TRAGEDY OR COMEDY?
We were walking along Princes Street today, after grabbing a bit of shopping, and found it increasingly difficult to get through the crowds on the pavement. Now this is Edinburgh, in August, the Festivals are still running at full speed, and one of our major shopping streets is always going to be busy in the early afternoon. But this was different, people stopping dead in their tracks and looking to the sky - and a bit of sunshine in Scotland isn't quite as rare as rumour would have it so it wasn't just the shock of that big yellow thing being there.
The centre point of all the attention was the top of the Scott Monument where a man was hanging on to the outside of the topmost viewing platform. Down below the police had cordoned off the surrounding area, up top one of their number was there, doing his best to convince the man not to jump.
A tragic situation, and not without precedent at this landmark. No surprise then that people would at least want to take a quick look and confirm the situation with their own eyes. But what are you hoping to gain from standing there watching it all unfold? Hopefully the relief of seeing the man climb back to safety.
But what were all those people doing pointing their phones skywards, taking photos of the incident? With so many people now displaying a constant need to share their every movement on social media, how many of these photos were then winging their way on to Facebook or Instagram or Twitter? And why? Is this how ghoulish we've become?
Later on I heard the good news that the poor man had been persuaded to come back inside and was brought back down to earth.
For us personally there was the irony of coming across this scenario after recently seeing a Fringe show that had at it's heart a decision on whether or not to commit suicide. I can only hope that the man today manages to find his own reasons to live just like our comedian did.
Thursday 27 August 2015
Sunday 9 August 2015
How to laugh at a Fringe show
HOW TO LAUGH AT THE FRINGE
It's been a few years since we got to one, but we were in the audience for several recordings of the classic Radio Four comedy series, I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue. In his introductory remarks the producer always tells the crowd that there may be times when you hear one of the panel say something and you're not sure if it's funny or not. If this happens, give them the benefit of the doubt....
Of course he wants us to do this so there's a good laughter track for the radio show, audience reaction being a critical element in a decent aural comedy. (The cynic in me thinks it's also to save a bit of extra work in the editing....) Plus it's true that the more you laugh, the more likely you are to continue laughing, and the noise gives added inspiration to the comedians themselves, a true virtuous circle.
Much the same applies to being in a Fringe audience, and even more so if the number of you sitting facing the person behind the mike has failed to climb above single figures. So there are two types of laughter you need to have ready. There's the genuine, just-can't-stop-myself, hilarity induced laugh. The one you go to comedy shows to experience, the one that releases all those lovely endorphins and gives you a high, the one that results in you walking out of the room clutching your chest because it hurt so much to laugh.
Then there's the other kind. The benefit-of-the-doubt kind. When you can see that the person up there is really, really trying and just needs a bit of encouragement to get into their funnybone rhythm. When you can feel that something went a bit amiss with the joke but it really could have been good enough. When you can't help but like them even though they're not making you laugh. When it gets so bad you just have to laugh out loud to try and get through it....
And if the total of number one type laughs exceeds the number twos then you're laughing. But too many number twos, as with other areas in life, is a sign all is not well.
So far so good for our Fringe to date. Only one show so far where the number twos threatened to overwhelm the ones (that may be an image you won't want to dwell on), and even that had enough moments to feel like it had been just about enjoyable enough. Tonight we know not what laughing challenge we face. The comedian approached us a couple of days ago, we got chatting, and she said we were just the kind of 'jolly people' she needed at her show when the reviewers were in. (Yes, I do know she says that to everyone, but, hey, we got a free ticket. And we're easily flattered.) In return for the ticket we are there to give her a few number twos and help loosen up the audience, in case they are one of those crowds that feel they need permission to laugh. We're there to give our friendly comic a boost when she hears our amusement at her lines. We're there because - did I mention the free ticket?
Will it be a show dominated by twos or ones? You can find out when I write my review on here later today.
It's been a few years since we got to one, but we were in the audience for several recordings of the classic Radio Four comedy series, I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue. In his introductory remarks the producer always tells the crowd that there may be times when you hear one of the panel say something and you're not sure if it's funny or not. If this happens, give them the benefit of the doubt....
Of course he wants us to do this so there's a good laughter track for the radio show, audience reaction being a critical element in a decent aural comedy. (The cynic in me thinks it's also to save a bit of extra work in the editing....) Plus it's true that the more you laugh, the more likely you are to continue laughing, and the noise gives added inspiration to the comedians themselves, a true virtuous circle.
