Back to the slow and slightly comforting reality of freelancing. Nice to be back in an office where nobody talks, after the frantic, in your face 3 weeks of Edinburgh. Working on a long but easy enough report for them...keeps the bills paid, doesn't it?
Evening wedding gig with the band. Who gets married on a Tuesday? It was fine. I don't really like wedding gigs but again...keeps the bills paid, doesn't it?
Wednesday, 31 August 2016
Monday 29th August 2016
First day properly at home.
Things move quickly, don't they? That wasn't a bad fringe at all this year, probably my only fringe without major crisis. Next year I'll nail it, but this year was more than fine. And the band gig last night was just incredible.
Took Mum shopping, got bitten by the dog lots of times. The usual.
Got home, and stopped for the first time in about a month.
Things move quickly, don't they? That wasn't a bad fringe at all this year, probably my only fringe without major crisis. Next year I'll nail it, but this year was more than fine. And the band gig last night was just incredible.
Took Mum shopping, got bitten by the dog lots of times. The usual.
Got home, and stopped for the first time in about a month.
Sunday 28th August 2016
Had 3 hours sleep, and then Gaf came to pick me up.
So tired, but off to the first of 2 gigs of the day. The first one, in Wokingham, was fine - I was low on energy but the audience were so appreciative and it's so nice to see the band again. It's all been a struggle, but they seem happier at the moment. No idea what the future holds, but right now it's still just about working.
Back in the people carrier and over to Milton Keynes to headline a festival. Got there a bit earlier so I slept in the car for a bit. Festival overran big-style and we didn't get on stage till 11.15pm. But...well, it's the best festival, anywhere. Totally sold out, making over £20,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support in the process, and a huge marquee full of people who totally adore us. We played our arses off, any troubles of the past 3 months seem to be behind us, it was just magical. Utterly, jaw-droppingly, magical.
Incredible night.
So tired, but off to the first of 2 gigs of the day. The first one, in Wokingham, was fine - I was low on energy but the audience were so appreciative and it's so nice to see the band again. It's all been a struggle, but they seem happier at the moment. No idea what the future holds, but right now it's still just about working.
Back in the people carrier and over to Milton Keynes to headline a festival. Got there a bit earlier so I slept in the car for a bit. Festival overran big-style and we didn't get on stage till 11.15pm. But...well, it's the best festival, anywhere. Totally sold out, making over £20,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support in the process, and a huge marquee full of people who totally adore us. We played our arses off, any troubles of the past 3 months seem to be behind us, it was just magical. Utterly, jaw-droppingly, magical.
Incredible night.
Saturday 27th August 2016
Final day of the fringe! Felt quite sad for bits of it...my whole life revolves around the Edinburgh Fringe, when it ends it's just like the end of Christmas. I also feel incredibly knackered - on top of doing the shows I also have to do at least 3 miles of walking every day. And all the drinking, too. It's really taken it out of me.
Did some final flyering, had a final cheeseburger in the lovely little cafe that I go to everyday at the fringe, and did some souvenir shopping.
Watched Jeff's show - he's the show on before me every day so it was nice to catch it.
Least of Your Problems... was lovely today, great to see Emma and her friends, plus some real Richards fans who were excited about it. Final ever performance of this piece but so good today, so cocky. I enjoyed that.
Got a little sleep, and then another guest slot at Adam's showcase. Audience were flat tonight, really flat, it was a struggle.
Final performance of '50 Ways...' was nice, good audience, dedicated and into it. Went on a bit longer than I wanted but a decent finale.
I then dashed back to my car and drove for 7 hours, home. Potentially dangerous, I mean - it's a long drive to start at midnight after performing 69 shows in 22 days, but had to be done. I drove extra carefully. It was a battle, but I was home just after 7am. Ouch.
Did some final flyering, had a final cheeseburger in the lovely little cafe that I go to everyday at the fringe, and did some souvenir shopping.
Watched Jeff's show - he's the show on before me every day so it was nice to catch it.
Least of Your Problems... was lovely today, great to see Emma and her friends, plus some real Richards fans who were excited about it. Final ever performance of this piece but so good today, so cocky. I enjoyed that.
Got a little sleep, and then another guest slot at Adam's showcase. Audience were flat tonight, really flat, it was a struggle.
Final performance of '50 Ways...' was nice, good audience, dedicated and into it. Went on a bit longer than I wanted but a decent finale.
I then dashed back to my car and drove for 7 hours, home. Potentially dangerous, I mean - it's a long drive to start at midnight after performing 69 shows in 22 days, but had to be done. I drove extra carefully. It was a battle, but I was home just after 7am. Ouch.
Friday 26th August 2016
Up earlyish to do a little flyering...the fringe is nearly over for another year. This makes me sad, but also annoyed - always feels like untapped potential here.
Performed at the final Comedy Tapas, was great fun and slightly emotional - this same line-up has been doing this show for quite a few days now and we've all become quite good friends. It was a great show today; we were all on good form.
Least of Your Problems...total no-show, not a single audience member. Gutting, but it's been heading that way for a few days now. Next year it'll be different, next year I'll ram it every day. And ideally not be in a venue that is effectively a curtain separating me from a working men's club.
Yeah, I've enjoyed this fringe but I'm done with it for this year.
Went and watched Jollyboat with Izzy, they are always good fun.
Did my now regular spot at Adam's show which was good fun. For the second night in a row I decided to drum on random pots rather than, well, drums, and it goes down well. Got Jo and Claudia on stage to hold them for me and we called them The Paulettes - my new backing band is accidentally formed...
