THE POSITIVE BLOG!
Current mood: pretty

It has occurred to me that my blogs really have not been all that positive. So, let me try to give you a more complete picture of what goes on here, in an effort to explain that it's really not all that bad.

There are SO many good shows. Yesterday, I saw Lynn Ferguson (Craig Ferguson's sister) do a play she's written called, "Heart and Sole". It was a play about a woman that falls in love with a fish. It was fantastic.

I've also seen some really good very established standups here: Reggie Hunter, Karen Dunbar, Rhona Cameron, Fiona O'Gloughlin.

The upper crusty echelon mixes with the lower, newy-to-the-festival, echelon. So, if they think you're funny - you're in. That is very UNLIKE New York and LA. In NY or LA, you have to be funny and have the right manager and have a lucky run of tv credits and be liked by the right other comics, etc, etc. Not so, here. If you're funny - you're in.

Everyone drinks. If you drink, you're in. If you don't, you better have gone to rehab. And you better be able to hang with people who still drink. If you don't, you're out. I follow the same kind of skewed value system in my own life, so I relate. I used to think of myself as an overly social, partyer. Now I realize that I'm just European.

The place is just fucken' beautiful. Take away the fact that it rains every five seconds, cut through that small fact, and you'll see that it's all so green and lush and really just stunning.

The people. The people are so nice and so polite that you think everyone wants to fuck you. Most of them do, but some are just being Scottish. They are just NICE. Until the bars close... Then it becomes 'Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome' - everyone beats the shit out of everyone else. The police do NOT carry guns. Just smiles, which is stupid because these people like to fight once the bars close!

The festival staggers on. Today I will see some more shows. There's an Irish girl I'm looking forward to seeing. I'll flyer and try to get some people into mine.

I'll be back to this festival. I like the challenge of difficult things. Anything hard won is worth it. And I definitely like to win.

10:21 AM - 1 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

We Can NOT Catch a Reviewer Break
Current mood: blah

It's Wednesday morning and last night was officially annoying fringe day 2,000. You really can not come here without a concept show in my opinion unless you're doing the Free Fringe. Anything goes in the Free Fringe. I've been to those shows and it's definitely like doing an 'alty' bar show in NY.

BUT, a gilded, pleasance, assembly, or underbelly show is not. Those are the big four comedy venues, of which one is our venue. When you are in there, you MUST do a concept show, in my opinion. Because that way, when only 6 people show up to your show, which is HIGHLY likely from time to time - you can simply present your show and be seen as BRILLIANT. If you just try to do standup, they (as in reviewers and industry) will think you suck.

Last night we had a very similar experience to the above. We had 6 people in attendance: two really nice guys, two reviewers, and two autistics (and i'm not kidding. there was something wrong with them.). I proceeded to go out and use my 12 years worth of standup experience and nothing. I went back to the act. Nothing. Went back into the crowd and nothing. Back into the act and nothing. Etc, etc. This went on for ten mins until they finally loosened up. Once they did, the show was really good. I had a successful and funny next 20 mins and nicole had a nice set.

The reviewer, on the other hand, walked after 10 mins. They see a lot of shows. I get it. I've seen a lot of shows. But, it was annoying. Either stay for the entire show or don't come at all.

Thankfully, the previous night we had one of the BEST shows with some great US and UK industry in attendance. And that's what I'm going to focus on.

So....

Lesson for the day: DO NOT GO TO EDINBURGH WITHOUT A CONCEPT SHOW.

8:17 AM - 2 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Edinburgh Update: Monday, 8/18
Current mood: accomplished

Just a quick update to everyone reading this back home. The festival has gone from crazy hard to crazy fun. We had 20 people on a Sunday night! That's a record breaking attendance amount for 11pm on a sunday at this festival. The show's are becoming more and more loose and more and more fun.

I've been opening a bit and it's a nice challenge. I also hosted a free fringe show for my friend Majia yesterday. That was a blast. Pretty much all American comics (and Quincy, who we are making an honorary New Yorker, by proxy) with Tony Woods closing. If you don't know Tony, you really should. He's crazy funny.

I'm doing 3 shows today. One of them at 330, called Dublin comedy. I f'en love Irish comics. They are the bomb and I can't get enough.

Our show has been attended by Scottish, English, Irish, and Australians. I LOVE the Australians. They really let that shit out. There's no 'tea tittering'. It's good, out loud, guffaws. And it's another place that I'd really like to perform in. Hopefully these Melbourne fest people will show up. Not to mention the Australian drag show we've been performing on. Hello! Can you say, 'Priscilla, Queen of the Desert!' Times ten. Did I spell desert right? Or did I just talk about gay-cake?

