After three days of consistent audience levels and a room half full (as opposed to half empty), there was a relapse yesterday.
Scott was filling in for Simon again. We started off with nine people, but the group of four Italian people left shortly after the show started due to a misunderstanding. They thought the show would only last ten minutes, instead of one hour.
We were left with five people plus my flatmate Deech, who came in after the Italians left. It was never going to be the greatest gig. They were a friendly audience, which included a German couple who pushed through the slight language barrier, but it was hard to really get into a rhythm. Although there were laughs, it felt more like a spoken word event than a comedy one at times.
But for five people, we did very well in the bucket collection at the end. Alison, who was interacted with the most, put in £10. I could interpret this as being out of pity, but it feels better to delude myself and believe it was out of genuine enjoyment.
As each day of the Fringe passes, it is becomes more apparent that although Fear and Loathing is a solid theme for a show, it is not as strong as Dirty Laundry. For the location of the venue, the theme needs to be strong enough to make people want to walk off the beaten track. But I am mostly pleased with this year’s show; most of the people who have seen it have enjoyed themselves and out of sheer belligerence, we have managed to get to the halfway point without pulling a show.
I am already thinking ahead about themes and ideas for next year’s Fringe.
In other Fringe news, I went to see The Wrestling II last night. This is an event that features comedians wrestling against professional wrestlers. It is two worlds that crossover perfectly. Both are scripted to a large extent and success is measured from audience reaction. Admittedly, comedy is not quite so physically demanding and I am grateful for that. I did actually give some serious consideration into becoming a wrestler when I was in my teens.
I missed out on seeing the first The Wrestling in Edinburgh 2011, when no-one knew how or if it would work. Last night, there was more than an air of knowing that it would be a success, so I imagine that it didn’t feel as fresh as two years ago. I also have to seriously question the intricate wrestling knowledge of most of those who attended.
I would say the star of the show was Matthew Crosby, who put together some very funny backstage interviews and then donned the tights in our moment of need and entered the ring, reminiscent of Spike Dudley circa 2001.
I did enjoy the spectacle and I have to give some serious kudos to Thom Thuck for nailing a Fisherman Suplex. And Max from Max and Ivan also deserves a mention for his perfect Huricanrana. Max used to be a wrestler, so loses some points for being able to do the move anyway. But then he regains points for helping organise the event.
The audience was mostly full of the ‘cool’ festival people and although I felt slightly out of place in my Layeth the Smacketh Down t-shirt, I felt superior for having a greater wrestling knowledge. So all those years I spent watching wrestling weren’t a total waste of time.
- Love and Lilley: Fear and Loathing is on at 6pm from Saturday August 3 to Saturday August 24. At Kilderkin, 65 Canongate, EH8 8BT. Venue 227. It is part of the PBH Free Fringe, which means it’s free.