It’s been fun, obviously not for my liver, my lungs, my stomach, my sanity and my arse, but it’s certainly been a hoot. I’m just glad it’s only a month, any longer and I’d be forty stone, deaf, pale and blind.

Shmozle’s been a good experiment, it’s been a successfully modest failure. Some days we rocked, some days we rolled, some days we flopped and floundered, but never without pride. Who’d have thought I’d be bringing my third show to Edders, let alone planning a forth.

So what have I learned?
* to believe in myself, my writing, my sense of humour. I might not appeal to the masses, but I’ll appeal to niches.
* to allow the audience to enjoy the show not just appreciate it.
* that although I might write from the heart, that I’m yet to give the audience a piece of me (roll on next year).
* that I have fans, actual fans, people who like what I do. Still my gast is flabbered about that.
* that I am as much a brand as my concepts.
* that although I may bitch and grumble about my shows, that I am proud of them, myself and my writing.
* it’s bloody hard (but enjoyable) work.

Am currently sitting on the train, heading home, a dead shMOZle in my bag but a new notebook of dreams, concepts, characters and sketches in my hand, and although I feel sadness that a year’s hard work (very hard work) is now over, that a new Moz chapter is just beginning.

And with that I salute you all, or as the Modern Man would say “cock in, pants up and fuck off”.

Thank you to everyone who came to my shows; those who loved it, those who hated it, those confused by it and those who applauded it. You’ve each made me that little bit stronger, bolder and more daring, and without your honest feedback this wouldn’t be possible.

See you all in Aug 2012.

Love & kisses.
Mxxx (& shMOZle RIP)

Enjoyable gig today; roughly 25 (vetted) people in, the original shMOZle edit, and an appreciative audience who wanted to see something different, unique and that’s what they got. And although my energy wasn’t at the max I kept trying to up my game throughout to really pantomime my performance.

No feedback forms today, which ironically was good as audiences were happy to feedback at the door, with comments such as “best show I’ve ever seen”, “really amazing”, “so glad I came” (that was from a lovely lady - ooh err) and “excellent show, well done”. Had some real gigglers in the audience today, quiet ones, but by vetting them I seem to have found a core audience, or my niche.

One guy rightly pointed out that my flyer doesn’t sell the show properly, and I agree. Next year I won’t make that mistake, my new “sales patter” and feedback (email address) will be on the flyer too. Monetary-wise (not that that’s important) I’m back to making the same high levels as last year so the hard work is paying off. As is the learning curve.

More later.
Mxxx

…of writing & performing “comedy” (yes that’s in inverted commas) is today (Sept 6th) at 14:30. Two years ago I stood outside the Lounge of the Counting House having never written or performed before about to undertake a one-hour solo show for the whole month. And I was absolutely scared. Hands trembling. Mouth dry. Wondering why I’d decided to put myself through this hell.

Two years on, I’m calmer, wiser, bolder, but still learning. Every day is like a pat on the back and a kick in the head… at the same time. For which we must all be sadists because we all keep coming back for more.

I’m still unsure what the issue(s) is/are with my show; maybe the concept doesn’t hold for such a long duration? (I think so). Maybe I need more variety and the sound-scaping is just part of it? Maybe merging a play, a sketch-show and a stand-up routine is just too much of a leap for audiences? Or maybe I just haven’t got the chemistry right… yet.

Weirdly the show worked really well in Brighton. Maybe that says more about the variety of audiences as anyone who’s ever performed at any of the fringe’s will tell you, they’re entirely different audiences, with different needs and tastes.

Any way, just about to have my anniversary breakfast, a strong anniversary coffee, do some celebratory flyering then do another two shows. I might even buy a little cake to celebrate.

Happy anniversary Moz.
Mxxx

Phew! Done! Relax! Actually it’s a nice room, self-contained, with good sight-lines, good sound and a nice audience, even if the 1000 watt spotlight has turned me into the chestnut colour of David Dickinson.

