After the Lord Mayor's show
…is a phrase my dad uses to describe that weird grey morning-after feeling that follows a momentous event like last night’s Apolloganza. In a sporting context it’s sometimes used to talk about the tendency of a team to slip up and lose surprisingly after the adrenalin of a big win. So we must hope I don’t follow last night by screwing up tomorrow’s (actually much more scary) gig where I have to do stand-up about the year’s events on ITV.
But anyway, the Apollo was a success and I’m now sort of quietly contemplating it through a general sense of fatigue. It wasn’t actually much different from playing many of the other big theatres on this tour – it was quite a bit easier than some venues in fact (like the SECC, in Glasgow, or the sports hall in Grimsby that hardly anyone came to). The nice thing from an optimism point of view was that I succeeded in stopping now and again and thinking ‘wow, this is cool, I never expected to be doing something like this when I started out’. I was worried that the big occasion might race past without leaving me time to enjoy it. Obviously I didn’t ACTUALLY stop talking and reflect upon the coolness, but my brain did manage to alight on it from time to time. Professionally, it was a fitting end to a year of gradually incrementing positivity.
Except it wasn’t the end, there’s this ITV thing tomorrow, then three shows in Norwich. THEN it’s the end. Then I’m going to have a long sleep. Or what passes for a long sleep with a baby. A short sleep, by all other yardsticks.
Thanks to everyone who came to the Lord Mayor’s Show, as it were. I will look back on it with fondness. For now though, it’s kind of hard to believe that it all happened.
Posted by Tibbs on January 13, 2011
I’d forgotten about this “ITV thing”; must see if I can track down some more info on it. Hope the taping went well!
Posted by Lisa on December 13, 2010
The first stand-up live comedy show I’ve been to – had a great time, brilliant stuff! Thanks for signing “Kylie” as well
And for another first, you’re my first comedy review as well on my reviews site – I can see book reviews looming too now…
Best wishes and enjoy the rest of the tour,
Lisa (a.k.a Voodoo Spice)
Posted by Rachael on December 13, 2010
My nan says that Phillip Schofield is ‘dishy’.
Posted by Katy on December 12, 2010
The Apollo show was superb, I dont think I’ve laughed so much for ages. I really enjoyed myself. well done!
Also you’re such a nice person. I’ve been telling everyone about meeting you afterwards and stuff and they all say that you sound like the nicest person ever and that you generally care about your fans.
Posted by Lydia on December 12, 2010
I just did another catch up. I really must make myself read every day. The weird thing about not having time anymore is that I don’t even know what I’m doing. I genuinely have no idea where my time goes, leading me to the conclusion that someone must be stealing it.
Well done with the Apollo show, I’m glad it went well. Good luck with the ITV thing, I hope it goes well and is fun. x
Posted by Tracey on December 12, 2010
Hi Mark. I’m really pleased that it went so well for you. I’ve only managed to see you on tv but you always make us laugh. Please come back to the SECC Glasgow sometime. A couple of weeks ago we saw an incredible gig there by my other favourite comedian Frankie Boyle – which having persuaded my other half to pay out for that meant, I couldn’t afford to go and see anyone else this year! I certainly hope you enjoy your well deserved restand, as always your blog cheers my day. Tracey x
Posted by Misha on December 12, 2010
I could say much the same thing to you Watson. Always nice to see someone get the recognition they deserve, even if you don’t want to share them with the general public as ‘twer.
Posted by MusicalLottie on December 12, 2010
Hello, me again! I said I’d write a more comprehensive comment, so here goes …
As an honest fan, I will say I didn’t particularly enjoy the cruder parts of the gig, but on the whole I laughed an awful lot. The lack of kangaroo put me in serious danger of laughing too much to even breathe! Other highlights included the pre-show entertainment, the ever-present possibility of chasing (I’m not sure I’ve ever seen so many people go to the toilet in 2 hours), the technological heckles, and of course meeting you afterwards. I’m quite pleased that I didn’t get completely tongue-tied, though alas whatever I said came out far more of a jumble than planned (and about twice as fast as I usually speak); sorry about that. Thank you for signing our tickets and my TYSIC tube map; I rather wish I had made one myself now!
