Been home for just over a week. And I remember what it's like on Shetland, an island of family and friends. So I'm heading off to find some fresh maet (men), but before I go, let me tell you how I am and what I'm been up to.
Sitting in September, tired, with a beer belly and spotted skin. Physically exhausted and mentally drained, but all because of the last few weeks. An absolutely packed August and it was good. As to how I'm feeling now? I didn't expect to feel anything different.
This year was my first full Edinburgh Fringe run. Whilst last year was my first time performing at the Fringe, I only did 11 shows. This was a full run with the PBH Free Fringe. 21 shows, over 22 days, with extra guest slots and filming for the BBC during. It would be too easy for me to fall into a detailed retelling of all the anecdotes from the last month, including The Buffet and Screenplay. It would also be too easy to gush endlessly about new friendships and sweet moments of catching up with old acquaintances.
So instead, I'm a gonna take a leaf from my BF Cara and her book of life, and instead of telling you everything, just share three exciting things from each of those three events. Because 9 seems like a whole and complete number. Sorry to all those with OCD. I actually hate anything that isn't even or doesn't add to ten, so nine is terrible for me. Maybe I'll put one more thing in and even this bad boy out.
Just to note, I am going to try and think of particular things/moments, so know this: if it were more vague a list of course I'd put in the big things such as:
- all the shows I saw at Fringe
- the bands at the Buffet
Sitting in September, tired, with a beer belly and spotted skin. Physically exhausted and mentally drained, but all because of the last few weeks. An absolutely packed August and it was good. As to how I'm feeling now? I didn't expect to feel anything different.
This year was my first full Edinburgh Fringe run. Whilst last year was my first time performing at the Fringe, I only did 11 shows. This was a full run with the PBH Free Fringe. 21 shows, over 22 days, with extra guest slots and filming for the BBC during. It would be too easy for me to fall into a detailed retelling of all the anecdotes from the last month, including The Buffet and Screenplay. It would also be too easy to gush endlessly about new friendships and sweet moments of catching up with old acquaintances.
So instead, I'm a gonna take a leaf from my BF Cara and her book of life, and instead of telling you everything, just share three exciting things from each of those three events. Because 9 seems like a whole and complete number. Sorry to all those with OCD. I actually hate anything that isn't even or doesn't add to ten, so nine is terrible for me. Maybe I'll put one more thing in and even this bad boy out.
Just to note, I am going to try and think of particular things/moments, so know this: if it were more vague a list of course I'd put in the big things such as:
- all the shows I saw at Fringe
- the bands at the Buffet
- films at Screenplay
- Friends, all the friends old and new!
I'll try and be more particular to moments rather than any of those, but I loved all of them. All.
THREE FOND MEMORIES OF THE EDINBURGH FRINGE:
Context (maybe needed): I did a stand up/storytelling show at the Fringe entitled Marjolein Robertson: Relations. I also saw many other shows and did some work for the BBC as well, as well as had a good spree.
Too many good sprees.
All the good sprees.
1) That crowd at the show on the second last Saturday, you guys were amazing. I had many good crowds but that particular day, packed, yet full of life and laughter and a room hotter than the sun. I finished that show hurting from how much I was smiling.
2) The venue that my show was in holds many fond memories (this is a cheat I know!) but Black Market, what a venue! 8 rooms, a bar and the best fish and chips in the city. Also, every single spree of the Festival started there for me. Thank you Black Market, I hope to see you again!
3) Getting that sweet as four star review. Actually nice feedback in general, and constructive, here's to writing next year's show!
THREE FOND MEMORIES OF THE BUFFET 2017:
Context (Otherwise you'll be like "where's the food? This seems like a terrible Buffet."): Heavy Metal Buffet is a podcast my brother Dirk, cousin Jamie, friends Vicky and Haldan and I run, with a online channel and a annual Rock Festival. This year we are clooing (finishing) it up for good. So, after I finished my Fringe Run, I, with no sleep, got on a plane and made it to the last day of our last ever Festival.
1) The breakfast before, I actually surprised the boys by turning up for the last day, they thought I was missing the Festival. Well, actually, they later told me I had got drunk and told them I was coming home months before. Anyway, I managed to catch up with them just as they sat down for food so I got a fried breakfast too. Job done.
2) Watching an older man become a match for Goose. Goose, for anyone who doesn't know, is a regular at the metal scene and a constant force of, well force, in the mosh pit. This year I saw an older man take him down so many times Goose and the man ended up just hugging on the ground.
3) The final goodbye. Always actually a highlight for me. When we, the HMB crew, get on stage and say wir farewells and thank yous at the end of the Festival. However this year was more poignant and I burst out greeting. Because this was the final time... till we forget how much work goes into putting on a Festival and drunkenly agree to it in future (I did not write that). It was ghosts.
- Friends, all the friends old and new!
I'll try and be more particular to moments rather than any of those, but I loved all of them. All.
THREE FOND MEMORIES OF THE EDINBURGH FRINGE:
Context (maybe needed): I did a stand up/storytelling show at the Fringe entitled Marjolein Robertson: Relations. I also saw many other shows and did some work for the BBC as well, as well as had a good spree.
Too many good sprees.
All the good sprees.
1) That crowd at the show on the second last Saturday, you guys were amazing. I had many good crowds but that particular day, packed, yet full of life and laughter and a room hotter than the sun. I finished that show hurting from how much I was smiling.
2) The venue that my show was in holds many fond memories (this is a cheat I know!) but Black Market, what a venue! 8 rooms, a bar and the best fish and chips in the city. Also, every single spree of the Festival started there for me. Thank you Black Market, I hope to see you again!
3) Getting that sweet as four star review. Actually nice feedback in general, and constructive, here's to writing next year's show!
