Well I'm on the East Coast train about ten minutes out of Edinburgh and missing it already. I didn't blog as much as usual this year, but here's a round-up of what happened:
Shows performed at:
Aug 2nd: Half Past Bitch, Funny's Funny
Aug 4th: Domestic Science, Comedy Manifesto, The News at Kate 2012, The Comedy Debate Show, Midnight Hour
Aug 5th: Comedy Manifesto, Funny's Funny, The News at Kate 2012, Free Fringe Benefit
Aug 6th: Comedy Manifesto, The News at Kate 2012, Midnight Hour
Aug 7th: Comedy Manifesto, The News at Kate 2012, We Love Comedy, Midnight Hour
Aug 8th: Comedy Manifesto, Funny's Funny, The News at Kate 2012, Magic Faraway Cabaret, Midnight Hour
Aug 9th: Crunch the News, Comedy Manifesto, The News at Kate 2012, PBHASC, Midnight Hour
Aug 10th: Comedy Manifesto, The News at Kate 2012, We Love Comedy, Midnight Hour, Funny Fillies, Spank!
Aug 11th: Crunch the News, Comedy Manifesto, The News at Kate 2012, PBHASC, Midnight Hour
Aug 12th: Comedy Manifesto, Waverley Care Benefit, The News at Kate 2012
Aug 13th: Comedy Manifesto, The News at Kate 2012, Midnight Hour
Aug 15th: Comedy Manifesto, The News at Kate 2012, PBHASC, Midnight Hour
Aug 16th: Comedy Manifesto, Funny's Funny, The News at Kate 2012, Funny Fillies, Midnight Hour
Aug 17th: The News at Kate 2012
Aug 18th: Comedy Manifesto, The News at Kate 2012, The Comedy Debate Show, Spank!
Aug 19th: Comedy at Nandos, Funny's Funny, The News at Kate 2012, Spank!
Aug 20th: Comedy Manifesto, Funny's Funny, The News at Kate 2012, Funny Fillies, Magic Faraway Cabaret, Spank!
Aug 21st: Comedy Manifesto, The News at Kate 2012, We Love Comedy, Midnight Hour
Aug 22nd: Comedy Manifesto, The News at Kate 2012, Funny Fillies, PBHASC, Midnight Hour
Aug 23rd: London Is Funny Presents..., Comedy Manifesto, The News at Kate 2012, Midnight Hour
Aug 24th: Comedy Manifesto, The News at Kate 2012, Funny Fillies, Midnight Hour
Aug 25th: What a Weird and Wonderful Festival!, The News at Kate 2012, Spank!
Aug 26th: Funny's Funny
Total: 90
Radio appearances: 2 (discussing the fringe on BBC Leeds and discussing 50 Shade of Grey on BBC 5 live), I also turned several down.
Note that last year I did 93 stage and radio appearances total and decided this year to take it easy...!
Articles published: 1 (London is Funny)
Reviews: 3, all four stars, all granted IN SPITE of the show discussing feminist topics! Still no national papers, no Chortle, etc.
Waterfights: 1 (won outright by myself and cabaret star Cherry Shakewell)
Re-elections to the Fringe Society board: 1
Highlights: Really happy with my show this year, always a treat when people come back to see it again. Lovely flatmates and friends coming to visit. Plus MCing Spank! was a joy, best party in town and it was my party, three times over, I do, literally, love it!
Low points: Sexism onstage and in reviews, and lack of reviews. Didn't get to do Political Animal or SetList despite asking and being recommended by all quarters. Campaign for next year starts here!
It's been a lot of fun. See you next year. Now: SLEEP!
Monday, 27 August 2012
Sunday, 26 August 2012
Reviewing the reviewers
I've had three reviews of my show this year (excluding bloggers and tweeters, etc), all of them four stars. Here are some of the quotes you might see on next years flyers "the verve with which she articulates her views on our land is monumental" (Broadway Baby), " an inclusive and important narrative on our society." (ScotsGay), "an engaging personality and an eloquent speaker, it is little wonder that she is much in demand in the media" (one4review.com).
