I just need sleep. I'm turning into the character I played at the fringe for 26 days in a row. It feels like I haven't slept for 2 months.
Up early to pay my door/bucket money into the bank from the fringe stuff, all Scottish notes which caused a bit of confusion until the bank manager stepped in to clear it all. Maybe I just look shifty, or something.
Took Mum shopping, which was as stressful as usual. Even after a month away, she's very much in her own bubble. But I guess we all are? I mean, all I've spoken about for the past four weeks is the Edinburgh Fringe.
Then drove to Peterborough to buy a new kit. A small kit. Very small bass drum, but exactly what I've been after for a long while. It's great for teaching, it can live hidden in the boot, it's totally perfect. When I got home I set it up and fell in love with it's punchy tones and, even though I have a kit worth four grand, this £275 second-hand tiny kit could well be my favourite thing right now.
Taught my first drum lesson in ages, as always it's with Zoltan, who randomly also came to the fringe last week and we enjoyed beers up there. He's a top bloke, he's totally forgotten how to drum, but he's a top bloke.
A then cooked a lovely dinner and I spent the rest of the evening panicking about my schedule, and trying to sort it. At one point, three different bands were emailing me at the same time, booking me up for gigs, as well as all the teaching stuff. I'm totally, absolutely going to burn out soon. But on a lighter note, been booked to play a festival in Portugal next year, so it's not all bad.
Thursday, 29 August 2019
Wednesday 28th August 2019
A day of brilliant emails; firstly filling up all the available time I had for teaching (that elusive 3.45pm slot on a Thursday that I shouldn't shift, and a Friday night lesson in the same town where I'm already teaching), and also GP getting back to me so quickly, so positively about a collaboration. I mean, he's a big star, still - can pack out 1500 capacity venues, despite being nearly 70, and he's heard about my recent 'success' (via Twitter, we follow each other on there). I now have the full rights to his songs so I can write a play using them. So many opportunities on the horizon, this is one I mustn't fuck up.
BBC stuff is back on for next week.
Really proud of the sitcom we read through as a team in July; Alan H has since assembled a cast of people who he thinks are good enough for it but the problem is...because they're all so good, they're all currently in shows. I've been trying to book in a session where we're all available but it's now looking like the end of October. This doesn't bode well.
Anyway, today was long. So long. Pushing 12 hours of long. In the studio with Greg to record the drums for the second album. Let's just say I've had easier sessions. The arrangments of the songs have all changed, tempos switched, producer very sarcastic...how did I get all 11 tracks done in one day? I literally never stopped drumming until I gave them what they wanted, but it just felt horrible. Apparently, it sounds great, but I felt like a really shit drummer today. There was so many misunderstandings and felt tense.
And then they closed down the A14 and I got lost getting home. Took nearly 2 hours instead of 40 minutes. Ridiculous.
BBC stuff is back on for next week.
Really proud of the sitcom we read through as a team in July; Alan H has since assembled a cast of people who he thinks are good enough for it but the problem is...because they're all so good, they're all currently in shows. I've been trying to book in a session where we're all available but it's now looking like the end of October. This doesn't bode well.
Anyway, today was long. So long. Pushing 12 hours of long. In the studio with Greg to record the drums for the second album. Let's just say I've had easier sessions. The arrangments of the songs have all changed, tempos switched, producer very sarcastic...how did I get all 11 tracks done in one day? I literally never stopped drumming until I gave them what they wanted, but it just felt horrible. Apparently, it sounds great, but I felt like a really shit drummer today. There was so many misunderstandings and felt tense.
And then they closed down the A14 and I got lost getting home. Took nearly 2 hours instead of 40 minutes. Ridiculous.
Tuesday 27th August 2019
Up at 5am. I mean, who actually gets up at 5am by choice? I had to today, to pick up A from Gatwick airport, which, as it turns out, isn't Stanstead. I was late, but her flight was delayed and in the end the timing was near perfect. Got stressed by London rush-hour traffic on the way back and she had to buy me a McDonalds for breakfast. She's effectively marrying a child.
Lovely to have A back in my arms, the cats are totally blanking her, which is what they do when they're trying to make a point that they're upset by her being away, apparently (they totally embraced me when I walked in yesterday morning, make of that what you will).
Chilled out for a bit and then I was off to Bury St Edmunds to set up my bigger kit for tomorrow's recording session with Greg.
Lovely to have A back in my arms, the cats are totally blanking her, which is what they do when they're trying to make a point that they're upset by her being away, apparently (they totally embraced me when I walked in yesterday morning, make of that what you will).
Chilled out for a bit and then I was off to Bury St Edmunds to set up my bigger kit for tomorrow's recording session with Greg.
Monday, 26 August 2019
Monday 26th August 2019
Maybe the fringe did take it out of me. So tired today. Or maybe it's just so hot?
Woke up with two cats asleep on me; one on my chest, the other on my foot.
Slowly unpacked everything, threw away the 4,000 flyers I never gave out, tuned drums ahead of studio stuff this week. But mostly had cat naps, without the cats - I closed the door, and started working on my teaching schedule. So many students, not sure if I have enough time to fit them all in. I've got a week or so to work out.
So tired.
Woke up with two cats asleep on me; one on my chest, the other on my foot.
Slowly unpacked everything, threw away the 4,000 flyers I never gave out, tuned drums ahead of studio stuff this week. But mostly had cat naps, without the cats - I closed the door, and started working on my teaching schedule. So many students, not sure if I have enough time to fit them all in. I've got a week or so to work out.
So tired.
Sunday 25th August 2019
Last day of the fringe! But let's be honest, that was pretty much yesterday, today just felt deserted - a majority of the venues are done...in some cases, physically so, with scaffolding removing any traces that they were there in the first place. Gone for another year, another month of dreams, adventures, it really, really, breaks my heart when it's all over. I mean, I need a break, I'm knackered, but I reckon with 2 days off, I could go and do another month of this.
Only two of my shows were running today, with the play and the stand-up show ending yesterday. Signed out of my accommodation (which was totally amazing, if expensive - turns out every comedian chum was staying in that block which lead to many a drunken conversation at 2am in the lobby), found my car, moved it closer, loaded up my props and then Rachel and I did the final HOP to 7 quiet people who sat back, enjoyed it and let us get on with it. Watched my mate's show that followed (I'd been trying to catch it all month) and then a final gig with Dom, which was a goodun. He gave Chad and I some lovely gifts onstage in front of the audience afterwards as a thank you - a Bitcoin card thing that he endorses, a CD and a bottle of bubbly. He didn't have to do that; he's been paying me all month to be his drummer as it is, but he's a good man and I've had a nice 21 days playing his songs.
