13/02/07
Comedy Store and A Brief Return To Shouting -
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Well last night's Montreal Showcase was a lot of worry over nothing - all went very well and it was a relief to get through it unscathed.
I managed to get around the instructions not to talk to the audience by telling the people shouting out that I was not allowed to talk to them and nor was I allowed to get into put-downs or shout at them. I then went on to put them in their place whilst all the time reminding them that I wasn't allowed to say these things. Yeah, pretty fucking clever eh?
On the downside it did mean that, as feared, it took me right to the limit on my allocated time slot and I had to cram four minutes of material into one minute at the very end. I'm told it wasn't noticeable - but I fucking noticed as I gabbled away, ever conscious of the fact that the red light (to tell you when you're nearly done) above the stage had gone from a brief flash to strobe.
During this gabbling I heard a particularly lame heckle from the left of me - it was pretty quiet and not heard by anybody else in the room other than myself and the people in the immediate vicinity of said heckler. The time light was still flashing so I ignored the heckle, and it is my contention that I should get to go to Montreal for this alone.
Have you any idea how difficult it is for me to ignore a negative comment from the audience? I really regret it now, but I proved in that moment that I can behave myself if the need arises. I've also convinced myself that the heckler in question knew that I was out of time and so picked that moment to be brave, knowing full well that I was rendered impotent (metaphorically speaking of course...no worries in that department ladies...and if there ever was it would be your fault not mine) by the impending deadline. Fucking coward. I hope our paths cross again and I can unleash my wrath on the snidey little cunt.
But anyway, long and the short of it is, despite the best efforts of some audience members and, revoltingly, some of my peers to put me off my stride, I did just fine.
It was also nice because I've never actually played the Comedy Store before. Never called them for a gig or anything like that, it's one that has just passed me by really.
Thing is, because of my involvement in the Big And Daft team, I got reasonably known as a performer within industry circles and so by-passed the open spot circuit when I started doing solo stand up. Never done an open spot. Would have - don't get me wrong - but it never became a neccessity. I went straight in as a headliner on the Comedy Network universtity tour after being in the right place at the right time and filling in for last minute gigs and the club gigs followed on from that. I am more than aware at how lucky I am for this, but in my defence I was working very hard in another area of comedy for little-to-no money in an attempt (successful) to get known.
The other reason I never played the Comedy Store is because of their supposed no-character act policy. Before I elaborate I must say that this may be a load of bollocks, I have never been told this by anyone officially connected to the Store and it may just be urban legend, but I was told by other acts that they simply don't book character acts. Given that, at the time that I would have been most likely to have gotten in with them, I was exclusively performing in character I just wrote that club off as an option.
So there we go...that's my explanation.
Speaking of the character act, he is to return for a one off appearance this Friday coming at the Blackwood Miners Institute in Wales (which couldn't be more perfect). It's a character night compered by "Ray Peacock" with Simon Brodkin and Simon Munnery. It was booked in ages ago, and at the time of the booking I thought it would be okay to do a one-off without problems but for the second time in seven days I find myself with the alien feeling of worrying about another fucking gig! It has been over a year since I donned the cap and passed off shouting as an act, and I can't really remember how to do it. Nor am I a hundred percent sure where the costume is. It is my intention this evening to dig out some of the old videos and teach myself my own creation again. I must remember to take hair bands with me as well, because my hair is far too long for that character. It is more than likely going to be the final time I ever perform that character onstage, which I know may come as a relief to many, but I was quite fond of him in his heyday.
We'll see.
I'm looking forward to it though - think it will be fun and nostalgic.
My entire week ahead is looking pretty enjoyable, as it is a week on the road, which sometimes I hate and sometimes I love. I'm in the mood for it right now (even though I can feel a cold coming on slowly but surely which I am trying my very best not to think about).
My travels begin at Newcastle University this Thursday when I am headlining the Chortle Awards (which I am genuinely looking forward to doing because I love Chortle and I love Revels - did I do it right Steve Bennett?) and then takes in Wales (twice), Northampton, Leeds, and a weekend in Brighton, so I shall be doing the hotel thing with a vengeance and clocking up some miles.
I'll keep you up to date with my brilliant adventures.
Although my next few posts may just consist of me saying "am back in the hotel, am really tired, there was a traffic jam on the motorway again".
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