Last day! It's all over. I don't believe how fast it has flown by this time. Slightly revived today after yesterday's near burn out and managed to get out and see the Oxford Revue. It is 19 years since I did this show and the fortunes of the institution have certainly fallen since then. Back then we played St Mary's Hall, which seated around 300 (sadly it is now offices), nowadays it's in the slightly smaller C Venue on Chambers St - though it was nearly full. I have hardly been to see the Revue in the intervening years, though the one I had seen before was rubbish and in a really shitty venue. This one was much better, though as always with student reviews a few of the sketches fell flat. A couple of the performers were excellent and I laughed out loud a few times. I had met a few of the team back in May
when I had done a workshop for them and so I was glad that the show was OK. Weird to think that that's pretty much where my Edinburgh journey began and I am glad I am no longer embarrassed by where things started.
I had another good show and sold 160 tickets, so can only blame Gervais for the loss of 25 sales. Apparently he is giving all his profits to a Cancer charity, but it's come a little late and it might be nice if he had given a couple of hundred thousand pounds to all the acts who have lost money up here. But at least some good will come from his unwanted intrusion.
I went to Bar Napoli for an end of run meal with a friend. We were made to wait for five minutes without any explanation and then given a table right by the gents toilet, so even though the meal was great, it was fun for me to off load today's charity change (and don't worry I kept a record of what I spent and it will all go to SCOPE, but I had to get rid of the coins as the banks are closed and I don't want to have to carry them all home) and pay the £45 bill mainly in pounds, but also getting rid of a lot of shrapnel. I would have done the same if we'd been treated like kings, but it was fun to pretend that I was putting them to the inconvenience because of the way they had treated us.
It is sad to be leaving town tomorrow, but also a massive relief. I shall miss my lovely flatmates, but also mainly I will miss the lawyers practice that is situated opposite our flat, with the unlikely name of McSporrans. If someone was going to make up a comedy Scottish name then this would be it. The fact that it was rarely open and we never saw anyone going in or out makes me think it is probably a front for some terrorists who think they have the perfect cover. I mean, seriously, McSporrans? I ask you.
I may get tomorrow's entry in before I go, but I may not and I am not sure what internet access I will have while I am away, though I am planning to keep the blog going, but might have to wait til I get home until I update you on my adventures! I will mainly be sleeping and reading if you want to save yourself the bother of reading.
My 16th Fringe is over. Who knows when I will be back? It's gone really well though and I am certainly looking forward to the London run - though not as much as I am looking forward to my holiday and returning to England with a Thai bride (if Ladyboys count as brides).
