The aftermath
Despite another late start – partly because of that fire alarm, and partly because two earlier shows are still running ten minutes late which is VERY NAUGHTY and they REALLY MUST STOP DOING THAT SOON – last night’s show went pretty well, probably a bit better than the first night. Again, I benefited from an extremely good-natured and cheerful and non-pissed/violent audience. Of course, in Edinburgh you’d expect a discerning crowd, but because my venue is so – how can I put it – large, there’s always the prospect of big drunk parties rolling in just before it starts, and changing the atmosphere. The fact that hasn’t yet happened suggests that most people coming are people who want to see me specifically, rather than just going to a comedy show. Fans, in other words, though I still find it embarrassing to put it that way.
So, anyway, thanks once again to the people who’ve come so far (especially those who have posted on this site for the first time as a result). And especially the lady who brought me a lemon last night because she’d seen me cooking on the TV and I promised to try and put some culinary skills into the show if someone brought suitable ingredients. Impressive.
Tonight I’ll be selling/signing copies of the new book after the show, which is partly good for the book itself, but partly allows me to absorb the atmosphere as people are coming out. It’s a bit scary to do this, but also valuable. The weird thing about doing a show to 800 people, rather than, say, 50 or 100 as I’ve done in previous Fringes, is that you don’t quite get the same intensity of reaction when you’re on stage. If you’re shut in a room with fifty people, you pretty much know exactly how much out of ten everyone is enjoying it. A big laugh can really paralyse the room. You can get a palpable sense that you’re connecting with their brains directly. All these things are impossible in a large theatre; you get a vague impression of how much laughter there is, but it’s only vague. Then people clap at the end, the room empties out, and it’s impossible to convince yourself that hundreds and hundreds of souls are going out into the world with an opinion of you, and a judgement on how well you helped them spend your evening.
And if you CAN convince yourself of that, it’s rather frightening in any case, so you try not to think about it too much.
But being at a table afterwards, sheepishly signing books and posing for not-very-good photos taken on phones, is a good way of reconnecting with the reality of your audience and getting some of the ‘buzz’. Also, it means people will read the book. Or at least own it and pretend to have read it. Or give it away. All fine.
So, the show’s selling well, it seems to be going pretty well (though I can still improve it)… what could bring this whole Edinburgh experience crashing round my ears, you might wonder? Normally, it’s reviews. No matter how proud you are of a show, negative reviews can really dent your self-esteem. This year, they won’t have much of a bearing on my sales – because I’ve been here long enough for people to know me – and I’m not eligible for awards and so on, so basically, reviews are irrelevant. But stand-up is so much about self-confidence, and so is life, and as you know, it’s a commodity I find hard to get my hands on.
So in short, I’m ignoring all reviews except tweets and stuff on this website. My management and so on are allowed to forward good ones to me, but if there are lukewarm or bad ones, I don’t want to know. This is a pretty one-eyed and cowardly way of getting through a festival, but it’s better than a breakdown. Plus, I do think it’s scientifically accurate, in a way. These shows are about the ticket-holders enjoying themselves, after all. If I’m pretty confident that – say – 90 percent of them have enjoyed themselves, why does it make sense to read something five days later which claims that, actually, they didn’t?
We’ll see how long this breezy stance lasts. But in the meantime, I am fit and well again – I’ve had sleep and tea. Thanks for all your health advice. I will need it again before August is out, both mental and physical health advice, in fact. But for now, on we go.
Posted by Corey on August 8, 2010
I don’t blame you for blocking out any negativity…….even though its just one persons opinion, it can put a dent in your day. I’m beginning to think about seeing your show in Edinburgh but I’m coming to 2 other shows on the tour so don’t want to OD on Watson…..but I would like to see you in a bigger arena…..and that the ‘Winding Wheel’ is not!
Posted by Misha on August 8, 2010
this comment comes from Smoking in Addictions (my oddly named bed and room at the hostel) most excited to be seeing you tomorrow. Or should that be later today? Either way I desperately need to sleepp first too.
Posted by Iona on August 8, 2010
Just caught up on a week’s worth of blogs after being away. It’s got me all excited for going up to Edinburgh on tuesday!
Posted by JoC on August 7, 2010
I’m so proud of your optimism Mark!
