Susan arrives!

Susan arrived this morning. After a six and a half hour flight from Toronto to Edinburgh she found her way to 22 Albany St. at about 10:30am. She didn't sleep at all on the plane but was ready and willing to go for a walk on what was a most beautiful Edinburgh summer day. The weather was perfect today. Blue skies, nice breeze, sunny. I think the population has doubled in the last few days. Trying to make your way through the main streets is almost impossible. We went to Princes St. and walked past the mound where there are many performers and tourists gathered. Then along the park walk to see a nice view of the castle. We found Deb and Jayne sitting in the park sketching the castle view. They are both into sketching a lot on this trip and they are doing some amazing work. We had to be back at the house at 1:30pm to get ready to go hand out flyers at Harvey Nichols.

Back at the house we put our Women Fully Clothed t-shirts on and walked over to the very upscale department store, Harvey Nichols. They were nice enough to let us hand out flyers instore for an hour this afternoon. Susan stayed at the house to catch up on some sleep. We got to the department store and two very keen sales people took us to the basement of the store where I made an intercom announcement of our presence. Okay to say that was cool would be a huge understatement. I got to say, "Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, my name is Teresa and I'm a member of Women Fully Clothed ... blah blah blah, today on the third floor women's handbags half price ..." Okay I just talked about the show but I did want to say that. It was one of those old fashioned intercoms too. And there were several lovely Scottish people trying to figure out how to work it. Finally I figured it out and before I spoke it actually chimed. It chimed! I loved it. Then we took to the different floors and started peddling our show. I usually hate stuff like that but I got over it quickly. Playing to a small audience is somehow worse than sticking a flyer in someone's face and telling them we're five funny ladies from Canada. Most people were very nice. One woman asked me what floor the lingerie was on. Not kidding. I told her. Why not. The store is beautiful. We kind of got distracted by the clothes but overall we did a pretty good job I'd say. The two keen sales people came to the show tonight. Don't know if it really helped but couldn't have hurt.

Susan came to the show tonight. Another smallish audience that was VERY quiet. Yet at the end of the show they cheer. I don't get it. I really don't. We're trying not to let it affect us too much but it is a challenge. Now I'm just entertaining myself on stage a lot. I actually almost missed a cue line because I was so taken aback when someone laughed out loud. Sad. After the show Susan, Jayne and I went to dinner at a beautiful old pub called the Guilded Arms. It was built in 1817 (see above photos) with all of the original architecture. It was stunning. It felt like we had gone back in time. They had fish and chips (see above photo) and I had soup and salad. Yummy. And great cider once again. My poor liver. The rest of the gang went to see another Canadian production that is here, Rick Miller's Bigger Than Jesus. Jayne and I had already seen it in Toronto. We walked home to a lovely sunset. And now just relaxing so we can get up early and see the sights.

Food food and more food ...

Okay, so I'm posting again today. Just got in from an amazing dinner. The restaurant was called All Bar One and the food was phenomenal. I haven't stopped eating since we got here. Truly mind boggling. But it seems to balance itself out with all the walking. Deb and I went shopping today in the Grassmarket area. Vintage shops, cute boutiques and cafes. I bought a great vintage 60's jacket. Deb bought some t-shirts and a few gifts. We walked along the Royal Mile and handed out flyers for our show. I took pictures of some of the people trying to promote their shows. We ate lunch at David Bann, the upscale vegetarian restaurant (see above picture of a yummy dosa) that we're going to for my birthday. Which is in four days by the way. Can't believe it. Thirty-seven years old. It's so strange that I'm here for my birthday. I love it but it's strange. Usually my birthday is spent hanging with friends usually at the beach or just having brunch and a nice dinner. Now I'll be wandering the streets in Edinburgh. Actually there is an afternoon tea and dance at the Spiegletent on my birthday. There is a group that gives dance lessons to 20's and 30's music and offers a tea. I love it. I want to go with Kathy's girls and dance in the afternoon. Then do the show. And then a great dinner with the whole gang. Thirty-seven. Okay I'll stop.

So we got another great review today. I mean great. It's amazing because the audiences are so quiet and reserved and then we get this glowing review. Makes no sense but hopefully we will get bigger crowds.

Show Rating: 4 stars
What an absolute pleasure to see five talented, experienced comic actresses in a polished, well-written, funny sketch show.

The audience was mainly middle aged and female, which is probably an unfortunate side-effect of the billing. Unfortunate as this is a great show, and men should not be deterred by an all-female cast doing sketches about family, relationships and sexuality.

Beneath these themes are hilarious characters portraying the worse kind of irritating mothers, wives and daughters, hitting the nail on the head with sympathetic characters we can all relate to.

