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Another amazing line-up at the Leicester Square Theatre tonight, with Catherine Tate and Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman. I haven’t seen Catherine for maybe twenty years and it’s been nine years since Jeremy and my paths last crossed. As always that imploding of time seems impossible. I was equally surprised that this was the first meeting with Andy. But I keep myself to myself these days (and I suspect Andy and Jeremy might too) and have never been one for networking and they stopped inviting me to celebrity parties because I always got too drunk and made a fool of myself (and also because I was not a celebrity).
Another surprisingly small audience given the calibre of the guests, but I think this is down to Monday no longer being a good day for shows (people not working in town and not wanting to spend money after the weekend). Tour dates are being announced at the end of this month (on the 29th if you’re a badger or plusser) and it will be interesting to see how non-London, non-Monday shows sell. Wells and the New Forest gigs were packed out, so fingers crossed. RHLSTP has been going on for a third of my working life and I haven’t got bored of it yet so I hope it carries on for a while yet, but I will take my lead from the audience.
All three guests tonight are inspiring for their work ethic and are creating new and amazing things all the time and I do feel that my own creative impulses have been a little dormant for the last year. I’d still love to write a successful sitcom or comedy drama, but I think maybe the time has passed and I’ve had my chances.
Yet the wonderful thing about being in this business is that you can suddenly have a life-changing idea or phone call. The terrible thing about this business is that that can also not happen though.
Having done so many of these interviews, one does start to spot the drive that is shared by the really successful people. They have to have the talent too of course, but I think it’s the determination and commitment that is the magic factor. Equally I don’t think it’s really possible for someone to make it in this business and work for decades without something special. I am genuinely the exception that proves the rule. I have somehow fluked my way through and tricked people into laughing at my antics.
The thing with imposter syndrome is that sometimes imposters do succeed. Just look at the government to see how far so many untalented and mentally ill people have managed to get.
In a sense though getting this far without discernible talent or charm is more impressive than getting further with both of those things, so I still win.
When you see writers and performers like Jeremy, Andy and Catherine you have to take a step back and acknowledge your shortcomings. But hopefully they push you on to do your very best too. Though I am getting a bit old now and don't know if I can be arsed.
At least I have my podcasts. My beautiful, vulnerable podcasts.
