Perth Concert Hall GM Andrew Bolt knows attention to detail is key.
When Tim Minchin sent through a list of requests to the Perth Concert Hall in preparation for his appearance, he probably didn't think every demand would be adhered to.
Among the usual requirements posed in his rider - a sometimes comprehensive list of demands made by a performer - the comedian asked for "113 blue M&M'S in an Egyptian ceramic bowl which have been washed with angel saliva and then placed in the centre of a two-man tent".
With the exception of angel saliva, which was substituted for a photo of an angel, the staff at the riverside venue fulfilled the request.
Perth Concert Hall general manager Andrew Bolt says making sure performers enjoy and remember their time at the venue means they're more likely to return.
"Tim Minchin knows we pay very special attention to detail," Mr Bolt said.
Mr Bolt worked for the West Australian Symphony Orchestra for 13 years, starting as an assistant librarian and leaving as general manager.
He swapped managing an orchestra to managing the concert hall, and says he soon realised that while the venue should remain the cultural home for the orchestra, he had to attract a wider audience.
Singer-songwriter Tori Amos, jazz musician James Morrison, The John Butler Trio and rock band The Whitlams have all played at the Perth Concert Hall, interspersed with numerous orchestral performances, in the past 12 months.
Mr Bolt says the tyranny of distance is perhaps the biggest hurdle he faces, because artists can perform at multiple venues on the east coast in a few days, without having to cross the Nullarbor.
"But times are changing. It's no longer just Sydney and Melbourne which get the big events," he said.
"Our audiences expect to see the same quality shows they see on the east coast."
There are a few ways to tackle the Nullarbor problem and attract artists. The 2008 purchase of a $200,000-plus Steinway piano - paid for out of a former State Government pledge to Perth Theatre Trust - has helped.
Also, Mr Bolt has formed alliances with venues in other states to offset the high costs of bringing out international acts.
It was this strategy that helped Mr Bolt secure an appearance by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, scheduled for October, after three years of negotiation.
National performances have the added advantage of potentially attracting a national sponsor, to offset the costs for the venues.
Mr Bolt says his job also entails identifying and booking up-and-coming superstars, before they move on to stadium performances.
"Once they have eight Grammys they won't fit in your venue," he said.
Increasingly reliant on corporate sponsorship, the arts are more exposed to the financial crisis than most other industries. Historically, corporations tighten advertising purse strings during tough economic times and people avoid expensive outings.
Naming rights, corporate seating, dining packages and advertisements - along with food and beverage sales - are among the concert hall's main avenues to supplement ticket sales and recoup expenses.
Even sold-out performances by the London Philharmonic Orchestra would not be enough to book a profit, after performance fees, travel, accommodation and transport charges are taken into account.
"You can't recoup costs just at the box office," Mr Bolt says.
He said the industry has taken a hit, but things aren't as bad as the economic downturn of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
He cites the recent popularity of the Tim Minchin performances and the strong early ticket sales for the philharmonic orchestra as evidence that the right programming will still attract a good audience.
"We've been waiting for the bottom to fall out of it, but it hasn't happened," he said.
"It hasn't been like the '80s crash which was an immediate train wreck. People are still going to shows that have a feel good component about it."
Mr Bolt said that even though sport appears to be the dominant past-time in WA, more people actually attend arts events, which includes everything from film festivals to orchestral performances.
"It's often said, but not well understood, that more people go to arts events on any given weekend than sports events," he says.
"The arts are alive and well in WA."
If you could book anyone or any group, living or dead, to play at the Perth Concert Hall, who would it be?
The Beatles.
Is there a performance that stands out from the rest?
Several, but I think the Australian Chamber Orchestra with Soprano Dawn Upshaw earlier this year would be close to the top of my list. Blues guitarist Buddy Guy is another.
What was your first instrument, and what do you play now?
I started with a beautiful Ronish upright piano which I played into the ground (my parents still have it). I now have a number of electric keyboards at home that I play regularly, but my most recent purchase was a 5 string Victor Bailey Fender Jazz Bass; a pure indulgence. Guitar is my second instrument of study.
Have you ever played the Steinway?
I have played many Steinways; six while at the ABC and five at the Perth Concert Hall (I don't consider myself a good pianist). There is simply nothing like these instruments and they all have a personality of their own. In particular, like all great instruments they seem to have the quality of literally pulling music out of the player.
