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

Hmm. A good full receptive (vetted) audience today, no-one left, they liked the filth and didn’t like ShMOZle, so therefore “ShMOZle you’re sacked”, as of this Saturday. P40 in the post. Clear out your desk and as your final line in the show goes “…and fuck off”.

Although the show was faster today, it lacked logic in certain places, maybe it was me but I could feel scenes not working because there wasn’t enough story so I think I’ll stick with the original. As I was nervous about remembering the new scenes and lines, I didn’t perform to the max, it was a very auto-pilot performance.

Good laughter and applause throughout, a good monetary haul (my best yet) and one feedback form which read… “very unique concept, really impressed with how much preparation went into it, really funny. xx”. Yes, two kisses, and girl’s handwriting. I’m in there.

On top of that I had lots of comments like “brilliant”, “really impressive”, “very funny” at the door, which was nice to hear, and more repeat business. A very lovely lady and her father came to see my show, having previously seen Bored Stiff and Moz And The Meal. Amazing. And they liked it. Great. That fills me with more happiness than doing a great gig, getting applause or laughs, because when you’re a performer, especially at the Free Festival it’s easy to be a “fleeting monkey”, “something to pass the time” or just “that funny guy”, but when people remember me and my shows after a year or two it really melts my heart and puts back the trust that a bad show can drain. So although today wasn’t my best show, it was, because of them. A lady even took my picture at the end. :-)

Five more shows to go. I gotta give them some welly as it’ll be the last time I’ll (and any audiences) will ever see ShMOZle and most of these sketches… ever again. Might adopt a different tone tomorrow.

Off to perform at Comedy Slappers now, a bit of “Modern Man” (my pissed character) in a pub full of piss-heads. Yes! My true comedy home!

More later Moz fans (and super-fans)
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