50 Ways... Typical Friday crowd; the venue is a cinema for the rest if the year so naturally at weekends you get a bunch of people in who don't really know what they're taking on. During the course of the show, mostly thanks to mad eyed staring, I whittled them down to eventually an audience who were there intentionally. Performance was fast and aggressive.
Performed at the final Comedy Tapas, was great fun and slightly emotional - this same line-up has been doing this show for quite a few days now and we've all become quite good friends. It was a great show today; we were all on good form.
Least of Your Problems...total no-show, not a single audience member. Gutting, but it's been heading that way for a few days now. Next year it'll be different, next year I'll ram it every day. And ideally not be in a venue that is effectively a curtain separating me from a working men's club.
Yeah, I've enjoyed this fringe but I'm done with it for this year.
Went and watched Jollyboat with Izzy, they are always good fun.
Did my now regular spot at Adam's show which was good fun. For the second night in a row I decided to drum on random pots rather than, well, drums, and it goes down well. Got Jo and Claudia on stage to hold them for me and we called them The Paulettes - my new backing band is accidentally formed...
50 Ways... Typical Friday crowd; the venue is a cinema for the rest if the year so naturally at weekends you get a bunch of people in who don't really know what they're taking on. During the course of the show, mostly thanks to mad eyed staring, I whittled them down to eventually an audience who were there intentionally. Performance was fast and aggressive.
Thursday 25th August 2016
In all fairness to the musical guys, they know they've let myself and Marcel down, and they're really trying hard to keep us happy. It's fine; I'll just let them be tourists.
Bit grumpy at the start of the day. I flyered hard for Least of Your Problems and only 2 people turned up - Jo and Meg. I still did the show. It wasn't great.
Went back to the flat and calmed down for a bit as it's been a draining few days.
Caught a show, and then enjoyed guesting in Adam's show as always.
Bit grumpy at the start of the day. I flyered hard for Least of Your Problems and only 2 people turned up - Jo and Meg. I still did the show. It wasn't great.
Went back to the flat and calmed down for a bit as it's been a draining few days.
Caught a show, and then enjoyed guesting in Adam's show as always.
50 Ways show... 2 lovely young ladies from Ireland in the audience tonight. They said, "if it's just us, it'll be too weird...you don't have to do the show." I replied, perhaps too bluntly, "no. This is happening."
And then, when handing over the tips bucket, the person from the show before me managed to jam the door shut. Basically, it was half show, half hostage. Cracking show, though - best I've performed it all week.
Wednesday 24th August 2016
Did a spot flyering, but still not sure if flyering *really* gets me an audience, most of them turn up having read about it in the little guide.
Least of Your Problems - show 19. 6 people in, hot and sweaty room. They were all up for it and it was a cracker today, performance was frantic but only because I was enjoying myself so much. Happy Richards.
Got back, freshened up, and then went over to a nightclub to host the compilation show that took the place of the Oscar Pike show. Small turnout, but really, really nice actually - Izzy did her usual ukelele stuff, Claudia played a song, Ash was a great magic act and the other chap, Sean, is a decent young comic. I enjoyed hosting that and playing an akwkward game with the audience. That's the joy of the free fringe, these little moments of randomness.
Didn't make the musical tonight as we had tickets for Mark Watson, and besides - it's good for the guys to stand on their own two feet anyway. Watson was great.
50 Ways... well, you know you're at the fringe when you've got a heavily bearded man in a dress sat in the front row chatting to you all show. It was fine though, tonight - 11 in, sharp performance. Someone said to me afterwards, "that's the loveliest thing I've ever seen at the fringe." Yep, I know it is. Lovely show, this one.
Met up with the musical team afterwards for late drinks and they were all crying. Jo saying she wants to go home...there's a big part of me that wants to say, "man up, get on with it" but they were so fragile I just had to agree to let it go. Shame, as I'd put quite a lot of work into the script, but you can't make people do it. I'm gutted, and it showed. I'll just add certain people to the "not for future fringe projects" list and crack on with my own stuff.
Least of Your Problems - show 19. 6 people in, hot and sweaty room. They were all up for it and it was a cracker today, performance was frantic but only because I was enjoying myself so much. Happy Richards.
Got back, freshened up, and then went over to a nightclub to host the compilation show that took the place of the Oscar Pike show. Small turnout, but really, really nice actually - Izzy did her usual ukelele stuff, Claudia played a song, Ash was a great magic act and the other chap, Sean, is a decent young comic. I enjoyed hosting that and playing an akwkward game with the audience. That's the joy of the free fringe, these little moments of randomness.
Didn't make the musical tonight as we had tickets for Mark Watson, and besides - it's good for the guys to stand on their own two feet anyway. Watson was great.
50 Ways... well, you know you're at the fringe when you've got a heavily bearded man in a dress sat in the front row chatting to you all show. It was fine though, tonight - 11 in, sharp performance. Someone said to me afterwards, "that's the loveliest thing I've ever seen at the fringe." Yep, I know it is. Lovely show, this one.
Met up with the musical team afterwards for late drinks and they were all crying. Jo saying she wants to go home...there's a big part of me that wants to say, "man up, get on with it" but they were so fragile I just had to agree to let it go. Shame, as I'd put quite a lot of work into the script, but you can't make people do it. I'm gutted, and it showed. I'll just add certain people to the "not for future fringe projects" list and crack on with my own stuff.
Tuesday 23rd August 2016
Up with a hangover (thanks to Izzy, she's a terrible influence) and then we filmed the scenes with Thom for the fringe film, which is looking great.
4 turned up for Least of Your Problems - great to see my old mate Steve who I didn't know was at the fringe. Performance wasn't as good as yesterday, but at this stage of the run the show is generaly quite good anyway most days...I've had it long enough now to be at a good level.