Posted by Rachael on August 7, 2010
Definately best to ignore anything other than the ‘glowing’ reviews. In my completely objective opinion, if anyone ever writes a bad one about your show it must be for some reason other than your actual show e.g. another audience member was sick on them or they went to the wrong place and saw some crap show instead.
Posted by Maddie on August 7, 2010
Glad you’re feeling better!
Luke-warm / bad reviews?? Never had I heard such tripe, nor would I put your name and those words in the same sentence.
I am now getting very ‘green eyed monster’ about not being able to go.
Posted by Anji on August 7, 2010
So glad your feeling better. That in itself makes everything else seem less hassle!
Not paying attention to reviews sounds like the sane plan – you’ll get all the feedback you need from people around you and that’s what counts!
Keep trucking and taking care of yourself – that’s the most important thing.
Posted by A lot of Rach[a]els on August 7, 2010
I’m glad the start of the festival is going well and signing books afterwards is def. a good way of judging the reactions.
I’ll be bringing my copy of Eleven to your show with me.
Quick question: what happened to Bristol City today?!
Posted by Bex on August 7, 2010
I’m up on Tues morning and it’ll be my first fringe, and getting into twitter and TYSIC is pretty much responsible for this
Hope you keep the positivity and optimism and most of all you keep healthy n sane (ish)
See ya soon
Posted by Heather on August 7, 2010
I’m jealous of all the people that are already in Edinburgh, and slightly worried by all this talk of shows running over time. My schedule’s packed pretty tight, although a lot of it is free shows so I suppose I could miss a few of those. And I’ve left about an hour before your show free, so hopefully that’ll be enough time to get to the venue and get a good seat! Can’t wait, for that and for the book launch!
Posted by Megan on August 7, 2010
Glad things are going well(-ish) so far at the festival.
Y’all have fun at the book launch! My copy of Eleven is finally en route to Ottawa. Phew. Expected delivery is at the end of next week. I will have my own book launch party, perhaps with a glass of wine, in my backyard with my cat. (Spinster much?)
Posted by Kathryn on August 7, 2010
Good to hear the positivity. And I was very pleased to find your book this afternoon in a bookshop in coleraine (small town in north Antrim). If I were in Edinburgh I would be coming to get it signed.
Posted by DeborahF on August 7, 2010
I agree – ignore the reviews – after all it’s one person’s opinion and can be completely contrary to the other 799 people in the audience.
Anyway glad to hear it’s going well – really wish I could be there
Posted by Kate W on August 7, 2010
Good plan; I think people will appreciate being able to get a signed book after the show and it sounds like a very canny way of taking the audience’s temperature a bit.
Not reading reviews is absolutely the sane way to go – I don’t think it ever does anyone any good. All a less than glowing review does is dent your confidence, which won’t help the show, and people who come to see you clearly haven’t been put off. As some comedian once said, it’s between you and your audience.
Sleep and tea cure almost all ills. Hope you, Emily and Kit are well and reasonably rested, and you find time to enjoy a month in Edinburgh. They have a zoo and everything.
Posted by Linzy on August 7, 2010
If you do have that breakdown within the next two weeks, I’ll be available for any cheering up hugs that are necessary.
And in related news, see you tomorrow!
Posted by Laurs on August 7, 2010
So pleased to hear that it is all going well for you Mark, yay! Loving the fact that you are coming across as being really positive about the show. And I agree that it is sensible thing to not read reviews. I’ve always got annoyed at the majority of reviews telling me if I should or shouldn’t have liked something.
Anyway, here’s to continued success! Take care x x
Posted by sharon on August 7, 2010
You were great on the first night but why aren’t you coming to Dundee on tour any more????
Posted by Rachel/Pandora on August 7, 2010
Glad its all going well Mark. Gutted I can’t be up there this year, but I have 3 years of university debts chasing me, and until I get a job I’m not allowed to spend anything. If you keep doing book signings after I might assign certain Watsonians to give you hugs from me. A good hug is the best type of review, yes? X
Posted by MusicalLottie on August 7, 2010
I think you sold out far too quickly for any last-minute drunk parties to roll in!
I’m glad it all is going well, and that you’re feeling well again. Hoorah!