So, I'm thinking about doing a 'How to do the Edinburgh Fringe' talk when I get back. If any of you, would be interested, give me a shout. If I'm just going to be talking to myself in a room, well then I'll keep the info to myself!!

xoxo,

becky

12:42 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Good GOD, They drink a lot in this country!
Current mood: fermented

I am going to come back and change my name to, 'Two ton Tessie' because that's what the booze is turning me into here. I had a lovely day yesterday. Took in a bunch of shows - Dean Hagilund's show from the Xfiles was totally hilarious. Then I saw Karen Dunbar, she's a mini celebrity over here. We don't know who the hell she is, but I can tell you she sells out a fairly big sized theater, regularly. The funny thing is, I went in expecting to hate her show... Not for any weird reason, but because her poster sucks. It has to be a picture of her from many years ago. It had to have been when she was on a major tv show here. And there was something about the picture that made me think she talked about nothing, but 'catholicism and the highlands'. Not the case at all. I rather enjoyed her. And you should all add her, 'clearly company made' myspace page:

www.myspace.com/karendunbar

Last night's show was all right. I opened. I felt a bit off because I went to the box office and an hour before my show started they told me we had 4 tickets sold. 4 tickets! The techie and another nice gentleman in the Loft bar told me that 6 audience members - 6! - is the average for a fringe show. So, we're kicking the average's ass. BUT, I did reach a point last night where I really felt with as much money as we've spent, with as much as we've put into this goddamned show, between flyering and schmoozing, and inviting, and comping. 4 PRE SALES IS ALL WE CAN DO!!! We ended up having an audience of about 12. However, I was a touch in my head about it, because I hit somewhat of a breaking point. And we had a reviewer in. Of course. But, it was still a good show. And I've shaken it off today. And on to the next.

Today is my birthday and I think if I have another glass of alcohol my liver will jump out of my body. That's the way it goes here though... And today I believe I will drink the night away. LONG LIVE SCOTLAND!!

12:17 PM - 2 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Edinburgh: Whatever the fuck day it is...
Current mood: chill

It is finally not raining here.

Jesus Christ.

It rains a lot.

Tuesday night we were packed. So, I thought, 'It's a Tuesday night, we're packed. Word must be getting out.' And then last night... 10 people. 6 of which, I knew!! The coolest thing was, it was probably one of the best shows we've done. Out of the both of us, neither did a joke the other had heard before. A lot of it was improvised, yet, focused and solid.

The lesbians have come to see me 7 times. 7 times! And I absolutely adore them for it. The coolest thing is, I don't think they've seen the same thing twice. And at this point, even they are stunned by that fact.

We're good. People are noticing. But, will that alone ever bring anyone in?

Here's our second Three-Star review.

I'm absolutely losing my shirt at this thing. But, at least I will have some tales to tell.

10:08 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Tuesday, Aug 12 - Scotland!
Current mood: cooky/wacky

Sitting here watching the Olympic swimmers. Those guys are hot! I mean jesus the shoulders on these guys. Recovering from a slight hangover. Had a wonderful day of way too much drinking yesterday. We spent it in the 'Loft' bar. The 'Loft' bar is our venue's very she-she or posh-posh as they say here - private bar. It's supposed to be the celeb hangout and it is somewhat. Last night we saw Alfred Molino - he played Salma Hayek's artist husband in 'Frida'. I know he was portraying a famous Mexican painter, but I just can't remember his name right now. Ed Rivera? Edgar Rivera? Anyway, Alfred's wife is in a play here, so my guess is that he was out supporting. I also had a nice chat with Dean Haglund last night... Dean was in the 'X-Files' for a long while and has a pretty recognizable face. I told him we had done a show together like 8 years ago and he remembered it, strangely enough. Next up, was Reginald Hunter, he's one of ours - an American - but, even bigger over here. I'm going to check out his show. It sounds like it will be quite good.

We originally sat down with Daphne, Yolanda, and Amanda at a round patio table outside in the VIP bar. (Big thanks go out to Eve and Kari, who have turned into my fricken' guardian angels out here. They've kept me supplied with drink and great conversation for days now. We'll be friends 'till the bitter end, I believe.) So, we sit down with Daphne, Yolanda, and Amanda. Three, very cool girls. Amanda and Daphne are Americans...

And this goes out to Danny Leary specifically -- Daphne was in 'Gypsy' with Patti Lupone. She has a great story about it, but I will not bore you with it now.