Filmed a few more scenes for the film with Izzy and Cecilia.
Caught the musical; the guys are clearly struggling with it. Just the concept of the fringe seems baffling to them at times, the way it all works - I think they were expecting more conventional venues to do the show in. They just look upset, constantly.
It was eased somewhat when we all guested in Adam's evening show and the vibe was nice.
50 Ways...well...I always start the show by asking the audience, "hands up who is here intentionally." They weren't and were baffled by it. Audience weren't there for me and didn't get it, I clearly just wanted to get the show out of the way. Bashed through it, let them out after 39 minutes so we can all get on with on with our lives. Horrible.
4 turned up for Least of Your Problems - great to see my old mate Steve who I didn't know was at the fringe. Performance wasn't as good as yesterday, but at this stage of the run the show is generaly quite good anyway most days...I've had it long enough now to be at a good level.
Filmed a few more scenes for the film with Izzy and Cecilia.
Caught the musical; the guys are clearly struggling with it. Just the concept of the fringe seems baffling to them at times, the way it all works - I think they were expecting more conventional venues to do the show in. They just look upset, constantly.
It was eased somewhat when we all guested in Adam's evening show and the vibe was nice.
50 Ways...well...I always start the show by asking the audience, "hands up who is here intentionally." They weren't and were baffled by it. Audience weren't there for me and didn't get it, I clearly just wanted to get the show out of the way. Bashed through it, let them out after 39 minutes so we can all get on with on with our lives. Horrible.
Monday, 29 August 2016
Monday 22nd August 2016
The start of the final week!
Comedy Tapas was great today, we were all on top form for that one.I'm getting sick of the Grace song I do every day.
Least of Your Problems had 4 people in, but a good, generous 4. The pacing of the show was better, it's a really nice show.
The musical still hadn't been promoted as the guys just seem to uncertain about it all, so it was just me in the audience. It overruns and the cast clearly aren't enjoying it. Not being blunt, but they're not working hard enough for this - nobody has a divine right to an audience when there's thousands of other shows on.
In the same room after, Adam had to step in to host a cabaret night so I did a lovely set in that, and Claudia was awesome closing it too. I didn't have my drums so I used champagne tubs and they sounded brilliant. I'll buy some for future shows.
50 Ways... 4 people in, but 4 incredibly lovely people who all applauded every clip and then bought the DVD afterwards. I'm happy enough. Performance was the sharpest yet.
Comedy Tapas was great today, we were all on top form for that one.I'm getting sick of the Grace song I do every day.
Least of Your Problems had 4 people in, but a good, generous 4. The pacing of the show was better, it's a really nice show.
The musical still hadn't been promoted as the guys just seem to uncertain about it all, so it was just me in the audience. It overruns and the cast clearly aren't enjoying it. Not being blunt, but they're not working hard enough for this - nobody has a divine right to an audience when there's thousands of other shows on.
In the same room after, Adam had to step in to host a cabaret night so I did a lovely set in that, and Claudia was awesome closing it too. I didn't have my drums so I used champagne tubs and they sounded brilliant. I'll buy some for future shows.
50 Ways... 4 people in, but 4 incredibly lovely people who all applauded every clip and then bought the DVD afterwards. I'm happy enough. Performance was the sharpest yet.
Sunday 21st August 2016
Flyered for a bit, and then the rest of the musical team - Marcel and Claudia, turned up. Show scheduled to start later.
Was giving out flyers on the Royal Mile and a bee started attacking me. As I flapped my arms around in a mild panic, 5 Japanese tourists gathered around thinking it was street theatre. I love the fringe.
'Least of Your Problems...' was fine. 7 people in, performance was tight if flat.
The cast for the musical seem very worried, and didn't want an audience but a few turned up to what was really the dress rehearsal. As a show it drags a bit but they know what they're doing, and I made a few notes which were mostly ignored.
50 Ways... 6 people in, which for a Sunday is fine. I knew 5 of them, which is lovely and made for a relaxed show. My mates are brilliant, was lovely to catch up.
Agreed with Izzy that Oscar Pike isn't strong enough, performance-wise, to go live, so we'll replace it with our own cabaret show instead to fill the slot.
Was giving out flyers on the Royal Mile and a bee started attacking me. As I flapped my arms around in a mild panic, 5 Japanese tourists gathered around thinking it was street theatre. I love the fringe.
'Least of Your Problems...' was fine. 7 people in, performance was tight if flat.
The cast for the musical seem very worried, and didn't want an audience but a few turned up to what was really the dress rehearsal. As a show it drags a bit but they know what they're doing, and I made a few notes which were mostly ignored.
50 Ways... 6 people in, which for a Sunday is fine. I knew 5 of them, which is lovely and made for a relaxed show. My mates are brilliant, was lovely to catch up.
Agreed with Izzy that Oscar Pike isn't strong enough, performance-wise, to go live, so we'll replace it with our own cabaret show instead to fill the slot.
Saturday 20th August 2016
Another changing of the guard, as Edd and Andy headed home to be replaced by the musical team for week 3.
Heavy rain again but amazing 24 people turned up - the venue holds 30 so it felt rammed. Performance was fast and manic, a girl cried half way through it because she was laughing so much. This feels awesome, this show. Very proud of myself.
I then took a little time out to myself, as it's been a crazy two weeks, so I had a nice dinner, did some souvenir shopping, that sort of thing.
Eventually half the musical team, Jo and Meg, turned up, and then I went and met up with Izzy to catch a show.
