Who cares about the ticket sales? I got an amazing review for Talking Cock in the Metro today. I know I write for them, but they have assured me that all their journalists remain impartial. Even so one of them was amazingly kind enough to give me 6 stars for the show (even though it usually only goes up to 5!" and how about this for a quote, "definitely the funniest and cleverest comedy show of all time....most affecting piece of drama in the past 2 and half millennia of theatre"? It's a bit over the top I guess, but it's there in the paper. I don't like to brag, but I had to share that with you, just because some of you thought I was being grumpy and curmudgeonly before (even though I wasn't - I am having a good Fringe and think the festival is more vibrant and varied and brilliant than ever). You can read the whole unbelievable article
here.
Will the other papers pick up on this piece of good news? Probably not, though feel a bit perturbed that some journos have picked up on other stuff I've said here recently to make me sound like a bit of a sourpuss. As I said I was just trying to give a snapshot of my emotions during the day and to reveal the truth that ticket sales are down this year (others might be not so keen to admit that) and idly speculating about the long term affects on that. The "bubble might burst" becomes
Fringe bubble is about to burst. I wasn't trying to be that negative and don't want to be another grumpy middle-aged voice claiming that things aren't as good as they used to be, because I think they are better than they used to be. But everyone here needs to have a think about how to address the problems we've had this year - they might not be relevant in a non-Olympic year, but I'd like to see acts lower their prices and local bars, hotels and landlords to do the same so that we can encourage people to make the trip up here. There are some fantastic things to see.
It's a tough balance to get right and I wish that I had stuck to my previous philosophy and kept my ticket prices lower. And I think next year I will lower them again (even though they are still competitively priced compared to other acts). It's got to be about creating a good show not about making money. It'd be nice to think that others would think of doing the same thing, for the sake of the Fringe having a life. If we can get the people up here then we can all have an audience. If rents were cut in half that would mean tickets could be maybe 50p cheaper right there. And landlords would still be getting double their usual rent (at a guess). And maybe renting more rooms. Better to make a small amount of money from loads of people than a big amount from a few?
Again all of this, for any journalists reading is just idle thoughts. I actually think it's quite exciting to be in a possibly deflating bubble and to be trying to think of ways to turn that to everyone's advantage. What the performers here want more than a TV contract or money is a room full of people who appreciate the effort they've put into a show.
Ah fuck it. Shut up Rich. People inside the bubble aren't in a position to work out how to save it. I will leave that to the bubble experts. But if I am here next year I think I will lower my prices and/or my room capacity. That would seem to be the best way to help others and myself and the spirit of the fucking fringe, whatever sprawling beast of nonsense that might be.
Change is not a bad thing. Don't mourn for what is lost.
The podcast shows are going great and today's was especial fun, with Brendon Burns finally getting out of bed and showing up. He is a loquacious man with strong opinions, but is prepared to occasionally shut up to allow an opposing point of view and we had some laughs and discussed some bigger issues. I think you'll like it.
As always you can catch up with
all of the podcasts here.
I went out and got a bit drunk and mouthed off to other comedians in a non-written and non-recorded form, which is probably a much healthier way to do things. Also just had fun being sociable. I've been in my own little bubble too much and sometimes it's good to burst bubbles (make your own Michael Jackson joke).
I don't have a clue what's going on. Best just to ignore the babbling old comedians up here - go and find someone new.
