Bank Holiday Monday, so like the legendary son I am, I took Mum (and sis, and the dog) to the seaside for the day. Didn't start well when the dog bit me on the foot, but it all calmed down after that.
Humid, slightly draining day but everyone seems happy enough. Rosie (the dog) tried to attack two other mongrels but I successfully managed to keep at her at bay.
Got back and found a way of making the Steph scenes louder (found a really useful website) so all of those scenes are processing now. I'll re-edit the whole lot together again this week when I have a spare moment. Okay, maybe next week, then.
Monday, 29 May 2017
Sunday 28th May 2017
Treated myself to some actual sleep, and then planned to spend the whole day editing the Will sitcom together. Which I did do, kind of. I mean, I totally did, but 10 hours later on watching it back there's some real volume issues on the Steph scenes.
I'll find a way to fix these, I don't think today has been totally wasted but...well, it's all a learning curve, isn't it? Quietly proud, though, because the old Paul Richards would have let this go.
I'll find a way to fix these, I don't think today has been totally wasted but...well, it's all a learning curve, isn't it? Quietly proud, though, because the old Paul Richards would have let this go.
Saturday 27th May 2017
Woke up on Vix's couch, not entirely sure how I got there. Head spinning so had to hang around for a bit until I was 'well' enough to head home.
Got back, moped around for a bit, moaned about my hangover to whoever would listen and eventually made the 3 hour journey up to Alton. Odd show tonight, solo, 90 minute thing. Village shows are starting to concern me a bit; every gig in a city I've done recently has worked, but village audiences are just a bit, well, trickier. It was fine tonight, audience of 9. It was 7 at the start, but it was the couple who walked in after 15 minutes that really saved me. Up to that point it all felt a bit uncertain; I was fast, shouty, they were...scared of me. But the couple who walked in just got on board straight away and then everyone else seemed to be onside too. By the end of the show we all had a good time, shame it just took a while to get there.
Long-ish drive home, home by 12.30am, just about broke even.
Got back, moped around for a bit, moaned about my hangover to whoever would listen and eventually made the 3 hour journey up to Alton. Odd show tonight, solo, 90 minute thing. Village shows are starting to concern me a bit; every gig in a city I've done recently has worked, but village audiences are just a bit, well, trickier. It was fine tonight, audience of 9. It was 7 at the start, but it was the couple who walked in after 15 minutes that really saved me. Up to that point it all felt a bit uncertain; I was fast, shouty, they were...scared of me. But the couple who walked in just got on board straight away and then everyone else seemed to be onside too. By the end of the show we all had a good time, shame it just took a while to get there.
Long-ish drive home, home by 12.30am, just about broke even.
Friday 26th May 2017
Up early, over to Steph's house to film her scenes for the Will sitcom. Great actress, fun to shoot (with my good friend Rishi on camera duty), took a bit longer than I was expecting as she's one of those perfectionist types but mustn't grumble really.
Got back, replied to tour emails, other gig emails and generally got annoyed by the hot weather.
Evening met up with good friends for post-birthday beers. Lots of friends, too many beers. So, so many. Seriously. The end was a bit of a blur.
Got back, replied to tour emails, other gig emails and generally got annoyed by the hot weather.
Evening met up with good friends for post-birthday beers. Lots of friends, too many beers. So, so many. Seriously. The end was a bit of a blur.
Thursday 25th May 2017
In the office for a bit, managed to break the thing that I thought I'd fixed the other day, the usual. Nice to have a rare catch up with the boss.
Quietly happy with the way the projects are coming together at the moment, but still have a few niggly gaps in my schedule - both before and during the fringe. Which is dangerous, because this is normally how I end up with more fringe shows...
With everything seemingly in place for at least a day or so, I enjoyed the gig with Claudia tonight. I mean, there was nobody there (6 people?) but it felt informal, I got a paid a little bit, the food was nice and it just felt like a bit of a social.
Thursday, 25 May 2017
Wednesday 24th May 2017
Birthday. 36. How did that happen? Have I achieved enough in life? All the usual questions.