And with that, it's all over. Only took me 6 hours to drive back, my 20-year-old car, which has caused me so many problems recently, was more than fine and I was home by 1am. Probably dangerous to just blitz it without a break, but I felt very awake.
It's lovely to be back. Harvey will grow and grow, that's the show that I will keep and I'm proud of it, and it's all the better for an Edinburgh run. Alan and I have spent many a boozy evening at the Pleasance Courtyard discussing tweaks for it, but it's not far off then it'll tour. And be a film (that was already agreed with a filmmaker who loved the Cambridge preview), and possibly be a radio thing - but I need to clarify exactly what was said in that BBC chat that involved 8 pints. I'm onto a good thing here. HOP can maybe retire now, as much as some of my team want it to continue. No more stand-up, but very keen to drum for more comedians. I've got a lot out of this fringe, not just the four stars from the Scotsman.
But it's lovely to be back. A is home on Tuesday, but even being back in the house felt lovely. The cats, who had barely had any human contact for 10 days (A's parents popped in briefly every day to feed them) were very needy and I felt very welcome. Good to be home.
Only two of my shows were running today, with the play and the stand-up show ending yesterday. Signed out of my accommodation (which was totally amazing, if expensive - turns out every comedian chum was staying in that block which lead to many a drunken conversation at 2am in the lobby), found my car, moved it closer, loaded up my props and then Rachel and I did the final HOP to 7 quiet people who sat back, enjoyed it and let us get on with it. Watched my mate's show that followed (I'd been trying to catch it all month) and then a final gig with Dom, which was a goodun. He gave Chad and I some lovely gifts onstage in front of the audience afterwards as a thank you - a Bitcoin card thing that he endorses, a CD and a bottle of bubbly. He didn't have to do that; he's been paying me all month to be his drummer as it is, but he's a good man and I've had a nice 21 days playing his songs.
And with that, it's all over. Only took me 6 hours to drive back, my 20-year-old car, which has caused me so many problems recently, was more than fine and I was home by 1am. Probably dangerous to just blitz it without a break, but I felt very awake.
It's lovely to be back. Harvey will grow and grow, that's the show that I will keep and I'm proud of it, and it's all the better for an Edinburgh run. Alan and I have spent many a boozy evening at the Pleasance Courtyard discussing tweaks for it, but it's not far off then it'll tour. And be a film (that was already agreed with a filmmaker who loved the Cambridge preview), and possibly be a radio thing - but I need to clarify exactly what was said in that BBC chat that involved 8 pints. I'm onto a good thing here. HOP can maybe retire now, as much as some of my team want it to continue. No more stand-up, but very keen to drum for more comedians. I've got a lot out of this fringe, not just the four stars from the Scotsman.
But it's lovely to be back. A is home on Tuesday, but even being back in the house felt lovely. The cats, who had barely had any human contact for 10 days (A's parents popped in briefly every day to feed them) were very needy and I felt very welcome. Good to be home.
Thursday 22nd August 2019 - Saturday 24th August 2019
Week 2 is, and always will be, my favourite week at the fringe. Week 3, though, always has the feel of a bit of a struggle. It's a tough balancing act; the acts are knackered but new audiences are coming in for the final few days, all brimming with optimism, unaware at how tired we all are. Especially when you're doing four shows a day.
I took that into account when watching shows, only managed to catch a couple more - Nick Helm's musical, and Max & Ivan, both safe bets, both amazing.
Meanwhile, my shows ended pretty well. Harvey remained really strong throughout the whole run - it's an odd one, I was always tired walking in from the flat, and often hungover (including one night where I was out with a bunch of BBC producers until 2am, they had seen the show and spent several hours/8 pints telling me this, it's just a shame I can't remember what was actually agreed moving forward) but as soon as I put on the costume - the Harvey shirt, tie and coat, I 'became' the character. The costume, which was mostly an accident but evolved during the previews, has helped a lot...I just jiggle my shoulders as Harvey would, pace a bit more. It totally stinks and I'm not at all offended that, as soon as the show would finish, the venue front of house team would run in and open all of the windows. Numbers were good, I mean, not spectacular, but double figures every day for an 11.30am show is still respectable. Really nice to see an old school friend, Dave, turn up randomly.
The problem I was having was that I was just getting bored of HOP. My team kept it going for me - Eamon and Rachel in particular have been absolute legends, but now that show is far from being my priority, it's a bit of a challenge to give it the energy it deserves. And it needs a LOT of energy. Audiences still loved it, but I need a break from that show after doing it everywhere for 3 years. I made quite a lot of money doing it, though, which helped a lot in very expensive Edinburgh.
Dom's gig was easy, if anything I was enjoying it more than anything else I was doing as I just got to drum and it didn't take up any brain space. Chad is a gift of a musician to be onstage with and we'll certainly work together again soon. Dom's a class act; not to everyone's taste, but top-level stuff and I learnt a lot from him (and he pays well).
Not that I want to be a comedian anymore anyway. I'm just not into it anymore, preferring one-man plays which is still a good vehicle for my comedic ambitions without having to do the circuit and then enter a venue where people are sat with their arms folded asking, "are you funny, then?" as if they're somehow entitled. The plan going into Edinburgh was that this would be my last ever stand-up show, and a nice show it is, too, and at the end of the run that's me done with stand-up forever (apart from a few London gigs for a promoter friend). The problem was that my venue was an absolute shit hole, with puke in corners of the corridors, overly aggressive bouncers and 8 venues in one meaning we're all competing for flyering space. It was just horrible, for a month, and I'm amazed anyone came at all. Not many did, those who did were mostly friends or people who had seen me before. People who were actively seeking me, because they like my act, not people randomly stumbling in.
That was until the final night, when it looked like I had an audience of three strangers - three young ladies, who seemed friendly. They had no idea what the show was, but were heading to a show later and wanted to see a show in this vicinity at my time slot, so it worked well. I started the show, they seemed happy with the gentle nature of it, and then 12 rugby players, with their girlfriends walked in. They were pissed out of their faces, they wanted to like me and were honestly quite friendly, but about 2 minutes in I stopped it and just said, "fuck it - let's just have a singsong instead" and they all roared with joy. What happened then was the loudest version of HOP ever, but they were having a great time...until the show next door complained that we were too loud. It's a terrible venue, the walls separating the rooms were practically cardboard, so I understood the complaint and ended the show there.
