For the first time ever during Edinburgh Fringe, I have not purchased any Strepsils or own-brand equivalent. In past Fringes, I would even have a packet in my back pocket and often take one when my voice started failing me in the second half of the show.
But not so this year. The evening class I did at the start of the year through the Central School of Speech and Drama taught me the techniques to warm up my voice properly to make sure it lasts throughout a performance. Fortunately, there is no one backstage when I am doing these vocal warm ups, as it involves making odd noises and various types of stretches. Still, it works and proves that it is possible to perform without an emergency supply of throat lozenges to hand or pocket.
There are all sorts of other things I’ve experienced for the first time ever this Fringe. I will recount them all in the summary post once I’m back in the real world. But I will start with one from the list. This Fringe, I received my first-ever five-star review.
While I have always been reluctant to chase reviewers for my show and do approve of the star system, I am happy to be a hypocrite and gladly take five. The write-up was really nice. It’s the same publication that has previously given me three and four stars over the last decade. So, there is a sense of progression, at least in contrast with another publication that initially gave me three stars, then four, before regressing to 3.5 – all by the same reviewer, no less.
The review was also written for the show I had a sign language interpreter. Given how well everything went on that particular day, I was half-expecting at least four stars, as it was a special one and there was a sense of magic in the air. Although you never truly know until a review has been published.
Ultimately, reviews, good or bad, don’t count for a huge amount once August has ended and you are back in reality. Good reviews are nice to have, but don’t change a huge amount on a day to day basis. But it does give me plenty of stuff I can use for future posters.
I now have just two shows left. The final Saturday was a busy one, and I have found yet more new jokes that are starting to take on a life of their own with each show. HTWAPQ continues to grow new weird and wonderful branches.