The show went well; they got the concept and really got into the first two sketches. Bizarrely the Modern Man (which always goes well was quite muted), they liked the “help-line” and all the inside jokes, but I think they agree with me that the show is too long. And that there’s not enough air for laughter.

My nerves slightly got the better of me, slightly shaky hands which can really affect how they perceive you (the more confident you are the more they’ll feel they can relax) but now I’ve got show one out of the way I can start to settle into it. Enjoy myself.

Feeling exhausted but feeling bigger and bolder and proud of what I’ve achieved. Now time for a fry-up and some Deal Or No Deal.

More later.
Mxxx

Finally packed by midnight in a bag big enough to hide a dead hooker… erm… apparently. Far too many props, tables, boards and costumes. What happened to my initial mantra of “no props, just sounds”? I seem to have opted for “a prop per sound plus a costume change and sets”.

First Edinburgh outing of shMOZle is in 27hrs and I’m pretty relaxed about it. With this being my third Edinburgh show (but sixth & seventh fringe show) my expectations are realistically low. I was sagely informed “trying to make your mark as s comedian at Edders is like trying to establish yourself as a serial killer in a war-zone”. Probably more bloody too?

shMOZle has been another marker on my list of achievements. It’s a wonderfully rich show (I think, compared to the others), albeit flawed as the technical aspects of the show have bulldozed aside the comedy. But my faith in myself and my desire to “give the audience something different” remains steadfast, and shMOZle is another step forward towards something new, exciting and wonderful. Hell I’m still new to this, still learning and finding my feet, and all untrained, which is half of the excitement.

Next year’s show (yes the kid’s show idea is shelved, I’m crazy not a sadist) is going to be very physical. I really want to allow my creative side to explode as I think shMOZle is the frustrated writer within me bursting out, therefore there’s some skilfully written scenes within, which on paper (I feel) are a joy to read, but on stage are a little flat. Possibly because I’m not a born performer but I can be, I’ve just got to let the clown inside out.

Heading north now, on the train, full of coffee, listening to the Floyd, with an oversized “dead hooker” bag with a busted handle. It’s nigh on 30 degrees, I haven’t seen my venue, seen if my posters are there, sound-checked nor do I know if anyone will turn up to see the third part of the Moz trilogy. But you know what? Who cares. I’m doing this for me, this is my ride, and if anyone wants to ride shotgun, you’re more than welcome… just don’t expect a pee-break.

More later McShMOZle fans.
Mxxx

Note: When I call this the “Moz trilogy” this show has nothing to do with Moz And The Meal or Bored Stiff, it’s just that I wrote it… and the lead character is called Moz. Dygeddit? I need to make that clear as my sister told my audience at a Brighton run of Bored Stiff (the “hilarious” show about suicide) that the Moz in that show was the same character as in Moz And The Meal… yes, the cannibal who chainsawed his girlfriend to death. Confused the f**k out of the audience. :-)

Well, we’re pre-Edinburgh Festival, the final run-thru’s for shMOZle are under way, bags are being packed… and I’ve already started planning/writing next year’s shows. I can’t help it. I like being busy. I love scrawling ideas in my many notebooks. I love experimenting. That’s what I think thrills me the most, not getting laughs, anyone can make people laugh. Make a fart sound, pull a face, fall over, swear, job done, people laugh, it’s what we do. No I’m talking about trying something new, taking the audience on a journey and giving them something different. And ultimately satisfying myself.

I’ve learned a lot from shMOZle. Back in Edinburgh 2010, when I started planning, writing and blogging (check if you don’t believe me) about this show, my initial concept was to see if I could make a one-man sketch show using predominantly sound… and what weird ideas I could pull off within it. Well that’s exactly what I’ve done. Even my most insane ideas have taken shape; this show is very ironic, knowing, clever and bold. That’s not to say it all works perfectly, far from it. The problem with interacting with your own pre-recorded voiceover is that in order for it to look natural, the timing between each line must flow, which means in a scattergun scene (with quick-fire dialogue) there’s no space for the audience to laugh otherwise they mess the next line. Should I add space for laughter, then if no laughter comes, then the gap looks like a mistake and the naturalism is lost. Therefore I’m left with a show where the audience are afraid the laugh; they enjoy it, it’s an oddity and an experience (I’ve been informed) but I can’t gauge their true enjoyment till the very end. Another lesson learned.