'50 Ways...' was good, 13 in at the start and then a bunch of idiots who walk in halfway through and disrupt things. I got a bit shouty at them. Got drunk with Izzy and panicked a bit about the Oscar Pike show...or more to the point, the lack of it right now.
Heavy rain again but amazing 24 people turned up - the venue holds 30 so it felt rammed. Performance was fast and manic, a girl cried half way through it because she was laughing so much. This feels awesome, this show. Very proud of myself.
I then took a little time out to myself, as it's been a crazy two weeks, so I had a nice dinner, did some souvenir shopping, that sort of thing.
Eventually half the musical team, Jo and Meg, turned up, and then I went and met up with Izzy to catch a show.
'50 Ways...' was good, 13 in at the start and then a bunch of idiots who walk in halfway through and disrupt things. I got a bit shouty at them. Got drunk with Izzy and panicked a bit about the Oscar Pike show...or more to the point, the lack of it right now.
Friday 19th August 2016
Heavy, heavy rain in Edinburgh so my plans to flyer excessively to get a crowd in backfired as nobody wanted a soggy piece of paper with my name on it.
Still; I had five in for 'Least of Your Problems.' 2 young people who loved it but who barely paid afterwards, 3 old people who didn't get it but paid me lots.
And then the final ever performance of 'Make or Break...' - tiny audience (4) who were nice but as this is a show that relies heavily on interaction it was a little flat at times. Performance was pretty good, I thought. This is a show that we've had a while, with 2 Edinburgh runs, a London residency and a UK tour so it's a good time to let it go...tonight it ended in a gentle sort of way, rather than a spectacular finale.
50 Ways... was great tonight; fast and shouty. It's the first time I've ever done a show on 4 pints. Just 6 people in, but 6 people who knew exactly what they were letting themselves in for. Great fun.
Still; I had five in for 'Least of Your Problems.' 2 young people who loved it but who barely paid afterwards, 3 old people who didn't get it but paid me lots.
And then the final ever performance of 'Make or Break...' - tiny audience (4) who were nice but as this is a show that relies heavily on interaction it was a little flat at times. Performance was pretty good, I thought. This is a show that we've had a while, with 2 Edinburgh runs, a London residency and a UK tour so it's a good time to let it go...tonight it ended in a gentle sort of way, rather than a spectacular finale.
50 Ways... was great tonight; fast and shouty. It's the first time I've ever done a show on 4 pints. Just 6 people in, but 6 people who knew exactly what they were letting themselves in for. Great fun.
Thursday 18th August 2016
Up early (despite typical fringe hangover) and off to perform at Comedy Tapas, which was fun enough. It's a nice show that, we're all doing the same set, every time, and it's a bit of an in-joke between us now that we can say word-for-word what our fellow performers are doing.
Got a message asking if I wanted to be a guest on the stage version of children's TV show, Get Your Own Back, so accepted, not really knowing what it was.
With that in the back of my mind, I was hoping for an easy solo show in the afternoon. Instead I had an audience of 3, who wanted to chat to me throughout the whole thing and I almost overran. It wasn't great today.
Then legged it over to the studios to meet the host, Dave Benson Phillips, and our fellow contestants. Felt like a big show, so Adam (my teammate) and I did what any 30-something but slightly jaded comedians would do and that's have a beer backstage. Suffice to say, we lost - our score was about 90 I think and the winning team got over 800 or something. We got gunged afterwards as our punishment but it's not as bad as it looks on the telly. Met Russell Howard backstage afterwards, seems like a nice chap.
I barely had a chance to wash after that as I had to dash to my next show, still in my gungy clothes. The audience tonight were quiet and didn't get what had just happened to me. It was a slow performance of 'Make or Break...' but not as intimidating as yesterday.
Got back, showered excessively and then performed '50 Ways..' to 2 people - both of whom were lovely. Best this show has ever looked. Needs an audience.
Got a message asking if I wanted to be a guest on the stage version of children's TV show, Get Your Own Back, so accepted, not really knowing what it was.
With that in the back of my mind, I was hoping for an easy solo show in the afternoon. Instead I had an audience of 3, who wanted to chat to me throughout the whole thing and I almost overran. It wasn't great today.
Then legged it over to the studios to meet the host, Dave Benson Phillips, and our fellow contestants. Felt like a big show, so Adam (my teammate) and I did what any 30-something but slightly jaded comedians would do and that's have a beer backstage. Suffice to say, we lost - our score was about 90 I think and the winning team got over 800 or something. We got gunged afterwards as our punishment but it's not as bad as it looks on the telly. Met Russell Howard backstage afterwards, seems like a nice chap.
I barely had a chance to wash after that as I had to dash to my next show, still in my gungy clothes. The audience tonight were quiet and didn't get what had just happened to me. It was a slow performance of 'Make or Break...' but not as intimidating as yesterday.
Got back, showered excessively and then performed '50 Ways..' to 2 people - both of whom were lovely. Best this show has ever looked. Needs an audience.
Wednesday 17th August 2016
Just really struggled to get anyone in to the first show of the day - I was up early and flyering but, as any fringe performer will tell you, there's a lot of people flyering and it often feels like more than the amount of potential audience members.
As a result, my audience for the first show of the day was 2...an old friend called Martyn who tends to catch my shows every year, and our guitarist for the Make or Break show, Andy. It was, as you can imagine, a relaxed show but the performance itself was still fine.
Went to see Spencer Jones see his show, it's utterly amazing and inspiring.
The Make or Break show was just weird tonight. Good turnout, but the front row just weren't into it at all. In fact, I was certain throughout the whole hour that the bloke in the front row was going to hit me. When I gave him the option of 2 songs he just mumbled, "scrap them all." Horrible show, which is a shame because the others in the room probably would have enjoyed it if it wasn't for the four at the front ruining it for everyone else.