And here are some of the things I'm less likely to put on posters... "A left-wing, atheist, ultra-feminist comedienne performing a politically fuelled stand-up show sounds daunting to say the least. However, if you descend into the depths of Ciao Roma expecting a flaming, uneducated, soapbox rant about how all men are bastards and how David Cameron is almost certainly a reptile you will be pleasantly surprised" (Broadway Baby), "Nor is this a humourless hard-going lecture." (ScotsGay), "Don’t expect an all out assault on men" (one4review.com).
Seriously, there is not a single reviewer in the whole of Edinburgh (not even you, ScotsGay, I had higher hopes) who can hear the word "feminist" without immediately concluding that my show will be (1) not funny and (2) about how men are all bastards? Really? Frankly with that expectation doing the rounds it does explain why no other reviewers (national papers, Chortle, List, Fest, Skinny, where were you?!) came to the show...
Of course it's tempting fate in many ways to complain about four-star reviews. I was really really proud of my show this year though, it was easily the best thing I've ever written, so you'll have to excuse me for wondering if someone had actually come to review it with an open mind or even a positive attitude towards women's rights and equality (I know!), I might have really deserved five stars?!
And here are some of the things I'm less likely to put on posters... "A left-wing, atheist, ultra-feminist comedienne performing a politically fuelled stand-up show sounds daunting to say the least. However, if you descend into the depths of Ciao Roma expecting a flaming, uneducated, soapbox rant about how all men are bastards and how David Cameron is almost certainly a reptile you will be pleasantly surprised" (Broadway Baby), "Nor is this a humourless hard-going lecture." (ScotsGay), "Don’t expect an all out assault on men" (one4review.com).
Seriously, there is not a single reviewer in the whole of Edinburgh (not even you, ScotsGay, I had higher hopes) who can hear the word "feminist" without immediately concluding that my show will be (1) not funny and (2) about how men are all bastards? Really? Frankly with that expectation doing the rounds it does explain why no other reviewers (national papers, Chortle, List, Fest, Skinny, where were you?!) came to the show...
Of course it's tempting fate in many ways to complain about four-star reviews. I was really really proud of my show this year though, it was easily the best thing I've ever written, so you'll have to excuse me for wondering if someone had actually come to review it with an open mind or even a positive attitude towards women's rights and equality (I know!), I might have really deserved five stars?!
Sunday, 19 August 2012
Friday, 17 August 2012
Four Star Baby
So I finally got a review! From Broadway Baby. And it's fours stars and very enthusiastic, full of great quotes. It starts like this:
"A left-wing, atheist, ultra-feminist comedienne performing a politically fuelled stand-up show sounds daunting to say the least."
Ha ha ha, perhaps someone who doesn't find such a show "daunting" would like to come (and give me five stars of course!). Or perhaps it might give some people an insight into how many women (and lovely leftie feminist men) feel when they go to a rowdy, laddy comedy show packed with sexist humour.
I might also "respond" that I don't think my opinions as expressed in the show are hugely risqué, The key ones expressed in the show are 1. There is no God, 2. A woman has a right to choose whether or not to have an abortion, 3. The House of Commons is alienating and elitist, 4. Selling off the health service is a bad idea. But it's great that he's clearly saying even if you don't agree with me the show is enjoyable. He also says there is some joke at the end of the show so radical that people don't laugh at it. To be honest I would remove or replace any joke that was consistently not getting a laugh, I think it's more likely I got the wording or the rhythm of it wrong that night. I like to allow myself one joke that doesn't work per hour. Ha ha ha.
But in general I am THRILLED with the review, you will be seeing me posting it up all over the place very shortly!
*I might point out that I don't really understand what "ultra-feminist" means - either you believe in equality for women or you don't. But then I would call myself a radical feminist because as well as believing in equality I regularly get out there and do something about it! So I'm not really taking issue with that, it's just a choice of word.
Here it is in full, in case the link is slow (can be buggy on mobile phones in my experience).
A left-wing, atheist, ultra-feminist comedienne performing a politically fuelled stand-up show sounds daunting to say the least. However, if you descend into the depths of Ciao Roma expecting a flaming, uneducated, soapbox rant about how all men are bastards and how David Cameron is almost certainly a reptile you will be pleasantly surprised - you may not entirely agree with Kate Smurthwaite’s strong views but there is no denying her comic ability and prowess.
