THE FRINGE ROLLERCOASTER . (One two, One two three, I’ve got a ticket so ride with me) By Shane “Mildly obscure Red Hot Chili Peppers Reference” Adamczak

MINI ENTRY – FRIDAY JULY 20, 3:43am.
I had a bad night tonight. I was pretty down, I’ll be honest. The opening night in Winnipeg was off to a good start; the audience was lovely, loud, laughed and filled a good part of what would’ve otherwise been a room of empty seats, I had a damn good time. The second night however, with even more people filling even more seats, strangely proved less enjoyable. They looked bored. Bored, tired and uninterested and despite my best efforts, I don’t feel like I managed to win them over. A few chuckles here and there and even a few decent laughs, but I couldn’t help but feel like I had let them down, I hadn’t done my job, because I failed to entertain them. I could make up a bunch of excuses why this show was a struggle and why they just weren’t into it, but at the end of the day I had to walk out of the theatre feeling defeated, with a blow to the ego, knowing that tonight was a bad show. I was depressed. It happens. I had got a few average reviews that day (not BAD really, just not amazing or helpful) and was already a little stressed about the show, so this didn’t help.

***
That was five days ago.

Last night I had one of the most enjoyable shows of my life. The show was complete sold out, there were some artists friends in the crowd, the audience was loud, loving and had an energy that made me bring my A-Game. I left the theatre that night on top of the world…

I’ve had people download my theme song from the show and use it a ring tones (and make a point of telling me), I’ve had people make an effort to come up to me in the street and let me know they enjoyed my show, heck the other day I had a cute girl pay me 50c (A reference to something in my show) and have me sign her boobs. HER BOOBS YOU GUYS! The Universal balance was well and truly restored.

This is the fringe rollercoaster in action dear reader. It’s just one day. ONE day. One day of doubting yourself and questioning why you would come all the way across the world to perform a show that that one room of people didn’t enjoy (forgetting the many other audiences that love it) and then the next is the polar opposite. It can be a hard rollercoaster to ride, Fringe is already a really condensed, intense experience without the constant emotional ups and downs, but its all part of it. So strap in. And I know it’s not just me. I know this because I’ve seen many artists go through it, dealing with bad reviews, tough shows, bikes getting stolen and then being back on top after sellout shows, five-star reviews and kissing some cute dame right on the human lady face. I’ve seen it happned because I was right their with them. Holy Kites, what a life. Your Fringe family is there for support, to help you restore the balance, to let you know it’s all going to be fine and if necessary, kiss you right on the human lady face. It’s a rollercoaster, not a straight fall down the Tower Of Terror, after all.

The Fringe Emotional Rollercoaster. Two tickets please.

And finally, some TWITTER REVIEWS for a few radical shows I’ve seen at the Winnipeg Fringe…

THE ADVERSARY
Well performed true story about life as a caretaker at a Church and the street people in the life around him. Amazing, heartfelt and very funny.

REDHEADED STEPCHILD
Funny with some great dramatic parts. Strong solo performance. A must for all gingers.

THIS TOWN
The team that brought you “The Hysteric” last year return with another killer show. Great characters, very funny, the card board set is brilliant.

VERNUS SAYS SURPRISE
1 of the beautiful shows I’ve ever seen. Great physical performance, funny & well executed. WARNING theatre must get dusty because by the end I def had something in my eye

ALSO MAKE SURE TO CHECK OUT
Preparation Hex, The Ukrainian Dentist’s Daughter, Birdmann, Pretending Things Are A Cock, The Progressive Polygamists, Power | Play, Little Orange Man, Peter ‘n Chris. The Last Man On Earth and The Agony and Ecstasy of Steve Jobs.

Til next time,

-S.