Much the same applies to being in a Fringe audience, and even more so if the number of you sitting facing the person behind the mike has failed to climb above single figures. So there are two types of laughter you need to have ready. There's the genuine, just-can't-stop-myself, hilarity induced laugh. The one you go to comedy shows to experience, the one that releases all those lovely endorphins and gives you a high, the one that results in you walking out of the room clutching your chest because it hurt so much to laugh.
Then there's the other kind. The benefit-of-the-doubt kind. When you can see that the person up there is really, really trying and just needs a bit of encouragement to get into their funnybone rhythm. When you can feel that something went a bit amiss with the joke but it really could have been good enough. When you can't help but like them even though they're not making you laugh. When it gets so bad you just have to laugh out loud to try and get through it....
And if the total of number one type laughs exceeds the number twos then you're laughing. But too many number twos, as with other areas in life, is a sign all is not well.
So far so good for our Fringe to date. Only one show so far where the number twos threatened to overwhelm the ones (that may be an image you won't want to dwell on), and even that had enough moments to feel like it had been just about enjoyable enough. Tonight we know not what laughing challenge we face. The comedian approached us a couple of days ago, we got chatting, and she said we were just the kind of 'jolly people' she needed at her show when the reviewers were in. (Yes, I do know she says that to everyone, but, hey, we got a free ticket. And we're easily flattered.) In return for the ticket we are there to give her a few number twos and help loosen up the audience, in case they are one of those crowds that feel they need permission to laugh. We're there to give our friendly comic a boost when she hears our amusement at her lines. We're there because - did I mention the free ticket?
Will it be a show dominated by twos or ones? You can find out when I write my review on here later today.
Thursday 6 August 2015
Let down at not being let down by the Fringe
DISAPPOINTED AT NOT BEING DISAPPOINTED
Partly as a hobby, partly as a bit of a challenge, I decided, earlier this year, that I'd have a go at writing a review of every gig, show, play and film I go to, and post them on my other blog. Knowing that, once August arrived, I would be committing myself to a fair bit of 'work'.
There's no pretence I have any degree of expertise in any of the fields I'm critiquing, these are just my views on what I've seen. I've tried to be as honest as possible, even if that meant being heavily critical of someone I might like as a person. If just a few people find one of these posts helps point them towards something new they'll enjoy, or helps them avoid something awful, then I'll feel it's been of use.
So it's important that I do reflect the negative as well as the positive. Nobody is going to place any trust in a review blog that simply heaps praise on each and every event covered. Last night I wrote about Nina Conti, a show that was hilarious overall, but had a couple of weak spots and I made sure I mentioned them too.
But what to write on a day like today. Three shows, three great experiences, three I'd happily see again. I can make minor carping noises about one, because it was the first performance and clearly it needed a little more familiarity, but that will be there within days. Otherwise.... it was all just bloody brilliant. Honest.
Roll on the day when I see something a bit shit again and I can regain some credibility.
What a fabulous day,
All warm and sunny,
Three great shows,
They were all very funny
Though I would look better
And less of a tit
If even one
Had been just a bit shit
Partly as a hobby, partly as a bit of a challenge, I decided, earlier this year, that I'd have a go at writing a review of every gig, show, play and film I go to, and post them on my other blog. Knowing that, once August arrived, I would be committing myself to a fair bit of 'work'.
There's no pretence I have any degree of expertise in any of the fields I'm critiquing, these are just my views on what I've seen. I've tried to be as honest as possible, even if that meant being heavily critical of someone I might like as a person. If just a few people find one of these posts helps point them towards something new they'll enjoy, or helps them avoid something awful, then I'll feel it's been of use.
So it's important that I do reflect the negative as well as the positive. Nobody is going to place any trust in a review blog that simply heaps praise on each and every event covered. Last night I wrote about Nina Conti, a show that was hilarious overall, but had a couple of weak spots and I made sure I mentioned them too.
But what to write on a day like today. Three shows, three great experiences, three I'd happily see again. I can make minor carping noises about one, because it was the first performance and clearly it needed a little more familiarity, but that will be there within days. Otherwise.... it was all just bloody brilliant. Honest.
Roll on the day when I see something a bit shit again and I can regain some credibility.
What a fabulous day,
All warm and sunny,
Three great shows,
They were all very funny
Though I would look better
And less of a tit
If even one
Had been just a bit shit
Saturday 1 August 2015
It's August, in Edinburgh, I'm excited.
WITH ONLY DAYS TO GO....
I first started going to Fringe shows back in 1974. Sadly my long sojourn down south means that it didn't become the annual event I'd have loved it to be, but I've been to a fair number of shows over the decades, and the number has increased greatly since we retired. Last year we hit sixty events, of one sort or another, over the three weeks. But instead of getting blasé about the whole thing I find myself feeling just as excited as ever that August is finally here and our first shows are just a few days away.