I was particularly taken by Kathy Greenwood’s character, constantly trying to keep up with the other stay-at-home mums in the competitive parenting stakes. And everyone can identify with feeling trapped by a lonely parent’s needs in the sketch which has a woman desperately trying to get off the phone to both a clingy mother and granny. And without giving any more away, the sketch with three woman scattering their dead friend’s ashes was inspired.

Although the characters were quirky, funny and at times ridiculous (the French shop assistant Mona, for instance), they were portrayed with such respect and sometimes poignancy that you developed the type of empathy with them it would normally take a full-length show to feel.

Rarely have I seen this quality of sketch comedy on television here, let alone at the Fringe. So grab a chance now. Unless you can get tickets to Saturday Night Live in New York you are unlikely to see such good sketch comedy live for a while.

Reviewed by: Rosie Carnahan

Shows shows and more shows ...

So it looks like I'm falling behind in my updates. I am too tired in the evening to upload my photos and write the blog so I'm doing it in the mornings. Seems to work better. While Robin and Deb do the "fat burning dance party" video in our parlour room and Colin surfs the net and Hendrik talks to the publicist and letting agents and while Jayne does her hair and Luke gets out of bed ... I write this. We are like one big happy family. I came home last night from seeing a show and there was music playing and everyone was gathered in the living room laughing, talking, sketching. Yes Jayne and Deb have started a sketching club. They are very good.

Yesterday I saw two shows. One in the morning called Sting for Nolte. It was amusing. The acting was better than the writing I felt. It was about a guy whose fiance gets him tickets to a Sting concert for his birthday. He hates Sting but loves Nick Nolte so he decides instead of finishing his philosophy paper on probability and telling his fiance he hates sting that he is going to convince Sting to remake all of Nick Nolte's movies. The lead guy was very charming and funny. I'd say they did well for a 12:15pm crowd. My theory is that audiences here fair better when there is no fourth wall in comedy shows. They like to be addressed. With our show I feel like they are being very polite and quiet as they watch what they feel is a play. Just a theory. And I have had many trying to figure out the workings of audiences here.

After the show I walked and walked. I found this beautiful old cemetary behind the Greyfriars pub. Many prominent Edinburgh writers, thinkers and politicians are buried there. Among them Allan Ramsay who was a very famous poet from here. It is a really creepy cemetary. They actually have a midnight grave tour where they take you around and tell you all the scary stories about those who are buried there. While I was walking around taking pictures it started to drizzle rain while the sun shone. Very beautiful. The graveyard came with it's own "angry Scottish grave keeper". I think every graveyard should have one. He was telling one tourist about the most haunted grave. I actually got creeped out looking at it.

Then I walked to one of the venues that is under the bridge in this cave like spot. (Pictured above) It's called the Underbelly. I bought tickets to see Rebecca Drysdale, a comic who is doing a one-woman show. I chose it because she is a Second City alumna and won some new comedian award at the Aspen Comedy Festival. It was two for one Mondays so I got an extra ticket. Oh forgot to mention that on my way to see Sting for Nolte I saw the Edinburgh policeman's piper band playing. This city is crazy in that sense right now. You walk down the street and can see six or seven different bands, Polish men on stilts, a fire eater, everyone is out doing their thing. It's great.

We did our show last night. The crowd was a bit smaller. And quieter than our opening. But of course after these women approached us and said our brilliant the show was. I thought were you at the same show? Then I was surprised to see my friend Ryan waiting for us outside the venue. Ryan is my friend Mia's partner and he is a drummer who is here touring. Small world. And he also teaching Luke drumming. Hilarious. So suddenly I had someone to use the extra ticket that I'd bought for the show. So we ran over. Watched the show. It was okay. I wasn't really blown away. She ended it by taking off her clothes and miming taking a shower. I thought if you're going to take it all off in front of a fifty people at least say something. I don't know. Then Ryan and I bumped into the bass player from his band and we all went to grab some food. It was nice. He went to his gig and I went to find the ladies and wander. Didn't find anyone but went to the Spiegeltent which is my new favorite place at the Fringe. There was a human jukebox. Three guys crammed into a inflatable jukebox and people would put money in and request songs. They were great. So fun. The tent is amazing really. The one in Toronto doesn't even compare. Sorry Dmitry. I love the show in Toronto but we're so ... not European. I don't know how to describe it any other way.

Then I walked home. Another beautiful night in Edinburgh. Woke up this morning to a review in the Scotsman, the local Edinburgh paper. It's a readers review but still very encouraging:

4 stars
Of the six Fringe Festival productions we have seen to date, Women Fully Clothed, showing at the Gilded Balloon Teviot, is by far the most superior. These five fabulously funny females present a fast-paced, slightly satirical look, with a Canadian edge, at the lives of women. Comediennes in their own right, the women blended their individual styles and talents to form a successful ensemble. See it!

Officially Open!