The rugby players were annoyed; the guy who complained has stopped their fun, and how dare he! A couple of them went to 'have a word' with the guy, fists ready, but initially I asked them not to - told them to just go into a bar, I thanked them for their time, a few of them bunged me a fiver and most of them hugged me, calling me a "legend, and not just some c*nt who we have to watch, trying to make us laugh, you gave us what we want - a fucking good singalong". Turns out, all you have to do to keep a bunch of burly, Glaswegian rugby players happy, is give them a notepad with the lyrics to YMCA in it.
One of the rugby players then ignored my request and went into the other room to have his 'word' with the guy who stopped his fun, but I didn't care - it's the last night, and the guy who had been complaining had been drowning me out for the last month so he probably deserved it. I don't know what happened in that room; Rachel (who had popped in half-way through to see my final stand-up show and instead witnessed all of the chaos) and I quickly nipped to a bar around the corner and left them to it.
And that was my final ever stand-up gig. Fitting, somehow.
Went to see PBH's last comedians gig, an iconic event (in which my mate Steve was AMAZING as the guest) and then a few of us went to the aftershow party. Can't remember much of the evening, but I do remember, randomly, one of drum students, Zoltan, being there, and my mate Jenni said the next day that we staggered out of the Banshee Laybrinth at 4am. I do remember having a really lovely time, with lots of people I know and like, including the staff there who have always been lovely to me.
It's the fringe, I've worked hard for this.
I took that into account when watching shows, only managed to catch a couple more - Nick Helm's musical, and Max & Ivan, both safe bets, both amazing.
Meanwhile, my shows ended pretty well. Harvey remained really strong throughout the whole run - it's an odd one, I was always tired walking in from the flat, and often hungover (including one night where I was out with a bunch of BBC producers until 2am, they had seen the show and spent several hours/8 pints telling me this, it's just a shame I can't remember what was actually agreed moving forward) but as soon as I put on the costume - the Harvey shirt, tie and coat, I 'became' the character. The costume, which was mostly an accident but evolved during the previews, has helped a lot...I just jiggle my shoulders as Harvey would, pace a bit more. It totally stinks and I'm not at all offended that, as soon as the show would finish, the venue front of house team would run in and open all of the windows. Numbers were good, I mean, not spectacular, but double figures every day for an 11.30am show is still respectable. Really nice to see an old school friend, Dave, turn up randomly.
The problem I was having was that I was just getting bored of HOP. My team kept it going for me - Eamon and Rachel in particular have been absolute legends, but now that show is far from being my priority, it's a bit of a challenge to give it the energy it deserves. And it needs a LOT of energy. Audiences still loved it, but I need a break from that show after doing it everywhere for 3 years. I made quite a lot of money doing it, though, which helped a lot in very expensive Edinburgh.
Dom's gig was easy, if anything I was enjoying it more than anything else I was doing as I just got to drum and it didn't take up any brain space. Chad is a gift of a musician to be onstage with and we'll certainly work together again soon. Dom's a class act; not to everyone's taste, but top-level stuff and I learnt a lot from him (and he pays well).
Not that I want to be a comedian anymore anyway. I'm just not into it anymore, preferring one-man plays which is still a good vehicle for my comedic ambitions without having to do the circuit and then enter a venue where people are sat with their arms folded asking, "are you funny, then?" as if they're somehow entitled. The plan going into Edinburgh was that this would be my last ever stand-up show, and a nice show it is, too, and at the end of the run that's me done with stand-up forever (apart from a few London gigs for a promoter friend). The problem was that my venue was an absolute shit hole, with puke in corners of the corridors, overly aggressive bouncers and 8 venues in one meaning we're all competing for flyering space. It was just horrible, for a month, and I'm amazed anyone came at all. Not many did, those who did were mostly friends or people who had seen me before. People who were actively seeking me, because they like my act, not people randomly stumbling in.
That was until the final night, when it looked like I had an audience of three strangers - three young ladies, who seemed friendly. They had no idea what the show was, but were heading to a show later and wanted to see a show in this vicinity at my time slot, so it worked well. I started the show, they seemed happy with the gentle nature of it, and then 12 rugby players, with their girlfriends walked in. They were pissed out of their faces, they wanted to like me and were honestly quite friendly, but about 2 minutes in I stopped it and just said, "fuck it - let's just have a singsong instead" and they all roared with joy. What happened then was the loudest version of HOP ever, but they were having a great time...until the show next door complained that we were too loud. It's a terrible venue, the walls separating the rooms were practically cardboard, so I understood the complaint and ended the show there.
The rugby players were annoyed; the guy who complained has stopped their fun, and how dare he! A couple of them went to 'have a word' with the guy, fists ready, but initially I asked them not to - told them to just go into a bar, I thanked them for their time, a few of them bunged me a fiver and most of them hugged me, calling me a "legend, and not just some c*nt who we have to watch, trying to make us laugh, you gave us what we want - a fucking good singalong". Turns out, all you have to do to keep a bunch of burly, Glaswegian rugby players happy, is give them a notepad with the lyrics to YMCA in it.
One of the rugby players then ignored my request and went into the other room to have his 'word' with the guy who stopped his fun, but I didn't care - it's the last night, and the guy who had been complaining had been drowning me out for the last month so he probably deserved it. I don't know what happened in that room; Rachel (who had popped in half-way through to see my final stand-up show and instead witnessed all of the chaos) and I quickly nipped to a bar around the corner and left them to it.
And that was my final ever stand-up gig. Fitting, somehow.
Went to see PBH's last comedians gig, an iconic event (in which my mate Steve was AMAZING as the guest) and then a few of us went to the aftershow party. Can't remember much of the evening, but I do remember, randomly, one of drum students, Zoltan, being there, and my mate Jenni said the next day that we staggered out of the Banshee Laybrinth at 4am. I do remember having a really lovely time, with lots of people I know and like, including the staff there who have always been lovely to me.
It's the fringe, I've worked hard for this.
