Slept well, and a lot, before getting to grips with the 'real world' again. Lots of emails, basically.
Took Mum shopping and let the dog bite me for several hours, before heading back home and having a nice leaving dinner with Edd and Emily...I move out on Friday to a new place in the centre of town, times are changing but always moving forwards. I've had a great time there the last 2 and a bit years so it may feel weird for a bit.
It's all good, everything feels like it's falling into place at the moment. It's also all about to get very busy, too, which given the 3 weeks I've just had...
Wednesday, 30 August 2017
Monday 28th August 2017
Fittingly hungover, had to wait until the afternoon before driving home. Gave Phill a lift back too, who was a great travel companion - he himself had just completed a different adventure, so there was much chat to be had.
Home, finally, by 9pm. That was a great fringe.
Sunday 27th August 2017
Last day of the fringe!
A lot of shows finished yesterday and it all had a 'taking down the Christmas decorations' vibe to it.
Box kind of limped out quietly to a small and tired audience, they seemed more knackered than me. It didn't work today, but worked really well a lot of the fringe.
Saw a great show with my mate, Phill, and then the final Britpop show, which had a great turnout and ended well.
All of my singers had gone home and I couldn't find any others, so I ended up being the choir myself for the final History of Pop show. Big crowd again, as there's a buzz about this one, they probably weren't expecting to see the drummer 'sing' but they helped me out and it was a bizarre, but fitting end to a brilliant, brilliant fringe.
Then somehow ended up in a very exclusive, private, end of run party, drinking shots with comedian chums till the early hours.
A lot of shows finished yesterday and it all had a 'taking down the Christmas decorations' vibe to it.
Box kind of limped out quietly to a small and tired audience, they seemed more knackered than me. It didn't work today, but worked really well a lot of the fringe.
Saw a great show with my mate, Phill, and then the final Britpop show, which had a great turnout and ended well.
All of my singers had gone home and I couldn't find any others, so I ended up being the choir myself for the final History of Pop show. Big crowd again, as there's a buzz about this one, they probably weren't expecting to see the drummer 'sing' but they helped me out and it was a bizarre, but fitting end to a brilliant, brilliant fringe.
Then somehow ended up in a very exclusive, private, end of run party, drinking shots with comedian chums till the early hours.
Saturday 26th August 2017
Final performance of the jazz play! Nobody turned up. Fair enough. It is a nice show, though, it needs 10 minutes more content and strong direction, but I'll do more with it.
Was a guest in Sister Mary's comedy show...big-scale stuff, chat show in front of a huge crowd, handled it okay.
Then dashed over to do the Box show which was a cracker - really great, big, audience, couldn't do a thing wrong, this is more like it. I'm on form, it's nice when the audiences are too.
Last minute guest appearance at the Christmas show, but nobody turned up, so Friz, Eric and I got drunk in the venue instead, enjoyed some tunes, stories and beer and it was bloody lovely.
Friz, David and I went to watch a mutual friends' show, before heading over for the History of Pop show. Sold out, again, and probably my favourite of the whole run - my choir was Rachel, Lorelei, Frizz and Sister Mary (a man dressed as a nun, returning the guesting favour). A majority of us were drunk, the audience were clearly drunk, and it was arguably the greatest hour of my comedy career...total chaos, totally out of control, but just five comedians on really good form bouncing off each other and the audience loving all of it and we still finished bang on time. What a night, what a show!
We then had a lock-in at a different bar till the early hours.
Was a guest in Sister Mary's comedy show...big-scale stuff, chat show in front of a huge crowd, handled it okay.
Then dashed over to do the Box show which was a cracker - really great, big, audience, couldn't do a thing wrong, this is more like it. I'm on form, it's nice when the audiences are too.
Last minute guest appearance at the Christmas show, but nobody turned up, so Friz, Eric and I got drunk in the venue instead, enjoyed some tunes, stories and beer and it was bloody lovely.
Friz, David and I went to watch a mutual friends' show, before heading over for the History of Pop show. Sold out, again, and probably my favourite of the whole run - my choir was Rachel, Lorelei, Frizz and Sister Mary (a man dressed as a nun, returning the guesting favour). A majority of us were drunk, the audience were clearly drunk, and it was arguably the greatest hour of my comedy career...total chaos, totally out of control, but just five comedians on really good form bouncing off each other and the audience loving all of it and we still finished bang on time. What a night, what a show!
We then had a lock-in at a different bar till the early hours.