Actually, it was nice enough, though. I mean - I've got a LOT of friends, and my phone was buzzing all day with people sending me nice messages to the extent I actually turned it off for a couple of hours in the afternoon.
Spent the day at Mum's, nice to stop for a bit, Angela came over too. We ate well and the dog bit me lots of time. Started making notes for a new novel called 'Attic Boy' which is taking shape nicely.
36; these are the twelve months I'll get it right.
Actually, it was nice enough, though. I mean - I've got a LOT of friends, and my phone was buzzing all day with people sending me nice messages to the extent I actually turned it off for a couple of hours in the afternoon.
Spent the day at Mum's, nice to stop for a bit, Angela came over too. We ate well and the dog bit me lots of time. Started making notes for a new novel called 'Attic Boy' which is taking shape nicely.
36; these are the twelve months I'll get it right.
Tuesday 23rd May 2017
Up really early (for me) (okay, it was about 7am) and straight into a really brilliant meeting with Monika - lots of nice things were decided and I suddenly feel refreshed/excited about everything. There's always so many opportunities, isn't there? Just generally. I feel quite happy.
Whilst I was in the area it made sense to pop into the office for a bit and get some stuff done. Left at 2pm to film my solo bits for the 'Will' sitcom, which is coming together nicely even if that took bloody hours.
Suddenly it was the evening, an evening pretty much spent booking a September tour.
Whilst I was in the area it made sense to pop into the office for a bit and get some stuff done. Left at 2pm to film my solo bits for the 'Will' sitcom, which is coming together nicely even if that took bloody hours.
Suddenly it was the evening, an evening pretty much spent booking a September tour.
Monday, 22 May 2017
Monday 22nd May 2017
Decided to get a full day in of freelancing, mostly because my windscreen is getting worse (this hot weather isn't good for it at all) so I'm going to have to fork out a bit this week to get that fixed. Nobody else was in the office and, although I got stuff done, I pretty much hit a brick wall with it (as stuff kept failing) so I'll look at it again tomorrow.
Spent the rest of the day working on the Boat Opera scripts, only for the leading lady to pull out of the show. This is why I don't bother, sometimes.
Spent the rest of the day working on the Boat Opera scripts, only for the leading lady to pull out of the show. This is why I don't bother, sometimes.
Sunday, 21 May 2017
Saturday 20th May 2017
Bit of a lie-in, bit of work on the Boat Opera script and then off to meet up with Matt, Sally and Rob to celebrate Matt's birthday in Cambridge. Lovely afternoon full of great conversation in great company...this is how it should be every week.
Simple drive over to a small village to host, and then perform a full set. I was under the impression it was in a village hall, but on arrival it turns out it was a working men's club. Naturally I was a little apprehensive but several things worked in my favour: my good friend Paul was turning up as a punter anyway and - although I was happy to do the show unamplified - he insisted we use a PA (and he's into this sort of thing for his living) and the volume helped assert our authority, the lady who booked us (Polly) is awesome - her enthusiasm just helped a lot, and also, perhaps most importantly, the audience were just really attentive.
I hosted the first half with Adam, Ruth and Matt all being great and then we had a special guest. The legendary Mr PBH himself turned up midway through the first act as an audience member (he just wanted to get out of London for a bit and saw my post on Facebook so thought he'd show his support) so I managed to get him onstage for a brilliant 10 minute spot. This was at a point when the room needed waking up a bit, it was all very polite but on the verge of feeling quite tired; Peter totally stormed it and was really in their faces. It's all stuff I've seen him do before but they're all classics. The only problem being he went down so well, I found it hard to follow that. I did, it was fine, but you could just feel the tempo in the room drop a little. Still, went down well enough and the promoter was thrilled. A good night, that probably shouldn't have worked.
Simple drive over to a small village to host, and then perform a full set. I was under the impression it was in a village hall, but on arrival it turns out it was a working men's club. Naturally I was a little apprehensive but several things worked in my favour: my good friend Paul was turning up as a punter anyway and - although I was happy to do the show unamplified - he insisted we use a PA (and he's into this sort of thing for his living) and the volume helped assert our authority, the lady who booked us (Polly) is awesome - her enthusiasm just helped a lot, and also, perhaps most importantly, the audience were just really attentive.