Wednesday, 21 August 2019
Tuesday 13th August - Wednesday 21st August 2019
The last week and a bit have all kind of merged into one. For all the spontaneity and creative explosions the fringe has to offer, when you're doing four shows a day, everything almost becomes a bit of a routine. But let's be honest about this: it's a bloody good routine to have.
It basically goes:
9.30am wake up
10am leave flat
10.30am arrive at venue, chat to staff about ticket sales, have my breakfast
11.10am set up the play
11.30am do the play
12.30pm the play ends, pack away, call mum and eat my lunch at the venue reception
1.15pm flyer for HOP
2.15pm perform HOP
3.15pm HOP ends, have a pint with my team, check emails, sometimes I go and check my car is still there
4.45pm soundchecks with Dominic for his show
5.10pm Dom's show
6pm Dom's show typically ends 10 minutes early as the room is so hot
6.20pm panic flyer for 'Something'
6.45pm perform 'Something'
7.45pm head back to the flat, drop of bags and head over to the Courtyard for beers
Pretty much this, every day, for 3 weeks.
Obviously, things have been helped considerably by the 4 star review from the Scotsman for the play - it's given me a bit of a spring in my step, but audience-wise it only really helped me just about sell-out for the two days after the review, after that it's back to half-full rooms, which are more than fine.
There's been a few adventures along the way, such as having to physically throw a guest comedian off the stage during HOP because his act was so unsuitable it was threatening to derail my whole show, and praise from 'famous' comedians for my work. It's mostly lovely.
It is full of ups and downs, often enhanced by lack of sleep or amount of alcohol consumed the night before (I've got mates up here at the moment so the last few nights have been particularly drunken). Generally, though, the ups are when I have a big audience for a show, the downs are when nobody turns up.
The play is doing so well for me and I'm so happy, and HOP continues to be a huge success with audiences despite me clearly bored of the concept. Dominic's show that I drum for has been a big hit and is transferring to London for a run soon (I've been offered the role of 'drummer' again, as it works so well with myself and the pianist, Chad, we'll see if the dates work out) and nobody turns up to my evening stand-up show but I don't care because it's my fourth show of the day and I'm knackered. Sometimes people do turn up and I get really annoyed. Sometimes that's visible, other times I get away with it. Either way, three out of my four shows are going well, which, at the start of the run, I would have killed for.
Going into the final few days, my only real regret, as it was last year, is not seeing enough - especially my mates' shows. I did catch Tara's show, though, she's been guesting a lot in the choir, and it totally broke me. She deserves a lot more credit, she's not having huge numbers in and I think that's largely down to her venue being up a hill, but the ending was just remarkable. I'll try and see some more stuff before the week is out.
I'm loving it up here, I honestly am. But I'm exhausted. Quite happy to be at home soon with future wifey, the cats and my many drums.
It basically goes:
9.30am wake up
10am leave flat
10.30am arrive at venue, chat to staff about ticket sales, have my breakfast
11.10am set up the play
11.30am do the play
12.30pm the play ends, pack away, call mum and eat my lunch at the venue reception
1.15pm flyer for HOP
2.15pm perform HOP
3.15pm HOP ends, have a pint with my team, check emails, sometimes I go and check my car is still there
4.45pm soundchecks with Dominic for his show
5.10pm Dom's show
6pm Dom's show typically ends 10 minutes early as the room is so hot
6.20pm panic flyer for 'Something'
6.45pm perform 'Something'
7.45pm head back to the flat, drop of bags and head over to the Courtyard for beers
Pretty much this, every day, for 3 weeks.
Obviously, things have been helped considerably by the 4 star review from the Scotsman for the play - it's given me a bit of a spring in my step, but audience-wise it only really helped me just about sell-out for the two days after the review, after that it's back to half-full rooms, which are more than fine.
There's been a few adventures along the way, such as having to physically throw a guest comedian off the stage during HOP because his act was so unsuitable it was threatening to derail my whole show, and praise from 'famous' comedians for my work. It's mostly lovely.
It is full of ups and downs, often enhanced by lack of sleep or amount of alcohol consumed the night before (I've got mates up here at the moment so the last few nights have been particularly drunken). Generally, though, the ups are when I have a big audience for a show, the downs are when nobody turns up.
The play is doing so well for me and I'm so happy, and HOP continues to be a huge success with audiences despite me clearly bored of the concept. Dominic's show that I drum for has been a big hit and is transferring to London for a run soon (I've been offered the role of 'drummer' again, as it works so well with myself and the pianist, Chad, we'll see if the dates work out) and nobody turns up to my evening stand-up show but I don't care because it's my fourth show of the day and I'm knackered. Sometimes people do turn up and I get really annoyed. Sometimes that's visible, other times I get away with it. Either way, three out of my four shows are going well, which, at the start of the run, I would have killed for.
Going into the final few days, my only real regret, as it was last year, is not seeing enough - especially my mates' shows. I did catch Tara's show, though, she's been guesting a lot in the choir, and it totally broke me. She deserves a lot more credit, she's not having huge numbers in and I think that's largely down to her venue being up a hill, but the ending was just remarkable. I'll try and see some more stuff before the week is out.
I'm loving it up here, I honestly am. But I'm exhausted. Quite happy to be at home soon with future wifey, the cats and my many drums.
Monday, 12 August 2019
Monday 12th August 2019
My voice is still touch and go, but then again I didn't exactly do myself any favours last night.
Harvey felt a bit sloppy today, I think I just got a bit complacent. Had a nice audience for a Monday, though, 9 people in a 24-capacity room felt fine, and it settled nicely. Was on good form by the end.
HOP was lovely, a big Monday crowd, all rowdy - today's choir of Rachel, Dan and Sean all on good form, everyone very happy.
Dom's show was uncomfortably busy (people practically sat on me as I was trying to drum!) but mustn't grumble.
For 'Something' I wasn't expecting an audience, but then a family of 6 walked in. They were the sweetest, loveliest, most generous people - laughed at all the right times, I think I got the tone right and they seemed really in to what I do. I honestly felt like I could be friends with them. The performance was the best this show has ever looked...see, it IS a show, when people actually turn up to see it. Wonderful.
But as I got a bit excited, I could just feel my throat on it's way out again so went straight home after that show and was in the flat by 8.30pm eating my dinner, catching up on teaching emails and generally trying to save my voice before my mates turn up later this week and things get rowdy...