Friday 25th August 2017
2 turned up for the jazz play today, having tried (and failed) to find the venue for 3 days running. Gave them a good show, they were a nice couple.
Weirdly quiet out there today, for the Box show I scraped double figures but they were mostly Australians who didn't understand some of the very British humour. They tipped well at the end, though, and on Twitter were quite vocal about how much they enjoyed it, which was nice.
Caught up with my old mucker Rob, who was up visiting for the day, grabbed some food and then we went to the Christmas show, where I was once again a guest. Quiet show, but my stuff went down well, at least.
Small crowd for the Britpop show but I gave them a nice 45 minutes of Britpoppy-things and some of the Box bits.
History of Pop was once again bizarre tonight - my choir was Fraser, who dealt with the situation perfectly, but, like most of the day, everything felt a little flat.
Had late beers to make up for that.
Weirdly quiet out there today, for the Box show I scraped double figures but they were mostly Australians who didn't understand some of the very British humour. They tipped well at the end, though, and on Twitter were quite vocal about how much they enjoyed it, which was nice.
Caught up with my old mucker Rob, who was up visiting for the day, grabbed some food and then we went to the Christmas show, where I was once again a guest. Quiet show, but my stuff went down well, at least.
Small crowd for the Britpop show but I gave them a nice 45 minutes of Britpoppy-things and some of the Box bits.
History of Pop was once again bizarre tonight - my choir was Fraser, who dealt with the situation perfectly, but, like most of the day, everything felt a little flat.
Had late beers to make up for that.
Thursday 24th August 2017
Nobody turned up to the jazz play, that's cool.
Box was a cracker - it's so sharp and polished it's almost unlike a Richards show. Big crowds in too, this works, like I always hoped it would.
Losing confidence in the Britpop show a bit, so offered the audience Box instead and said they'd prefer it, they were up for it, I nailed it, they enjoyed it, it's all good.
In front of an important promoter, History of Pop was an amazing, fast, sometimes shambolic treat tonight. Big crowd who got on board early on, it really worked. Promoter loved it, told me this show will run for years and years and wants to put it in a bigger venue next year. I feel like I'm a success.
Box was a cracker - it's so sharp and polished it's almost unlike a Richards show. Big crowds in too, this works, like I always hoped it would.
Losing confidence in the Britpop show a bit, so offered the audience Box instead and said they'd prefer it, they were up for it, I nailed it, they enjoyed it, it's all good.
In front of an important promoter, History of Pop was an amazing, fast, sometimes shambolic treat tonight. Big crowd who got on board early on, it really worked. Promoter loved it, told me this show will run for years and years and wants to put it in a bigger venue next year. I feel like I'm a success.
Wednesday 23rd August 2017
Lots of people coming up to me in the street, telling me how much they've enjoyed the History of Pop show. It is a bit of a monster, I feel like I've created something special here.
Did the jazz play to 2 people, they loved it, and rightly so.
Box was better today - nice audience and quite a few friends in too, why couldn't the press have turned up to this one instead of yesterday? I'm back on form, anyway.
My obligatory Wednesday performance of Box was to 2 people, it was fine.
Guested in my mate's Christmas show, they were a tricky crowd but went down well (they did however boo the Jewish performer, which was uncomfortable for us non-racists).
2 people turned up for the Britpop show but they loved it, they were very sweet and paid me well.
History of Pop was awesome tonight - so frantic, so out of control. Can't do a thing wrong with this at the moment. Buzzing.
Did the jazz play to 2 people, they loved it, and rightly so.
Box was better today - nice audience and quite a few friends in too, why couldn't the press have turned up to this one instead of yesterday? I'm back on form, anyway.
My obligatory Wednesday performance of Box was to 2 people, it was fine.
Guested in my mate's Christmas show, they were a tricky crowd but went down well (they did however boo the Jewish performer, which was uncomfortable for us non-racists).
2 people turned up for the Britpop show but they loved it, they were very sweet and paid me well.
History of Pop was awesome tonight - so frantic, so out of control. Can't do a thing wrong with this at the moment. Buzzing.
Tuesday 22nd August 2017
Even though it's not listed in the programme as being performed on Tuesdays, I still swing by the venue anyway for the jazz play as they've got it listed on their poster. Good job I did as somebody turned up. One person. Did the show to him, he sat politely and gave me £2.50 at the end. Was a bit of a struggle.
Box didn't really work today - big crowd, but they were just so quiet, and a reviewer was in. It was a bad day for the press to come down. Left the the show feeling a bit annoyed by it all as I worked really hard during that hour and had fuck all response.
