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Yesterday was certainly an interesting day at the fringe. I say that because my memory isn't quite up to refuting it... I don't know what happened... wait... it's all coming back to me, through the haze of this morning's wooziness.
I awoke reasonably late in the date - towards lunchtime - had my ablutions and headed off into town. My aim was to go to the three o'clock showing of Guards Guards, which was being performed by a friend of mine - I hadn't realised she was around until I bumped into her the other night and, of course, agreed to come to see her show. Quite how I occupied myself until the designated spot of 3pm, I'm not sure. I suspect that I left the house quite late, having written the previous entry in this diary. I also had lunch on the hoof at some point.
Anyway, after the show I hung around the bar and met up with the gorgeous and talented (in case she's reading) starlet. We had a bit of a chat and then it was time for my next task. I decided to buy a ticket for Ross Noble on Tuesday, which is also when Mal and Linz are coming to Edinburgh and they are going to see him too. At my suggestion. So getting a ticket for me was rather important. I wandered up the Royal Mile to the fringe office and someone from Stalin: The Musical tried to flyer me. I pointed out that I'd seen the show and they asked me for my opinion. I started to give it - this took some time and I eventually offered my email address and services as script reviewer. This might be seen as an act of arrogance on my part, but I pointed out to them that I knew how it looked and I qualified everything I was saying in a self-effacing way and they seemed to be happy enough. I think my criticisms were fair and my offer for help was meant to be egoless.
Having removed myself from obstructing these show-promoters, I realised that the queue for the fringe office was too long and so went directly to the venue, without passing Go or collecting 200 pounds - even in Scottish funny money. At the venue I bumped into two people I know, Dave Ingram and Rodney Marks. We had a drink together and were joined by Agraman. I'm starting to realise how many people from the comedy world I've actually now met. I'll not say which way I mean that.
When it was time to part company, the fast selling Ross Noble tickets proved no match for my purchasing power and, ticket held aloft, I went home. I stopped for food at Sainsbury's to find that they had nothing of the style of "eat this while walking home" and so had to improvise. Improvisation: 5, Nutrition: 1.
My time in the flat was minimal. In, get my kit together, out. I had a gig to perform in. Something told me that it was best not to get my good guitar, so I took my other one. This was probably sensible. Then, walking the streets mumbling a rehearsal of my material, I set off for The Blind Poet. The site where, on Thursday, the gig had been cancelled owing to a lack of audience, interest and equipment. It must be said that things had not improved since then. The management still had no idea what was going on and the room was still not set up correctly for comedy to work.
After an hour's hanging around, we tried to start the gig. The compere was having trouble with the sound, the audience's apathy and the background noise. One of the other lads went up there to give it some energy and explain what had gone wrong - hopefully to get the audience on side. The young manager of the pub wandered in to hear a big guy swearing (albeit at himself) and talking about the pub and decided to cut the sound... which was not a very diplomatically sound move. There then followed about 5 or 10 minutes' argument at the bar during which I played the role of peacemaker. Eventually, hungry for stage time and to stop the argument, I asked if we could have the sound back and if I could start the gig. I wandered up, found an audience prepared to make some noise and give some attention and performed.
The background noise and the lack of big laughs could have been demoralising, but the fact that the whole room was lit, actually meant that I could see what the audience was doing. They were, for the most part, watching, giggling, enjoying what they wanted to of what I was doing. A lot of my jokes didn't get laughs, but I still felt that the material was working. I may now be delusional... these things can happen to performers.
During my set, the other performers left. I later found out that they were getting some grief from some of the patrons about the mix-up earlier. I saw them go, but I didn't stop. Good on me! At the end of the set, I wanted to do some music and found that the mike stand didn't fit the microphone. Nice one! So I called a volunteer from the audience to be my makeshift mike stand. Round of applause for Mike Stand, I called... it was an hilarious moment in an otherwise depressing evening.
As I finished my set, a friend arrived and bought me a pint. I needed it. I then negotiated a portion of the gig money from the manager and we left the place. Since I'm not in the business for the money and since the other performers had done something, I left a message for the fellow who had asked me to do the gig, explaining about the cash I'd received and offering to share it. I won't make enemies over cash.
To end the evening, we did a couple of late night gigs at the Gilded Balloon, Teviot venue. After one gig, I got the number of its promoter to see if I could get a spot there. After much entertainment it was time to go home, past the streakers, who weren't impressing anyone.
That's the festival!
Show: Guards Guards
Performed by: Wonderland Productions
When: 15:00
Where: C, Adam House
Cost: £7.50
A fun adaptation of the Terry Pratchett novel. This show was a family show with a few crafty adult gags, which went over the heads of the kids. It was performed with vigour and was good to watch. Maybe not a work of art, but certainly a work of fun.
Show: The Free Beer Show
Performed by: Various
When: 23:45
Where: Gilded Balloon, Teviot
Cost: £8.50
A variety show, hosted by a tight double act - Electric Forecast. They presented Shazia Mirza and Mickey D. The show gets its name from the free can of beer you get when you go in. Shazia was good, but I'm starting to feel that her act is a little one dimensional - if she doesn't get a huge laugh on each line, it starts to go downhill too. Mickey D was pretty damn fine - with his two broken wrists. Nice venue, lovely crowd. I'd love to play there!
Show: The Spinning Wheel
Performed by: Various
When: 01:00
Where: Gilded Balloon, Teviot
Cost: £8.50
Another variety show, also including Mickey D! We also got to see the wonderful Flight of the Conchords. I'm a big fan. Indeed, I had a chat with one of the fellows, whom I'd accosted the other night before the show and who pointed out that he'd seen me on the front row during the performance. Aaah. I told him about my angst when Frodo was requested instead of Bowie and he said that there's usually a Frodo/Bowie split in the audience. It's nice to talk with a performer whose material you've enjoyed without getting all star struck about it. I think the alcohol and my general feeling of being "a fellow performer" made for a more honest and friendly chat, rather than a weird one.
The show also featured Boothby Graffoe, who went well, and some musical interludes too. The MC was Julia Morris and the house-band were great, joining in with some of the music of the other acts - in a good and talented way!
A mixed bag of a day, and an expensive way to buy a headache for the following morning. Spent £24.50, saw 3 shows, performed one. At the day's end:
Total shows seen: 21
Total shows performed: 4
Total spent: £134
10 August 2003
Ashley Frieze