Things That Go Bump Over the Weekend

Or, Bumping in at the Fabulous Trades Hall Or even, What the Hell is a Bump In?

It's bump-in time for TBC, and so we felt it was time to answer a few questions about our process. Or even more specifically for the especially confused, what the hell is a bump in? Here we answer all your questions and even a few you didn't think to ask.

Behold Chops, God of Cables. Untangle your leads, ye faithful, and bask in the light of his good favour. Otherwise known as Chris Saxton and various minions showing electrical cables who's boss during TBC's bump-in.

1. Bump-ins have nothing to do with 70s disco trends.
Okay, so in the 70s people were doing craaaazy dance moves, like bumping their hips together. Oh, those crazy kids. There was even a song about it (Kenny, 'The Bump', check it out if you must, but it's awful. Check out this instead; it's much more entertaining. Disclaimer: TBC does not endorse the dance partner prejudices of 1970s disco stars ).

Bumping in has a whole lot less dancing, unless you count the 'where-is-the-gaffa-tape' shuffle.

What do you get when you give some reddish-pink liquid a bump? We're glad you asked. (CC image 'Pink-red liquid using Perlin noise and bump' courtesy Simon Strandgaard)

2. Nobody knows why moving a show into a theatre space is called a bump-in.
Much as with many theatre terms, the origins are unknown for this particular name for moving all the set, lights, costumes and general ephemera into a venue.


Also like many theatre terms, the name can change from region to region. Apparently the Brits call it a 'get-in', which makes more sense but is also a bit close to 'get with' for comfort. Although one can lead to the other, of course.


3. Nobody knows why moving a show out of a theatre space is called a bump-out.
See above. Apart from the Brit bit, whence it is called a 'get-out'. Which is a bit harsh, honestly, especially when you're feeling all emotional from finishing up a season.

Scott Major rocking the front-of-house area during TBC's bump-in.

4. Gaffa tape can solve anything.
Need to secure a cable? Gaffa tape. Parts of the set falling apart? Gaffa tape. Lost a costume? Gaffa tape. (Seriously, TBC is associated with at least one person who owns a gaffa fedora.)

Gaffa tape is the miracle cure for everything. The only thing you can't do with the stuff is eat it. This is why you will see rolls of it being carefully guarded during bump-in, where everyone from the lighting techs to the front of house guys will be after it to fix something.

Gaffa: the material holding the universe together. It's official. Mythbusters have proved it.


5. If you search the term 'Bump In' on Flickr, you get a whole lot of pictures of heavily pregnant women.

So. There's that.

Flickr seems to be a lot more literal in its interpretation of search terms than other search engines. Yes, Flickr, technically those women have a bump in.

Plus this one picture of one cat licking another cat's head. But there always has to be cat pictures – it's the #2 Rule of the Internet. (CC image courtesy Jim.)