2 people turned up for the Britpop show, they felt it was too weird for me to do the show to just them, but I insisted on doing it anyway and they just looked awkward throughout the whole 48 minutes. They paid well at the end, but it was a weird one.
History of Pop was outstanding tonight, great crowd, great singers, great guests. More controlled than normal, but it was a really, really strong hour. This is the best show I've ever put together, yet, weirdly, one that I have spent the least time writing.
Box didn't really work today - big crowd, but they were just so quiet, and a reviewer was in. It was a bad day for the press to come down. Left the the show feeling a bit annoyed by it all as I worked really hard during that hour and had fuck all response.
2 people turned up for the Britpop show, they felt it was too weird for me to do the show to just them, but I insisted on doing it anyway and they just looked awkward throughout the whole 48 minutes. They paid well at the end, but it was a weird one.
History of Pop was outstanding tonight, great crowd, great singers, great guests. More controlled than normal, but it was a really, really strong hour. This is the best show I've ever put together, yet, weirdly, one that I have spent the least time writing.
Monday 21st August 2017
Nobody turned up to the jazz play...have I finally run out of niche market, fellow jazz wankers?
Box was good, not as exciting as it has been, but still an audience in double figures who responded well. I'm a little on auto-pilot but it's a tight show.
Britpop show didn't quite gel as much as last night.
Audience for the History of Pop show were a bit 'Monday' - I tried to overcompensate for their tenseness by being a bit shouty and very fast. It still worked, but not quite as thrilling as the previous couple of nights.
Box was good, not as exciting as it has been, but still an audience in double figures who responded well. I'm a little on auto-pilot but it's a tight show.
Britpop show didn't quite gel as much as last night.
Audience for the History of Pop show were a bit 'Monday' - I tried to overcompensate for their tenseness by being a bit shouty and very fast. It still worked, but not quite as thrilling as the previous couple of nights.
Sunday 20th August 2017
Jazz play... 4 in, felt lovely, and I needed that calm after last night.
Box... much better than yesterday, a good 15 in, I slowed it right down and it settled back into the tempo it should be. Decent show.
For the Britpop show, I decided to mix it up with bits of the Box show to keep it entertaining and not just all 'storytelling' - it worked well, this is now how I'll do it for the rest of the run.
Fraser joined our choir tonight for the History of Pop show and his presence is immense. Once again it spiralled out of control, once again I left thinking this is the best fringe ever.
Box... much better than yesterday, a good 15 in, I slowed it right down and it settled back into the tempo it should be. Decent show.
For the Britpop show, I decided to mix it up with bits of the Box show to keep it entertaining and not just all 'storytelling' - it worked well, this is now how I'll do it for the rest of the run.
Fraser joined our choir tonight for the History of Pop show and his presence is immense. Once again it spiralled out of control, once again I left thinking this is the best fringe ever.
Saturday 19th August 2017
Jazz play to 2 jazz fans, was lovely. I'm loving this.
So rowdy for 'Box' today - 41 people. Performance was rushed and messy, they liked it but I was on flustered form. Calm down, Richards. Maybe I just don't like big crowds?
Was booked for an additional performance of Box, to cover for somebody else, over at a different venue. I turned up, they weren't expecting me and, if anything, were really rude to me. I'll leave them a bad review somewhere...this is the fringe, we're all busy, there's no need for lack of manners.
2 guest slots - I was wrongly booked to do stand-up in a jazz bar but somehow got away with it, and then I stepped in to perform at the Christmas show again.
History of Pop was just chaos tonight - I had a guest choir of 28 and a sold out venue...it's a big room, too. As it should be with this one, I barely had control over the show but it worked better than anything I've ever done before, just absolutely joyous - that moment where performers and audience connect and it totally explodes. I've somehow created a monster here. A ridiculous evening...in a great way.
So rowdy for 'Box' today - 41 people. Performance was rushed and messy, they liked it but I was on flustered form. Calm down, Richards. Maybe I just don't like big crowds?
Was booked for an additional performance of Box, to cover for somebody else, over at a different venue. I turned up, they weren't expecting me and, if anything, were really rude to me. I'll leave them a bad review somewhere...this is the fringe, we're all busy, there's no need for lack of manners.
2 guest slots - I was wrongly booked to do stand-up in a jazz bar but somehow got away with it, and then I stepped in to perform at the Christmas show again.
