Project Preston
Last night’s show in Preston went well, I’m glad to say, thanks in part to an excellent crowd. I mentioned at the end that it was a shame they couldn’t all come to Blackburn- which isn’t far away- where I never seem to sell many tickets. I then made a flip remark about getting a minibus to convey anyone who wanted to come, from Preston to Blackburn. And letting them in free. Provided they were at the Preston show.
If you know me, you won’t be surprised to hear I am now thinking seriously about doing this.
The thing is, the Blackburn show isn’t going to sell out, so the free tickets are no skin off my nose. And I think it would be hilarious to ‘bring a chartered crowd in’ as a morale-booster for everyone and a reproach to the non-ticket-buying Blackburners.
Any readers wanting to get in on it, you could also come on the bus and I could probably procure some more Blog Readers’ Tickets for free. But you’d have to get up to Preston in the first place. Which would be a pretty silly thing to do.
So. I’m airing the idea. If even 4 people are up for it, I could get a taxi sorted out. Spread the word. Especially to people in Preston.
A couple of brief notes from questions people have left:
-The very long and critical comment from yesterday is, I’m confident, a joke. For those asking.
-And: the show is about 60 percent my
Edinburgh show, 40 percent other stuff. So if you saw the Fringe show, I can’t in all conscience recommend coming again, but I do make it worthwhile for people who do.
And hey, I can’t really in all conscience propose that people congregate in Preston to descend on Blackburn for my show. But I still am.
Posted by Nick on October 20, 2010
Loved your preston gig. I was going to give you wine gums after the show but couldn’t acquire any before you signed your fantastic book for me! Bring on project preston and there’s a bag of em in it for ya!
Posted by prestonianyiddo on October 16, 2010
Great show Mark, was a hoot!! We’d definately up for the Blackburn show – we still have the tickets signed by you. Let us know where the bus leaves from and we’ll be there and bring some wine gums too!!
Posted by Joe's Mum on October 15, 2010
The Preston show was superb so I’d love to join the Project Preston trip.
I wonder if the lady who was a peacock in Preston could be a blackbird in Blackburn?!!
Posted by Graham on October 15, 2010
I was at the Preston show – and I’m from Blackburn.
Although I loved the show, I can’t say I enjoyed the criticism of Blackburn, but I can’t really argue with it either. I came to the Preston show rather than the Blackburn one for a variety of reasons – one of which is that a fuller venue generally makes for a better show – and shows at Preston are generally fuller.
If it’s any consolation (Mark) it’s not personal and it’s not even tied to comedy shows. There are some shows that sell out in Blackburn, but these would sell out anywhere. Money, catchment area and being ‘in the sticks’ may be reasons but I’m far from an expert.
Posted by Peacock Lady on October 15, 2010
I’d love to come and see you again in Blackburn. If you do organise it, I’ll get someone from Blackburn to buy a ticket to see your gig! How’s that for a deal?
Posted by ManWhore on October 15, 2010
I should say that I feel slightly like I am prostituting myslef here Mark! Pimping my laugh out to you…..
Good job I an such a slut then! I will also offer to pimp out 3 of my whore friends laughs out as well.
Let’s do this funky thing!
Posted by Kris "Peacock Expert" Ball on October 14, 2010
I still have my Preston ticket, so I can easily confirm I was in the Preston audience (my name should probably indicate that too). Perhaps me and the peacock impersonator should be sat next to each other, and we can discuss all things peacock related during the interval?
I seriously hope you do this Mark!
It was great getting to chat during and meeting you after the show!
Posted by Andrea Holliday on October 14, 2010
I was at the Preston gig – dragged a crowd of ten along with me (one was the peacock lady) and also bought a book – would that mean I get first dibs on the back seat of the coach / minibus / taxi / bicycle?
Posted by Paul on October 14, 2010
count me in!
Posted by Paul on October 14, 2010
Project Preston – top idea!
My wife and I were at the show on Tuesday night and really enjoyed ourselves – particularly enjoyed your efforts sat at the PC typing a conversation to the early audience; great idea to entertain those who don’t live in the bar pre-show!
Shame I couldn’t hang around to get a signed copy of Eleven – too many in the queue by the time I got out of the theatre.
Keep up the excellent work Mark.
Regards,
Paul
Posted by Kay on October 14, 2010
I live in Preston and attended your gig. It was fab!!! If you want supporters in Blackburn we would come!!!