For next year, I’m thinking about adapting the shMOZle format. Yes it’s another sketch show, yes it’ll involve voiceover and sfx, yes I’ll play a double-act, but this will be different. In shMOZle the characters which really work are The Modern Man and The Cultured Man, interestingly the one’s where I talk the least yet physically perform the most. So… my new show will maximise on this; of the double-act Moz will have lost his voice and Shmozle has misplaced his body just before the show. a real opportunity fore to explore physical comedy, try out new ideas and give the audience some breathing space to enjoy themselves. “Sounds shit” I hear you cry, well just wait. This show will require a lot of careful planning, rehearsal and writing but it’s gonna be great, and even if it isn’t, it’s another big bold step into the comedy unknown that I’ve taken.

Sure beats mother-in-law jokes, paedo Priests, obvious observations, slagging of Michael McIntyre, Tampax & period jokes and ending each line with the word “f**k” because you couldn’t think up a punchline eh?

More soon. Mxxx

Normally to see how well I know my routine I’ll sometimes rehearse it drunk, the theory being that if I can remember not only the dialogue but also the timings and cues to the show when I’m pie-eyed then surely that means the routine is firmly ingrained in my brain. It might sound odd but it works. Today’s performance will be different though, I’m suffering from a post stag-do hangover complete with shakes, sweats, lethargy, brain fug, trots, parps, a thumping headache, light sensitivity and ringing in the ears. All of which are the sworn enemy of any performer.

Part of me wants to pop in my earphones and do a quick rehearsal… the other part is too afraid. Worried that I’ll badly screw it up and seriously dent my confidence prior to tonights show. But also desperate to prove to myself that it’ll be okay.

Thus I’m on a mission to rejuvenate myself with water, aspirin, vitamin c, Alka-Seltzer, coffee, chocolate and a good poo. Not all at the same time. On stage in nine hours. Eek.

More later. Mxxx

Yippee! The terrifying comedy roller-coaster which is shMOZle is back on the rails and open for business after last night’s little hiccup. Just roared through another rehearsal; there were screams, laughs, tears and a little bit of wee even peeped out. That’s the mark of a shMOZle performance.

But then isn’t that what performance and writing is all about; pushing yourself, learning and improving? You can’t have the light without the dark. Yes you need confidence to perform but if you’re so full of confidence that you can’t see your own failings, then that is a major failing. With every mistake I’ve made I’ve learned a little bit more, pushed myself that little bit harder and made the show a whole heap better.

Another rehearsal today, four tomorrow, a quickie on Saturday, rest on Sunday ready for the London unveiling. Which I’m not at all worried about as I’d previewed shMOZle six times in Brighton so have a pretty good measure of the show. But then… this is me, saying that, before the show. After? I might have changed my mind.

With love and worry-sweat. Moz.xxx

I just performed possibly the shittest rehearsal yet; badly missed cues, lines, couldn’t find my props (on stage), had no energy, charm, humour, umph, I was a right old bloody embarrassment to comedy, character comics and humanity. If I perform this badly in Edinburgh I’m gonna shoot myself in the head. I was absolutely f@#king dreadful. Sigh!

So… shMOZle is on daily, 4-20th August @ 14:15 at Kasbar (Espionage). Hmm.

Tickets are free. Obviously.

You don’t have to laugh, or stay till the end, you can wear a disguise if you like, I promise not to tell anyone you were there. If anyone sees you, just say you got lost.. en route to… oh… something. Who cares.

Hey! I’ve only got a preview on Sunday. Tut! Comedy eh? It’s a giggle innit?

More news soon shMOZle fans. Mxxx

The final instalment of The Moz Trilogy - shMOZle. Will life ever be the same again? 4-20th Aug at 14:15 in Kasbar @ Espionage. Be there, or be… elsewhere