History of Pop was just chaos tonight - I had a guest choir of 28 and a sold out venue...it's a big room, too. As it should be with this one, I barely had control over the show but it worked better than anything I've ever done before, just absolutely joyous - that moment where performers and audience connect and it totally explodes. I've somehow created a monster here. A ridiculous evening...in a great way.
Friday 18th August 2017
The jazz play had 2 in, as usual - one of which was an old theatre producer lady. She said in her thirty years at the festival it was the most "honest and genuine show" she had ever seen. She's right, it's totally, bloody lovely. I must tour this soon.
Brilliant performance of Box today, nailed it again in front of a large and happy crowd.
Britpop show was the best it's been yet in this new format - gentle stuff and small crowd (7) but we all felt good about it.
History of Pop wasn't quite as chaotic as yesterday, with a smaller crowd (still more than 20 in, though) and the 'choir' of James, Andy and Anna did well. Good donations in the bucket after, which suggests the sometimes subdued audience did enjoy it after all.
Got drink with Izzy, Alasdair and Alan.
Brilliant performance of Box today, nailed it again in front of a large and happy crowd.
Britpop show was the best it's been yet in this new format - gentle stuff and small crowd (7) but we all felt good about it.
History of Pop wasn't quite as chaotic as yesterday, with a smaller crowd (still more than 20 in, though) and the 'choir' of James, Andy and Anna did well. Good donations in the bucket after, which suggests the sometimes subdued audience did enjoy it after all.
Got drink with Izzy, Alasdair and Alan.
Thursday 17th August 2017
Second half of the fringe, we're now into the crazy '4 shows a day' schedule for the next 10 days or so...glad I had an early-ish night last night.
2 turned up for the jazz play, as normal, but they enjoyed it and so did I.
Box was superb today, I feel like I'm finally getting that consistency that's been missing over the years. Really strong and audiences reacting well.
Nobody turned up to the Britpop show.
The opening of the 'History of Pop...' show with the choir being James, Friz and a load of audience members. I had no control over it whatsoever but it was a total shambolic, exhausting joy. Happy and relieved this works, it's a 'proper' fringe show.
Wednesday 16th August 2017
3 proper jazz fans in for the Will play, we all geeked out immensely and had a lovely time.
A very rowdy Box show, but I enjoyed being able to shout a bit more than normal and they responded well.
My good friend James, who is in our choir show from tomorrow onwards, turned up, and watched my second Box performance of the day (Wednesdays are the day I perform it twice) and it was a corker. Calmer, but really tight.
Dinner with James, and then the Britpop show which was a bit flat but we got through it, collectively, between audience and performer. Still not sure about this show.
A very rowdy Box show, but I enjoyed being able to shout a bit more than normal and they responded well.
My good friend James, who is in our choir show from tomorrow onwards, turned up, and watched my second Box performance of the day (Wednesdays are the day I perform it twice) and it was a corker. Calmer, but really tight.
Dinner with James, and then the Britpop show which was a bit flat but we got through it, collectively, between audience and performer. Still not sure about this show.
Tuesday 15th August 2017
Woke up to a message asking if I was free to drum that night for Mark W at the Pleasance - it's a big show for me as I'm a huge fan, so I agreed, buzzing about it all.
No jazz play as it's not in the programme as being performed on Tuesdays. Box show was good fun, not as sharp as yesterday but a nice, respectful crowd all the same.
The Britpop show felt a little flat again, the new bits not going down as well as I'd hoped, not helped by a very subdued audience.
Then off to the Mark W show which was just bizarre and amazing. Sold out, surrounded by top comedians and great musicians, it was a cracker of a show and so brilliant to watch top, top level comics close up and see how they work. Inspirational stuff, and then we all got very drunk afterwards...famous people praised my drumming and I networked like crazy with the best of them.
A special fringe night, despite falling over on the way home, drunkenly tripping on a cobbled street at 4am and hurting my foot.
No jazz play as it's not in the programme as being performed on Tuesdays. Box show was good fun, not as sharp as yesterday but a nice, respectful crowd all the same.
The Britpop show felt a little flat again, the new bits not going down as well as I'd hoped, not helped by a very subdued audience.
Then off to the Mark W show which was just bizarre and amazing. Sold out, surrounded by top comedians and great musicians, it was a cracker of a show and so brilliant to watch top, top level comics close up and see how they work. Inspirational stuff, and then we all got very drunk afterwards...famous people praised my drumming and I networked like crazy with the best of them.
