JVG Events were very professional to work with and Inquisitive Minds with Sir Michael Parkinson was big success. We would like to take that audience with us all around the world.
James Erskine, SEL Management, Sydney
In mid 2008 Johanna sat at a computer and wrote a paragraph outline for an idea of an interactive theatre show.
Creating the name Inquisitive Minds was born from the fact that she wanted the show to be interactive, for the audience to be inquisitive about the person their were interviewing.
One of the people Johanna was keen to secure was one of the worlds best known and loved interviewers Sir Michael Parkinson.
Why? Because the idea of seeing Parky being interviewed was a first. Parky has not undertaken many interviews throughout his career and had not undertaken a show in WA. IM would be his only Australian show. Plus she loved watching his show and had a respect for his interviewing technique.
Normally a theatre show has approximately 6 months of pre-publicity in the lead up to the event. However, JVG Events only had a small window of opportunity which would mean a lead in time of 6 weeks - the race was on!
The challenge was to make the proposal appeal to him. Johanna needed an interviewer who could complement Parky but also hold their own with a large audience. After considering a few names, a friend suggested Dixie Marshall, who hosts the Channel Nine news in Perth. She had seen Dixie in action at a gala a few weeks before.
Now Johanna had her interviewer and interviewee!
Next issue was to find a way to have the interaction with the audience. It was decide to have the audience submit their questions via the dedicated website. Johanna then sorted the questions into a logical order and Dixie used these to form the basis of the interview.
To Johanna the two most important aspects to ensuring a theatre show worked on this scale was sound and visuals. Corporate Theatre Productions have years of experience in this field and worked with Jo to create the perfect stage setting - simple so that it did not detract from Parky and Dixie but complimentary to the PCEC Riverside Theatre. A large screen, two spotlights and up lighting to the stage drapes along with two illuminated plinths with a large floral display filled with white roses (to represent Yorkshire where Sir Michael was born) was arranged. The interview area itself was decorated with two chairs kindly flown over from the eastern states by furniture designers Jimmy Possum and a table with simple rose arrangement.
A very important aspect for JVG Events is to make sure that our guests have an enjoyable time whilst here in Perth. Securing the perfect accommodation was important. Johanna worked closely with the team at the 5 star boutique hotel, The Richardson Hotel, to ensure our guest had an enjoyable stay. Lexus also very kindly took care of all the transportation needs during his stay - a top of the range Lexus had to be one of the most beautiful cars we have seen here at JVG Events!
In relation to publicity, Parky had very generously agreed to do a television interview with Perth A Current Affair presented by Louise Momber; a live radio interview with 6PR and the ABC plus an interview with the West Australian. A pre-recorded interview with Boticas Bunch also took place. 10,000 flyers and promotional people went all around Perth and the suburbs. JVG Events also secured coverage in Business News , Perth Now, West Newspaper and the Sunday Times in the days leading up to event courtesy of GTMedia.
The show was a wonderful opportunity to invite 100 VIP guests to join us in celebrating our first show. A range of people from business, charities, competition winners and suppliers were invited. Entitled White Rose, the party was homage to Parkys Yorkshire roots with a menu consisting of traditional Yorkshire dishes with an Ozzie twist and wine from the Margaret River. The entertainment was provided by the wonderful and smooth sounds of Sassy Catch who sung some of Parkys favourite jazz tunes.
The room was set by candle light and large floral arrangements fusing white roses and Australian foliage and was set against the night skyline of Perth City and the Perth Wheel.
And yes.. he really is as nice in real life as he appears.
