Since I last wrote an entry on here, I have done a further three previews for my new show.
There is still much work that needs doing before it’s ready for the Fringe, but it feels like I’m slowly getting there.
The first third is coming along nicely and the final third is close to where I want it. At the moment, it’s the middle section that needs the most attention and there’s still time to get this sorted. There are plenty more ideas that keep popping into my head, which is a good sign.
That said, it didn’t feel much like my show was progressing when I was performing outside a pub on the grounds of a train station. Trains were either going by when I was about to get to a punchline, or my set would get interrupted by an inebriated local.
I should have played around with the absurdity of the situation a bit more, as it is the sort of bizarre environment I would usually revel. However, I wanted to give my show another run though. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a place for structure and narrative. And callbacks aren’t really effective when half of your audience didn’t hear the first part. I had to abandon large sections of the show and not exactly play the room as it lacked walls, more playing the site.
I currently have three more previews booked for Stop The Press, I Want to Get Off and hope to pick up a few more.
I have yet to even start How To Win A Pub Quiz warm-up shows. I’ve started writing the show and have plenty of ideas for this year’s version. I had a couple of previews in the diary towards the end of July, but have just this week got one booked for 8 July in Oxford. It’s given me the jolt I needed.
What’s slightly odd is that as things stand, it’ll be the first year since I’ve been doing the Fringe that I won’t have done a preview in London. Not only that, but I have yet to get one booked in Manchester either. Hopefully both of these things will change. I shall have to check the availability of performance space at one of the train stations.