Of course the posters have been going up, and the physical preparation of the city taking place, for a few weeks now. So the sense of anticipation starts to grow as the face of Edinburgh slaps on the makeup and gets ready to prostitute itself to the masses once more. Many residents hate it of course, for the huge disruption it brings to their daily lives. And the killjoy tendency has always had a strong Calvinist following up here. I have never been one of them and, despite the over-commercialisation that is synonymous with the twisted society we find ourselves in, still find myself childishly delighted at the prospect of three weeks of shows, fliers and confused looking crowds.
The planning of our Fringe is largely complete, with thirty shows booked so far, plenty of Free Fringe shows still to be slotted into the schedule, and a list of 'possible' to fill in those free moments. Just to make it interesting we have three different groups of people coming to stay with us at various times. But they can find their own shows to go to....
So what do I find myself looking forward to the most? Inevitably there are a few old reliable favourites we'll be back to see again, and who I know won't be a disappointment. That includes just a few names who people might know off telly or radio. And topping that list has to be Mark Thomas. Every year he comes up with something new, something brilliant, that's moving, funny, meaningful, funny, thought provoking and funny. To us he's become unmissable.
I'm excited to be going back to see Stewart Lee, because there's nobody else quite like him as a storyteller, or at highlighting simple truths in a new framework. Plus he despises ukip, so he's definitely one of the good guys.
There are also a few less well known acts that we've been to see before and wouldn't consider not returning to. Austentatious put on an improvised play based on a spoof Jane Austen title put forward by a member of the audience. Obviously they must have some stock routines and situations to fall back on and form the core of that day's production, but it's still impressive the way they take a title they've never heard of before and carry it through the hour. And very funny, especially when things go a bit wrong.
Also the same but different, we'll be back to see Tourette's Hero, aka Jess Thom, delivering Backstage in Biscuit Land. Even if the basic outline of the show won't have changed much Jess' condition guarantees it can never be the same show twice. A major highlight of our 2014 Fringe.
And then there's the Return of the Danish Bagpipe Comedian, one Claus Reiss, with a title that describes exactly what and who he is, and yet manages to still be more eye catching than the myriad contrived names on offer. Lovely guy too. As is Chris Coltrane and sharply political , the Free Fringe answer to Mark Thomas.
And then there's Aidan Goatley. Or as he's also known, Aidan Who? Renowned on the Fringe as the man who is bringing back the same show for the fifth year running. Which either indicates a very serious lack of imagination, or a show that audiences mysteriously fall in love with. It may help that 10 Films With My Dad is a pretty good title. Or that he keeps getting excellent reviews for it, and even invited to put it on in various parts of the globe. But he has promised (again) that this will be it's final year of life. Quite right too, or he may find himself featured in The Archers. He's got another show too, something about goats. Anyone not like goats? Seriously though, he's a lovely man, very funny, and if you don't go and see him (twice) then it's only yourself you're fooling.
I'm also excited about some shows by people who will be entirely new to us. Hannah and Hanna looks like an intriguing take on bigotry and racism in Britain, rather timely given the baying headlines of the media in blowing up events in Calais. Barluath are a band we haven't come across before and look good on YouTube. Last year we were delighted to discover the fabulous Dallahan at the same venue, so here's hoping we are similarly impressed. And Hotel Paradiso is something a bit different, a masked theatrical performance from Germany that looks like providing a sophisticated form of slapstick.
Oh, and George Egg, a man who cooks a meal using items that can be found in a hotel room, and Simon Caine who has another one of these intriguing titles which may or may not be reflected in reality. Anyway, I've just been talking to him on Facebook so I couldn't really leave him out. No pressure Simon.
Finally, there's an aspect of 2014 I'll miss. With only weeks to go before the fateful date of 18 September the Fringe featured several shows giving some take on the referendum to come. We saw several great Indy themed shows, all with a strong Yes bent. That's in the past, but two of the artists we saw dealing with the subject last year, Bruce Fummey and Vladimir McTavish, have shows in which they explore the history of our country and how that reflects on our present. The independence theme is still alive and well....
Roll on Wednesday and out first show. Just need to complete a bit more stamina work first.
PS I'll be attempting to post a review of every show I go to on my other blog so if you're coming to Edinburgh this month and want to know what I've seen that's good, or bad, then do give me a follow. I'll also be posting links to the reviews on my Facebook and Twitter accounts.
