As another two shows go by, my Edinburgh Fringe return is nearing its conclusion. My main priority now is to get through my remaining three shows without succumbing to the cold I am currently fighting off.
I previously booked a couple more tickets to go and see shows yesterday and today. But yesterday, I realised that I need to listen to what my body is telling me – and it is telling me that I need to rest. It is also telling me it wants more macaroni pies, but I am resisting this urge so far.
Yesterday, I sold the fewest tickets for my entire run – at least in the afternoon slot – with 38. This was 12 below the capacity and five to ten fewer than I’ve been used to this Fringe.
Still, in the grand scheme of things, this was a triumph on a day when many acts had to pull their shows. It was a good fun show. An American lady was getting angry with her team for putting down the wrong answers when they scored no points in the first round. So, I let her be a team on her own – and she beat her ex-teammates, even if she didn’t win the quiz.
One thing that has been particularly noticeable this year, especially in the final week, has been how the number of overseas tourists making up a big chunk of my audience. I have had to explain who Ross Kemp is and what Mini Cheddars are a few times this week.
Overseas tourists have always been there, but there seem to be many more Americans coming to my shows – and far fewer English people. This is likely due to the weaker pound against the dollar. Given the dire state of the British economy after 14 years of Tory rule, it is hardly surprising. In fact, I have just realised that this is actually the first time I have ever attended the Fringe when the Tories haven’t been in power. But having fewer English people in town is likely going down well with the locals.
Today’s show was much busier than yesterday. After sitting on 20 tickets sold for what seemed like weeks, it picked up nicely and more than doubled in the 24 hours before I took to the stage. I have been doing some flyering myself, but never doubt the effectiveness of a good hired flyerer to work their magic. It was another fun show, albeit with the two biggest pedants of the whole run – who I punished with points deductions.
And so, I have three shows left. The final weekend normally sells out, but it is not looking that way at the moment. Let’s see what happens.