RichardHerring.com - Warming Up

Tuesday 22nd July 2008

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0100

What I like about London is that there is always something new to notice. Even in areas that you thought you were familiar with. I have lived here for almost twenty years, but there are still nice little surprises round every corner.
I had my last ever gig at the Arts Theatre tonight - it's closing down to become a hotel next week. I am a little bit sad about this as I have really enjoyed doing my shows there for the last couple of years, but they're opening a new venue and hopefully it will be as good.

Monday 21st July 2008

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0100

The constant gigging is exhausting me and I still haven't quite recovered from the drinking and shouting at the wedding on Friday night. I think I am going to have to have a bit of a quiet time in Edinburgh or I will destroy myself. Imagine - treating the Fringe as a professional engagement rather than a four week bender!
But I think I might be forced to act my age for once, if I am going to get through it. And I don't want this show to suffer from illness and alcoholic fugginess.

Sunday 20th July 2008

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0100

I am a member of a couple of social networking sites. I have a myspace page, though I got bored with it ages ago and rarely use it any more. I don't think I am the only one to desert. These things are pretty faddy. I also have a facebook page, which I used to view about 400 times a day, but am beginning to lose interest in and now only view about once an hour. These pages are useful for publicising my work and keeping up with friends, but I think for me at least the bubble may have burst a bit. But then I am 41. They're not really for me.

Saturday 19th July 2008

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0100

I was playing the world famous Roundhouse tonight. It's the place that I once tried and failed to urinate in the carpark almost six years ago. But now I wasn't pissing, I was actually performing in the venue. The venue that had seen the first UK performance by the Ramones. And I was playing there.
Well, not quite.
I was playing the studio at the Roundhouse, which isn't in the Roundhouse itself, but in a little extension at the front.

Friday 18th July 2008

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0100

My dad emailed me a copy of my report from when I was 8 years and 10 months old, by my wonderful primary school teacher, Miss Robson. It seems I was quite sweet and keen before the age of 9 at least. Perhaps that report can give some balance to the slight character assassination of myself in the show.
I was lucky enough to have some wonderful teachers when I was at school. Miss Robson was the first really great one though.

Thursday 17th July 2008

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0100

Another busy, but really lovely day. Jam packed from start to finish, but all with lovely fun. It's great to have a job that I enjoy this much. It's great to be enjoying it properly again.
I didn't get to bed til 3 and was up at 9.30 and not long after was answering the door to Andrew Collings in my dressing gown. I could see from the way he blanched that he was excited by knowing I was just one poorly tied knot away from being completely naked. We will be bumming before the year is out. That's a guarantee.

Wednesday 16th July 2008

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0100

A much more productive day today. I am 2500 words into my 4000 word Guardian Guide (though might do a bit more than that) and it seems to be coming together quite nicely. I am rather enjoying analysing comedy, even though as Barry Cryers says, "Analysing comedy is like dissecting a frog - nobody laughs and the frog dies." Maybe I just like killing frogs. It makes me realise that there is more than a 4000 word booklet in this, though a comedy writing guide would only have a limited readership.