A few more tickets got sold today, which meant the venue was about a fifth full so it wasn't a total disaster. And looking back to last year I see that the first Wednesday's low attendance surprised me then too. After some kerfuffle with the projector and the non-delivery of show programmes (I had to send someone back to my flat to pick up the box I had had in my car) and my computer mysteriously deciding to shut itself down the show went almost without a hitch. I did have to have a drink of water when a chilli seed from my dinner somehow found its way to the back of my throat, but it was a solid if slightly stiff start to the run - though I did loosen up as it got going.
I had already done a gig today as I hosted the press launch at the Udderbelly, introducing about ten acts to an audience of journalists (and I think some students too, but anyone younger than 30 looks the same to me now). On the way in to the Udderbelly pasture a sudden gust of wind caused the fake grass carpet to roll up, almost tripping me. I might very easily have fallen down some steps and started the Fringe with a broken leg (imagine how funny that would be - I would have made the traditional theatre good luck wish come true). I retained my footing though, which is a shame as I could probably have sued the Underbelly for millions. Though that might have soured our working arrangement.
The press launch was a bit weird, but fun overall. Most of my links were short, but a couple of times I had to fill whilst the next act was set up and having already done the excerpt from my show, was at one point forced to fill for ten minutes. I also nearly tripped over a foldback speaker that had been placed behind me seconds before without me noticing. I wonder if I am involved in some broken leg Final Destination where fate is going to make sure the bone that should be broken gets broken. But the time to fill gave me a chance to roll out a variation on the Mars Bar routine I did a few years ago. I used to question whether Mars Bars existed, wondering if I had made them up, but this time I started the routine and then pretended to be concerned that there might not be Mars Bars in Scotland as I'd failed to check my cultural references and it can be difficult to know what products exist where when you travel from country to country. Eventually one woman did interject to inform me that they do have Mars Bars in Scotland, which was a relief.
After my main show I headed straight back to the flat, picking up a couple of celebratory beers at the supermarket. We watched the documentary Senna, which was very gripping even though I don't care too much for motor sport and then I discovered that Challenge TV are showing repeats of Going For Gold from 1988 at midnight. I suspect I will not be seeing any theatre or shows this Fringe again. It's a strange and wonderful show and oddly hypnotic and when Henry Kelly makes a mistake they don't bother doing retakes he just bowls onwards. The mainly strange looking contestants are harshly lit and attempting to answer questions in a foreign language read by a man with a strong accent. It's gold. The English guy won tonight. Can't imagine why.
