Spinning that wheel
Tonight I’m off to the Horne Section once more. In case you haven’t seen this comedy-meets-jazz shambles so far this Edinburgh, it involves spinning a wheel at the end of your set and doing whatever comes up – including ‘PARTY TRICK’, ‘KARAOKE’, ‘SURFING’ (as in over the crowd) and ‘HAIRCUT’. Last week I drew ‘haircut’ and had to perform one on a woman from the audience. She volunteered and was really up for it until reality dawned and I was standing over her with a pair of scissors and no clear idea of how to use them on a person’s hair.
The Horne Section is a peculiar show.
So I’d welcome suggestions for what my party trick should be and what karaoke number I might nail. The closest thing I’ve got to a party trick really – not being much of a cardsharp since my fingers are about as tricky and nimble as totem poles – is that if you shout out a word, I can tell you straight away how many letters are in it. As for a karaoke tune, I did a surprisingly affecting version of You Can Call Me Al at the wife’s birthday, but it was a duet. I don’t see myself as a solo artist. But then at one time, nor did Paul Simon, I guess. There’s always Livin’ On A Prayer, which has an iconic place in the history of the 24-hour show, but I’m more comfortable behind the drums for that one. Actually I’m more comfortable behind the drums in general. I’d have been a drummer if things hadn’t gone askew and I hadn’t accidentally entered open mic competitions and done about 2,000 standup comedy gigs and also not been so hot at the old drumming.
Ah well, we’ll see. My little run of shows at this festival starts a week tomorrow. If you’re coming – and I know some of you are – I have to say again, they’re going to be pretty sketchy. And sketchy as in ‘all over the place’, not as in Cowards, unfortunately. I will be sending out briefing emails in the next few days to those who responded to the initial advertisement. I will be trying to think of some funny stuff. After that, we will simply have to wait and see.
Posted by JontyLarr on August 12, 2011
Good Cowards reference.
They really didn’t get a fair crack on the BBC.
Posted by Misha on August 12, 2011
You should make up a song
(crap idea)
Posted by Lydia on August 12, 2011
I saw a mad Australian juggle with spoons over his eyes and his head on fire in York the other day. You could try that.
Posted by Tibbs on August 12, 2011
If haircut comes up while I’m at the Horne Section, I’m definitely volunteering. I’ve been thinking I need a trim for some time, but haven’t gotten around to it.
Posted by laurenb on August 11, 2011
Oh and karaoke suggestion – saw Simon Amstell, at Karaoke Circus, do a rendition of Hero (the Iglesias rather than the Carey version)… He seemed to carry it off with very little actual singing – more of a musical talking version. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if you did a cover of his cover.
Posted by laurenb on August 11, 2011
Mark, is there any chance you might be at the Horne Section again on Sat 20th? We are having a flying visit to Edinburgh from Fri-Sun but my boyfriend wouldn’t agree to come and see you *again* during 2011 (we already did Chesterfield & Latitude). He thinks it might be healthier for me to see other comedians, or something like that! Anyway I have booked to see Issy Suttie, Josh Widdecombe, Josie Long & The Horne Section. It would amuse me no end to see boy’s face if we did actually get to see you on stage after all… Just a thought. Good luck with your new sketch shows anyway…
Posted by Katie K on August 11, 2011
I do hope you sign up to the Horne Section when Alex brings it to London.
Is it weird to actually miss someone, that you don’t know as an intimate friend/s. So strange not to see any of my favourite regular shows/performers in London, for the whole of August.
*wishes I was at the Fringe, still always next year*
Posted by alot of rachels on August 11, 2011
a christmas Carol for another 24 hour show thing?
catching cheese for a party trick?
Posted by Jen on August 11, 2011
Hey Jude…..gotta be…everyone can’t help but join in….plus im off to see inside…yep inside…. Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s childhood homes tomorrow…a pressie…be quite fun me thinks….hope you have fun tonight!!…cya next fri…exciting!!Jx
Posted by Rachael on August 11, 2011
Ordinarily, I think it is a sin for anyone else to ever try to cover a Micheal Jackson song, BUT I find that belting out ‘Man in the Mirror’ can be extremely fun. Chesney Hawkes is always good too.
Posted by Knox on August 11, 2011
ps – a week from now i will be on the mean streets of edinburgh. i should jsut be stepping out of the ‘fear of the brown planet’ show. counting the minutes…
Posted by Knox on August 11, 2011
possible party trick – and this is very much stolen from an axis of awesome show last year – silent karaoke. you give someone your ipod – they pick a song, listen and sing along, and you have to guess the song – oh yeah, they just hum it.
or better, mine and zainab’s version – the person just dances to it, and you have to guess the song from how they’re dancing.
yes? no? no. oh.