Smurthwaite’s strength of material, delivery and tenacious rapport with the audience allow her to divulge her sometimes risqué opinions with only minimal danger of ostracising the crowd. Throughout the show there were many whoops of support from audience members who shared her beliefs but even the more politically passive and ignorant, a bracket I admittedly fall into, will find much to enjoy in her punchy and intelligent set.
It is easy to see why Smurthwaite is regularly invited onto debating programmes as the verve with which she articulates her views on our land is monumental. This is not to say that Smurthwaite is aggressive or unnecessarily intimidating. She is clearly brimming with passion about the issues she stands for but she communicates her indignation with an infectiously positive attitude. Even when she admits that she often feels her political campaigns are a constant uphill battle or deals with a particularly annoying heckler (as she did on the on the night I attended) her charm never wavers.
Some may still find Smurthwaite’s outright views a little tiresome and she did cross a line with her audience with one comment about pregnancy and abortion, leaving the room cold and silent for a moment. However, Smurthwaite’s comedy is good and she certainly deserves your attention - whatever your political standing.
"A left-wing, atheist, ultra-feminist comedienne performing a politically fuelled stand-up show sounds daunting to say the least."
Ha ha ha, perhaps someone who doesn't find such a show "daunting" would like to come (and give me five stars of course!). Or perhaps it might give some people an insight into how many women (and lovely leftie feminist men) feel when they go to a rowdy, laddy comedy show packed with sexist humour.
I might also "respond" that I don't think my opinions as expressed in the show are hugely risqué, The key ones expressed in the show are 1. There is no God, 2. A woman has a right to choose whether or not to have an abortion, 3. The House of Commons is alienating and elitist, 4. Selling off the health service is a bad idea. But it's great that he's clearly saying even if you don't agree with me the show is enjoyable. He also says there is some joke at the end of the show so radical that people don't laugh at it. To be honest I would remove or replace any joke that was consistently not getting a laugh, I think it's more likely I got the wording or the rhythm of it wrong that night. I like to allow myself one joke that doesn't work per hour. Ha ha ha.
But in general I am THRILLED with the review, you will be seeing me posting it up all over the place very shortly!
*I might point out that I don't really understand what "ultra-feminist" means - either you believe in equality for women or you don't. But then I would call myself a radical feminist because as well as believing in equality I regularly get out there and do something about it! So I'm not really taking issue with that, it's just a choice of word.
Here it is in full, in case the link is slow (can be buggy on mobile phones in my experience).
Taking the Kate |
|
A left-wing, atheist, ultra-feminist comedienne performing a politically fuelled stand-up show sounds daunting to say the least. However, if you descend into the depths of Ciao Roma expecting a flaming, uneducated, soapbox rant about how all men are bastards and how David Cameron is almost certainly a reptile you will be pleasantly surprised - you may not entirely agree with Kate Smurthwaite’s strong views but there is no denying her comic ability and prowess.
Smurthwaite’s strength of material, delivery and tenacious rapport with the audience allow her to divulge her sometimes risqué opinions with only minimal danger of ostracising the crowd. Throughout the show there were many whoops of support from audience members who shared her beliefs but even the more politically passive and ignorant, a bracket I admittedly fall into, will find much to enjoy in her punchy and intelligent set.
It is easy to see why Smurthwaite is regularly invited onto debating programmes as the verve with which she articulates her views on our land is monumental. This is not to say that Smurthwaite is aggressive or unnecessarily intimidating. She is clearly brimming with passion about the issues she stands for but she communicates her indignation with an infectiously positive attitude. Even when she admits that she often feels her political campaigns are a constant uphill battle or deals with a particularly annoying heckler (as she did on the on the night I attended) her charm never wavers.
Some may still find Smurthwaite’s outright views a little tiresome and she did cross a line with her audience with one comment about pregnancy and abortion, leaving the room cold and silent for a moment. However, Smurthwaite’s comedy is good and she certainly deserves your attention - whatever your political standing.