I hosted the first half with Adam, Ruth and Matt all being great and then we had a special guest. The legendary Mr PBH himself turned up midway through the first act as an audience member (he just wanted to get out of London for a bit and saw my post on Facebook so thought he'd show his support) so I managed to get him onstage for a brilliant 10 minute spot. This was at a point when the room needed waking up a bit, it was all very polite but on the verge of feeling quite tired; Peter totally stormed it and was really in their faces. It's all stuff I've seen him do before but they're all classics. The only problem being he went down so well, I found it hard to follow that. I did, it was fine, but you could just feel the tempo in the room drop a little. Still, went down well enough and the promoter was thrilled. A good night, that probably shouldn't have worked.
Friday 19th May 2017
Up early, replied to more gig emails (Ireland tour is coming together nicely) and then over to help Griff move house. Lovely place he's got, you get a lot for your money in Bedford...
Then the long drive up to Nantwich for a full solo show. 4 hours to get there but in this car I just feel so relaxed...good tunes, easy enough trip.
As I'd sold out in the original space they moved me over to a nightclub venue instead (as agreed on Wednesday). This was great because it was more people, meaning more revenue for both the promoter and performer, but this is a show that has always worked best in smaller rooms.
It wasn't bad at all tonight; some of the older people at the back struggled with both the volume and the speed in which I talk (I was very fast tonight, need to slow down, a lot) but there was a lot of people who were really into it. The venue were very happy, calling my show "wonderful" in a follow-up email and they just looked after me so well. It was an actual pleasure to be there.
Drive home less of a pleasure as they seemed to close every road I needed to be on. Should have been a simple 2 and a half hours back, took nearly 5.
Then the long drive up to Nantwich for a full solo show. 4 hours to get there but in this car I just feel so relaxed...good tunes, easy enough trip.
As I'd sold out in the original space they moved me over to a nightclub venue instead (as agreed on Wednesday). This was great because it was more people, meaning more revenue for both the promoter and performer, but this is a show that has always worked best in smaller rooms.
It wasn't bad at all tonight; some of the older people at the back struggled with both the volume and the speed in which I talk (I was very fast tonight, need to slow down, a lot) but there was a lot of people who were really into it. The venue were very happy, calling my show "wonderful" in a follow-up email and they just looked after me so well. It was an actual pleasure to be there.
Drive home less of a pleasure as they seemed to close every road I needed to be on. Should have been a simple 2 and a half hours back, took nearly 5.
Thursday 18th May 2017
Met up with my comedy agent/management in the morning, nice to catch up and agreed to a six-night run of a Christmas show. I won't be doing my own festive show this year for the first time in many years, but will be hosting these shows for them.
Then over to the office for a bit, nobody else was in but nice to get stuff done anyway.
Structured the 'Will' novel, which follows along a similar path to the stage version. The sitcom version is very different but I like it all the same, just need to get it finished and getting slightly frustrated by the availability of others. It'll happen, though. Soonish.
Evening met up with Adz, Lachy and Edd to start rehearsing the Britpop covers band. First session, it'll take a while to get this together but I can see us gigging, and making money out of this, by Christmas.
Thursday, 18 May 2017
Wednesday 17th May 2017
Spent the morning working on the 'Will...' stage show and generally getting quite excited about it all.
Venue for my stand-up show on Friday has now been changed, due to excessive ticket sales so I've been transferred to a bigger room. I've never been to Nantwich before, have no idea why it's selling so well.
In the afternoon I popped back to St Ives and took Mum for her weekly food shop, so generally spent a lot of time writing ideas into a notepad. Those notepads of mine are bulging now!
Then over to first rehearsal this year with the choir band. Lovely to be back and catch up with Andrea, Dave and Ryan - great tunes, great playing, great people.
Venue for my stand-up show on Friday has now been changed, due to excessive ticket sales so I've been transferred to a bigger room. I've never been to Nantwich before, have no idea why it's selling so well.
In the afternoon I popped back to St Ives and took Mum for her weekly food shop, so generally spent a lot of time writing ideas into a notepad. Those notepads of mine are bulging now!