Harvey felt a bit sloppy today, I think I just got a bit complacent. Had a nice audience for a Monday, though, 9 people in a 24-capacity room felt fine, and it settled nicely. Was on good form by the end.
HOP was lovely, a big Monday crowd, all rowdy - today's choir of Rachel, Dan and Sean all on good form, everyone very happy.
Dom's show was uncomfortably busy (people practically sat on me as I was trying to drum!) but mustn't grumble.
For 'Something' I wasn't expecting an audience, but then a family of 6 walked in. They were the sweetest, loveliest, most generous people - laughed at all the right times, I think I got the tone right and they seemed really in to what I do. I honestly felt like I could be friends with them. The performance was the best this show has ever looked...see, it IS a show, when people actually turn up to see it. Wonderful.
But as I got a bit excited, I could just feel my throat on it's way out again so went straight home after that show and was in the flat by 8.30pm eating my dinner, catching up on teaching emails and generally trying to save my voice before my mates turn up later this week and things get rowdy...
Sunday 11th August 2019
Whilst my voice is far from loud, at least I'm croaky now, which is audible.
Harvey was amazing today, everyone just grabbed by it. The venue seem really amazed by the audience reaction when they leave the room after the show. I love being Harvey, I've really developed this character during this run - the look, the pose, the panic...it's grown on me so much.
With half a voice, HOP was fine because I had a really strong choir again (Helen joined us today, which is a bit of a treat, alongside Dan, Eamon and Sean) and a totally packed room, again.
Had a quick beer with Helen before heading to Dom's show, which he reckons was the best performance yet.
The only two people to turn up to 'Something' were my friends Paul and Heena, so we went to a rum bar instead. Paul and I then saw Stuart Francis, before we all met up with Jamie and a few others at the Pleasance Courtyard. My throat is playing up, and, for some reason I thought gurgling Smokehouse whiskey would be a good idea but if anything it made me feel like my head was on fire.
Harvey was amazing today, everyone just grabbed by it. The venue seem really amazed by the audience reaction when they leave the room after the show. I love being Harvey, I've really developed this character during this run - the look, the pose, the panic...it's grown on me so much.
With half a voice, HOP was fine because I had a really strong choir again (Helen joined us today, which is a bit of a treat, alongside Dan, Eamon and Sean) and a totally packed room, again.
Had a quick beer with Helen before heading to Dom's show, which he reckons was the best performance yet.
The only two people to turn up to 'Something' were my friends Paul and Heena, so we went to a rum bar instead. Paul and I then saw Stuart Francis, before we all met up with Jamie and a few others at the Pleasance Courtyard. My throat is playing up, and, for some reason I thought gurgling Smokehouse whiskey would be a good idea but if anything it made me feel like my head was on fire.
Saturday 10th August 2019
My voice has pretty much totally gone.
Whispered my way through the Harvey show and just about got away with it, with a healthy dose of sympathy from the audience.
HOP was a struggle because we had a totally sold-out room and I literally couldn't talk. Luckily, my choir of Tara (who is basically Kylie Minogue, but a comedian and I imagine lovelier as a person), Eamon, random Scotsman who does Rod Stewart impressions and Dan were on sparkling form and we had a crazy time.
Dom's show was fine as I didn't have to talk.
Cancelled 'Something' for tonight (I know the next act, Olly, quite well so messaged him to turn anyone away) and went back to the flat to drink as much water as possible, have steamy hot showers and eat honey. And sleep. I need my voice to be working.
Whispered my way through the Harvey show and just about got away with it, with a healthy dose of sympathy from the audience.
HOP was a struggle because we had a totally sold-out room and I literally couldn't talk. Luckily, my choir of Tara (who is basically Kylie Minogue, but a comedian and I imagine lovelier as a person), Eamon, random Scotsman who does Rod Stewart impressions and Dan were on sparkling form and we had a crazy time.
Dom's show was fine as I didn't have to talk.
Cancelled 'Something' for tonight (I know the next act, Olly, quite well so messaged him to turn anyone away) and went back to the flat to drink as much water as possible, have steamy hot showers and eat honey. And sleep. I need my voice to be working.
Friday 9th August 2019
Back on form with the Harvey show today - a slightly livelier audience lead to a very lively performance from yours truly.
Starting to lose my voice a little.
The HOP show was amazing today - seems to be that whenever Eamon is in, the show goes up a notch in volume. Big crowd, absolute chaos onstage. Wonderful, wonderful chaos.
Dom's show was great, and then for my 'Something...' show, which feels like a struggle, it looked like the only audience would be my mates Eric and Maureen (Friz's parents) so, a bit like last night, we thought we'd go for a drink instead but then more people walked in. This time it was 7 French students who didn't understand a word of it and it was really awkward. Horrible.
Met up with old friends, Paul and Heena, who I haven't seen for years (I was in a band with Paul 11 years ago...) for Courtyard beers and catch up time.
Starting to lose my voice a little.
The HOP show was amazing today - seems to be that whenever Eamon is in, the show goes up a notch in volume. Big crowd, absolute chaos onstage. Wonderful, wonderful chaos.
Dom's show was great, and then for my 'Something...' show, which feels like a struggle, it looked like the only audience would be my mates Eric and Maureen (Friz's parents) so, a bit like last night, we thought we'd go for a drink instead but then more people walked in. This time it was 7 French students who didn't understand a word of it and it was really awkward. Horrible.
Met up with old friends, Paul and Heena, who I haven't seen for years (I was in a band with Paul 11 years ago...) for Courtyard beers and catch up time.
Thursday 8th August 2019
Like many, I often buy a pizza for dinner the night before just so I can have it cold in the morning for breakfast. That felt like a good idea at the time but then having to go and do a show that involves running on the spot for an hour was a bit of a struggle. I just felt stodgy throughout, which was a shame because I had a nice big audience in.
I then double-booked my guests for HOP, but we only had 6 audience members in anyway. It was actually fine - having both a juggler and a comedian as guests meant I only had to be onstage for 40 minutes myself and it felt like an old-school cabaret night. The bucket was generous at the end.
Dominic's show was great...I was unsure about him at first, and I still can't work out how much of his show is him and how much of it is a character, but as a band Chad and I are really clicking and it feels like we're a mini Horne Section at times.
For my 'Something...' show tonight it looked like it was just going to be my mate Emma, so we agreed to just go for a drink instead, and then two others turned up - an old couple who have seen everything I've done for the last four years. Amazing people, I always look forward to their visits, brilliant stuff. The show was more conversational than normal.
