It would be wrong of me to say that I went down well - having been booed off the stage after 1 minute 28 seconds. But being booed is a lot better than being greeted by silence and walking off to the sound of your own footsteps. And I did get some laughs.
But the whole event was very different from what I expected.
The first thing that threw me was the lack of intro music. I have always walked on to loud music which helps lift the crowd and kick-start the act. But instead the acts walked on to a thin smattering of applause.
The second thing that sent me off balance was the unfamiliar character of the audience - so different from anything I have experienced before.
I anticipated hecklers - and I was kind of ready for it. But the hecklers didn't really materialise. Instead a kind of slightly prissy, moralistic air hung over the place, with murmurs of disapproval gradually swelling into boos.
It wasn't just me - it happened to quite a few of the acts. The minute the material got a bit close to the knuckle, they started moaning and groaning. I felt a bit out of place - like Bernard Manning in a Buddhist Temple. Material that got big laughs at the Frog & Bucket was baulked at. They reacted as if I had just pooed on the stage. (Which I nearly did.)
All the put-downs I had practiced went completely out of the window. Instead, I responded to boos from a particularly vociferous group by telling them to fuck off. Ironically this got my biggest laugh of the night.
At the end of my marathon 1 minute and 28 seconds, I at least amused myself by saying, "But this is me life! It's me dream!" a la X Factor. But, to be honest, it was a bit half-hearted.
My friends, Guy and Mary, came along to watch. Guy summed it up: "I think you misjudged your audience." I think he was right.
Having said all this I wouldn't like to give you the impression that I didn't enjoy myself. It was great fun and a real adrenalin rush. I feel determined to win those buggers over and I can't wait to go back next month for another go - but maybe with different material.
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6 comments:
That's the spirit, Sam! Don't give up - even when you know you're a total loser!
No, seriously, well done, mate. I admire how you're putting yourself in the lion's mouth like this. Here's to 2 minutes next time!
Sam's gig was better than the impression he gives: being as impartial as I can I reckon that Sam was in the top 1/3 on the night - there was some real dire acts and Sam's was confident and polished. He was third up and maybe the audience hadn't realised what 'good' was by then and if he had gone after some of the crap that followed I think he would have strolled past the 5 minute mark. It was a prissy audience and a preachy compare. Mary thinks that the compare bloke didn't warm to Sam (I think he was just a 'user' looking for props for his gags from the acts).
I wonder if Sam should have a couple of 'sets' for these things that he can choose depending on how sensitive the audience is.
We had a great night that was only marginally let down by a prissy compare & audience cutting off one of the best acts of the night!
Well done - whatever the audience thought, it's a milestone achieved! You'd never get me on stage there, so stick with it. Hmmmm.....maybe it's time I came North to see what you're up to for myself!!
Thanks fellas
Particular thanks to Guy for your positive feedback. I know you wouldn't say it if you didn't mean it so I really appreciate it.
Yes, the compere was a bit of a git on the night. But i had a chat with him after the show and he was actually really friendly, helpful and encouraging. So I guess it's all part of the game.
Bravo, my friend. I admire your guts.
Bloody marvellous!
You keep going.
I am sooooooooooooo proud of u.
SC
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