Then over to first rehearsal this year with the choir band. Lovely to be back and catch up with Andrea, Dave and Ryan - great tunes, great playing, great people.
Tuesday, 16 May 2017
Tuesday 16th May 2017
Popped into the office for a bit, got some stuff done. The murder mystery show feels very in the balance at the moment after *that* night a few weeks back, so looks like I may have a few gaps in my schedule coming up...they need filling, quickly.
Have been thinking long and hard about what I want to achieve with the whole 'Will...' character, and I've realised - it can be totally whatever I want it to be. I've struggled to find a fringe actress for this one (I've had offers from a few willing to come up but let's be honest - it's on at midday in a venue nobody can find, I'd hate to drag someone through that for 3 weeks), but then I had a masterstroke of how it can work as a solo show...I'm really, really excited about it now. I nearly jumped out of my chair with happiness when it all clicked, and this can be what I want it to be.
Spent a bit of time working out structure the of the live version, whilst waiting patiently for the actress to get back to me about filming for next week. The sitcom version is dragging on longer than I'd like, but it's not even been 2 weeks. Calm down, Richards.
Evening had a professional stand-up gig in Cambridge. A lovely evening; it sounds obvious but I like these 'professional' gigs, a lot more than the new material/open-mic shows where I try out new bits.
True, so I have to play it very safe and do my 'tight ten' but the attitude is just different. For example, as the audience have paid (a tenner?) to get in they want to enjoy it more, they have invested in it. As performers it's really, really different too - unlike some other comedy shows I've been to, with the proper professional gigs all of the comics support each other from the side during our sets, and before/after in the small cupboard of a dressing room. We all know our ten minutes is good, we don't have to worry about that, there's a sense that comedians support other comedians no matter what - we're all on the same team. There was a lot of handshakes and hi-fives tonight, I feel totally accepted around these people.
It's a joyous thing, I've only done three of these this year but they're the easiest gigs in the world; they sell out, they pay well, you get food, you get drink, you make friends with other people who are totally as insecure as you are. It's all rather wonderful. Went down a storm and barely broke into a sweat. Great night, that was.
Have been thinking long and hard about what I want to achieve with the whole 'Will...' character, and I've realised - it can be totally whatever I want it to be. I've struggled to find a fringe actress for this one (I've had offers from a few willing to come up but let's be honest - it's on at midday in a venue nobody can find, I'd hate to drag someone through that for 3 weeks), but then I had a masterstroke of how it can work as a solo show...I'm really, really excited about it now. I nearly jumped out of my chair with happiness when it all clicked, and this can be what I want it to be.
Spent a bit of time working out structure the of the live version, whilst waiting patiently for the actress to get back to me about filming for next week. The sitcom version is dragging on longer than I'd like, but it's not even been 2 weeks. Calm down, Richards.
Evening had a professional stand-up gig in Cambridge. A lovely evening; it sounds obvious but I like these 'professional' gigs, a lot more than the new material/open-mic shows where I try out new bits.
True, so I have to play it very safe and do my 'tight ten' but the attitude is just different. For example, as the audience have paid (a tenner?) to get in they want to enjoy it more, they have invested in it. As performers it's really, really different too - unlike some other comedy shows I've been to, with the proper professional gigs all of the comics support each other from the side during our sets, and before/after in the small cupboard of a dressing room. We all know our ten minutes is good, we don't have to worry about that, there's a sense that comedians support other comedians no matter what - we're all on the same team. There was a lot of handshakes and hi-fives tonight, I feel totally accepted around these people.
It's a joyous thing, I've only done three of these this year but they're the easiest gigs in the world; they sell out, they pay well, you get food, you get drink, you make friends with other people who are totally as insecure as you are. It's all rather wonderful. Went down a storm and barely broke into a sweat. Great night, that was.
Monday 15th May 2017
Really want to get the 'Will' sitcom finished - made such great progress last week, but a certain actress is now struggling for time and it's delaying things a bit. Could replace her? No, I can't keep doing that...I cast her in this for a reason.