My new comedy chum Adam had a no-show for his own show in the venue next door so we filmed his scenes for the fringe movie that I've been working on. It's great, this will be a winner.
'50 Ways...' was fine. Nothing more than fine; nice little crowd, sleepy vibes, quite sleepy performance. A random Italian man called it, "really, really lovely." And he's right - it is.
As a result, my audience for the first show of the day was 2...an old friend called Martyn who tends to catch my shows every year, and our guitarist for the Make or Break show, Andy. It was, as you can imagine, a relaxed show but the performance itself was still fine.
Went to see Spencer Jones see his show, it's utterly amazing and inspiring.
The Make or Break show was just weird tonight. Good turnout, but the front row just weren't into it at all. In fact, I was certain throughout the whole hour that the bloke in the front row was going to hit me. When I gave him the option of 2 songs he just mumbled, "scrap them all." Horrible show, which is a shame because the others in the room probably would have enjoyed it if it wasn't for the four at the front ruining it for everyone else.
My new comedy chum Adam had a no-show for his own show in the venue next door so we filmed his scenes for the fringe movie that I've been working on. It's great, this will be a winner.
'50 Ways...' was fine. Nothing more than fine; nice little crowd, sleepy vibes, quite sleepy performance. A random Italian man called it, "really, really lovely." And he's right - it is.
Tuesday, 23 August 2016
Tuesday 16th August 2016
Flyered quite hard today, but after all the fun of yesterday the 'Least of Your Problems...' show was just a bit flat. At one point it looked like the only audience member would be a girl called Fiona, who I naturally fancied a bit, but then 2 others walked in. Performance was the sloppiest it's been for a long time. The other two didn't speak English as a first language and I talk very fast so it's always a bit of a struggle.
Confirmed a book launch date for my novel, and also the venue for the Christmas musical.
4th performance of the Make or Break show was just superb tonight - the band were really on it, so was I. Audience were lovely, and I spent quite a bit of the show flirting with someone in the front row. The pacing was just good tonight. I'm proud of this show.
50 Ways...show 11. I enjoyed that a lot, I mean...*really* small audience for that room, 4 people, but a cracking 4. The audience were: 2 drummers, 1 person who saw the show last night but enjoyed it so much he came again this evening, and the girl who has seen EVERYTHING I've done over the last 4 years. Probably the weirdest moment of the fringe for me is when she bought a DVD at the end and then said, "can you sign it, and dedicate it to my mum as your shows make her so happy."
Confirmed a book launch date for my novel, and also the venue for the Christmas musical.
4th performance of the Make or Break show was just superb tonight - the band were really on it, so was I. Audience were lovely, and I spent quite a bit of the show flirting with someone in the front row. The pacing was just good tonight. I'm proud of this show.
50 Ways...show 11. I enjoyed that a lot, I mean...*really* small audience for that room, 4 people, but a cracking 4. The audience were: 2 drummers, 1 person who saw the show last night but enjoyed it so much he came again this evening, and the girl who has seen EVERYTHING I've done over the last 4 years. Probably the weirdest moment of the fringe for me is when she bought a DVD at the end and then said, "can you sign it, and dedicate it to my mum as your shows make her so happy."
Tuesday, 16 August 2016
Monday 15th August 2016
Treated myself to a bit more sleep than normal (still recovering from the Kat whisky session), and then did a bit of work on a film script.
Least of Your Problems was great today - 16 in, including old friends Ade and Nicola, the very lovely Matt who I did a show with last year, and an old school friend who I haven't seen since...school. Drunk heckler at the back but I dealt with him comfortably enough. Cracking show today.
Make or Break Mixtape was a joy, too. 6 turned up, but they were just so up for it, singing along, it's the first time the show has ever ran to it's full length. Gives me faith that this idea can actually work out after all.
And then '50 Ways...' was a cracker too. Just the 8 in, but 8 who were just so up for it. It's a niche show, but they knew exactly what they were letting themselves in for. Every audience member shook my head at the end - it was that kind of show.
Best fringe day in a long, long time, that one.
Least of Your Problems was great today - 16 in, including old friends Ade and Nicola, the very lovely Matt who I did a show with last year, and an old school friend who I haven't seen since...school. Drunk heckler at the back but I dealt with him comfortably enough. Cracking show today.
Make or Break Mixtape was a joy, too. 6 turned up, but they were just so up for it, singing along, it's the first time the show has ever ran to it's full length. Gives me faith that this idea can actually work out after all.
And then '50 Ways...' was a cracker too. Just the 8 in, but 8 who were just so up for it. It's a niche show, but they knew exactly what they were letting themselves in for. Every audience member shook my head at the end - it was that kind of show.
Best fringe day in a long, long time, that one.
Sunday 14th August 2016
A bit hungover. Understandably.
Dragged my hungover face down to Comedy Tapas. Back stage was hilarious - seriously, everyone was so hungover, we couldn't even make it to the chairs, everyone was just sat on the floor. But we all put on a good show, though - absolute stormer.
Least of Your Problems: audience of 3, my mate Rob, plus two people who have now seen me 4 years in a row, which kind of makes this all worthwhile.
Met up with Kat for a quick catch up before she goes back to London and we recorded a podcast in a swanky hotel in town. Will record a few more episodes of that with different people and then release them next week.
Make or Break... show 2. We know the show now, so typically hardly anyone turned up. 2 strangers, in fact, plus my mate Adam, and a pretty barmaid. Was fine, but we're ready to plug this now.
