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We loaded way too much stuff into the car and began our first family trip to the Edinburgh Fringe. First stop was the Great Yorkshire Fringe in York where I was doing my stand up show at 4.30pm and a podcast at 7pm. I did the same last year too and it’s actually a good idea to make the most of a trip by performing to two audiences (though I think a few people came to see both shows). And both shows were well attended - the stand up show doing a bit better than the podcast. But despite being a bit tired and distracted after the long drive and then having to navigate York’s ring road and carry my stuff from the car park to the venue, this was one of my favourite previews. It can be odd doing comedy in the daytime, especially when you’re basically in a tent and so everything is lit, but the audience were not self-conscious about it and I was playful with the routines and found loads more jokes in them. I can’t remember having had such an enjoyable run of previews or having gone to the Fringe with a show that felt in such good shape. I need to sharpen up the links and the ending a bit (though it came out well today) and there’s a few more ideas I have for the running jokes. But the hour zips by and it all seems funny and even the one or two routines I initially thought might not make the cut have improved (I have lost a fair amount of stuff too, but that’s good as it means there’s some spare stuff ready to go for the tour).
Two months ago I was wondering if I could think of anything for the show, now I am thinking this might be one of my better ones. I am surprised as anyone that it’s possible to put together a show in this length of time, though I don’t know why as it’s the way I have usually worked things.
There was a lot of dashing around and spinning plates. In between the shows I rushed out to find my wife and daughter and have dinner with them and then find them a cab back to the hotel. It’s race week in York, which explains why it was so difficult for us to find a hotel room, even though I booked in March, though weirdly we got a hotel right by where the races are taking place.
I got back to the venue with 15 minutes before the show and met my guest Rahul Kohli (not that one) and Martin Barrass. Rahul is a newish comedian who is making a splash particularly with political comedy and who is doing 3 shows a day in Edinburgh this year. Because he’s 25 and you’re able to do that sort of thing. Martin is an actor who is beloved in York for his annual pantomime appearances and has appeared in loads of TV shows including Angels back in the day. Last year he had a very serious motorbike accident and is incredibly lucky to be alive. But remarkably he seems to be sprightly and fit, even though it’s just a year since he broke his legs, mashed his liver, had two heart attacks (his heart stopped beating for five minutes) and was given a one in a hundred chance of survival.
As there was only a one hour slot I could only talk to each guest for half an hour, but it was a fascinating and funny chat. There were some extremely drunk people on the second row celebrating someone’s birthday and they were minded to join in a fair amount, but it more or less stayed on the right side of being annoying and we managed to make some mileage out of it. As has happened once before, the woman on the end at the centre was so drunk that when she went out to go to the loo she didn’t turn right and walk up the aisle, but walked past everyone in her row.
I will put this podcast up as a bonus extra in the next couple of days.
It had been a long day bit I was exhilarated after the performance and not too tired. Walking back to the car I noticed something that would make for a good piece of observational comedy (but not “observational†comedy like I do). A man was crossing the road without being able to see what traffic was coming, but in an area where cars were likely to be going slowly, so there was a possibility of being run over, but it wasn’t likely. Aware that he was taking a silly risk he ran across the road in a silly way. It acknowledged that what he was doing was needlessly risky, but he hoped to protect himself with the hope that by acknowledging that that he would somehow be protected if a car was coming for him.
I think that’s something that we probably all do. But presumably occasionally the over the top tip toe whilst pulling a stupid face doesn’t work and that’s how someone meets their maker.
I will sell this to Michael Mcintyre. I think he has the chops to make it funny.
Anyway this weekend feels a bit like a holiday, even though it’s actually filled with work. So maybe it was like being on holiday with both your families, but they don’t know you’re a bigamist. So every now and again you have to run off from one meal, to do a podcast with your other family. And then you get run over crossing the road in a stupid way.
I am saying I am married to my job.
