PJs and Recovery Position

Am in recovery which is better than being in a ditch (or losing a diamond)

Did two trips up to Edinburgh this year: only a mad woman (or myself) would consider doing a try out show in Edinburgh with publicity when they had only done it once before…

You can see where I’m going I expect – well my first try out was at the Tabbard Theatre and very well it went – maybe it was the adrenalin or the fact it wasn’t Edinburgh with publicity, but I almost enjoyed it and if I forgot things (which I did) it didn’t seem to matter.

Fast forward to Edinburgh and imagine the scene. I’m in a cosy bunker – (great for some –like Kevin Orkian -v good ) it is full, there are not enough seats but chairs are being found (a bit like in a church hall) and my flip chart and screen (props I kind of need) can’t be seen by all the audience cos it’s not theatre and some people said they couldn’t hear.  Add to that there was a rather handsome pillar directly in front of me...

So er note to self -sort of have a look at the venue before you do show…on the other hand would that have stopped me? – we all love being asked to come up to Edinburgh don’t we? I patently did.

Anyway, my show was on late (and I must have been rambling) and my pal David Langham who was helping me had to hold up a note which said “wind up now!” Sadly, I couldn’t see said note without my glasses so had to put them on to read the note to tell me to get off…

So let’s hope my next appointment with comedy fares better –I’m actually doing it in a theatre!! Shock! Yes on 1st October at the Kenneth Moore Theatre –– info should be on their website soon.   At least there won’t be a pillar. Note to self – remember jokes.

On Stage at the Edinburgh Festival

Politics festival next: http://www.festivalofpolitics.org.uk/index.htm  Well, slightly smarting from a long mail of complaint received on my website about the Edinburgh gig ( I’d disappointed someone and I fear very possibly ruined his whole Edinburgh apparently due to my poor contribution) I ventured forth to see if I might disappoint any more folk but this time by looking into the role of satire within our political canvas.  Sure enough there was a cross gent in the audience in the Scottish parliament who expressed his right to be disappointed – I can only offer my sympathy – listen mate I'm disappointed,  we’re all Disappointed but we've got to carry on somehow.

I carried on. Stayed up to the wee hours with a nice professor Stephen Fielding and a funny writer Tim Telling which was the best bit

Am now in PJ’s on a writing binge. Did 12 hours yesterday - a record - am writing a novella for people with the reading age of 12 which is quite tricky to second guess –you can’t do too many three syllable words. Does than include consummate and consommé ?

Ready for the off

Did the try out gig last night at Tabard Theatre. Nice pub attached as I later discovered. Forgot loads. Had to put my glasses on a lot –the act of putting on glasses seemed to cause hilarity –I may keep this in for Edinburgh show out of desperation –and also because I need to see.

I am playing ‘Miss Moo’ -a cow - on Cbeebies Iconicles. My character breakdown said Miss moo is a kind warm cow. That’s me .Every single weekday 3.45 BBC. moo

Have been spray tanned for Edinburgh (medium to dark) . I may regret this especially as it's not known for being a tropical city - must wash off in a few hours or will resemble Judith Chalmers bless –didn’t have the back done as its only my neck that will be visible in my black clothes – but didn’t want to short change the sprayer - seemed a bit mean to ask for a ‘solo neck spray’.

This weekend I get to do lots of guest spots have made a list which is thus:

Hardeep Singh’s ‘Chat Masala’ at the Gilded Balloon Teviot
Event WebsiteFestivalHighlights.com
Date & Time Friday 19 Aug 2pm

Scott Capurro’s ‘Position’ at the Gilded Balloon Teviot
Event Website gildedballoon.co.uk
Date & Time Sunday 21st Aug 4.30pm

Edinburgh Book Festival Unbound's Literary Death Match
Monday 22 August 9:00pm - 11:00pm I will be on the judging panel. Achieving cult status around the world from Beijing to San Francisco, and landing a literary punch here in Charlotte Square Gardens for one night only! The Literary Death Match sends four writers against one another with only words as their weapon, all in the hunt to win the LDM crown. These writers have to dazzle a panel off all-star judges and most importantly, you, the audience, with their most exciting, insightful, funny, moving writing. The top two go on to the evening’s finale, a death-defying battle of literary ridiculousness… There can be only one winner!