A special fringe night, despite falling over on the way home, drunkenly tripping on a cobbled street at 4am and hurting my foot.
Monday 14th August 2017
Loads of sleep, ready to take on the world again.
3 people turned up to the jazz play, they loved it, I knew I was on good form.
Busy, busy crowd for the Box show and I just couldn't do a thing wrong - it's a show I've had all year and I know it works but sometimes the performance doesn't do the concept justice, but this was a really, really good one.
Watched my mate David's play, and then watched my mate Rachel's show, and then the Britpop show was great - the audience were a bunch of angry-looking Geordies but loved it. That shouldn't have worked, but totally did.
3 people turned up to the jazz play, they loved it, I knew I was on good form.
Busy, busy crowd for the Box show and I just couldn't do a thing wrong - it's a show I've had all year and I know it works but sometimes the performance doesn't do the concept justice, but this was a really, really good one.
Watched my mate David's play, and then watched my mate Rachel's show, and then the Britpop show was great - the audience were a bunch of angry-looking Geordies but loved it. That shouldn't have worked, but totally did.
Sunday 13th August 2017
Yeah, maybe trying to that festival with the band in the middle of a long fringe run was a bit ambitious.
3 hours sleep, and then back out there for a day of shows.
Nobody turned up to the jazz play. I didn't care.
Flyered, tired.
Did the Box show to 6 people and it was sloppy, I'm clearly tired and audiences know that.
Was a guest in a big theatre comedy play. The deal was that they have a guest male actor in every day, who doesn't know the script/content so reads from an auto-cue, as the actress does her thing. The auto-cue broke, I thought that was part of the show so went along with it, before the actress stormed off in a huff and the audience were told to leave. Knowing it's a comedy, I *still* thought it was part of the show. In short; I spent 10 minutes in a big empty theatre, alone, dressed as a cowboy, before I realised the show had been cancelled. I'm too tired for this shit.
The new version of the Britpop show worked a treat, though, for the first time.
Got back and slept for 10 hours.
3 hours sleep, and then back out there for a day of shows.
Nobody turned up to the jazz play. I didn't care.
Flyered, tired.
Did the Box show to 6 people and it was sloppy, I'm clearly tired and audiences know that.
Was a guest in a big theatre comedy play. The deal was that they have a guest male actor in every day, who doesn't know the script/content so reads from an auto-cue, as the actress does her thing. The auto-cue broke, I thought that was part of the show so went along with it, before the actress stormed off in a huff and the audience were told to leave. Knowing it's a comedy, I *still* thought it was part of the show. In short; I spent 10 minutes in a big empty theatre, alone, dressed as a cowboy, before I realised the show had been cancelled. I'm too tired for this shit.
The new version of the Britpop show worked a treat, though, for the first time.
Got back and slept for 10 hours.
Saturday 12th August 2017
My one 'day off' from the fringe...to drive to the Welsh border for a band gig with FH.
Long 8 hour drive because the roads are rubbish, but made it with an hour to spare. Big festival with big bands, it was one I just couldn't miss out on.
Almost too tired to enjoy it, but I know we played really, really well in front of a huge audience. Being a drummer is the best.
7 hour drive back, arriving back in Edinburgh by 6am and then another hour to get back to the flat. Exhausted.
Long 8 hour drive because the roads are rubbish, but made it with an hour to spare. Big festival with big bands, it was one I just couldn't miss out on.
Almost too tired to enjoy it, but I know we played really, really well in front of a huge audience. Being a drummer is the best.
7 hour drive back, arriving back in Edinburgh by 6am and then another hour to get back to the flat. Exhausted.
Friday 11th August 2017
Best performance of the jazz play ever! Loads in, felt baffling, got a standing ovation from one man afterwards (who then sat down awkwardly, realising he was the only one) and it just feels like the nicest show I've ever done. A lady came up to me afterwards and said, "this isn't the best show I've seen at the fringe, but it's by far the loveliest."
Finished the rewrite of the Britpop show, did some flyering then had a cracking Box show - really, really on good form with that (even if yesterday was a bit quiet) and felt good about myself.
Guest appearance in a Christmas show which was a bit quiet because it's August but a chance to try out some new festive bits all the same.
Nobody turned up to the Britpop show and that annoyed me a bit because I was feeling good about myself up to that point.
Finished the rewrite of the Britpop show, did some flyering then had a cracking Box show - really, really on good form with that (even if yesterday was a bit quiet) and felt good about myself.