A productive morning at least, finished, edited and rewrote large chunks of my '64' sitcom script and sent it over to the powers that be. Next stop: totally forget about it and maybe come back to it after the fringe. It's a goodun, though.
Replied to a few gig emails and stuff generally seems to be in quite good shape.
Then did some freelance stuff at home from 4pm-11pm, which makes things a bit easier for when I'm not about on Wednesday/Friday this week.
Made the mistake of reading my old diary from 2014. 3 years ago today it was a particularly stressful one when my dad was given 3 days to live. Amazingly, his operation was a success and he lasted another year and a half, but I remember the stress that day of just pacing around the house, waiting for 'that' call. At the very same time I was having to move house as my landlord was selling up, I'd just been dumped and was about to be made redundant. Things aren't so bad now, are they? A few wobbles here and there, but I've got a lot to be grateful for. It does make me realise though that I was mega stressed then, and I haven't actually stopped since. I need to book some time out soon, I think.
A productive morning at least, finished, edited and rewrote large chunks of my '64' sitcom script and sent it over to the powers that be. Next stop: totally forget about it and maybe come back to it after the fringe. It's a goodun, though.
Replied to a few gig emails and stuff generally seems to be in quite good shape.
Then did some freelance stuff at home from 4pm-11pm, which makes things a bit easier for when I'm not about on Wednesday/Friday this week.
Made the mistake of reading my old diary from 2014. 3 years ago today it was a particularly stressful one when my dad was given 3 days to live. Amazingly, his operation was a success and he lasted another year and a half, but I remember the stress that day of just pacing around the house, waiting for 'that' call. At the very same time I was having to move house as my landlord was selling up, I'd just been dumped and was about to be made redundant. Things aren't so bad now, are they? A few wobbles here and there, but I've got a lot to be grateful for. It does make me realise though that I was mega stressed then, and I haven't actually stopped since. I need to book some time out soon, I think.
Monday, 15 May 2017
Sunday 14th May 2017
Up early, nearly finished the final scene of the sitcom. Replied to a couple of emails and then off to pick up Mum, sis and the dog and took them to a music festival where we were playing with the band.
Typically, the dog was attacking everyone. Luckily, I had to be backstage whilst this was happening as drums and stuff needed to be set up. Cracking big stage, nice big audience, we played a blinder today - totally on top form. Mum enjoyed it too, once the dog had warn herself out.
Got back and rewrote bits of the sitcom so that the final scene makes sense. I'm really proud of this one; it feels like it's a good half hour of anyone's time.
Typically, the dog was attacking everyone. Luckily, I had to be backstage whilst this was happening as drums and stuff needed to be set up. Cracking big stage, nice big audience, we played a blinder today - totally on top form. Mum enjoyed it too, once the dog had warn herself out.
Got back and rewrote bits of the sitcom so that the final scene makes sense. I'm really proud of this one; it feels like it's a good half hour of anyone's time.
Saturday 13th May 2017
Up early to crack on with the script, and then over to the studio for a quick 3 hour rehearsal with the band - basically brushing up our wedding set.
From there, we all went off to, well, a wedding gig. A wedding for an old friend of mine, nice posh venue. The staff weren't the nicest; they seem to panic at the sight of a full band walking in and constantly made things difficult for us. I'll be leaving them a shit review on TripAdvisor for sure.
For a wedding gig, though, it was great. Normally audiences take a bit of persuading but they were up for it pretty much instantly and the set worked a treat. My favourite moment was when one of the staff complained about the volume. Next song on the set? Sweet Child O' Mine.
Glorious stuff.
From there, we all went off to, well, a wedding gig. A wedding for an old friend of mine, nice posh venue. The staff weren't the nicest; they seem to panic at the sight of a full band walking in and constantly made things difficult for us. I'll be leaving them a shit review on TripAdvisor for sure.
For a wedding gig, though, it was great. Normally audiences take a bit of persuading but they were up for it pretty much instantly and the set worked a treat. My favourite moment was when one of the staff complained about the volume. Next song on the set? Sweet Child O' Mine.
Glorious stuff.
