We have a sold out performance tonight at The J and there is nothing worse than getting “the call” late afternoon “sorry your performer for the evening has been bumped from his flight, but it’s ok he will be arriving at 5.20 at Brisbane airport so should make the 7 30 show”. Eeeek, we all know that 6pm on any night can be a car park on the freeway, but this is Easter Thursday so we know it’s impossible.
Our fabulous head tech Guy Harrison goes into overdrive and starts workshopping alternatives. Helicopter from Brisbane was the only “viable” option, the only problem was the Helicopter needed to be off the ground by 6.02pm! It’s going to be tight … Brisbane airport / Easter holidays, just waiting for luggage will likely take longer than that.
The chopper is booked and the pilot is driving from Brisbane to Sunshine coast to fuel up. Phone calls going every which way, how much fuel does he need, how many people are coming, how much luggage is there? … do we cancel the show, do we notify everyone? We are like ducks on the pond, calm on the top and padding furiously under the surface.
Looks like we are going to miss the chopper lift off time … but wait the fabulous pilot says there is a jet that is flying back from Brisbane to the sunshine coast empty, it’s a 10 minute flight (who knew). Should that option be explored? YES!
So many phone calls still going back and forth.
People start arriving at the venue oblivious of the effort to bring them a night of entertainment.
In walks our performer only 20 mins late.. everyone is happy. 400 smiling faces leave the venue after having a great night of laughs!
A massive thank you to the Ghost Air chopper pilot, Darren “Fitzy” (legend) who came through and facilitated this all for us, and to our head tech Guy Harrison who now has a new moniker (chopper wrangler/fixer) and to Jimeoin who seamlessly put on another fabulous sold out show at The J.
That’s show business in Noosa!
Disclaimer none of this was at the expense of The J.
