mostly david ephgrave

In true ‘this-could-only-happen-to-me’ style, I’ve just ordered a new projector screen to be delivered to Edinburgh, as some git who’s also doing a show at my venue must have knocked mine over where it’s stored in-between shows and broken it, without making any effort to let me know. (Well, any successful effort at least.) It was while setting up this morning that I discovered it had been disturbed, as the pole that supports the screen when it’s extended (and is usually both clipped and LX-taped to the back when it’s away) had become dislodged, and one of the ends of the base was dented. It wasn’t until I pulled the screen up from the base that I realised the extent of the damage as the screen would no longer retract and had lost all tension. Thankfully, it was usable for today’s show, though the jury was out as to whether it would last the rest of the run. What’s particularly annoying is it has managed to survive being shipped here and ba...

There's nothing like seeing your name on one of those big 'What's on' banners outside a venue to make you realise you're doing a solo show at the Edinburgh Fringe.  (I should clarify that I already knew I was doing one before I saw this.) I've just come back from a quick once-around at Just the Tonic's launch party, knowing I wouldn't stay for long, what with my early start for my first show tomorrow. Even though I'd been at the venue earlier this afternoon for my tech, they hadn't put the itinerary banner up at this point, so it was a welcome surprise when I went back. I took a moment to savour it as I looked it up there, to let the positive prospect of seeing it sink in.  While i've had my name chalked on a variety of blackboards on the Free Fringe in Edinburgh, London, Brighton and the like, this is the first time I've been printed on a banner at a paid venue like this. Mine and Glyn's first Edinburgh show - the 2008 comedy play...

Today has been about logistics.  It's now exactly a week to the day that I travel up to Edinburgh. This decampment has snuck up on me like a...thing that sneaks up on you...a velocirapter? That'll do.  One of the biggest stumbling blocks I'm coming up against is how to get everything I need to Scotland when I'm travelling alone. In the past, I've always gone up in a hired vehicle with Glyn, with the boot and backseat packed to the hilt with luggage and equipment. That's not an option this time, as I don't drive. Consequently, I'm trying to streamline the amount of stuff I take with me, while aware that there are certain things that  have  to get there; by hand or by courier; by hook or by crook. It doesn't help that the space I'm in doesn't have a projector and screen rigged. Last week, I ordered a new projector as ours finally gave up the ghost at my preview at The George, after eight years of good service. The new one made its debut at l...