The day started with my best review yet
in Scotsgay. It is good to have the backing of the Scottish gays, especially as in my late gig at the Stand much later on I would accidentally say "that's where homosexuality begins, through ignorance," when in fact the line is (and has always been in the hundred times I have done that routine) "that's where homophobia begins." Quite a difference. Luckily it didn't derail one of the most enjoyable 20 minutes of stand up comedy that I have ever performed. The Stand is possibly the greatest club in the world and the audience was sharp and enthusiastic and it was enormous fun to play to them. But sorry to anyone who was confused by that statement. It actually got quite a big laugh, which confused me at the time as I didn't realise my mistake until I was told later.
I made another mistake as well in writing yesterday's Warming Up, by requesting that you all congregate on the Tempting Tattie on Sunday 23rd. The Tattie is closed on Sundays (as I suddenly recalled being told by the proprietor himself, but forgotten about), so the "happening" has been moved to 1.45pm on Saturday. We'll be down there at the same time on Wednesday to Friday as well. In a way it's a shame that I noticed my error. It might have been even more of a happening if hundreds of people had descended on a shop that was closed. It would have been embarrassing, but also quite apt and amusing. We might pop down there on Sunday, just to have a look. Do remember that you can do your bit for this cause by visiting the Tattie whenever you happen to be in Edinburgh. Ask for a "Richard Herring". You won't be disappointed. See if he puts pineapple in it too. Obviously there's a chance that the Tattiers will get wind of all this, but let's hope they don't. Please don't mention it to them if you go in.
After my own gig tonight I rushed over the Traverse to see Daniel Kitson's latest theatrical monologue, "The Interminable Suicide of Gregory Church". I had been soaked to the skin before my show as I walked up the mound in the pissing rain (that has been largely absent from this Fringe) and so was slowly drying off as the totally enchanting and engaging monologue unwrapped in front of me. This show is already sold out, so if you haven't got a ticket you probably aren't going to see it up here, but if it goes anywhere else do go and see it. Kitson is the master of stand up and also as I discovered today of theatre. It's an amazing idea and the point where fantasy takes over from reality is never quite clear and isn't important. Kitson claims to have discovered thousands of letters in the loft of a house he was looking round with an estate agent, and by reading through them all tries to piece together what happened in the life of the last resident who died there.
It's so beautiful and clever and affecting too, people were getting really engaged and involved in the lives of the people who were mentioned in the missives (even though in their hearts they must have known they weren't actually real). But Kitson made them all seem so real and worked like a conjurer creating personalities and quirks so perfectly that at times even I started to question whether everything he was saying might actually be true.
This man is a total and bona-fide genius and you must try and see his stuff, however difficult he makes that by playing tiny venues.
I don't think I mentioned that my Citizen Radio interview is
now up as well.