Friday 12th May 2017
Up early to send out all posters and stuff to the venues for the forthcoming solo tour, forgot to put in the cover letter but you know...it's a big picture of my face, I'm sure they get what the posters are for.
Made more progress on the sitcom script for that 5pm, Monday deadline.
Met up with the band in the middle of the afternoon and off to Wokingham for a joint-headline slot with another band who were basically just an older version of us. Long delays before soundcheck and we got a little stressed, and the kit I had to play was a struggle at times. Good gig, though, in a cracking theatre space. I always love playing arts centres; the sound is always nice and the dressing rooms excessive. We sold a lot of albums tonight.
Long trip home, Wokingham is a bit further way than I thought.
Made more progress on the sitcom script for that 5pm, Monday deadline.
Met up with the band in the middle of the afternoon and off to Wokingham for a joint-headline slot with another band who were basically just an older version of us. Long delays before soundcheck and we got a little stressed, and the kit I had to play was a struggle at times. Good gig, though, in a cracking theatre space. I always love playing arts centres; the sound is always nice and the dressing rooms excessive. We sold a lot of albums tonight.
Long trip home, Wokingham is a bit further way than I thought.
Thursday 11th May 2017
Steph was double booked so the filming with her has been delayed for a few days. Instead I popped into the office for a bit.
Worked really hard today on the freelance stuff; felt healthy to turn off all emails/social media for many hours and crack on with it. It helped that the boss was back in, and with a little more direction I kinda worked with a bit more confidence.
Suddenly so much to do, though, as everything non-freelance is building up around it. The admin for the June solo tour needs looking at, press releases etc and there's a sitcom writing competition that I really need to nailing the script for...got home and spent 6 hours working on that. I'll be rubbish in the morning, I predict, but already this one feels like it's a cracker.
Worked really hard today on the freelance stuff; felt healthy to turn off all emails/social media for many hours and crack on with it. It helped that the boss was back in, and with a little more direction I kinda worked with a bit more confidence.
Suddenly so much to do, though, as everything non-freelance is building up around it. The admin for the June solo tour needs looking at, press releases etc and there's a sitcom writing competition that I really need to nailing the script for...got home and spent 6 hours working on that. I'll be rubbish in the morning, I predict, but already this one feels like it's a cracker.
Wednesday, 10 May 2017
Wednesday 10th May 2017
Some feedback has come in for the freelance stuff I've been working on which is cool, meaning I now have a clear direction for the next few weeks...and a lot of work to do. Which is great, obviously, because I've still got a cracked windscreen and bills and stuff, but I'm really busy with the creative, fun stuff at the moment. Actually not enough hours in the day, is there?
Did some editing of the scripts, had a few email chats with a few venues and then met up with Steph to discuss her part for the Will sitcom. Her dog is amazing. Then off to Cambridge to film the scenes with Emma, with Rob filming...took ages but there's a lot of scenes there, and it's looking great. Rob also had a cameo in it, and then so did Edd when I got back - he makes a remarkably good jazz bouncer.
Gigs are coming in aplenty, back to one clash - I was on zero for a while. Naughty Richards.
Did some editing of the scripts, had a few email chats with a few venues and then met up with Steph to discuss her part for the Will sitcom. Her dog is amazing. Then off to Cambridge to film the scenes with Emma, with Rob filming...took ages but there's a lot of scenes there, and it's looking great. Rob also had a cameo in it, and then so did Edd when I got back - he makes a remarkably good jazz bouncer.
Gigs are coming in aplenty, back to one clash - I was on zero for a while. Naughty Richards.
Tuesday 9th May 2017
Mum's shopping day so as always a lot of time sat in Waitrose car park writing ideas into a notepad. I really want to build this 'Will' brand more, so did quite a bit of work on the novel version of the sitcom/stage-show. This can all be launched quite soon.
In the evening myself, Charlotte, James, Rishi and Marcel filmed the band scenes for the sitcom version. We put an appeal out for extras but only one person turned up...weirdly, this seemed to totally work in our favour as the footage looks hilarious!
Fun night, this is happening and it's all good.
