Tuesday 8th December 2009, 18:14

Comeding & Carolling...

We’re now 3/5 of the way through this year’s Comedians & Carols shows, and much fun, among the tiredness, driving, and managerial stress, has been had by all. It’s a real treat but also a real beast to organise – each night involves stage-managing up to 14 performers, convening them at an often obscure venue somewhere far from any public transport (and most of the performers don't drive), cram the night full of them, plus multimedia on Powerpoint, props, budgeting, and vitally also making sure the (mostly church) venues are happy we’re the right side of reverent/irreverent/offensive/inoffensive/funny/not funny. But top fun. So, some basic questions...


First question many wonder: is it to do with Nine Lessons & Carols For The Godless? No. I would say this is the opposite, ie. it’s for the Godful, but it is aimed at the Godless too. Only we’re not a bunch of atheists talking science; we’re a bunch of religish folks talking religiocomedy (several nice new words in that sentence).


Second question you may then wonder: which came first? I think ours did. The atheist one got more press cos they’ve got Ricky Gervais. In terms of celebrity, they win at top trumps. In terms of all-round Christmassiness and nice warm rosy feeling at the end of it, I like to feel we come out on top. To be honest the two shows aren’t in any competition, since their show is in central London, and we’re taking ours on the road, to the south coast, the west coast, Yorkshire, Essex and Cambridgeshire. A central London one next year, fo shizzle.


The shows have been lovely, with a nice mix of acts: stand-up, sketch, magic, double-acts, musicians, character acts, videos, carols, and mince pies. Alright, the first one in November took a while to make them feel Christmassy, but as the audience observed, it’s November. Give ‘em a free mince pie though, and they won’t care what month it is – they’ll be harmonising ‘Sing, choirs of angels’ before you know it.


Tonight I write this from a vicarage in York, where we performed just now in the shadow of Yorkminster. I’m convinced York looks Christmassy year round anyway, so it’s great to get to do it here. Feels all Dickensian. Might go out and buy a goose tomorrow, or maybe fling some windows open and ask an urchin to buy one for me for a shiny penny.


So roll on next year, and thanks to all the performers who have been excellent this year in the C&C shows. Christmas cheer has been spread. Happy advent, one and all, and if anyone reading this fancies this show for their own venue/community/church/theatre/big living-room, we’re now booking for 2010. December only.


Tonight, Buckhurst Hill in North-east London/Essex. Do come if you're in the vicinity.


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