Guest appearance in a Christmas show which was a bit quiet because it's August but a chance to try out some new festive bits all the same.
Nobody turned up to the Britpop show and that annoyed me a bit because I was feeling good about myself up to that point.
Thursday 10th August 2017
Why do I only get 2 people in every day for the jazz play? Bizarre. They enjoyed it, all the same, but still - consistently 2 day, it feels weirdly exclusive.
Recorded podcast episodes with two comedy mates, both called Andy, which went well, and then the Box show was fine - not as good as yesterday, but tight and with laughs in all the right places.
Was a guest in Andy Q's show, which struggled a bit today and then the Britpop show, to a small but friendly audience, just felt a bit flat.
Recorded a podcast episode with Marysia, and then was a guest in an evening compilation show, which was lovely.
Recorded podcast episodes with two comedy mates, both called Andy, which went well, and then the Box show was fine - not as good as yesterday, but tight and with laughs in all the right places.
Was a guest in Andy Q's show, which struggled a bit today and then the Britpop show, to a small but friendly audience, just felt a bit flat.
Recorded a podcast episode with Marysia, and then was a guest in an evening compilation show, which was lovely.
Wednesday 9th August 2017
Decided to totally rewrite the Britpop show from scratch.
Strap on my cajon case broke. Bollocks.
Did the jazz play to 2 people, as always. They loved it, I'm very proud of it.
The 'Box' show was a total cracker today...took about 15 minutes for the audience to settle into my ranty voice, but then it worked a treat, the best it's been yet.
The second performance of 'Box' - in a different venue (I do a second show on Wednesdays to cover for another show who has the day off) had just 2 people in and it felt weirdly personal - they said it was their favourite show of the fringe.
Grabbed food, and then did the Britpop show (still the original version as rewrite isn't ready) to a nice audience who enjoyed it a lot more than I did.
Hung on in the venue and watched 2 shows, both of which I enjoyed.
Strap on my cajon case broke. Bollocks.
Did the jazz play to 2 people, as always. They loved it, I'm very proud of it.
The 'Box' show was a total cracker today...took about 15 minutes for the audience to settle into my ranty voice, but then it worked a treat, the best it's been yet.
The second performance of 'Box' - in a different venue (I do a second show on Wednesdays to cover for another show who has the day off) had just 2 people in and it felt weirdly personal - they said it was their favourite show of the fringe.
Grabbed food, and then did the Britpop show (still the original version as rewrite isn't ready) to a nice audience who enjoyed it a lot more than I did.
Hung on in the venue and watched 2 shows, both of which I enjoyed.
Tuesday 8th August 2017
Moved out of Nicky and Phillipa's place and over to Adam and Laura's for the rest of the run. It's a nice flat and I feel very welcome.
The jazz play for some reason wasn't listed in the programme so nobody turned up, but that's fine. The 'Box' show struggled for numbers today but still just hit double figures, including 6 pensioners...they loved it, which was a relief.
Interviewed Stu for my podcast, and then dumped my drum in my car for a bit, quick podcast with Christian and Rachel, ran back to my car, got my box, did a terrible Britpop show to 9 people - I was a sweaty mess, but they loved it and wanted selfies afterwards. This show doesn't work, and I need to do something about that.
Quick pizza, then guest slot in 'Single Comedians Trying to Impress You' - which was great fun and I went down well. 2 mile walk back to the flat with a heavy box on my back.
The jazz play for some reason wasn't listed in the programme so nobody turned up, but that's fine. The 'Box' show struggled for numbers today but still just hit double figures, including 6 pensioners...they loved it, which was a relief.
Interviewed Stu for my podcast, and then dumped my drum in my car for a bit, quick podcast with Christian and Rachel, ran back to my car, got my box, did a terrible Britpop show to 9 people - I was a sweaty mess, but they loved it and wanted selfies afterwards. This show doesn't work, and I need to do something about that.
Quick pizza, then guest slot in 'Single Comedians Trying to Impress You' - which was great fun and I went down well. 2 mile walk back to the flat with a heavy box on my back.
Monday 7th August 2017
The jazz play had 2 in, as is standard, but they loved it, as is standard. Niche market stuff, but I'm enjoying it.
The 'Box' show was a cracker today, best it's ever looked. 12 people in, but 12 people who helped me rock this one big style. Hitting good form.
Recorded more episodes of the podcast, this time with Fiona, Kelsey, Jenny and Louise (all in different locations, so a lot of running around), followed by my favourite one with Lily in which we just sat in a hotel bar and caught up for a long time, mostly evaluating our careers and realising we're doing okay, really, in the great scheme of things.