In the evening myself, Charlotte, James, Rishi and Marcel filmed the band scenes for the sitcom version. We put an appeal out for extras but only one person turned up...weirdly, this seemed to totally work in our favour as the footage looks hilarious!
Fun night, this is happening and it's all good.
Monday 8th May 2017
In the office for a bit, got some freelancing done but not too sure what I'm supposed to be doing this week in all honesty.
Really happy that both Sweden and Denmark are now confirmed - the one man and a box thing is working out really well.
Got back and then met up with Marcel for grub and to chat about the direction of our various collaborations before I spent the rest of the evening re-writing the Will scripts and working on my '64' radio sitcom.
Really happy that both Sweden and Denmark are now confirmed - the one man and a box thing is working out really well.
Got back and then met up with Marcel for grub and to chat about the direction of our various collaborations before I spent the rest of the evening re-writing the Will scripts and working on my '64' radio sitcom.
Sunday 7th May 2017
Still stressed by Friday. Anyway, today was nice - long trip to Sussex with the band, corporate gig - we were booked to play a classic car festival. As always for these things, we were mostly ignored; background music stuff but the food was good, as was the money and we're playing okay at the moment.
Long, slightly draining trip home. I actually love being in this band.
Long, slightly draining trip home. I actually love being in this band.
Saturday 6th May 2017
Woke up to a nasty email from the venue. I'm not sure what else we could have done last night, and I'm not sure what else I can say on this blog about it.
Met up with Charlotte for an early morning coffee, and then off to say hello to Mum for a bit whilst picking up tour posters from Rich.
Picked up Griff and then drove us to Bromsgrove for our joint show; he did 45 minutes of music, I did 45 of stand-up. After the stress of last night, this was a total joy - back in my comfort zone, easy show in front of a nice crowd. Back in the game and home by midnight!
Met up with Charlotte for an early morning coffee, and then off to say hello to Mum for a bit whilst picking up tour posters from Rich.
Picked up Griff and then drove us to Bromsgrove for our joint show; he did 45 minutes of music, I did 45 of stand-up. After the stress of last night, this was a total joy - back in my comfort zone, easy show in front of a nice crowd. Back in the game and home by midnight!
Friday 5th May 2017
Did a spot of freelancing from home, before looking at my script again ahead of the evening's big show.
We arrived at the venue at 4.30pm, as agreed, only for the venue themselves to tell us we couldn't get in and had to wait outside in the van for another hour. Soundchecks were then stressful, and limited, as the venue decided to let the audience in whilst we were still in preparations; this show meant we had to bring our own (very large) PA, there's 5 musicians on stage, quite a few pre-records...it's a complex show. The venue insisted on the show starting, it did, a few of the back row couldn't hear what was going on. There was complaints, just a couple but enough for there to be a bad taste.
Those who could hear it loved it, but this could have been a lot easier.
We arrived at the venue at 4.30pm, as agreed, only for the venue themselves to tell us we couldn't get in and had to wait outside in the van for another hour. Soundchecks were then stressful, and limited, as the venue decided to let the audience in whilst we were still in preparations; this show meant we had to bring our own (very large) PA, there's 5 musicians on stage, quite a few pre-records...it's a complex show. The venue insisted on the show starting, it did, a few of the back row couldn't hear what was going on. There was complaints, just a couple but enough for there to be a bad taste.
Those who could hear it loved it, but this could have been a lot easier.
Friday, 5 May 2017
Thursday 4th May 2017
Running out of freelance stuff to actually, well, do. I'm doing everything very thoroughly. At the same time though it probably means I should be pushing my projects which actually pay (the murder mystery, team building etc) a little more. A lot more.
Casting for the sitcom filming next week is pretty much confirmed as is, perhaps most importantly, a venue to film it in.
Quite annoyed that even though I've got a bigger car now, the door is actually smaller so if I want to play my lovely Tama kit (which I do, it's amazing...if big) I have to take the bass drum out of it's case. I spent about an hour trying to work this out today.
Confirmed a solo show in Ireland, should be cool.
Big dress rehearsal (including pre-recording the intro bits) for the murder mystery was...well, great in some places, very alarming in others.We have to get this right tomorrow, it feels like a lot is riding on it.
