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.