The Britpop show was just awkward; one person turned up, didn't like the fact he was the only audience member, so we just had a chat for an hour instead. Bit weird, but I still got paid at the end.
The 'Box' show was a cracker today, best it's ever looked. 12 people in, but 12 people who helped me rock this one big style. Hitting good form.
Recorded more episodes of the podcast, this time with Fiona, Kelsey, Jenny and Louise (all in different locations, so a lot of running around), followed by my favourite one with Lily in which we just sat in a hotel bar and caught up for a long time, mostly evaluating our careers and realising we're doing okay, really, in the great scheme of things.
The Britpop show was just awkward; one person turned up, didn't like the fact he was the only audience member, so we just had a chat for an hour instead. Bit weird, but I still got paid at the end.
Sunday 6th August 2017
2 turned up for the 'Will...' play - but you know, it's a play about jazz, in a venue in the middle of nowhere, on early, so I expect that. They loved it, and rightly so - it's a nice a show and I really like doing it.
Recorded more episodes of my fringe podcast with Adam, George and Frizz, before flyering the Box show. Nice crowd in for that today, smaller crowd but double figures and the performance was sharp, how it should be every day, I just need to find that consistency.
Met up with Emma and Mel to record a podcast episode with them, then over to watch Obonjo's show (which was great) and recording an episode with him afterwards.
The Britpop show opened in the evening to 6 people, was a bit flat and I didn't like it, but the audience loved it and paid me handsomely afterwards, which I found confusing.
Recorded more episodes of my fringe podcast with Adam, George and Frizz, before flyering the Box show. Nice crowd in for that today, smaller crowd but double figures and the performance was sharp, how it should be every day, I just need to find that consistency.
Met up with Emma and Mel to record a podcast episode with them, then over to watch Obonjo's show (which was great) and recording an episode with him afterwards.
The Britpop show opened in the evening to 6 people, was a bit flat and I didn't like it, but the audience loved it and paid me handsomely afterwards, which I found confusing.
Saturday 5th August 2017
2 of my 3 shows opened today (show 4 only runs for the second half of the festival). Up early, slight hangover, walk down to my venue for the theatre piece.
Of all my projects, the stage version of 'Will...' was the one I was least sure about, considering how experimental the whole thing is - it's largely a pre-record with real-life jazz drums. Looks like the guys who booked me felt the same way too, sticking this show on at midday in a venue in the middle of nowhere. Could have done with a tech rehearsal today, but 2 people turned up so I ran it anyway and they totally loved it...as a show it really works, hurrah! What a relief.
Then over to the Globe, my home for the Box show for the next month. First performance of the Edinburgh run, totally sold out, performance was fast and flustered and not anywhere good as it could have been. Slow down, Richards.
Recorded podcast episodes with Zhara and then Steve, before dashing over to catch MJ's show, recording a podcast with her afterwards. Went for drinks with her and her friends, before catching Steve's late show.
Of all my projects, the stage version of 'Will...' was the one I was least sure about, considering how experimental the whole thing is - it's largely a pre-record with real-life jazz drums. Looks like the guys who booked me felt the same way too, sticking this show on at midday in a venue in the middle of nowhere. Could have done with a tech rehearsal today, but 2 people turned up so I ran it anyway and they totally loved it...as a show it really works, hurrah! What a relief.
Then over to the Globe, my home for the Box show for the next month. First performance of the Edinburgh run, totally sold out, performance was fast and flustered and not anywhere good as it could have been. Slow down, Richards.
Recorded podcast episodes with Zhara and then Steve, before dashing over to catch MJ's show, recording a podcast with her afterwards. Went for drinks with her and her friends, before catching Steve's late show.
Friday 4th August 2017
Well done, car. £350, 19 years old, but the very long drive up to Edinburgh was comfortable enough.
Staying with good friends Nicky and Phillipa for the first couple of nights; checked in with them and over to the traditional yearly meeting about venues/etiquette/how to survive the 3 weeks etc.
Grabbed a couple drinks with old comedy chum, Lily, after that, and her friend, MJ, which ended up being a slightly later evening than planned. But this is the fringe, that sort of thing happens all the time.
Staying with good friends Nicky and Phillipa for the first couple of nights; checked in with them and over to the traditional yearly meeting about venues/etiquette/how to survive the 3 weeks etc.