Casting for the sitcom filming next week is pretty much confirmed as is, perhaps most importantly, a venue to film it in.
Quite annoyed that even though I've got a bigger car now, the door is actually smaller so if I want to play my lovely Tama kit (which I do, it's amazing...if big) I have to take the bass drum out of it's case. I spent about an hour trying to work this out today.
Confirmed a solo show in Ireland, should be cool.
Big dress rehearsal (including pre-recording the intro bits) for the murder mystery was...well, great in some places, very alarming in others.We have to get this right tomorrow, it feels like a lot is riding on it.
Thursday, 4 May 2017
Wednesday 3rd May 2017
Did the 'money earning' thing and went into the office for a bit. Spent a long time looking at the forms I've had to re-write for the company, to the extent my brain went numb, a little.
Trying to book up a tour of Scandinavia for November, sent out 190 emails to venues over there in the hope they're English is good enough to understand my sales pitch.
Still no fringe offer for the stand-up show, but I have enough going on at this year's festival anyway.
Evening we had a murder mystery rehearsal, mostly for tech bits. It's slowly coming together, I'm starting to enjoy it again now. It could do with coming together a bit quicker, but we might just be able to get away with this.
Trying to book up a tour of Scandinavia for November, sent out 190 emails to venues over there in the hope they're English is good enough to understand my sales pitch.
Still no fringe offer for the stand-up show, but I have enough going on at this year's festival anyway.
Evening we had a murder mystery rehearsal, mostly for tech bits. It's slowly coming together, I'm starting to enjoy it again now. It could do with coming together a bit quicker, but we might just be able to get away with this.
Tuesday, 2 May 2017
Tuesday 2nd May 2017
Typical morning catching up on all emails (ah - show clash! Only two days ago I was boasting I didn't have any clashes but there's a new one!) and did a spot of freelance work before driving down to Mum's to take her for the weekly food shop.
Whilst sat in Waitrose car park I found myself jotting down ideas for a cracking musical called 'Mark and Tina' - it's a really, really fun concept. I then found myself writing it for the rest of the day, which wasn't the plan, but sometimes these things just need to be written, yeah? The treatment for it feels really strong, one day I'll sit down and write it all properly.
Spent most of the day on that. Tomorrow I should probably think about actually earning some money.
Whilst sat in Waitrose car park I found myself jotting down ideas for a cracking musical called 'Mark and Tina' - it's a really, really fun concept. I then found myself writing it for the rest of the day, which wasn't the plan, but sometimes these things just need to be written, yeah? The treatment for it feels really strong, one day I'll sit down and write it all properly.
Spent most of the day on that. Tomorrow I should probably think about actually earning some money.
Monday 1st May 2017
A worrying sign is that a lot of the stuff that has been left yet to do on my to-do list is the creative stuff. Booked a lot of shows last week and confident that I have enough coming up (107 shows to be precise) but actually writing the sitcom pilot, and finishing the Boat Opera scripts, have been left behind again as I spent far too long trying to book a solo tour of Ireland, Scandinavia and more murder mystery shows.
Did a bit of creative writing this morning, just jotting down yet more ideas for bits and bobs, and then off to the studio to rehearse the murder mystery show.
Ran the whole show, scripts in view but it wasn't like we were just sat reading them, with songs in where they should be. It feels like a proper show; it's nowhere near slick and we've all got a lot of work to do, but it runs to time and gels really, really nicely. I feel like a really good writer, if almost by accident.
Sunday 30th April 2017
Doing our best to get the Sheringham 'incident' out of our minds, took Mum, dog and my sister to the seaside today to see how the dog would behave in a quieter public place. Not great, to be honest, she was still being a bit too boisterous towards everything - luckily there was just wasn't much in Brancaster to attack.
Still, I got to run on the beach with her for a bit which, if anything, was good for me.
That was pretty much my whole day, and then back to try and learn my lines for Friday. So many lines, not enough head space.
Still, I got to run on the beach with her for a bit which, if anything, was good for me.
That was pretty much my whole day, and then back to try and learn my lines for Friday. So many lines, not enough head space.
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