50 Ways... was just tired tonight. 7 in, nobody really enjoyed it but they were too polite to leave. That was a struggle.
Dragged my hungover face down to Comedy Tapas. Back stage was hilarious - seriously, everyone was so hungover, we couldn't even make it to the chairs, everyone was just sat on the floor. But we all put on a good show, though - absolute stormer.
Least of Your Problems: audience of 3, my mate Rob, plus two people who have now seen me 4 years in a row, which kind of makes this all worthwhile.
Met up with Kat for a quick catch up before she goes back to London and we recorded a podcast in a swanky hotel in town. Will record a few more episodes of that with different people and then release them next week.
Make or Break... show 2. We know the show now, so typically hardly anyone turned up. 2 strangers, in fact, plus my mate Adam, and a pretty barmaid. Was fine, but we're ready to plug this now.
50 Ways... was just tired tonight. 7 in, nobody really enjoyed it but they were too polite to leave. That was a struggle.
Saturday 13th August 2016
Did a spot of flyering, and then met up with Edd who had just arrived at the fringe. Spot of lunch, and then he kindly came along to 'Least of Your Problems...'
I had 8 in today, they seemed to enjoy it more than I did. I was flustered with the heat, it just felt like a bit of a battle.
Met up with Andy (our guitarist for the Make or Break run) and Rob (a mate) and then a quick look through the script ahead of tonight's show.
Make or Break... performance 1. We wanted a no-show, because we needed a rehearsal. Didn't promote it. 23 turned up. It was messy, we stumbled through it.
'50 Ways...' show was just annoying tonight. So many drunk people just staggering in, all of the time, interrupting my show and then being cocky about it. I lost it slightly and had a massive go at one of them, which helped but seriously....I hate weekend crowds.
Kat, an old friend who came to the show, joined us for drinks afterwards. Gradually everyone else drifted off, tired, but we're proper fringe types and suddenly it was 3.30am and we were drinking whisky in a lovely little late night bar.
I had 8 in today, they seemed to enjoy it more than I did. I was flustered with the heat, it just felt like a bit of a battle.
Met up with Andy (our guitarist for the Make or Break run) and Rob (a mate) and then a quick look through the script ahead of tonight's show.
Make or Break... performance 1. We wanted a no-show, because we needed a rehearsal. Didn't promote it. 23 turned up. It was messy, we stumbled through it.
'50 Ways...' show was just annoying tonight. So many drunk people just staggering in, all of the time, interrupting my show and then being cocky about it. I lost it slightly and had a massive go at one of them, which helped but seriously....I hate weekend crowds.
Kat, an old friend who came to the show, joined us for drinks afterwards. Gradually everyone else drifted off, tired, but we're proper fringe types and suddenly it was 3.30am and we were drinking whisky in a lovely little late night bar.
Friday 12th August 2016
16 years ago today I played my first ever gig as a drummer. It's still a night I remember well, and even though the band were (in retrospect) not great, it's life changing stuff.
Just the two shows today, which in the scale of things felt a bit like a day off. Did the whole of 'Least of Your Problems...' without caffeine - it was still bloody fast, though. Had a nice audience, 11 people in, it worked well.
Went to see a few other shows of varying quality, and met up with my new comedy pal, Friz and his friend to see a stand-up show.
50 Ways... well, it's a Friday crowd, isn't it? I had 17 in, but their drunken enthusiasm sometimes distracted from the subtle nature of the show. It was mostly the 3 ladies at the front, they were the most annoying. It was fine, especially financially, but I hate weekend crowds.
Just the two shows today, which in the scale of things felt a bit like a day off. Did the whole of 'Least of Your Problems...' without caffeine - it was still bloody fast, though. Had a nice audience, 11 people in, it worked well.
Went to see a few other shows of varying quality, and met up with my new comedy pal, Friz and his friend to see a stand-up show.
50 Ways... well, it's a Friday crowd, isn't it? I had 17 in, but their drunken enthusiasm sometimes distracted from the subtle nature of the show. It was mostly the 3 ladies at the front, they were the most annoying. It was fine, especially financially, but I hate weekend crowds.
Monday, 15 August 2016
Thursday 11th August 2016
Started the day by having what can only be described as an 'altercation' with a lady who runs a balloon stall.
6 people in for 'Least...' but it was by far the best this show has ever looked. Generous tips at the end.
Guest slot at Woody's show was lovely; 11 performers, 1 audience member but all very nice.
Legged it over to Nicky's 40th which was a nice hour or so.
Legged it to my venue for the '50 Ways...' show which was the best it's looked yet - helped by the fact that 3 of the audience were drummers. My laptop overheated midway through the show, and when it did kick back into life, Windows updates started - those attending sat and watched it with me, was painful. Afterwards an audience member offered me advice on breathing as she was worried about me. I'm fine.
6 people in for 'Least...' but it was by far the best this show has ever looked. Generous tips at the end.
Guest slot at Woody's show was lovely; 11 performers, 1 audience member but all very nice.
Legged it over to Nicky's 40th which was a nice hour or so.
Legged it to my venue for the '50 Ways...' show which was the best it's looked yet - helped by the fact that 3 of the audience were drummers. My laptop overheated midway through the show, and when it did kick back into life, Windows updates started - those attending sat and watched it with me, was painful. Afterwards an audience member offered me advice on breathing as she was worried about me. I'm fine.
Wednesday 10th August 2016
Absolutely cracking guest appearance in Comedy Tapas today - totally nailed my 3 and a half minutes, glad it was being filmed.
