Preparation
Calm Under Pressure: What a Compere Does When the Programme Goes Wrong
Late speakers, dead microphones, changed running orders. How a professional compere stays calm and in control when an event doesn't go to plan.
Check availabilityNo live event runs exactly to plan. Speakers arrive late, videos won't play, an award goes to the wrong table, the chief guest asks to speak earlier, or the generator cuts out for thirty seconds. Guests rarely remember these problems — unless the host panics.
The compere's real job in those moments is to keep control: of their voice, of the room and of the programme.
The rule: stay calm, stay audible, keep moving
The audience reads the host. If the compere's voice rises, speeds up or gets louder, the room senses a problem. If the voice stays steady and unhurried, most guests assume everything is in hand. Shouting over a problem never fixes it — it only advertises it.
Common problems and what a good compere does
| Problem | What the compere does |
|---|---|
| Speaker is late | Moves the next item forward (agreed in advance with the organiser) and introduces the speaker later as if planned |
| Microphone fails | Steps forward, speaks clearly without straining, gestures to the sound team, and continues with a short line until it's fixed |
| Video or slides won't play | Gives the technical team a moment with a brief, relaxed comment, then moves to the next item if it doesn't recover |
| Running order changes on the day | Updates the cue cards, confirms the new order with the stage manager and keeps transitions smooth so the audience never sees the change |
| Wrong name or wrong winner announced | Corrects it immediately, calmly and graciously, and gives the right person their full moment |
| Programme running late | Shortens his own links, uses the agreed cuts, and keeps the closing on time |
| Online session drops (virtual or hybrid) | Keeps the in-room or online audience informed, fills briefly, and brings the session back without fuss |
Preparation is what makes calm possible
Composure on stage comes from work done before the event:
- A timed running sheet, with agreed items that can be shortened or moved.
- A briefing with the stage manager and sound team: cues, microphones, who signals what.
- Spare lines ready for gaps — a fact about the organisation, a thank-you to sponsors, a reminder about the next session.
- Name pronunciations confirmed and written on cue cards.
- Arriving early enough to test the microphone and walk the stage.
It is the same discipline described in control, not volume, and it applies to virtual and hybrid events as much as to a ballroom.
Why this matters to organisers
When something goes wrong, the organiser is usually busy fixing it backstage. The compere is the person keeping the audience comfortable in the meantime. Choosing a host who stays calm under pressure is one of the simplest ways to protect your event's reputation.
FAQs
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What should a compere do if a speaker doesn't arrive?
Move to the next item as agreed with the organiser, and introduce the speaker later as though it was planned.
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How does an MC handle a microphone failure?
Stay calm, step forward and speak clearly without shouting, signal the sound team, and continue until it's fixed.
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How can organisers prepare their compere for problems?
Share the running order early, agree which items can be cut or moved, and introduce the compere to the stage and sound teams before the event.
Planning an event where everything has to run smoothly? See corporate hosting or check availability.
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