Had a nice drink with Emma, and then Jamie turned up too, still in bed by 11pm like a good boy.
I then double-booked my guests for HOP, but we only had 6 audience members in anyway. It was actually fine - having both a juggler and a comedian as guests meant I only had to be onstage for 40 minutes myself and it felt like an old-school cabaret night. The bucket was generous at the end.
Dominic's show was great...I was unsure about him at first, and I still can't work out how much of his show is him and how much of it is a character, but as a band Chad and I are really clicking and it feels like we're a mini Horne Section at times.
For my 'Something...' show tonight it looked like it was just going to be my mate Emma, so we agreed to just go for a drink instead, and then two others turned up - an old couple who have seen everything I've done for the last four years. Amazing people, I always look forward to their visits, brilliant stuff. The show was more conversational than normal.
Had a nice drink with Emma, and then Jamie turned up too, still in bed by 11pm like a good boy.
Wednesday, 7 August 2019
Wednesday 7th August 2019
A stressful day because the press were in for HG. Woke up to see that, on the ticket report, the only person attending was indeed the journo... and she's from a major publication. But my mates helped out - Eric (Friz's dad), Alyn, Craig, Isla all turned up, as did Alan H's mum, and a few actual strangers, meaning I had 11 in, which in a 24-capacity room, felt fine. More than fine. EVERYONE was onside, including the reporter, it was hot, it was intense, but this is the best this show has ever been. Grown men were crying at the end, it was glorious. She seemed to laugh at the right time, but you can never tell, can you?
HOP was amazingly good today, too - really brilliant audience (all 14 of them) and Tara, as a singer (and I predict good friend in the future, we had a beer after the show and really clicked) is quite a find - she's an Australian comedian, Eamon nailed it again and Woodstock is just so happy onstage it's a joy to have her around. We had to work really hard to keep everyone onside, but it just felt like a glorious in-joke. That was a goodun.
And then Dom had a great show, too (probably spurred on by his own excellent review by the Scotsman), everyone clicked and it was a joy to drum to.
And then...nobody came to Something...which is fine, it's a tough Wednesday and many are struggling, so it was to be expected, but I've never had a day (yet) where everything totally works and I was so close to getting the full set. Still, 3 out of 4 shows isn't bad, is it?
HOP was amazingly good today, too - really brilliant audience (all 14 of them) and Tara, as a singer (and I predict good friend in the future, we had a beer after the show and really clicked) is quite a find - she's an Australian comedian, Eamon nailed it again and Woodstock is just so happy onstage it's a joy to have her around. We had to work really hard to keep everyone onside, but it just felt like a glorious in-joke. That was a goodun.
And then Dom had a great show, too (probably spurred on by his own excellent review by the Scotsman), everyone clicked and it was a joy to drum to.
And then...nobody came to Something...which is fine, it's a tough Wednesday and many are struggling, so it was to be expected, but I've never had a day (yet) where everything totally works and I was so close to getting the full set. Still, 3 out of 4 shows isn't bad, is it?
Tuesday 6th August 2019
HG was a bit flat today, despite having a nice audience. Not sure why, I just don't think the energy levels were there. People seemed to enjoy it, but I can do so much better. It needs to be better tomorrow when the press are in.
HOP was fine, I mean, tiny audience (4) but Rachel and Scott were brilliant guests and the 4 that were in all put in a tenner each at the end because they enjoyed it so much. Tuesdays are generally tough here, I think.
Dom's show was okay, he was very stressed about his PowerPoint not working properly, but again, audiences seemed to like it.
Something... was fun tonight. Just the 6 people in, but 6 who, as soon as I started making more percussional, really got onside. One lady in the audience said afterwards that it was a "special, special show" - I think she meant it in a good way.
Had a couple beers with my mate Emma, who I've known from Cambridge stuff over the years - she's just such lovely company and I look forward to doing it all again on Thursday. Home by 11pm like a pro.
HOP was fine, I mean, tiny audience (4) but Rachel and Scott were brilliant guests and the 4 that were in all put in a tenner each at the end because they enjoyed it so much. Tuesdays are generally tough here, I think.
Dom's show was okay, he was very stressed about his PowerPoint not working properly, but again, audiences seemed to like it.
Something... was fun tonight. Just the 6 people in, but 6 who, as soon as I started making more percussional, really got onside. One lady in the audience said afterwards that it was a "special, special show" - I think she meant it in a good way.
Had a couple beers with my mate Emma, who I've known from Cambridge stuff over the years - she's just such lovely company and I look forward to doing it all again on Thursday. Home by 11pm like a pro.
Monday 5th August 2019
The fringe is really starting to happen properly now, as much as it feels like I've been here forever already.
HG was another goodun today, I feel like I'm on a bit of a roll with this now. Maybe not quite as strong as yesterday, but the audiences are creeping up and everyone who has seen it, really, really likes it.
HOP was really strong, too. In fact, it's the best it's looked since the Dublin performance in April. It usually works when Eamon is in the choir because he's so loud and audiences just really take to him, and it really helped today that we had a group of 8 drama students sat in the front row. They were lovely (and generous), as was the rest of the audience and we gave them a proper party. If it's like this every day, then we'll be onto a hit. Sadly, I know it won't always be as easy as this.
Dom's show was fine, he seems stressed, but the pianist and I are clicking really well and I'd like to work with him after the fringe if possible.
Something... was weird. Looked like a no-show, until 2 very sweet Swedish girls turned up telling me how they'd ran for 20 minutes to get to my show on time because they liked the blurb. I started the show, I was polite but clearly talking too fast for them, so we just played ABBA songs instead. It was an odd one.
I'm getting back early most evenings (ie; 10pm) with the intention of writing, but because my shows this year are so physically draining I'm just heading back, eating pizza and watching classic Drop the Dead Donkey episodes. I have friends up later in the run, which will involve late-night Pleasance Courtyard drinking, so I'd best get my stamina up.
HG was another goodun today, I feel like I'm on a bit of a roll with this now. Maybe not quite as strong as yesterday, but the audiences are creeping up and everyone who has seen it, really, really likes it.