In Defence of Politics: What is Comedy and Satire Doing to Our Politics?
Sat 27th August 18:30 – 19:30, Main Chamber, £6.00 (Concessions £3.50). Book in advance Does political comedy and satire undermine public support in democratic politics by constantly deriding politicians and under-playing the challenges of governing? Are comedians to some degree responsible for the existence of a large number of 'disaffected democrats'? Is there such a thing as 'civic comedy' and could it be funny? Should politicians spend more time reflecting on their responsibilities to the public and less time mocking politicians? This event explores these questions by bringing together a number of comedians, satirists and political scientists. On the panel: Comedienne Helen Lederer, Tim Telling of the Daily Mash, stand-up comic Matt Forde (invited) and Professor Steven Fielding of the University of Nottingham. http://www.festivalofpolitics.org.uk/day7.htm

This and That

Time is closing in –what if no one one comes to my show …? Have used memory and hypnotist to nail the lines – the key is association -  I am imagining a journey through my garden so when I'm sitting on my garden bench I’m really doing hilarious comedy about my divorce – and when I’m at my tomato plant I’m really doing my routine about a tantric couples' workshop in Finchley. Yes, it all makes sense.



PAPER REVIEW SUNDAY 14TH AUGUST
Broadcasting House BBC Radio 4

Early start with delectable Paddy Campbell –the brain box man who chairs it- he claims to also host a programme for the BBC world news about Guatemalan angling – but I don’t quite believe him.

Reviewing the papers comedian Helen Lederer, author of The Junior Officers
 Reading Club Patrick Hennessy and Sky News reporter Mark Stone

We three reviewers were given a pile of newspapers each, a pair of scissors and a spanking new file pad . These were not gifts. No. We were to choose 5 stories each, cut them out, write down the name and page number of the paper and then take away the number we first thought of – No I mean we were to conjure an interesting and original take on said item – I was exhausted and it was only 7.45am.




Patrick Hennessy and Mark Stone were both clever and brave people as well as heroes having been on the front line in urban and foreign wars - but also gallant. I bagsied the story about male pants – interestingly Mark Stone quite wanted that one too. Some things just find their own home though …

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qnj3

Comic Roots

From yesterday's Edinburgh Evening News ....

"Returning to her comic roots has set the comedian thinking. She still remembers that first visit, or rather one particular review..."

Here's the full article: http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/features/Memory-can-play-funny-tricks.6816846.jp

Enjoy!

Comedy Connections

http://www.whatsontv.co.uk/drama/tv-news/interviews/ronnie-corbett-comedys-in-my-soul/13522

Well who’d have thought it - came upon this missive where the great Ronnie Corbett reveals how he first saw the also great Miranda ‘assisting me!’ in Edinburgh. I like this turn of phrase – perhaps one day I may be of service back –am good with carrying, fetching, wiping surfaces and small acting parts.

If memory serves I was doing a play with live food on stage – (truth be told can remember as if yesterday – and the reviews) one of those where the idea was better than the execution – but a great opportunity to get drunk in various windows of opportunities in Edinburgh.


Naturally I’m not one to trawl through the internet in search of my name (that often) – however google does have it that I am ‘the supply teacher of comedy’ – which I think is a plus.

Not only am I doing hypnosis –I’m now seeing memory man –to lock the lines down for Edinburgh that I have never done before - is this wise? – perhaps I should do what the young call ‘riffing’ and not lock it down …just a bit of pressing quite hard?

Here's the link to book tickets: http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/evening-with-helen-lederer

Oven man not come back with new part yet - bereft -it's microwave city here.

Excitement reigns -the box office of the ACTUAL venue for my Edinburgh show is rumoured to be 'manned' today. Do call if inclined to test this out. Performing to chairs may be strengthening - on the other hand - if memory serves... but hey what's the worst that can happen? yeah I know... call