Amanda is one of Reggie's writers who lives in London. And Yolanda - another Londoner - Yolanda is a 'wow' kind of super, interesting woman. She told me a story last night about how she was hitchiking with an old boyfriend through Scotland and they were both picked up by a group of Highlanders. THE HIGHLANDERS THEN KIDNAPPED THEM. They were literally kidnapped by these people from the Highlands. But, all these Scottish kidnappers did to them was fill them with whiskey from morning to night and freshly caught trout. So, Yolanda described it as a 'delightful kidnapping', as only a British person would!

And on a final note: MY TECHIE IS NOT GAY. An announcement to everyone -- SHE IS NOT GAY. So, let it go drag queens!

This will not make sense to any of you, but it was a highly necessary announcement. And I will not have those around me feeling prickly due to the overly dramatic nature of a few good Queens.

That's all for now. More tomorrow.

Slan!

Becky

12:24 PM - 1 Comments - 1 Kudos - Add Comment

Edinburgh: August 11th
Current mood: crazy

Ok, so it's Monday. Last night we performed for a whopping 6 people. Everyone has been taking a day off. We really should have, but sigh - we haven't. We're going the 'whole hog' as they say. So, we perform tonight! 'One monkey don't stop no show!'
I saw Joan Rivers play last night about her life. It was absolutely inspirational. She really held the room. And the woman is 75 years old!!!

I'm worried about our crowds tonight. So, I'm going to shower and frickin' flyer! I've been living off of samosas. Thank God for Indian people and the kindness of lesbians!!

And finally -- We got a solid review:

Festival comedy review: F*** This Show (You know you want to)

By Kate Copstick
GILDED BALLOON TEVIOT (VENUE 14)
Three Stars
THE two comics with an eye for a catchy title are Nicole Korkolis and Becky Donohue – both from New York, with all that entails.

Nicole is Greek/American, dark-haired and vivacious, loud, in your face and given to flights of confrontational fun about men, dating and sex. Becky is Irish/Columbian/American, dark-haired and vivacious, loud, in your face and given to flights of confrontational fun about men, dating and sex. Both sets have a scattergun "clubby" feel so the momentum rarely drops. Donohue has the stronger opening, with endearing stuff on our bars, and the effect they are having on her "midsection".

She is also great on the subject of her Columbian mother. The two have as much fun doing the show as the audience has watching it, which – as long as the balance is kept – makes for a fun, intimate feeling. I wish we had more women comics with this firepower over here.

Until 25 August. Today 11:15pm

4:00 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

EDINBURGH - The True Skinny, Sat, Aug 9

Welp, it's Saturday morning and I am officially BROKE. I'm now living off of samosas from the corner Indian deli, 13 pence rolls, and the kindness of my goddamned friends. I won't get paid again until next Tuesday. So, I'm going to have to use this sparkling personality to get a free drink or two. Sigh. Much like my 'mom presents' joke that's cute at 21 and not so cute at 35. But, such is the life of a full time working comic. It's such a me-me-me business. Here I am struggling and almost drowning and I've got at least ten emails in my 'inbox' with 'Hey Becky, do you think you can give me some advice on how to break into this part of the business, that part, make a living, become a fulltime comic.' Here's a thought - I'm living on 3 pounds right now. Clearly, I DO NOT FUCKEN' KNOW!!!!

Phew. Now, that I've gotten that off my chest -- My very good friend, Katie McCabe, is on her way to my flat as we speak. She's also taking me to Joan Rivers on Sunday, which I am particularly psyched about. It's not her standup. It's a play about her life and she plays herself at all ages, which is going to be totally awesome. Tonight Nic and I are doing guest spots on a drag show, which is also going to rock.

I talked to one of my best home slices last night and she asked me, 'what do you do all day there'. So, I thought I'd write out a typical day and give you a real bird's eye view of what this is all like...

WELCOME TO THE WORLD'S BIGGEST BARKER SHOW!

10am: wake up and send about 3,000 emails to brooke and jenny to make sure my new york bringer show doesn't fall apart in my absence.

11am: make a samosa and a nescafe.

12pm: head to the royal bank of scotland. make a payment to some very lucky person in the uk. usually either our pr girl or the flat rental place.

1pm: head down to the royal mile. the royal mile is the biggest, entertainer, fuckfest you've ever seen in your life. there are jugglers, musicians, fire eaters, comedians, actors, homeless people - all competing for the attention of festival goers. i stand on a corner a little bit away from the chaos because it makes even a native new yorker like me totally claustrophobic. i hand out flyers for two hours. some people find me amusing, others annoying - it's very much like a family gathering.