I first started going to Fringe shows back in 1974. Sadly my long sojourn down south means that it didn't become the annual event I'd have loved it to be, but I've been to a fair number of shows over the decades, and the number has increased greatly since we retired. Last year we hit sixty events, of one sort or another, over the three weeks. But instead of getting blasé about the whole thing I find myself feeling just as excited as ever that August is finally here and our first shows are just a few days away.
Of course the posters have been going up, and the physical preparation of the city taking place, for a few weeks now. So the sense of anticipation starts to grow as the face of Edinburgh slaps on the makeup and gets ready to prostitute itself to the masses once more. Many residents hate it of course, for the huge disruption it brings to their daily lives. And the killjoy tendency has always had a strong Calvinist following up here. I have never been one of them and, despite the over-commercialisation that is synonymous with the twisted society we find ourselves in, still find myself childishly delighted at the prospect of three weeks of shows, fliers and confused looking crowds.
The planning of our Fringe is largely complete, with thirty shows booked so far, plenty of Free Fringe shows still to be slotted into the schedule, and a list of 'possible' to fill in those free moments. Just to make it interesting we have three different groups of people coming to stay with us at various times. But they can find their own shows to go to....
So what do I find myself looking forward to the most? Inevitably there are a few old reliable favourites we'll be back to see again, and who I know won't be a disappointment. That includes just a few names who people might know off telly or radio. And topping that list has to be Mark Thomas. Every year he comes up with something new, something brilliant, that's moving, funny, meaningful, funny, thought provoking and funny. To us he's become unmissable.
I'm excited to be going back to see Stewart Lee, because there's nobody else quite like him as a storyteller, or at highlighting simple truths in a new framework. Plus he despises ukip, so he's definitely one of the good guys.
There are also a few less well known acts that we've been to see before and wouldn't consider not returning to. Austentatious put on an improvised play based on a spoof Jane Austen title put forward by a member of the audience. Obviously they must have some stock routines and situations to fall back on and form the core of that day's production, but it's still impressive the way they take a title they've never heard of before and carry it through the hour. And very funny, especially when things go a bit wrong.
Also the same but different, we'll be back to see Tourette's Hero, aka Jess Thom, delivering Backstage in Biscuit Land. Even if the basic outline of the show won't have changed much Jess' condition guarantees it can never be the same show twice. A major highlight of our 2014 Fringe.
And then there's the Return of the Danish Bagpipe Comedian, one Claus Reiss, with a title that describes exactly what and who he is, and yet manages to still be more eye catching than the myriad contrived names on offer. Lovely guy too. As is Chris Coltrane and sharply political , the Free Fringe answer to Mark Thomas.
And then there's Aidan Goatley. Or as he's also known, Aidan Who? Renowned on the Fringe as the man who is bringing back the same show for the fifth year running. Which either indicates a very serious lack of imagination, or a show that audiences mysteriously fall in love with. It may help that 10 Films With My Dad is a pretty good title. Or that he keeps getting excellent reviews for it, and even invited to put it on in various parts of the globe. But he has promised (again) that this will be it's final year of life. Quite right too, or he may find himself featured in The Archers. He's got another show too, something about goats. Anyone not like goats? Seriously though, he's a lovely man, very funny, and if you don't go and see him (twice) then it's only yourself you're fooling.
I'm also excited about some shows by people who will be entirely new to us. Hannah and Hanna looks like an intriguing take on bigotry and racism in Britain, rather timely given the baying headlines of the media in blowing up events in Calais. Barluath are a band we haven't come across before and look good on YouTube. Last year we were delighted to discover the fabulous Dallahan at the same venue, so here's hoping we are similarly impressed. And Hotel Paradiso is something a bit different, a masked theatrical performance from Germany that looks like providing a sophisticated form of slapstick.
Oh, and George Egg, a man who cooks a meal using items that can be found in a hotel room, and Simon Caine who has another one of these intriguing titles which may or may not be reflected in reality. Anyway, I've just been talking to him on Facebook so I couldn't really leave him out. No pressure Simon.
Finally, there's an aspect of 2014 I'll miss. With only weeks to go before the fateful date of 18 September the Fringe featured several shows giving some take on the referendum to come. We saw several great Indy themed shows, all with a strong Yes bent. That's in the past, but two of the artists we saw dealing with the subject last year, Bruce Fummey and Vladimir McTavish, have shows in which they explore the history of our country and how that reflects on our present. The independence theme is still alive and well....
Roll on Wednesday and out first show. Just need to complete a bit more stamina work first.
PS I'll be attempting to post a review of every show I go to on my other blog so if you're coming to Edinburgh this month and want to know what I've seen that's good, or bad, then do give me a follow. I'll also be posting links to the reviews on my Facebook and Twitter accounts.
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