First struggle of the fringe with 'Least of Your Problems...' - it's a rainy Tuesday, looked like a no-show, the barman convinced 2 people to pop in, and a fellow performer chum made it up to 3. They were lovely, I got away with it.
Was asked to be a guest to read the Chilcot Enquiry. Lots of people, many of them comedians, are reading 10 minutes each. The whole enquiry is being filmed for the archives. A bizarre, but inspiring fringe moment.
'50 Ways...' was nice tonight, it was tight, the audience were into it in a quiet sort of way. Sold a few DVDs afterwards.
First struggle of the fringe with 'Least of Your Problems...' - it's a rainy Tuesday, looked like a no-show, the barman convinced 2 people to pop in, and a fellow performer chum made it up to 3. They were lovely, I got away with it.
Was asked to be a guest to read the Chilcot Enquiry. Lots of people, many of them comedians, are reading 10 minutes each. The whole enquiry is being filmed for the archives. A bizarre, but inspiring fringe moment.
'50 Ways...' was nice tonight, it was tight, the audience were into it in a quiet sort of way. Sold a few DVDs afterwards.
Tuesday 9th August 2016
Tiny crowd for 'Least of Your Problems' today - 5, but that's because all of the paid shows are on 2-4-1 tickets so much of the audience go to those instead. Saying that, my 5 were lovely, and very generous with their donations. Really slick today, this show is bloody awesome.
'50 Ways...' was lovely tonight, 17 of them in, a real sense of drunken enthusiasm to it. Got the show up to 51 minutes.
It's all coming together nicely.
'50 Ways...' was lovely tonight, 17 of them in, a real sense of drunken enthusiasm to it. Got the show up to 51 minutes.
It's all coming together nicely.
Monday 8th August 2016
Things with the band aren't looking positive; I'd be amazed if we make it beyond September. Huge shame, a certain pianist has a lot to answer for.
Got offered a guest slot on the Royal Mile, which I accepted and then just shouted to nobody for 6 minutes. Without amplification those slots are pointless and can damage my hungover voice.
'Least of Your Problems...' was lovely today; fast, slick. An audience of 9, which in a room that size still feels fine. Really enjoyed myself.
Went to watch Mr Swallow - amazing show, by far one of the best things I've ever seen at the fringe.
I thought it was a no-show for '50 Ways...' but it turns out my audience (all 11 of them) were just waiting politely outside. I was so fast tonight, 38 minutes actually. It's supposed to be a 60 minute show. Slow down, Richards.
Got offered a guest slot on the Royal Mile, which I accepted and then just shouted to nobody for 6 minutes. Without amplification those slots are pointless and can damage my hungover voice.
'Least of Your Problems...' was lovely today; fast, slick. An audience of 9, which in a room that size still feels fine. Really enjoyed myself.
Went to watch Mr Swallow - amazing show, by far one of the best things I've ever seen at the fringe.
I thought it was a no-show for '50 Ways...' but it turns out my audience (all 11 of them) were just waiting politely outside. I was so fast tonight, 38 minutes actually. It's supposed to be a 60 minute show. Slow down, Richards.
Sunday 7th August 2016
A much smaller crowd for 'Least....' today, but I didn't mind - I'm still finding my fringe feet here. Tried it as a PowerPoint show and it works really well, I just need to get comfortable with it now.
Did a spot of busking with Matt and Guilliuame, and then we had a nice dinner.
Guest slot in Thom's show was great fun, and then the evening performance of '50 Ways...' (freshly tweaked from yesterday's shaky opener) was much better. Needs a few more days to settle, but the concept is lovely - this can work out.
Saturday 6th August 2016
Started the day unsure if my venue for the 'Least of Your Problems...' show was actually ready for performance. Turns out they finished building it at 2am, true fringe style.
Early guest appearance at Comedy Tapas; it was rammed, it felt like a pressure gig, but I did okay.
Flyered for a bit, still slightly flagging from the drive the night before. First performance 'Least...' was messy. 17 turned up, it felt rammed in there (capacity is 25). Nobody could see my flipchart thing which lost a lot of the appeal, and the new boombox kept skipping. External noise from the main venue a bit of a distraction. A hot, flustered performance.
Got back and rewrote the show to be a PowerPoint show, having noticed that the venue has a big screen I can use. Also dropped the idea of using a boombox and am now doing all the music from my mobile. This is worryingly technical for me.
Even more worryingly technical was the '50 Ways...' show, where I am performing the stage version every night in a small cinema room. The guys at the venue are great with their technical help, I appreciated it a lot. Didn't plug this as I saw the first performance as very much a dress rehearsal but still had a handful of people in. It was fine, if a bit sloppy. This show needs work.
Early guest appearance at Comedy Tapas; it was rammed, it felt like a pressure gig, but I did okay.
Flyered for a bit, still slightly flagging from the drive the night before. First performance 'Least...' was messy. 17 turned up, it felt rammed in there (capacity is 25). Nobody could see my flipchart thing which lost a lot of the appeal, and the new boombox kept skipping. External noise from the main venue a bit of a distraction. A hot, flustered performance.
Got back and rewrote the show to be a PowerPoint show, having noticed that the venue has a big screen I can use. Also dropped the idea of using a boombox and am now doing all the music from my mobile. This is worryingly technical for me.
Even more worryingly technical was the '50 Ways...' show, where I am performing the stage version every night in a small cinema room. The guys at the venue are great with their technical help, I appreciated it a lot. Didn't plug this as I saw the first performance as very much a dress rehearsal but still had a handful of people in. It was fine, if a bit sloppy. This show needs work.