THREE FOND MEMORIES OF THE BUFFET 2017:
Context (Otherwise you'll be like "where's the food? This seems like a terrible Buffet."): Heavy Metal Buffet is a podcast my brother Dirk, cousin Jamie, friends Vicky and Haldan and I run, with a online channel and a annual Rock Festival. This year we are clooing (finishing) it up for good. So, after I finished my Fringe Run, I, with no sleep, got on a plane and made it to the last day of our last ever Festival.
1) The breakfast before, I actually surprised the boys by turning up for the last day, they thought I was missing the Festival. Well, actually, they later told me I had got drunk and told them I was coming home months before. Anyway, I managed to catch up with them just as they sat down for food so I got a fried breakfast too. Job done.
2) Watching an older man become a match for Goose. Goose, for anyone who doesn't know, is a regular at the metal scene and a constant force of, well force, in the mosh pit. This year I saw an older man take him down so many times Goose and the man ended up just hugging on the ground.
3) The final goodbye. Always actually a highlight for me. When we, the HMB crew, get on stage and say wir farewells and thank yous at the end of the Festival. However this year was more poignant and I burst out greeting. Because this was the final time... till we forget how much work goes into putting on a Festival and drunkenly agree to it in future (I did not write that). It was ghosts.
 |
| The final goodbyes of The Buffet 2017 |
THREE FOND MEMORIES OF SCREENPLAY 2017:
Context (maybe we always need context. I'll write a blog post with none sometime to see if you understand it SEE EVERY PREVIOUS BLOG POST I'VE EVER WRITTEN EVER): Shetland has an annual Film Festival run by Shetland Arts Development Agency, Kathy Hubbard, Cara McDiarmid, Mark Kermode and Linda Ruth Williams. It runs for 10 days and celebrates film with screenings, Q & As with exciting people, educational screenings and workshops. Films are both homemade and from all around the world, this year there was much excitement for the screening of The Limehouse Golem, one of the first screenings of Bill Nighy's new film!.
1) Playing dress up with Logan for the Film Quiz, third time I've been a Navi, but maybe the first time I've got my belly oot. The best part was pretending to be all the characters, for a continuing round where the audience guess the film. Here's some of the costumes we did, have a guess in the comments:
Context (maybe we always need context. I'll write a blog post with none sometime to see if you understand it SEE EVERY PREVIOUS BLOG POST I'VE EVER WRITTEN EVER): Shetland has an annual Film Festival run by Shetland Arts Development Agency, Kathy Hubbard, Cara McDiarmid, Mark Kermode and Linda Ruth Williams. It runs for 10 days and celebrates film with screenings, Q & As with exciting people, educational screenings and workshops. Films are both homemade and from all around the world, this year there was much excitement for the screening of The Limehouse Golem, one of the first screenings of Bill Nighy's new film!.
1) Playing dress up with Logan for the Film Quiz, third time I've been a Navi, but maybe the first time I've got my belly oot. The best part was pretending to be all the characters, for a continuing round where the audience guess the film. Here's some of the costumes we did, have a guess in the comments:
Not real gun
Not real sword/chainsaw
Bow will kill/not real arrows
2) All the tunes - we had a couple of fantastic musical sessions this Screenplay. My favourite was on the Friday night at a friend's house after we left Mareel. It was great, especially for the guests, including regular guests who are basically Shetlanders now, coming along for a proper spree and session at the house. A kitchen full of folk doing a Boston Two Step and eventually ending with a good old traditional Tenacious D Tribute singalong.
3) Actor George MacKay reading one of my favourite poems (Saat Ida Blöd by Roseanne Watt) in dialect. I'm no Mary Blance, but the chance to share our dialect with someone, who is a master at accents, then watch him read it to a full audience. Keep Shetland dialect alive!
In fact, from more about Screenplay listen to the Shetland Times podcast with myself interviewing some our the Festival's guests here:
ANOTHER MEMORY TO MAKE THINGS 10:
The return to Shetland; I'm currently sitting outside in the sun, listening to the birds and feeling the wind rush across from the North Atlantic. There's saat in the air and I feel most at peace. Even with the Hairst (Autumn) approaching there is still a warmth in the breeze and the sun takes his time to set. We've sat under a full mön and watched her illuminate the night, and, just the other night, against her glow, the Mirrie Dancers (Northern Lights) raced across the sky.
As amazing as Edinburgh was, and such a beautiful city, given over for August to arts from around the world. No where beats hom.
AN 11TH THING I'M FOND OF*:
I can drink red cans in the pubs here in Shetland. Edinburgh get your act together and get more McEwans in more establishments. Yes craft beer is nice but so is a tepid red can. A month without it and I was breaking out into sweats. Never again.
The return to Shetland; I'm currently sitting outside in the sun, listening to the birds and feeling the wind rush across from the North Atlantic. There's saat in the air and I feel most at peace. Even with the Hairst (Autumn) approaching there is still a warmth in the breeze and the sun takes his time to set. We've sat under a full mön and watched her illuminate the night, and, just the other night, against her glow, the Mirrie Dancers (Northern Lights) raced across the sky.
As amazing as Edinburgh was, and such a beautiful city, given over for August to arts from around the world. No where beats hom.
 |
| Buying errands with my friend at the local shop |
AN 11TH THING I'M FOND OF*:
I can drink red cans in the pubs here in Shetland. Edinburgh get your act together and get more McEwans in more establishments. Yes craft beer is nice but so is a tepid red can. A month without it and I was breaking out into sweats. Never again.
* I realise this makes 11, but this is very important.
Very nice poetic description of Shetland at the end. You make the red tinnies sound very appealing
ReplyDeleteI like Marjolein world. I don't understand it and I wouldnt survive it...but I like it
ReplyDelete