[Joinee Fray]

Hello all.

Been a while - everyone alright?

So, in short, I was wondering if I can pick your brains. Next summer a friend and I are putting on a very small, very low rent show at festivals such as the Edinburgh Fringe.

Have I scared you off? Come back! It isn't wacky, I promise.

It's more of a talk than anything showy. Well, it will be. We think.

OK. So I was wondering if anyone has any tips they're willing to share - tips on any aspect of staging/performing shows will be welcomed with a brass band and flutes, because we're relative newcomers to all this, particularly the technical elements of standing up and actually doing it. I'd love to read about any experiences good or bad, too.

Also, while I'm here, a big thank you to Joinee Marcus who has been really blinking helpful so far, and thanks too to Neil for suggesting I get in touch with Marcus in the first place. You both helped turn the wheel, so thanks.

In the meantime I hope you're all doing well, this place is still in my thoughts now and then.

Fraser.x.

[Timothy Goose]

When you say technical help what do you mean? Like how to organise it? How to put it on?

Or do you just want talk about how to do the performing.

I did a little show at the Fringe this year... and I'm sorting out a pretty fricking massive show for NYE...

I think all that matters is get your material nailed. 100% and practice the shit out of it. Even if the show is meant to be chaotic and look improvised you need to be super confident with what you're saying and doing. Then that gives you a strong starting point, so that if you want to go off topic a bit you know exactly where you have to return to in order to carry on the jokes.

The last thing you want is to get lost whilst performing.

Most of all though - have fun, its pretty much the biggest rush ever.

[Chairman 'Jamin]

Word to the wise- do what ever the technician says.

Never argue.

ever.


we bear grudges.

[Poohbah (Gsq)]

Fraaaaaaaaaaaay I wanna come see it, please?

/unhelpful (but supportive, at least)

[Joinee Fray]

Thanks for the input, guys.

Tim: How did you find the Fringe in terms of getting people to actually come and watch you? Based on the time I went there I'm imagining it to be difficult to attract an audience a lot of the time. I'll have to come and watch a future show you do!

Lou, you are so allowed to come and watch. That would be splendid. It's going to be an unprofessional shambles, but I'm hoping it will be at least partially amusing!

[Timothy Goose]

We were very lucky in that we were part of a revue show and the drumming up of acts was done by some one else (best way to experience the Fringe meant I could go and watch shows in the day time)

We were also doing the Free Fringe, which really helps because people are more willing to just turn up to random free stuff. In fact I never saw an empty Free Fringe show, they were always full - even the rubbish ones.
We were also benefitting from the fact that if you sat down you could keep your seat for the next shows, and straight after us was Robin Ince.... for which there was always a huge crowd.

So I know that isn't a lot of help.... but that was my Fringe experience

I drank a LOT of cider

Saying that - I now know a fair few comedians and the like who have had to promote themselves AND I know a fair few revue style organisers. So I could get some opinions if you want