Brighton - part 1

We were all buzzing after the dress rehearsal. Not that it was perfect, no - far from it, but because we felt like a team. Both shows, full of life. The drink afterwards in the bar, Esther meeting the rest of the production team/cast, everyone getting on. 

I awoke the next morning happy, but had to teach in two primary schools first. Positive messages sent in the various group chats. No idea why we can't just have one. 

Picked up Esther, and then techie Alan, and drove to Brighton. The journey was spirited, full of good tunes, and very little in the way of issues in my 15-year-old car. Writing this nearly a week later... of course there WERE issues; fines for driving in a bus lane, a fine for driving in a taxi only zone, a fine for not paying the Dart charge. But, you know, it felt great at the time. 

Settled into our digs with Paul M, and then Alan, Paul and myself found beers in town as Esther slept. 

The next morning was the start of show day. After breakfast, we wondered down to our venue and loved it...which was a relief, because you can never tell what you've let yourself in for. The perfect room, smaller than the pictures but that's exactly how I like it. 

And then it occurred to me...I've also got to do my solo show. It's a show that did well at the Leicester Comedy Festival, and found its feet again during a run of house shows. But my mind had been on the two plays. Sales were low - I had 5 in, three of them were friends. I was shit. Really, bumbling, shit. The audience were kind. My friend said, "your charm helps you out a lot" and I think I know what he meant. I mean, I'm not charming, but I'm nice. That compensated for the lack of confidence in the actual show. It was so good when I performed it in February. February was a long time ago. 

Fired up, I went back to the flat to run lines for the play. Esther was struggling a little for energy, but when the large audience came in, when the show started, we both sprung into life. The first time we've ever got it right. Also, wonderfully, the first public performance. Nailed it. It under-run, but we nailed it. So, so happy. 

The full-cast play literally followed the same pattern. They'd been struggling in rehearsals. They were exceptional. 

So, two out of three gooduns on day 1? Not bad!

Found fish and chips, and then the whole team, including additional friends, Ross and Chrissy, found a great pub and we got horribly sloshed. Stories exchanged, laughter had, great friends, great times. Like it has been now for three years in a row at the Brighton Fringe with pretty much the same people. 

But of course, that can all lead to complacency. But that's for that's for the next blog post...