Grabbed a couple drinks with old comedy chum, Lily, after that, and her friend, MJ, which ended up being a slightly later evening than planned. But this is the fringe, that sort of thing happens all the time.
Thursday, 3 August 2017
Thursday 3rd August 2018
Okay, so: shows written, shows (kind of) rehearsed (as much as you can do for solo pieces, or with a choir that you've not actually met yet), flyers have arrived, new cajon case arrived, all emails replied to, all messages replied to, bags pretty much packed, car checked...what have I forgotten?
Really feels like I've forgotten something. Spent the day stressing about the flyers not arriving, then they did.
Evening gig with Claudia and (different) band at the festival was great - so much talent on that stage tonight with Lee and Kim both joining us (the latter wrote a massive number one single...you can see why, when he gets into it he's just amazing).
Now to double check my packing and brace myself for 3 weeks of sheer, utter, madness.
Really feels like I've forgotten something. Spent the day stressing about the flyers not arriving, then they did.
Evening gig with Claudia and (different) band at the festival was great - so much talent on that stage tonight with Lee and Kim both joining us (the latter wrote a massive number one single...you can see why, when he gets into it he's just amazing).
Now to double check my packing and brace myself for 3 weeks of sheer, utter, madness.
Wednesday, 2 August 2017
Wednesday 2nd August 2017
Part of this new 'Britpop' show I'm doing involves me reading from notebooks, 12 of them - 1 for each story (which is visually good I think, having a pile of them on stage). The script itself, though, is pushing 8,000 words, so as you can imagine - handwriting all of this into notepads took bloody ages.
Was doing this till late last night, and then early this morning. By midday it was pretty much sorted, though.
Checked water, oil, tyres in the car (one tyre needed a bit of attention, couldn't get the water tub thingy open but it seemed to have a bit left in there...what could possibly go wrong?), packed as much as possible for Edinburgh, got CDs ready for the trip, double checked parking arrangements at my accommodation, replied to all emails, accepted a little more teaching work for when I get back, confirmed the songlist for the History of Pop show (a lot of it has changed since the mediocre previews), popped out to catch up with Gaf for a bit and then rehearsed for 3 hours.
The Britpop show overruns...shall I just cut stuff or talk even quicker?
The jazz show is just so fucking weird, but so is the venue and the timeslot...if you're heading out that way, that out of town, for a show that early, then you deserve to watch an odd 45 minutes of a lanky man attempting mime. I'm quite proud of it, though.
This may be a really odd fringe.
Tuesday 1st August 2017
Up early to finish writing the show - it needs a good edit, and a lot of rehearsing (this week, mostly) but it's all there.
Then took Mum shopping, final big shop before I go away for 3 weeks. Invoiced various people for the various bits of work I've done recently so I can pay for Edinburgh.
Got back, started working on the 'technical' bits of the Britpop show - sourcing the soundtrack etc. Suddenly it was 2am...
Then took Mum shopping, final big shop before I go away for 3 weeks. Invoiced various people for the various bits of work I've done recently so I can pay for Edinburgh.
Got back, started working on the 'technical' bits of the Britpop show - sourcing the soundtrack etc. Suddenly it was 2am...
Monday 31st July 2017
Up really early to proof the blog post I wrote for the freelance place and then sent that over.
Another excessive day of working on the Britpop show, to the extent I just never left the house and went slightly mad. It's getting there, I think it's a winner.
Another excessive day of working on the Britpop show, to the extent I just never left the house and went slightly mad. It's getting there, I think it's a winner.
Sunday 30th July 2017
A day in to write, especially as the fringe is next week and to say I'm a little behind is an understatement.
The Britpop show is turning into something rather lovely now, from my slightly confusing, rambling notes I hit a strong idea and ran with it...wrote for 7 hours solid and came up up with a masterplan of how to learn it quickly.
Left the house at 5.30pm for a quick gig with Claudia (we played well but, I don't know, I couldn't work out what we were doing there to be honest - an unpaid Sunday gig to less than 10 people in a pub in the middle of nowhere).
Back, and writing till 1am.
The Britpop show is turning into something rather lovely now, from my slightly confusing, rambling notes I hit a strong idea and ran with it...wrote for 7 hours solid and came up up with a masterplan of how to learn it quickly.
Left the house at 5.30pm for a quick gig with Claudia (we played well but, I don't know, I couldn't work out what we were doing there to be honest - an unpaid Sunday gig to less than 10 people in a pub in the middle of nowhere).
Back, and writing till 1am.
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