Opening night
Right, well. I’m off to my venue. Gosh!
Naturally, I’m sort of bricking it, but it’s a controlled bricking, if you see what I mean. I don’t feel fear, just a keenness to get on with it and make it as good as it can possibly be. I’ve prepared as well as I can, I have good material, and it’s just a question of doing justice to myself. In other words, it’s like the feeling of jangling anticipation before my English A Level, which I was primed and ready for, rather than the empty dread before my Physics A Level, when I knew I was fucked.
After this first show is out of the way, things will be a little bit more normal. The start of a run always has a curious effect on your mental landscape. It says something that Arcade Fire’s new album is out – after a 3.5 year wait – and I’ve only found time to listen to it once; my football team are being linked (probably spuriously) with a bid to loan Michael Owen, and the season starts in two days, and yet I’ve hardly bothered going on the websites where people talk about these things. The rest of my life is on hold, in other words. But not this blog, of course. That’s never on hold.
I’ll report back to you tomorrow.
A couple of blog regulars are coming tonight. I’ve already chatted to one of them in the street. In case I haven’t said so already, if you find your way to my show, make sure you introduce yourself afterwards. Don’t be shy. Where’s Watson? has never been won by a shy person. Or by anyone, yet.
The sun is finally setting after what has been another very pleasant Edinburgh afternoon/evening. I’m going to walk to my theatre – the Assembly Hall, normally the School of Divinity, a gothic, menacing building which gazes solemnly down over the rest of the city centre – and have a think and a glass of wine and listen to Jason Byrne, who’s on before me, reducing his audience to near-fatal hysteria. The bastard.
Posted by Rachael on August 7, 2010
Thats once more than I have managed to listen to it yet, Whats the verdict?
Posted by Hilary on August 6, 2010
I’m sure you were fantastic. And slightly magical. Not to mention winsome. (Let me know if you want cheap coffee at any point) x
Posted by Lydia on August 6, 2010
I bet you were amazing. I hope that doesn’t sound patronising. Have a good week x
Posted by gib on August 6, 2010
It’s not anything to do with the post but the guardian’s sport section has linked to an interview with mark’s brother about coaching pohnpei. it’s number one on their favourite things this week. anyone else who saw the fundraiser a little while back may be interested. you can find it at
http://theballisround.co.uk/2010/08/04/the-oceanic-xi/
Posted by Kirsty on August 6, 2010
I came to see last nights show and I have to say it was the best first night of a show I’ve ever been to. You were brilliant.
Posted by Heather on August 6, 2010
Hope it went well. I have absolutely no doubt that it will have done.
I’m coming tonight. I’m super excited cos I get to see my best friend for the first time in ages, and we’re gonna see you. Awesome times indeed.
On the subject of the Arcade Fire album, it’s pretty amazing. When you get ’round to a proper listen, you will not be disappointed.
Posted by ChrisP on August 6, 2010
How long roughly after the show finishes do you pop out and say hello? I’m guessing long enough for most of the crowd to filter out but not too long for people like me to have lost interest too and left. What does this equate to in earth minutes?
I can imagine me sitting waiting in an empty auditorium while the cleaner hoovers round me, trying to convince the doorman that the comedian is going to come over and talk to me personally. Plus I’ll have family with so will need to have something convincing to tell them (which doesn’t need to be accurate just an estimate).
And of course, I’m sure the show went fantastically well, book launch only a few days away now too! I’ll miss the launch but you said you would be selling copies of the book? I’ll have one of those then please.
Posted by Madeleine on August 6, 2010
Sounds like you’re in a pretty good headspace (or were… I’m pretty sure it’s now like 10 hours after you’ve preformed) and I’m sure the show was brilliant!
Also, anouther way to look at it, you’ve got Jason Byrne OPENING for you. You must be a big time guy!
I am also looking forward to the new arcade fire, Neon Bible was a bit underwhelming for me but I love the new direction they seem to be taking (from the singles).
