Saturday 14 August 2010

Postcards From The Fringe.

Barry Cryer snogged me. . . . I say snogged but really it was a hug. Two hugs. And a kiss on the cheek. And I told him he was the comedy God of my kitchen, my radio guru, my life-line of hope and humour, my inspiration.......and then I returned to my seat before Security could escort me from the premises. I was on the terrace of the Loft Bar at the Gilded Balloon in Edinburgh, watching Barry from afar, plucking up the courage, or consuming a sufficient quantity of wine, which ever came first, to approach the High Priest of Hilarity. Top moment: watching Bazza deep in poetic conversation with John Cooper Clarke. Yes, JCC is still alive, hair quaffed high, weaving his way Bambi-like between the talent...... black-clad skinny jeans on skinny legs, ochre skin stretched over ashen face ........ (a little JCC homage there).

I had spent the day, as I had everyday while on my sojourn in Scotland, walking the length and breadth and length again, of Edinburgh, flyering (the technical term for thrusting unwanted flyers advertising shows, in front of a potential audience) for the show I was co-producing. And I had discovered a hitherto unknown talent for it, I could be spraying perfume in Selfridge's any day now. Perhaps it was the unusual offer of 'make a million before lunch.....' or the fact that a middle-aged woman with glossed-lips (the average age of my fellow flyerers was about 25) was asking 'can you afford to miss this opportunity?' Or perhaps it was because I was neither a youth in a dragon costume or a bloke in blue Lycra. Or decked out in full Victorian kit. Anyway, we had built a show, and they were coming.

I'd never been to the Fringe Festival before, never been to Edinburgh, and it was great. The city nestles against the craggy grey rock, over-hung by Aurthur's Seat, billowing beneath a big sky; clouds puffed high over the hills into the blue. You can see the sea. The streets were swelled by the anoraked couples, back-packed, clutching their fat, fringe programmes and spiral-bound note books, taking notes, traversing the North Bridge looking for The Traverse Theatre, Gilded Balloon, Pleasance Courtyard, Pleasance Beyond, Pleasance Beneath.........assembling at The Assembly, going under the comedy radar for underground comedy at the Underbelly. And everywhere the gaily coloured, brightly painted talent, towering above the castle turrets: fire-eating, stilt-walking, fast-talking boys and girls, rolling-up to roll you over in shock, horror, awe and hysterics, while tattooed blokes with bald heads strain to view the Tattoo. In Edinburgh you're never more than ten feet away from some bagpipes.

It was a little overwhelming for a fringe virgin. It took me a couple of days to find my feet and not feel physically sick when trying to wade my way through the mighty listings guide, the size of the September issue of Vogue. But I did see Doon MacKichan's moving and hilarious fight with the fates: Primadoona, the wickedly funny Checkley Bush, Rachel Bridge, Sordid Lives, New Art Club Big Bag Of Boom, Viva Cabaret and the jaw-droppingly talented Meow Meow put the glamour back into crowd-surfing (if ever you get the chance run, kicking and screaming to get a ticket), and Nicky Hobday Conquers Space: a girl, a gorilla suit, some balloons in a cave, a perfect end to a perfect Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Top Tip: don't think about it, just have a go.

10 comments:

  1. Makes me feel like I was standing there with you. Wonderful stuff.

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  2. Brilliant piece about Edinburgh - I went to Uni there in the early 90s - all Nirvana t-shirts and DM boots. You've captured the city beautifully but I would urge you to visit when Festival is not on - it's stunning at any time of year.

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  3. You have really captured the soul of the fringe there!

    People must have been fainting with relief to find a lovely lady thrusting leaflets at them - so often it is someone scary!

    Hope the weather in Edin is as nice as it is over here on the West.

    You have built a show. They WILL come...

    Ali x

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  4. Oh you lead a glamorous and exciting life - the last time I went to the Fringe was 1989!! Pop over and look at what Asda sent me! xxxx

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  5. What a brilliant post! I'm yearning to go to Edinburgh now.
    John Cooper Clarke is hilarious, isn't he? Caught him at The Big Chill last year and again at this year's Green Man! I was amazed he was still alive. xxx

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  6. Isn't it wonderful - I came back a week ago but my daughter has been performing for the last 3 weeks! Can't stop thinking I'll have to go for longer next year - and incorporate the book festival too.

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  7. Dear Jo, that was hilarious! I love to hear about a blast from the past. We must share a bottle of wine sometime! Did I just say bottle? I've tagged you, if you wish to take part that would wonderful xx

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  8. PS. Here's the link to the tag. Hope you're having a great weekend xxx
    http://fashionsmostwanted.blogspot.com/2010/08/getting-to-know-you-tag.html

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  9. VERY FUNNY! YOU WRITE SO WITTINGLY iI LOVE YOUR METAPHORES ETC. BRAVO AT MERCI.

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  10. Hi - thank you so much for stopping by and for your sweet comment...I just came here to leave you a message and saw that your last post was entitled 'Let me eat cake' - that's such a coincidence!!! I shall be back to catch up on more....best wishes x

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