HOP was really strong, too. In fact, it's the best it's looked since the Dublin performance in April. It usually works when Eamon is in the choir because he's so loud and audiences just really take to him, and it really helped today that we had a group of 8 drama students sat in the front row. They were lovely (and generous), as was the rest of the audience and we gave them a proper party. If it's like this every day, then we'll be onto a hit. Sadly, I know it won't always be as easy as this.
Dom's show was fine, he seems stressed, but the pianist and I are clicking really well and I'd like to work with him after the fringe if possible.
Something... was weird. Looked like a no-show, until 2 very sweet Swedish girls turned up telling me how they'd ran for 20 minutes to get to my show on time because they liked the blurb. I started the show, I was polite but clearly talking too fast for them, so we just played ABBA songs instead. It was an odd one.
I'm getting back early most evenings (ie; 10pm) with the intention of writing, but because my shows this year are so physically draining I'm just heading back, eating pizza and watching classic Drop the Dead Donkey episodes. I have friends up later in the run, which will involve late-night Pleasance Courtyard drinking, so I'd best get my stamina up.
Sunday, 4 August 2019
Sunday 4th August 2019
Really, really brilliant HG today. I mean, just 7 in, but everyone TOTALLY onside, and great to see my old chum, Heather. Buzzing from how good that felt.
HOP was horrible today - an all-female audience, it felt like a cheap karaoke hen-party show. Our venue is a bit odd in the sense that it's effectively a pub with a curtain in the middle of it, and as the ladies sang loudly (especially the bit when I formed a girl band), the rest of the pub (football watching thugs, mostly) seemed to retaliate. It felt like we were in competition at times, almost at war, almost nasty. Apparently one of them is a marginally famous comedian, but I honestly don't care (and hadn't heard of him). This is not what the fringe is about. There's no matches on tomorrow so we'll be fine.
Rachel (who is my regular collaborator in the show) and I grabbed a drink to calm down, and then I had a lovely time drumming for Dominic. It's nice when it's someone else's show, isn't it? I literally turn up, drum, get paid. Why haven't I thought of this before?
I exit flyered his audience for my own show, and remarkably three of them followed me to my gig - led mostly by a lovely girl called Ellie, who seemed to spend a lot of Dominic's show watching my drumming.
'Something...' was lovely tonight. I mean, an audience of 6 - the three from Dominic's show, a random lady from Edinburgh and a very sweet couple from Cambridge who I genuinely hope to keep in touch with, but it worked. I've restructured it all, again, all of the laughs are in the right places. I was on fire tonight, felt like I couldn't do a thing wrong.
Met up with Rachel for dinner, and then off for a quick pint with Heather before she had to catch a show. Rachel is, as she has been for the last 3 years, very much my 'fringe mum' - telling me off for drinking too much and fetching me a napkin when I have cheese all over my face.
'Home' - ie; back in the flat, by 10.30pm, via a long street chat with my mate Scott, which has seemed to happen every night since I moved into these flats. I have a lot of friends up here, I'm a lucky boy.
HOP was horrible today - an all-female audience, it felt like a cheap karaoke hen-party show. Our venue is a bit odd in the sense that it's effectively a pub with a curtain in the middle of it, and as the ladies sang loudly (especially the bit when I formed a girl band), the rest of the pub (football watching thugs, mostly) seemed to retaliate. It felt like we were in competition at times, almost at war, almost nasty. Apparently one of them is a marginally famous comedian, but I honestly don't care (and hadn't heard of him). This is not what the fringe is about. There's no matches on tomorrow so we'll be fine.
Rachel (who is my regular collaborator in the show) and I grabbed a drink to calm down, and then I had a lovely time drumming for Dominic. It's nice when it's someone else's show, isn't it? I literally turn up, drum, get paid. Why haven't I thought of this before?
I exit flyered his audience for my own show, and remarkably three of them followed me to my gig - led mostly by a lovely girl called Ellie, who seemed to spend a lot of Dominic's show watching my drumming.
'Something...' was lovely tonight. I mean, an audience of 6 - the three from Dominic's show, a random lady from Edinburgh and a very sweet couple from Cambridge who I genuinely hope to keep in touch with, but it worked. I've restructured it all, again, all of the laughs are in the right places. I was on fire tonight, felt like I couldn't do a thing wrong.
Met up with Rachel for dinner, and then off for a quick pint with Heather before she had to catch a show. Rachel is, as she has been for the last 3 years, very much my 'fringe mum' - telling me off for drinking too much and fetching me a napkin when I have cheese all over my face.
'Home' - ie; back in the flat, by 10.30pm, via a long street chat with my mate Scott, which has seemed to happen every night since I moved into these flats. I have a lot of friends up here, I'm a lucky boy.
Saturday 3rd August 2019
Finally, things are starting to happen! Lovely audience of 8 people in for HG (I'm in a 24-capacity theatre space, that's fine) and they really loved it.
HOP was fun too, mostly because of the front row who just wanted to sing. A lot. Small audience though for a central venue on Saturday.
Went to watch Dominic's show, ahead of drumming in it tomorrow.
Went over to my venue for my 'Something' show, didn't flyer it because I still have no idea what this show is. 5 turned up anyway and watched me struggle for a bit, but paid generously at the end. I didn't deserve that.
Then over to the Pleasance Courtyard to catch up with Helen, who is one of the nicest people I know. We met last year at a festival in Swindon and have stayed in touch, and we had a few beers to discuss forming a theatre company together, which we will in September. She's very sharp, she'll be a great creative partner.
HOP was fun too, mostly because of the front row who just wanted to sing. A lot. Small audience though for a central venue on Saturday.
Went to watch Dominic's show, ahead of drumming in it tomorrow.
Went over to my venue for my 'Something' show, didn't flyer it because I still have no idea what this show is. 5 turned up anyway and watched me struggle for a bit, but paid generously at the end. I didn't deserve that.
Then over to the Pleasance Courtyard to catch up with Helen, who is one of the nicest people I know. We met last year at a festival in Swindon and have stayed in touch, and we had a few beers to discuss forming a theatre company together, which we will in September. She's very sharp, she'll be a great creative partner.
Friday 2nd August 2019
Nobody turned up to HG today but it's fine - it's a bit awkward two days in a row, but I didn't mind so much as I had to move my car and move into the new accommodation where I'll be living for the next three weeks.
My digs are amazing - ensuite room, very secure, very private. My two housemates (who I predict I'll ever see as we're all on at different times and we all have our own bathrooms/space) are Chris - who I've known for years, and Niamh, who seems very friendly. It's also walking distance from EVERYTHING. I've never had it so easy.