3pm: i head to the gilded. there i usually run into majia and mark royce, two comedians from the states. we talk about our shows. 'how was your show last night?' maija: 'good we had 20 people. you?' me: 'good. we had 17.'

315pm: we head into the gilded (venue) box office. we say, 'how many tickets have we sold?' they say, '0'. we release 24 tickets at a 2 for 1 price. the head venue lady, anne, tells us not to panic.

330pm: We walk into the admin office. We talk to toya (that's not a mis-spelling. it's toya like latoya jackson.) who runs one of our flyer teams that we pay for ON TOP OF us flyering each day. We tell her we've released more 2 for 1s. We ask her if she has enough flyers.

345pm: I go into the library bar for a drink. My entire venue looks like the board game, 'Clue'. Seriously.

430pm: We meet our publicist. We ask her how much our shit review is going to hurt us. She says, 'not much'.

5pm: I head home to shower, nap, and look pretty.

9pm: We come back to the venue. I stop back into the box office and ask home many tickets we've sold. They say, '6 tickets'. Anne says, 'Do not panic.'

915pm: I look at my act until 1030pm.

1030pm: We go into our theater. I panic for the remaining 45mins that we have no people.

1115pm: Everyone takes their seats. We have about 20 people.

Nicole does her set. I do mine. We have to translate any New Yorkey reference. They still laugh and enjoy.

I personally thank every audience member after the show. I'm not kidding.

I get advice from some of them.

I meet my Irish friends in the Middle Bar.

They buy me lots of alcohol.

I drink my face off.

I go to bed.

There you have it - the Edinburgh fringe.

Godspeed

1:32 PM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Edinburgh: the shite review

Well, we had our first review the other night and we got thrown under the bus, literally. The guy HATED us. It was bad. Nicole went to a really bad place over it and frankly, so did I. The cool thing is we made some necessary changes and then had the biggest reviewer in last night. She laughed throughout the show.

NOW, she could still HATE us. But, I think people are less likely to do that when they're laughing and really enjoying the show. I'm now closing it, which feels like the right energy and a lot of other nice changes have been made.

We also had a tremendous amount of support last night. ALL of the people we've met here and ALL of these American comics came out, PLUS both Robert and Michelle who I met in Dublin a few years ago. That's how cool these people are - I met Robert in Dublin performing about two years ago, he's remained on my mailing list and when he saw I was coming to Edinburgh, he emailed me and said, "I'm coming, I'm staying the week, and I'm bringing my new girl Michelle." They're both amazing and have been to the show twice. Our friends Kari and Eve have been to the show now 3 TIMES, TONIGHT WILL BE NUMBER 4 AND they're bringing a reviewer from the 'Scotsgay'. If Momma gets some gay press over here that will truly be a coup!

So, fingers crossed on last night's big reviewer. She is the biggest of the big. If she likes you - your shows are filled. If she hates you - your show closes. Let's hope she sees the potential.

Today I'm off to Glasgow, just to see another part of the country, with my two, best, UK gays.

More tomorrow...

11:17 AM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Edinburgh: Photos, Show, and More!

So, on the way to our 5th straight show last night, I said, 'F*ck it with the titty top and heels'. I wore some straight up converse, yo. And it just felt right. Nic and I had to run over to film a short bit for Edfest TV, then another piece for capture media, and then we took in Quincy's show (which was quite good - a piece about his trials and tribulations as a 'single mum', as he would say it.), AND THEN we performed. To use the Scottish vernacular - after we were knackered.

The show was strong. Big laughs this time. Not that we don't always get great crowds, BUT I will say the audiences here are far LESS demonstrative than American crowds. I believe it has something to do with being British. They giggle, raise an eyebrow, nudge a friend, and all around enjoy, but they do NOT throw chicken at the stage like I'm used to.

WE'VE MET SOME GREAT GAYS. Oh, where ever I go, I find them. They find me and merriment is had by all! Eve and Kari. An American gay and a French-American gay - sort of redundant I know - French and gay. Sorry, I should not slag (another UK term) the French! But, I LOVE these two. They are the bomb. They've seen our show twice now and I'm going to try and get them to see all remaining 26 shows!

Ok, Nic is talking off my face right now. So, I'm going to go. But, I've included photos and as we all know those are worth a 1,000 words!

Thanks for reading, all of you. It warms the cockles of Momma's heart.

Becky

Photos:
Edinburgh Pics, Round 1

2:56 AM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment