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Show: The Sound of Paint Drying
Performed by: John Hegley
When: 20:00
Where: Pleasance Two
Cost: £10
I have always enjoyed John Hegley's work but I'd never seen him live. I'd never really become a fan of his the way that I have chosen to become a fan of various other comics, which probably explains why I don't own a collection of his work, and why I don't camp in his wheelie bin somewhere in Islington waiting for a glimpse of the man. However, despite not calling myself a big fan, I have always admired the effortless way that Mr Hegley makes his performance of poetry and songs into something that's essentially gripping and entertaining. Perhaps I should be a fan.
The chance to see his Edinburgh show was one that Mal and I had no intention of missing. Indeed, some other people we knew had also taken the opportunity to book themselves in for the show and we filtered into the front row expecting a treat. We were not disappointed. The format of the show - a tale of a trip to France to follow in his father's footsteps and paint a scene in a small town three, alongside a series of pre-written poems, sometimes in exercise books, sometimes in his published work - might have detracted from the spontaneity which makes comedy so effective. However, Mr Hegley has been doing this a long time and made us feel that he was making the evening's choices of things to entertain us pretty much on the spot.
As person sitting on the front row, I found myself the subject of three privileges:
1. Mr Hegley delivered some of his poems directly into my face. I think by singling me out, he made the entire audience feel that someone was being singled out and, by proxy, so, therefore, was everyone. I politely didn't stare back, but took it like a man.
2. For the finale, which required him to play an instrument in such a place that he had to have it passed to him, I was asked to be that passer. Perhaps he saw a fellow stringed instrument player in me, as I watched (as most guitarists do) his fingers as he played his songs, rather than his face. I've still no idea what instrument he plays - perhaps a mandolin? He made a gag about "what's this instrument called? It's called Steve", so I'm none the wiser. I passed the instrument without incident and without damaging it. I have to say that I had an urge, when I was collecting it from him at the end, to turn to the audience and pretend to play it - it may have got a laugh, but I resisted the urge, since I was a paying audience member, not an act.
3. As a final privilege, he gave his audience the pleasure of watching him make a portrait - in this case he drew a portrait of me... I still have it. It's not very much of a likeness. However, it's a Hegley original.
I went over to shake his hand and thank him for the show at the end. I like John Hegley. I hope to see him perform again.
Show: Tina C's Twin Towers Tribute
Performed by: Tina C
When: 23:00
Where: Pleasance Above
Cost: £10
Mal and I were usually unanimous about our feelings for a show. We rarely agreed on disliking a performance. Except with this. It was a bad choice and I'm sorry I wasted £10 going to see it. Sorry Tina C, or whoever you are. You just didn't do it for me.
Tina C is a "Country and Western" singer. Actually, she's a character played by a man. There's nothing wrong with drag acts. There's nothing wrong with character comedy. There's nothing wrong with musical comedy. Indeed, the idea of musical comedy surrounding the 9/11 disaster seemed the sort of thing that could, potentially, be witty, beyond the pale, sarcastic... well, good.
I haven't described any of the finer points of the show. It was all wishful thinking on our part. We hadn't grasped that Tina C would be a drag act, but this was not the reason the show was not enjoyable. If anything, the drag aspect of the performance gave us something to talk about, rather than dwell on the lack-lustre ideas and writing that had gone into the show.
It's weird how all the sexual indicators can be faked. Even when you know you're looking at a man, and you know that your sexuality discriminates against finding men attractive, somehow the triggers of clothing, makeup, posture can still catch you out. It was an odd experience. Maybe one day I'll write a song about it - perhaps it will be better than the ones we heard that night.
An easy day. Indeed, time to do non festival things like go on the tour bus and basically chill out.
Spent £20, saw 2 shows. At the day's end:
Total spent: £321
Total shows seen: 38
06 July 2003
Ashley Frieze