Friday 5th August 2016
Up worryingly early, swung by to give Mum a surprise present (a toaster, because that's the sort of son I am), and then the 9 hour drive to Edinburgh. Just how did my car get me to Edinburgh? And so...comfortably, too. That car is amazing. It has everything wrong with it, but somehow still never lets me down.
Was at the flat by 7pm, met my housemate for the first week, the very lovely Amy, and then went to do my tech. Got lost, didn't make it to the tech in time, will just have to wing it tomorrow. Slightly worrying.
Matt arrived from Bristol, great to catch up, first beers of the fringe at the Courtyard. Let's do this!
Was at the flat by 7pm, met my housemate for the first week, the very lovely Amy, and then went to do my tech. Got lost, didn't make it to the tech in time, will just have to wing it tomorrow. Slightly worrying.
Matt arrived from Bristol, great to catch up, first beers of the fringe at the Courtyard. Let's do this!
Thursday 4th August 2016
Final day in the office before all things Edinburgh kick in. They seem to like what I'm doing for them there; we all know the current project hasn't worked out so we're leaving it there but they have more stuff for me to do when I'm back. Always a bit uncertain being a freelancer, but I think we all enjoy the flexibility of it.
Evening I had my final, final preview of 'Least of Your Problems...' in Cambridge, followed by another look at the Oscar P show. Was being filmed for local TV tonight, I really, really needed an audience for this so I plugged it extensively. Had a lot of promises, but only 4 turned up. Didn't look great for the cameras. I'm totally, 100% done with Cambridge now - there is no point in me doing shows here anymore. Let's be honest, if the band splits (still up in the air) there's nothing keeping me in Cambridgeshire at all now.
Evening I had my final, final preview of 'Least of Your Problems...' in Cambridge, followed by another look at the Oscar P show. Was being filmed for local TV tonight, I really, really needed an audience for this so I plugged it extensively. Had a lot of promises, but only 4 turned up. Didn't look great for the cameras. I'm totally, 100% done with Cambridge now - there is no point in me doing shows here anymore. Let's be honest, if the band splits (still up in the air) there's nothing keeping me in Cambridgeshire at all now.
Wednesday, 10 August 2016
Wednesday 3rd August 2016
Okay, so that's EVERY email scheduled, that I'll ever need to send again. Solo tours scheduled for next February, April and June. Websites built for those projects.
Did a little freelancing, starting packing for Edinburgh. I am super organised. Apart from learning my lines for the Oscar show.
Everything feels roughly in shape, I just need to slow down a bit because I'm doing far too much at the moment and am about to enter the most exhausting 3 weeks of my life.
Did a little freelancing, starting packing for Edinburgh. I am super organised. Apart from learning my lines for the Oscar show.
Everything feels roughly in shape, I just need to slow down a bit because I'm doing far too much at the moment and am about to enter the most exhausting 3 weeks of my life.
Tuesday, 9 August 2016
Tuesday 2nd August 2016
A bit more freelancing. Took Mum shopping - the last time I'll see her for a month. Not sure how she'll cope with me being away for so long but she will, she'll get taxis or something.
Then off for a public rehearsal of the Oscar show with Izzy - we hired a venue but due to the lack of time to learn the lines we decided not to advertise it and just use the space as a rehearsal instead. My mate Marcus still turned up, like the legend he is. I also ran the live version of '50 Ways...' and it's taking shape nicely. Oscar needs more work, and we don't have any time to do so whatsoever. Bugger.
Then off for a public rehearsal of the Oscar show with Izzy - we hired a venue but due to the lack of time to learn the lines we decided not to advertise it and just use the space as a rehearsal instead. My mate Marcus still turned up, like the legend he is. I also ran the live version of '50 Ways...' and it's taking shape nicely. Oscar needs more work, and we don't have any time to do so whatsoever. Bugger.
Monday 1st August 2016
Week of the fringe! Minor panic...just generally. There always feels like there's something I haven't done yet, but that's mostly because I'm plotting next years stuff/the future quite intensively right now.
Assuming the band will split, I built a whole new site to advertise my drum services, and then I also finished building the websites for my other 2 new projects next year which actually combine drums and comedy. This is what I should have been doing years ago.
Freelanced a bit, helps pay for the very expensive 3 weeks ahead.
Rehearsal with Jo and Claudia for the musical was nice enough, mostly chatting to be honest - it's the last time before Edinburgh that I'll see them, A lot of work needs to be done with the musical but they're getting there, feels weird to be handing it over now.
Assuming the band will split, I built a whole new site to advertise my drum services, and then I also finished building the websites for my other 2 new projects next year which actually combine drums and comedy. This is what I should have been doing years ago.
Freelanced a bit, helps pay for the very expensive 3 weeks ahead.
Rehearsal with Jo and Claudia for the musical was nice enough, mostly chatting to be honest - it's the last time before Edinburgh that I'll see them, A lot of work needs to be done with the musical but they're getting there, feels weird to be handing it over now.
Wednesday, 3 August 2016
Sunday 31st July 2016
Fringe is really close now. Got mildly exited by the gig yesterday because I felt we were onto something, but the messages received since haven't quite been so positive. Not sure if we'll last beyond September...
With my solo show in Birmingham mutually cancelled by myself and the venue because of disappointing (none) ticket sales, I spent the day building 'Brand Richards' for next year....websites built for all new 4 projects and 931 emails composed for February-June touring.
And then I got back to trying to learn my lines for Tuesday's show...
With my solo show in Birmingham mutually cancelled by myself and the venue because of disappointing (none) ticket sales, I spent the day building 'Brand Richards' for next year....websites built for all new 4 projects and 931 emails composed for February-June touring.
And then I got back to trying to learn my lines for Tuesday's show...
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