Keep going you were great!
Posted by Gary Whitworth on October 14, 2010
I’d definitely be up for this! I’m a student in Preston so I can get into town to meet the minibus or taxi.
Posted by Josh on October 14, 2010
What would this involve? I would be up for it, depending on the arrangements
Posted by Joelle on October 14, 2010
You really do get carried away some times! All in the name of fun I suppose (:
Hope you have had a good day! x
Posted by Depraviato on October 14, 2010
Thanks to those who reported experiencing mirth upon reading my critique of the Preston show. Please be aware of a couple of things nonetheless: it was but an account of one man’s experience of one show in time and shouldn’t be used as the basis for a decision on whether to go to a future show or not, and it was indeed jest (apart from the Blackpool bit).
It still remains the truth though that our most beloved comic did indeed show us his darker side by stealing my ticket on that fateful Tuesday night. Upon reflection I believe however that it was a crime born of compulsion and one that played on his mind afterwards. This claim is evidenced by the less than perfect typing displayed as previously discussed, especially before the start of the second half after the interval, a period which was for him undoubtedly filled with regret and panic. Those sorts of emotions will make the hands of even the most hardened ne’erdowell show involuntary spasmodic signs of repentance. These feelings troubled him throughout the remainder of the show up until the point where he felt he must make some sort of amends.
So I suggest that Project Preston is Mr. Watson’s attempt to clear his conscience and make good the harm which he visited upon a poor, now bookmark-less punter. Is it any coincidence that he mentions his conscience twice in his latest blog? I think not. So, in the spirit of forgiveness and positive vibes, I say to you Mark that I accept your olive branch and I will involve myself in this project so that you may put the small beverage glass away until the time when you use it once again for cheer. But be warned – I will be holding onto my Blackburn ticket with a vice grip.
Posted by Kris on October 14, 2010
I came to the Preston gig and work in Preston. But would love for my girlfriend to come and see you. (she lives in manchester)Woud you be able to fix it for me to come but not on the coach?
I’ve got preston tickets still
Posted by Sam on October 14, 2010
I live in Preston! And, despite not having been at the Preston show (due to both a devastating lack of organisation and having reached the limit of my overdraft and being on a strict mission to recoup some of my funds) and not commenting often, I’ve been with you on here since the very beginning and would be well up for capitalising on any trip-to-Blackburn plans. This is a thing that should definitely happen – if it does, I’ll bring you a whole box of brand new biros.
Deal?
Good.
Posted by gary whitworth on October 14, 2010
I’d be definitely up for this. I’m a student in preston so its easy for me to get to and I’m gutted I missed the preston show. My student loan should be in before 9th november anyway
Posted by Martin Bellamy on October 14, 2010
I’m up for it – I came with my wife, daugter and son in law so that’s 4 of the Preston crowd,
Posted by Tracey on October 14, 2010
Hi Mark. I’d love to be able to take advantage of that , unfortunately I’m in Glasgow so I’m not able to. Regarding the comment made, I wouldn’t worry about one dissenter. I love your comedy, your style, and the time and trouble you take over your blog.Keep doing what you do best in the way you do it best. Hope to catch you live sometime in the future, in the meantime I see that a dvd is soon to be released so I’ll content myself with that. Take care Tracey x
Posted by Rachael on October 14, 2010
This has to be up there with the MP3 challenge for your craziest ideas! At this moment I wish I lived in Preston. Probably won’t wish that again in my life time though.
Posted by MattF on October 14, 2010
I wasn’t at the Preston show (sorry, work etc, excuses excuses) but I live in Preston and would gladly pop over to Blackburn for a free show!
Posted by Ben Davidson on October 14, 2010
Can someone please clarify what Mark was doing chasing the women around Preston in the comment 2 before this one – maybe?
Posted by Ian Robinson on October 14, 2010
Quite tempted by this, even though I didn’t go to the Preston gig. When I worked in Blackburn I discovered most comedy doesn’t sell, for some reason. Even the biggest names struggle.
And when I asked local people where they went for a night out they said… Preston!
Posted by Louise hendy on October 14, 2010
I am definitely up for Blackburn!
Posted by Tom Harrison on October 14, 2010
I was present at the show with my gf who bought me the tickets as a Birthday present. Great present!
I would deffo be up for going along to the Blackburn show to ‘outnbumber’ them and embarass them on their own turf!!!
