Meanderings of a Monkey Juggler

Back from another juggling event; this time the Crawley Car Park Convention (As Clur would of it).

I got myself a lift down to the site with Phil and Camille (who pretty much slept the whole way).  And what a journey!  It took hours and we averaged 66kph (about 40mph) and it's a long way. 

And into the car park.  Yes a car park.  I have a tent.  I want to put my tent up.  It's a car park.

All available grassy knolls had been taken already.  There were some spots near the tents but these would be too noisy.  I ended up on an "island" with a lamp-post in the middle of it.  There wasn't enough room for my tent but it stayed up well enough to keep me dry overnight.

D phoned me up to ask "Where are you?" at the exact moment Phil switched his engine off in the car park as we arrived.  Now that's what I call timing.

Had a wander to chat to the regulars and then went to sit on the stairs and natter with whomever.  A longish chat with Carla ensued where she kept showing off her "talents" which she really shouldn't do.  But when you saw her face lit up on other folks' discomfort you can see why she still keeps doing it.  Stop it!  It's really not good.

Later on a few of us (inc Barnsey) went off for a meal down the Harvester.  Excellent food and waitress (who sadly wouldn't join us).

And back for the show:  What a show.

Normally I'd list the artistes and what I thought.  There wasn't a list that I found of everyone who was on in order and the comperes didn't introduce anyone so it's a bit difficult.  More about the comperes later.

• Chinese pole woman - Good act and some "gnarly skillz" but perhaps a little too long.
• Zack - winner of the "Perform at Crawley" prize at BYJOTY.  He was excellent and, apart from some visible lack of performing experience, was right at home on the stage.
• Trapeze girl with big hair - nice idea but very long and usually over-played any of the gags worth doing; always over-played the gags that weren't worth doing.
• Woman juggling - Nice 3 club stuff but a few too many drops.  I liked her movement though.
• Acrobatic troupe - very good skills and beautifully choreographed - probably my fave act of the night.  Anyone know who they were?  A shame they didn't do more in the second half.
• 2 person static trapeze type thing - very good routine although too much characterising going on and getting in the way.  This was a case of less is more.  For instance - there was a gert 'uge feather boa hanging off the thing wot they dangled off.  They were doing some nice links between moves up on the thing and this bloody boa just got in the way (visually).  Chuck it off and show us some decent contrast!  You were good enough to not need the amateur dramatics of the comperes as an adjunct to your act.  Oh and the best finish to an act I've seen in quite a while.
• Maksim Komaro - Finnish juggling legend. Excellent routine.  I heard a few people not being impressed but it was the best ball routine I've seen for a while.  I liked it and not only because he reminds me of Bernard Black.
• 2 dancers/strippers/clothes poi people - seen before t BJC (and apparently at EJC).  Nice music and characters but nothing too special.
• Luke Wilson - very nice clubs job.  Excellent choreography again and timed to perfection with the music.

And onto the comperes.  I don't think I'd go quite so far as calling for their heads or banning them from any shows ever again, BUT.... 

Here's the compere's rule book:

1. Tell us who's on next and "give it up for....[insert previous act here]" - NOT don't tell us.
2. Let us know when the next act is starting at least (so we know when to clap) - NOT just wandering on and off aimlessly and leaving chasms of silence.
3. Keep the energy of the show by being good and cracking on with it - NOT kill the atmos stone dead every time you come on stage to waste everyone's time.
4. In a family show do things that are family friendly - NOT get your knob out.
5. A joke is good enough to do once, possibly twice if you're Steve Rawlings. A non-joke is not good enough to do at all - NOT do a non-joke 3 times, for 5 minutes a time.

I know I like it when people break rules but some rules are there for a reason.  In much the same way as a "make your own" pizza is rarely as nice as a tried and tested recipe; you shouldn't monkey around with the compere's job too much.

The reason I've got a bee in my bonnet about this is that I don't like not liking people on stage.  I want to see people do well and have a good time - it means I get a good time too.  But this was embarrassing and I'm British, I do embarrassment but don't like it in public.

Anyway after the show it was a long chat in the bar until we got kicked out.  Wandered around a bit 'til bed time.  Oh and I did a good deed by giving some random strangers a pound for the coffee machine.

Sunday morning dawned miserable and rainy.  Got up to find breakfast and realised that I now had no money for food after giving that pound away.  Bugger.

People slowly got up and came to chat.  Did some juggling and left early.  Didn't get to say "bye" to many I wanted to but couldn't find everyone as we disappeared.  Anyway "Bye" to everyone I didn't get to say it to.  Better late than never.

Home to bed.  Oh no.  K tells me Paula's coming round.  Long chat about Bg and photos of her mum's place in Bg - very nice.  And eventually to bed.

I'm away from tomorrow - In Bg of course so I'll be quiet (or silent) 'til I'm back (31st).

Have fun.