Wednesday, 15 August 2012
Colour me paranoid
So just past halfway through the festival. I'm really really happy with my show, it is without a doubt the best thing I've ever written. But not a single review so far. Well I know I'm not the first performer to not get as many reviews as I'd like but lets just look at the numbers for a minute:
This is my sixth solo show at the Edinburgh Fringe. None of them have EVER been reviewed in a national paper. And yes I sent out press releases and yes I took a lot of advice on how to write press releases, much of it from experts who write press releases for super-famous acts.
The UK's most-read comedy website Chortle has never reviewed a show of mine. My page on there is loaded with vicious comments about how I am as funny as herpes. Note: there is an excellent joke about herpes in my show this year (although it relates to a side-point I don't always have time to make so apologies if I didn't do it when you were there!). It is met with contagious laughter (boom tish).
Two years ago I had no reviews at all for my show. This was in spite of a stunt I pulled giving me what might well have been the largest audience ever for a joke at the fringe (I did a joke simultaneously broadcast on BBC Radio 5 live). And, yes, I wrote and circulated a press release about that too.
Last year I hired a publicist who worked her socks off and got me onto a few of the smaller review sites (who for the most part LOVED me) and got The Scotsman to write that my audience thought mine was the best show at the Fringe but that they didn't get it.
Is it because there's no appetite for left-wing political comedy? I'm not low on audiences, despite the "Olympics effect" my show has been at least as busy as last year. The Guardian did take the time to review Chris Coltrane's first one man show "Activism is Fun". So why not my SIXTH? Chris was disappointed to only get three stars. I would walk across oceans for half a star... Footnote: Chris's show is great, and deserves at least twelve stars in my opinion.
Please - write that I am a fat ugly bitch if you want, that's what most of the internet thinks anyway apparently. But please SOMEONE come and review my show!
Now this is a dangerous thing to say as it is likely to send my many Internet trolls into overdrive and leave yet more torrents of offensive comments up where I can't moderate them. I wouldn't say it unless I was desperate. However I AM desperate so here goes: if you have seen my show, please go onto the sites edfringe, Chortle, Broadway Baby, List, British Comedy Guide and add an enthusiastic comment about it, urge reviewers to come along. Or maybe someone would like to point out under The Guardian's article on political comedy at the fringe that, again, they've missed my work from their run-down of relevant shows and that after six solo shows they've not reviewed me. Thank you!
Other things to be paranoid about:
A few days ago my comedy notebook went missing from a show. Of course I assumed I had just misplaced it and tried retracing my steps to no effect. Today a box and a half (all that remained) of my flyers have been stolen from my venue. No-one else's flyers are missing. Mine were not even on the top of the pile - someone would have had to be digging through with the specific aim of finding mine and sabotaging my show.
Wherever I go in Edinburgh I seem to see signs advertising variable bill shows with all male acts listed. I always apply for a spot if I meet people who book shows. I'd love to do the big late night shows. Only one of them books me. I did Spank! last week and absolutely stormed the show in spite of an incredibly rowdy crowd. No word from any of the others. I honestly can only conclude that I'm not paranoid, but that a surprisingly high proportion of people in this industry are pretty uncomfortable around outspoken, politically engaged funny FEMINIST women.
The two shows I would most like to do are Political Animal and SetList. I don't think anyone could argue I don't cover important political issues well or that I have difficulty thinking on my feet and improvising. I've asked for spots on both to the point that I think I'm starting to be a nuisance.
If you go to these shows, or any others that have guest acts, please please please make a point of finding out who is in charge and asking them to book me. Again: thank you.
This is my sixth solo show at the Edinburgh Fringe. None of them have EVER been reviewed in a national paper. And yes I sent out press releases and yes I took a lot of advice on how to write press releases, much of it from experts who write press releases for super-famous acts.
The UK's most-read comedy website Chortle has never reviewed a show of mine. My page on there is loaded with vicious comments about how I am as funny as herpes. Note: there is an excellent joke about herpes in my show this year (although it relates to a side-point I don't always have time to make so apologies if I didn't do it when you were there!). It is met with contagious laughter (boom tish).
Two years ago I had no reviews at all for my show. This was in spite of a stunt I pulled giving me what might well have been the largest audience ever for a joke at the fringe (I did a joke simultaneously broadcast on BBC Radio 5 live). And, yes, I wrote and circulated a press release about that too.