Did a guest spot at a musical comedy show (with Rachel and Alyn as my 'choir' doing 10 minutes of HOP stuff) which was rusty but enthusiastic, and then had a big venue meeting thingy in which we all went through the whole 'don't be a dick' policy. Got chatting to PR lady, Amanda, over a couple pints, and then we carried on drinking in another bar afterwards for a bit. I can't let myself get this drunk every night, it's a long fringe...
My digs are amazing - ensuite room, very secure, very private. My two housemates (who I predict I'll ever see as we're all on at different times and we all have our own bathrooms/space) are Chris - who I've known for years, and Niamh, who seems very friendly. It's also walking distance from EVERYTHING. I've never had it so easy.
Did a guest spot at a musical comedy show (with Rachel and Alyn as my 'choir' doing 10 minutes of HOP stuff) which was rusty but enthusiastic, and then had a big venue meeting thingy in which we all went through the whole 'don't be a dick' policy. Got chatting to PR lady, Amanda, over a couple pints, and then we carried on drinking in another bar afterwards for a bit. I can't let myself get this drunk every night, it's a long fringe...
Thursday 1st August 2019
See, the thing I don't like about a no-show is the pitty you get from the venue. It's preview season, yet my tickets are full price. It's on at 11.30am. People don't think the festival has started yet. It's all fine. Yet the venue seem upset on my behalf. My general ticket sales are fine and I've got a major newspaper reviewing it next week, it's honestly all cool.
I mean, I would have liked it if 2 people had turned up, so I could have run my lines, but it's all fine.
Had a nice long walk to find a bank and cashed in the ridiculous amount of money I got paid for Monday's preview. So much more than I'll probably make over the next month.
Met up with Rachel for a coffee and a catch-up.
Nice phone chat with Josie, and then off to the venue's launch party. Met some interesting producer types and then realised I'm shit at networking - it's just full of people giving each other flyers, but nobody is going to see each other's shows.
Met up with Steve M for a coffee, and then Aiden G messaged me so he joined us as well. We had a nice chat in the garden, really nice, actually, I feel I fit in with these two. We'll do it again soon during the fringe.
Met up with Dominic for a couple of pints, I'll be his drummer for the festival yet we've never met before (he's got his own TV show and various awards to his CV). He's very optimistic about everything.
I mean, I would have liked it if 2 people had turned up, so I could have run my lines, but it's all fine.
Had a nice long walk to find a bank and cashed in the ridiculous amount of money I got paid for Monday's preview. So much more than I'll probably make over the next month.
Met up with Rachel for a coffee and a catch-up.
Nice phone chat with Josie, and then off to the venue's launch party. Met some interesting producer types and then realised I'm shit at networking - it's just full of people giving each other flyers, but nobody is going to see each other's shows.
Met up with Steve M for a coffee, and then Aiden G messaged me so he joined us as well. We had a nice chat in the garden, really nice, actually, I feel I fit in with these two. We'll do it again soon during the fringe.
Met up with Dominic for a couple of pints, I'll be his drummer for the festival yet we've never met before (he's got his own TV show and various awards to his CV). He's very optimistic about everything.
Wednesday 31st July 2019
It's weird having very little to do, isn't it? I just kind of...slept, in Nicky's spare room, as her and her partner went out to work. I feel like I should be working.
Went to see a couple of shows, Rachel's preview (which was excellent) and a disappointing drumming show. I just feel I could have done it better myself. Yeah, he's clearly a good drummer, but they've totally forgotten about the plot.
Had my venue tech in the evening, which was typically chaotic - all venues are at this time of year. Nobody quite knows what's going on, all of the staff seem scatty but equally really lovely and keen to help. The allocated time overran considerably, but nobody seemed to care. My venue is cool, this will be okay.
Tuesday 30th July 2019
Intentionally slow drive to Edinburgh, because my digs aren't ready until the afternoon. Also, I'm having to drink 4 litres of water a day at the moment (doctors orders) so am pissing in every service station going. It certainly adds about an hour to the journey.
Eventually got to Nicky's place - Nicky is an old musician pal, who is kindly letting me kip in her spare room for a few days due to my accommodation cock-up. I always feel guilty about this, I pretty much only speak to Nicky in July when my digs have fallen through, she's a great friend but I should probably speak to her more often, not just when Edinburgh is approaching.
This is very much the calm before the storm; the show technically opens on Thursday but that's only previews, it's Saturday when everything kicks off properly. Tonight I sat in my room and replied to teaching emails.
Eventually got to Nicky's place - Nicky is an old musician pal, who is kindly letting me kip in her spare room for a few days due to my accommodation cock-up. I always feel guilty about this, I pretty much only speak to Nicky in July when my digs have fallen through, she's a great friend but I should probably speak to her more often, not just when Edinburgh is approaching.
This is very much the calm before the storm; the show technically opens on Thursday but that's only previews, it's Saturday when everything kicks off properly. Tonight I sat in my room and replied to teaching emails.
Monday 29th July 2919
Up early, did some more panic tidying ahead of Lauren moving back into the house to cat sit for the month, and then took Mum shopping - a big shop, because I'm now away for the best part of 4 weeks,
Comfortable drive up to Yorkshire (ie; the car only over-heated a few times) and then my final preview of HG. A huge village hall...normally my shows, in particular this one, work best in intimate settings but this had sold out at 70 people. Shouldn't have worked. In some retrospects, it didn't totally work because I was without amplification and many at the back struggled to hear everything. But the general vibe at the end was that people were into it, really into it, and a few of them added me on Facebook afterwards and have booked tickets to see it again in Edinburgh...
A nice drink with my kind host, John, who I know as he's promoted FH a few times and then bed. Tomorrow, things slowly ramp into life.
Comfortable drive up to Yorkshire (ie; the car only over-heated a few times) and then my final preview of HG. A huge village hall...normally my shows, in particular this one, work best in intimate settings but this had sold out at 70 people. Shouldn't have worked. In some retrospects, it didn't totally work because I was without amplification and many at the back struggled to hear everything. But the general vibe at the end was that people were into it, really into it, and a few of them added me on Facebook afterwards and have booked tickets to see it again in Edinburgh...
A nice drink with my kind host, John, who I know as he's promoted FH a few times and then bed. Tomorrow, things slowly ramp into life.
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