Monsters: A History of Villainy is performing it’s last week! Here’s an update on what’s happening with the show and the must-see shows at the Festival.
MONSTERS!
Christ, what a draining experience. My open mic stand-up spots have gone from strength to strength but Monsters has been a mission of it’s own. Getting an audience hasn’t been a problem. I’ve marketed it like a complete demon – no flyering necessary! Plus the guests have been great, the standard too, higher than of most Festival shows (let alone Free Fringe ones).
But because of the rushed nature of how the show has come together (in a matter of weeks) and it does tell. It’s a rather incoherent format with a lot of potential and we’re not quite there yet. Still, I’m a plucky fella and I’ll plow on and try learn loads in the time left.
PRESS!
Press has been good! I had a two page spread in the Coventry Evening Telegraph and was also on Edinburgh student radio Fresh Air FM in which I accidentally implied that Robert Mugabe was a nice guy.
The show has changed format and now has two guests per day, amongst games and educational ‘skits’. The guest bit can be quite fun. Firstly, they come on and CONFESS to evil thing’s they’ve done. The show is all about evil people showing signs of good and equally normal (good) people describing moments of wrongdoing. Simply demonstrating that we’re all capable of being a bit… naughty. Like Dave Fulton who once robbed a grave, Steve Hall poured fairy liquid on his cat, Ian Smith bullied a kid who had a clef lip. All true!
The final bit is the PITCH. In 90 seconds they have to pitch someone unusual who they believe is evil. Nay, more, who they believe may actually be the most evil person ever.
BEST OF THE FEST?
Seen quite a lot of shows but my picks are:
Terry Alderton – Pleasance Courtyard, 9.20pm – Energetic and watchable. Nuts. Does brilliant sound effects.
Wittank - Just the Tonic, Caves, 6.15pm – Unpredictable sketches. The bishop skit particularly ticklesome.
Rich Fulcher – Gilded Balloon Teviot, 8.30pm – Surreal seminar about sticking it to the man
Josh Widdicombe – Pleasance Courtyard, 7.15pm – Slick stand-up and strong material
Dave Gorman – Assembly George Square, 7.40pm – Fascinating lecture style set
Humphrey Ker‘s one man play was quite good too although I was distractingly hungry when I saw him and I think that made me not in the mood. Hoping to catch more of John Kearns who did a fantastic slot at the Lunchtime Club!
Late Night Gimp Fight – at the Pleasance Above is a spectacular sketch show of boyish knob gags pimped up with amazing dance setpieces. Wicked!
But my big tip for winner of all the awards this year goes to Adam Riches. He has a one man sketch show which is nothing short of FUCKING BRILLAINT! Full of audience participation and based around 4 enjoyable characters, I don’t think any of other show comes close for belly laughs.
THOUGHTS
My family came to see the show and weren’t that keen. We had great guests that day (Joel Dommett and Thom Tuck) but some bits were clunky. I don’t think it helped that I took them to see some amazing shows including Rich Hall, Michael Winslow and Craig Campbell who make it look dead easy. I should have made them see some of the utter crap on the Fringe. Set myself up for a fall there.
It’s hard to keep a show feeling fresh and interesting. I’m changing it daily, trying new ideas and styles. I will change it tomorrow too. Is this a good method? I don’t know.
Annoyed that the one review we have took place on the FIRST show. We got two stars. But regardless, I think it was a really shitty thing to do of the reviewer. Coming on the first day of a Free Fringe run! It was a crap show but understandably as it was only our second EVER performance (we only had 1 preview). Therefore I’d like to get in a few reviewers during this last week. Three stars would put me at ease, I think we’re worth that!
In the meantime, these arrived yesterday:
Part of my elaborate fund raising and freebee campaign. HM Foods sent me 40 boxes of Sugar Puffs (small size), 20 white chocolate cereal bars and 20 plain chocolate cereal bars. Amazing! Now, I need to find something to do with them! You know, if the show itself was anywhere near as good as the marketing and guest booking that’s gone into it – it’d be award winning. Something to learn for next year.
More to come in the final blog on Monsters coming soon, including who has won the Top of the Monsters league table pitch, who has been the best guests, what games we’ve been playing (that YOU can upload too!). There’ll also be clips of the show so you can watch it online! LOVELY! Come back soon girls and boys.