I bought new shoes yesterday. I think they are magic comedy shoes. Not that they're particularly funny in themselves (though they're not the kind of shoes I would usually wear), but they embue with magic comedy confidence. They felt comfortable and smart and so decided I would wear them during the show. I have heard actors claim that the key to getting a character right is to find the right shoes. I think these shoes might be the right shoes for the Richard Herring character to wear. Even though I have never worn shoes like this in my life (they are kind of tan and a bit country and western maybe).
And the show went great. I could feel the comedy energy rising up from my feet. So much of being a good comedian is about confidence. For some reason these peculiar shoes are doing it for me.
They did not prove to be lucky shoes in any other way. I lost at poker tonight and slept alone. But as I walked home I felt that as long as I wear these shoes in any future comedy gig I will always be funny.
Especially if I can install a little button on them, which when pressed causes the shoes to lengthen and curl like a jester's shoe.
Then I am safe in all comedy environments.
I only had around 70 in tonight, but was somewhat heartened to find out that many shows are suffering with smaller than usual audiences this year. Not just at the Pod, but elsewhere too. Maybe there are more comedians. Maybe there are less punters. Maybe shows in big theatres are sucking off our audiences (in both senses of the phrase). As usual I come to the conclusion that I just have to do the best show I can to reward the people sensible enough to have come and seen me. With my magic shoes and fresh from a day off and a 12 hour sleep I think I provided this tonight. I intend to just enjoy my last week and a half by any means necessary.