Good luck for the whole run, look forward to hearing how it goes x
Posted by Maddie on August 6, 2010
Hope it went well, sure you were fab!
Posted by Al Kennedy on August 6, 2010
Hope it all went well!
Due to a) complete selling out and b) my lackadaisical nature, Ms Bowen (L) will not be joined by Mr Lyon (J) and myself at Monday night’s performance, but James and I are going to the pub and will sneak into the venue afterward to say hello, and just come to the show itself a different night. Laura has tickets as she is far more organised than either James or I, as could probably have been predicted. Still.
Posted by Kathryn on August 6, 2010
Hope the show went well. I’m excited about the Arcade Fire album.
My brother (font of all footballing knowledge) agrees that the Michael Owen thing is spurious tabloid fodder.
Posted by Simone on August 5, 2010
Best of luck, sir.
I hope your Edinburgh experience this year is everything you hoped it would be and more.
Posted by isabelle on August 5, 2010
Hope the show goes/went well! Sadly shall not be present due to my being across an ocean. Destroy them with laughter!
p.s. Arcade Fire’s album, quite ha-mazing. Contrary to you I’ve been listening to it on repeat ever since monday. Slightly unhealthy, but necessary. Sprawl II and Rococo are fighting it out for my top spot at the moment. I saw them last saturday (front row-ish (!) ) and they blew my tiny mind to pieces. I’m looking forward to the livestreamed show tonight on youtube (3 AM your time). I guess if you’re awake with the baby you’ll have something to entertain yourself with.
Posted by Dan on August 5, 2010
Why don’t you have a codeword/ phrase so that Where’s Watson candidates can distinguish themselves from other, less overenthusiastic fans. I’m just throwing it out there…
Posted by Alex on August 5, 2010
Hope it was wonderful- sure it was x
Posted by Zoe Fell on August 5, 2010
Said blog regular texted me after she’d met you in the street. She was suitably excited.
Obviously you’re on stage right now so I hope it’s all going well. I’m positive that it is.
I can’t wait to see you in a week and a bit. =D
Posted by Anna Lowman on August 5, 2010
You’ll be on stage as I type, so hope it is going as wonderfully as I imagine
.
Posted by Misha on August 5, 2010
I can join you in the controlled bricking it, because predicatbly having come to pack my bag things have vanished. 2 days ago it would have taken me 30 seconds max to lay my hands on a support sock, no idea where the stupid fuckers gone now.
Hope the show goes well. As I write this you’re due on in just under 10 minutes.
Posted by Shell on August 5, 2010
I’m sure the show will be excellent. This is something I feel very ‘optimistic’ about and I’m looking forward to seeing it later this month.
Oo, you’ll be on soon…have fun.
x
Posted by issey on August 5, 2010
i’m sure your show will be amazing. have a good one!
Posted by Someone on August 5, 2010
Good luck! You shall be excellent, no doubting it! Wish I could be there.
Posted by hornseygirl on August 5, 2010
I hope the show goes/went well and that both you and your audience have/had fun.
Posted by Megan on August 5, 2010
Have a grand time. That venue is tremendous!
Posted by Kate W on August 5, 2010
Have a good one tonight, and hope you get a bit more normality once the first show’s over. I’m very jealous of everyone who’s in Edinburgh – I’ve still got 10 days to wait…..
Posted by louisel on August 5, 2010
I’m coming tonight, I’ll come and say hi afterwards if my shyness doesn’t get the better of me
Well it had better be good, I’m in danger of getting hypothermia if I don’t find the venue place soon! 
Good luck! It’ll be fab
Posted by Laurs on August 5, 2010
Good luck for your first show, not that you will need it! Have a great time! x
Posted by Catherine on August 5, 2010
Good luck. Break a leg. Buena suerte. You are magnificent. Need anymore? It will be ace.
Posted by Rachel/Pandora on August 5, 2010
Good luck Watson, you’ll be brilliant, no doubt. x