Last year I hired a publicist who worked her socks off and got me onto a few of the smaller review sites (who for the most part LOVED me) and got The Scotsman to write that my audience thought mine was the best show at the Fringe but that they didn't get it.
Is it because there's no appetite for left-wing political comedy? I'm not low on audiences, despite the "Olympics effect" my show has been at least as busy as last year. The Guardian did take the time to review Chris Coltrane's first one man show "Activism is Fun". So why not my SIXTH? Chris was disappointed to only get three stars. I would walk across oceans for half a star... Footnote: Chris's show is great, and deserves at least twelve stars in my opinion.
Please - write that I am a fat ugly bitch if you want, that's what most of the internet thinks anyway apparently. But please SOMEONE come and review my show!
Now this is a dangerous thing to say as it is likely to send my many Internet trolls into overdrive and leave yet more torrents of offensive comments up where I can't moderate them. I wouldn't say it unless I was desperate. However I AM desperate so here goes: if you have seen my show, please go onto the sites edfringe, Chortle, Broadway Baby, List, British Comedy Guide and add an enthusiastic comment about it, urge reviewers to come along. Or maybe someone would like to point out under The Guardian's article on political comedy at the fringe that, again, they've missed my work from their run-down of relevant shows and that after six solo shows they've not reviewed me. Thank you!
Other things to be paranoid about:
A few days ago my comedy notebook went missing from a show. Of course I assumed I had just misplaced it and tried retracing my steps to no effect. Today a box and a half (all that remained) of my flyers have been stolen from my venue. No-one else's flyers are missing. Mine were not even on the top of the pile - someone would have had to be digging through with the specific aim of finding mine and sabotaging my show.
Wherever I go in Edinburgh I seem to see signs advertising variable bill shows with all male acts listed. I always apply for a spot if I meet people who book shows. I'd love to do the big late night shows. Only one of them books me. I did Spank! last week and absolutely stormed the show in spite of an incredibly rowdy crowd. No word from any of the others. I honestly can only conclude that I'm not paranoid, but that a surprisingly high proportion of people in this industry are pretty uncomfortable around outspoken, politically engaged funny FEMINIST women.
The two shows I would most like to do are Political Animal and SetList. I don't think anyone could argue I don't cover important political issues well or that I have difficulty thinking on my feet and improvising. I've asked for spots on both to the point that I think I'm starting to be a nuisance.
If you go to these shows, or any others that have guest acts, please please please make a point of finding out who is in charge and asking them to book me. Again: thank you.
Thursday, 2 August 2012
Edinburgh 2012
Well welcome back. I hope you'll make it to my Edinburgh shows this year! Here are all the details:
All these shows are free with a collection bucket at the end.
The News At Kate 2012 (my all-new solo show)
4th-25th Aug (not 14th) Ciao Roma restaurant, South Bridge, 8.20pm
Comedy Manifesto (my political panel show, guest host on 25th)
4th-25th Aug (not 14th) Ciao Roma restaurant, South Bridge, 3.15pm
Midnight Hour (late night variety show)
4th-25th Aug (not Sundays, guest MC on 14th) Canon's Gait, Royal Mile, midnight
What a Weird and Wonderful Festival (one-off show of true fringe stories)
25th Aug Voodoo Rooms 3pm
And I'll be doing lots of guest spots around the Fringe (actually I've done two already!) so keep an eye out for me, and feel free to request me, everywhere. Thanks!
All these shows are free with a collection bucket at the end.
The News At Kate 2012 (my all-new solo show)
4th-25th Aug (not 14th) Ciao Roma restaurant, South Bridge, 8.20pm
Comedy Manifesto (my political panel show, guest host on 25th)
4th-25th Aug (not 14th) Ciao Roma restaurant, South Bridge, 3.15pm
Midnight Hour (late night variety show)
4th-25th Aug (not Sundays, guest MC on 14th) Canon's Gait, Royal Mile, midnight
What a Weird and Wonderful Festival (one-off show of true fringe stories)
25th Aug Voodoo Rooms 3pm
And I'll be doing lots of guest spots around the Fringe (actually I've done two already!) so keep an eye out for me, and feel free to request me, everywhere. Thanks!
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