MICHAEL PORTER FRINGE DIARY – DAY 1, PART 2 (OR DAY 3? WHO KNOWS ANYMORE)

FRINGE DIARY – DAY 1, PART 2 (OR DAY 3? )

Right. It’s Day 3 of the Fringe, Day 2 of previews, and somehow still only Day 1 of the PBH Free Fringe. I’ve confused myself and I’m the one writing it. Should’ve planned this better, but here we are.

Last night — sold-out show! Queues out the door. No flyers, no barking, just returning faces and word of mouth. My solo show Generational Trauma turned into full-blown crowd work after about 30 minutes. I lost my voice on Day 1, so instead of pushing through scripted material, I just talked to the room — and it worked. Big laughs, loose vibe, one of those nights that reminds you why you do it.

I forgot to take a picture

I’m not forcing the solo too much this year. It’s there, it’s happening, but the focus is The Comedy Cellar — and it’s starting to feel like this might actually be the year it goes off.

Ive never had any luck at the fringe Every other year I’ve been in venues that cared more about rent than comedy. This year’s different. The buzz is real. The audience is generous. The bucket was banging.

Did you know you don’t need a SumUp card reader? You can just use your phone. News to me. I Had a minor meltdown at the end trying to scan people’s cards while making small talk. Bring back cash.

Tonight’s Comedy Cellar line-up is strong Im kicking off with some of my regular comics

• Liam Jackson

• George Anderson

• Simon Kay

New thing I’m trying — each night, I’m getting one of the bar staff to come down and tell a wee jokey joke at the end of the show. Just one gag. A bit of fun,. Little Fringe spirit thing. We’ll see how it goes.

Note to self: take a photo tonight. Seriously. Take a bloody photo.

Things are picking up. Feels like this could be a big month. If you're thinking of coming to The Comedy Cellar — RSVP below & be early cause I'm already turning people away, and we’ve barely started.

RSVP

FRINGE RECOMMENDATIONS

In between performing, sweating buckets, and losing my voice, I’ve been catching wind of some cracking shows. Here’s a few to check out if you’re up for something raw, funny, or just a bit different:

John O’Keefe – Surviving Myself Apex Hotel 8.20PM

Gill Cordiner – Abs Flab at Canon's Gait 7PM

Simon Kay – Sad Boy, Funny Guy City Café 7:25pm

Andy Gleeks – Fragments The Boston Bar12:30pm

Might do more of these as the festival rolls on. But that’s your list for now. Catch these before the rest of the world does.

Final Thought on yesterday, an uneventful day in a good way. well one thing that I couldn't ignore. I remember thinking on the bus to the show that my granny was with me. my partner then turned up at the gig with a cross she found walking to the gig. I couldn't help but take that as an Omen?