts) other local charities will benefit.