One thing that struck me was that obviously you’ve written openly about having to fight against pessimism (hence the birth of TYSIC), but it was very different actually seeing you talking about it in person; it made it a lot more real, and it was rather encouraging.
Two final things that were particularly great: a) we had very good seats and b) I HEARD – by which I mean ‘and understood’ – MOST OF THE SHOW!!! That’s a massive result that means I’ll be far more likely to give other events a go – theatre, comedy, etc. – because I know I stand a chance of understanding what’s going on
So once again a MASSIVE thank you!!! (Don’t worry, I’ll shut up now.)
Posted by Kate B on December 12, 2010
Congratulations, I’m so glad to hear it went well, you don’t suprise me though
And lots of luck to your ITV stand-up thing today and your last few shows!
Posted by Jonny on December 11, 2010
Great show, thanks for signing my kookaburra x
Posted by alan garlinge on December 11, 2010
Hi mark, was lucky enough to be at the ‘Appolloganza’ , thought your show was absolute quality, i was the guy who done the deep cough when you asked for a subtle way to notify you of the latecomers for the missed gag ,(funny as f**k)
Couldn’t believe it, when we got there 7.45 ish , just saw you sat there, through the doors , thought to myself ‘oh wicked’ , could hear the crowd , saw the screen, said to my wife” come on let’s sit down quick , mark’s there !!! couldn’t believe it when she said …..”just gotta have a wee first” …, f’k sake , just been in a pub .Thats gotta be the longest piss i’ve ever waited for someone to have, and i’ve been in a few ‘pisque’ situations .
thanks sir , had a top time , “takes some vaj to do that “,
oh and by the way , i havent stop boo-ing my kids today for the hell of it
cheers , see you on the next one
Posted by Ally on December 11, 2010
Congrats on what everyone who went seems to agree was an awesome show!
Posted by Chris on December 11, 2010
Great gig, so entertaining!
Material aside, highlights included astonishing number of people that went to the loo in the first half (far more than Billy Connolly and he did 2 1/2 hours without an interval!), noticing 12 year old twins in front of me just before you did (but to be fair I was closer), overhearing late arrivals during the interval asking a stranger what was so funny about the Kangaroo joke (and he didn’t tell them!) and meeting you after the show (you remembering I’m the Forest fan).
To be honest, your gig along with Kevin Bridges were surprisingly my favourite ones of the 2010 at the Apollo. Good gigs also by Billy Connolly, Stephen K Amos, Rhod Gilbert, Lee Mack, Dara O’Briain, Sean Lock, Al Murray. Unconvinced by tired Jason Manford and painful Frankie Boyle. Ross Noble and Jimmy Carr (already seen the show at Brixton, pretty good) to come.
Excellent gigs elsewhere by Tim Vine, Micky Flanagan, Dave Gorman (Bloomsbury), Stewart Lee, Mark Thomas (National) and Bill Bailey (Leicester Sq).
So after all this waffling, what I’m trying to say is that we may be in your top 30 audience of the year, but you’re in my top 8 acts of 2010 (top 2 at the Apollo)!
Posted by hornseygirl on December 11, 2010
…still smiling after the show. : )
Good luck for the next round.
P.s. i was delighted to hear we have a shared love of Battenburg. And wine. Mmmmm
Posted by Helen on December 11, 2010
Really glad to hear it went well!
Posted by Laurs on December 11, 2010
Very pleased the show went went well! Hurrah!
Posted by Alot of rachels on December 11, 2010
glad the show went well and everyone enjoyed themselves.
good luck with the itv thing tomorrow
Posted by Tom Butcher on December 11, 2010
Thanks for a great show last night Mark and for signing my book. Can’t believe there wasn’t even a kangaroo! LOL!!
Good also to remember good old Mark’s Tey with you!
Posted by kat w on December 11, 2010
Fantastic Mark! Thank you
Posted by Claire O on December 11, 2010
Saw the show last night and absolutely loved it – especially liked the joke about sneezing as my husband always deafens me when he sneezes
Posted by LauraJ on December 11, 2010
Congratulations. Glad it went well. Fingers crossed for tonight!
Posted by Ali on December 11, 2010
Thank you for the fantastic show, Mark! Best birthday I could have wished for
All the best with tonight’s gig!