I hope that we can get our Peacock Lady to come along and scare the living hell out of the Blackburn people who have never seen any exotic animals! LOL.
I know a couple of coach companies as they do a lot of the PNE transport for football matches and so i may be able to swing a cheapy coach for you if you let me know!
Incidentally, my gf was the girl who was re-tweeted by Jason Manford after the show the other night! Great Re-commendation by Jase!!! You owe him a couple of beers!
Best wishes
Tom H
Posted by Hannah on October 14, 2010
Yay! Project Preston! Would definitely come to see the show again. What’s the chances of the peacock impersonator being at Blackburn???
Posted by Anji on October 14, 2010
I love that you would actually do this Mark! It just shows the extra distance your prepared to go for your fans!
Sadly Preston is a million (well a lot) of miles away from me, but good on you anyways!
And the commet yesterday, which I’ve just read, actually made me smile. I’m sure. It’s a wind up, but the time it must have taken to include such detail…small things mean so much to some!
Here’s to a terrific Thursday for all x
Posted by Andy Harrod on October 14, 2010
Excellent that you are seriously considering project Preston! Depending on dates could be talked into this. We both really enjoyed the Preston gig.
Posted by Glamlovinkitty on October 14, 2010
No Preston for me as (1) I am in Glasgow and (2) even though it would technically be do-able, it would be tightly sandwiched between Jason Cook and Sarah Millican and so less do-able.
However, I’m coming to the Glasgow one on Saturday and the Dunfermline one next month, plus I saw you in Edinburgh, so I hope I can be excused this frankly piss-poor level of commitment to the Preston shenanigans.
Posted by KHartz on October 14, 2010
My husband and I came to the show in preston and thoroughly enjoyed it, we said if you do put something on for us lot to come to Blackburn we would definitely be up for it! We thought you were fab! (I’m the woman you chased btw)!!
Will def be coming to see you again next time your in preston.
Posted by Ally on October 14, 2010
Glad to here the tour is coming along well. I’ve been a bit too busy lately to be able to comment everyday (though I do still read everyday!), which is frustrating as I enjoy contributing my small bits to the general community of the blog. Anyway. I’m looking forward to hearing how this Blackburn idea turns out!
Posted by Juliet on October 14, 2010
Would you fly me to Blackburn?
I’ve been studying and didn’t have a lot of time to read the blog, sorry for the absence, I’m still here! I’ve been reading Eleven… I’m surprised that I’m halfway through it and it hasn’t been hard to read (I didn’t really know at first if I was gonna be able to understand it, but it turns out my English isn’t that bad!). I’m enjoying it
Posted by Linsey on October 14, 2010
I’m from Leeds, but I would totally go to Preston! I just looked up train times and the latest train back is at 23:40. Loads of time! Plus I have the Wednesday off uni the next day! If this happens, I would be very very excited.
Posted by Misha on October 14, 2010
I just found myself checking, but it’d cost me £40 on the train from Cardiff, and the coach site is down. Considering i’d basically follow you from blackburn down to Cardiff, maybe that’s a sign that I shouldn’t
This comment is a sign I shouldn’t be allowed near the internet after midnight.
Posted by Rick Procter on October 14, 2010
Genius idea – I’d be sorely tempted, bit it’s on Tue 9 Nov isn’t it? I’m seeing Goldfrapp in Bristol on that day, so can’t make it. It’s gonna be brilliant though – I’m quite jealous.
Posted by Natalie-Helen on October 14, 2010
As long as the minibus sings “We’re on our way to Watson, we’re on our Watson way” on the journey I totally support this endevour. Even if I cannot make it to Preston.
Also the v long “critical” comment yesterday was most amusing.
^_^
Posted by Misha on October 14, 2010
Preston i’m not sure I can do, but I look forward to Bristol, I want to see those middle 5 minutes I missed, and I promise not to be sick this time.
Posted by Josh on October 13, 2010
You must do that.
You’re such an anti-poor-person-from-Suffolk sometimes. I love you anyway, promise.
Posted by Kate W on October 13, 2010
That would be a fantastic thing to do. Lord knows people from Preston need cheering up, and crowds rarely have a reason to descend on Blackburn.
My main association with Preston is spending every Christmas Day for the last decade there with my cousins, so seeing your show would be considerably more fun.
Posted by Jonny on October 13, 2010
As someone that was at the show last night I would definitely come to the Blackburn show as well.
Posted by ChrisP on October 13, 2010
I’d recommend it.