Missed a post last night. I was too tired. We had our offical opening last night and it was also the opening night of the Fringe. The show went well. We had about 150 people in the audience which was great. They were still a little quiet. They seem somewhat reserved here for some strange reason. It's like they want to laugh but they just can't let it out. Then we went for a great dinner at Atrium, a beautiful restaurant not far from the theatre. I had mushroom risotto that the chef made especially for me. So good. I love fancy restaurants because they will accomodate any dietary issue. If you're paying the money they'll do it.

Then we went to the fringe opening night party. The tickets were 100 pounds 200 dollars. Crazy! We didn't have to pay for them but still couldn't believe it cost that much to be outside with hundreds of drunk people you don't know. It was fun though in that they had entertainment on the main stage. This polka ska band that is performing at the Spiegeltent. (Must go see that) and this beat box guy who was amazing. And some acrobats. (just got a photo of party people milling around) This festival is so massive. It's hard to feel a part of it. But we have met some sweet people who've made us feel welcome. Our tech people are incredible. They work so hard. Basically from 10am in the morning to 5am. No joke. The late show starts at 1am and goes to 5am and they have to work the whole time. For a month! Crazy.

Last night when we got off stage our dressing room was fully of belly dancers and a woman dressed as a 60's stewardess. Oh the fringe! Hilarious. It's a bit overcast again today. I was getting too used to the sunny weather. Now it's more like the Scotland I remember. Rainy and grey. Off to see a play today. Then maybe the Warhol exhibit at the National Gallery. Then the show tonight. Going to check out the Spiegeltent tonight.

SATURDAY NIGHT!

Okay there are fireworks going on so loud outside the window that it feels like it's shaking the whole house. When this city does something they go all the way.

Had another amazing day. Saw my friend Raoul's solo Hamlet and it was spectacular. He is such a talented actor. Also saw a couple of American stand ups tonight, Rick Fox and Mark Maron. Very funny guys. It was fun to hang out after our show and see other shows. Again there is soooo much going on it's hard to just pick a show. Didn't take many pictures today. The two are from the beer garden after our show. The food is of my dinner. They have an amazing Indian food station outside and I got the most amazing dhal ever. So good. And pakoras. And my new favorite drink, cider. Raoul's show was in the morning then I just walked back to the house and took a nap. This whole vacation/performing thing is exhausting. And Colin has a cold which I feel like I could be getting. I really hope not. Anyway that is all for today. Our official opening is tomorrow night. There's supposed to be a big party afterwards. Should be fun.

What day is it?

Seems I've totally lost track of what day it is. I think I still haven't fully grasped where I am and what I'm doing here. It's a strange mix of work and vacation. Which is great but can sometimes confuse the mind. It's early Saturday morning (12:30am) and everyone has gathered in the kitchen of our house. Snacking on cookies, crisps, drinking wine, beer and tea. It's quite nice. Kinda like a frat house with less b.o. We had our second show tonight and it was a bit rough. A bigger audience but we're still trying to find our place here. I'm realizing that it's really a fringe. People go to see the local performers and the shows that have the buzz. Or performers that have been here before. Funnily enough people think we're doing really well in that we have anyone coming at all. When you think about it - nobody really knows us at all. So it is amazing that anyone comes. I remember feeling like that when I did the New York Fringe and played to nine people. I'd think, "who are you people and why are you even here?" Another thing I've found is that the Australians are very nice. Across the board. I've met two stand ups who are also doing shows in our venue and they are so friendly. Very Canadian actually. One said that he thought Canadians and Australians were very similar people. Except that they talk funny of course. Ha. Okay tired.

Another thing I love about this city right now is that it is filled with so many people from different places. Walking down the street I will hear people speaking Spanish, Italian, German, with a British accent, Scottish, Polish. It's so great. The city has doubled in the past few days. Honestly there are so many people here. And they say by Sunday they'll be even more. I hope some of them come to our show.

I went to the Portrait Museum today and saw the Naked Portrait exhibit. A really interesting exhibit of photos, sculptures and paintings depicting nudes. Everything from Diane Arbus to Rodin. Really cool. Some amazing photos. My favorite was a Man Ray photo of Lee Miller. Just beautiful. She's standing behind a sheer curtain that has a pattern on it and the shadow falls so perfectly on her torso. I love amazing photography. Sadly I'm not taking any film camera photos because something is wrong with my camera. I bought new batteries when I left but it's still not working. Don't get it and it bugs me. I love my digital but I really want to capture this place on film with a nice wide angle lense.

Raoul Bhaneja, my friend from Toronto, came to our show tonight. He is doing his one man Hamlet here. We're going to seee it at 11:15am tomorrow. I should really get to bed. Hope everyone in Toronto and the surrounding areas are staying cool. I was wearing a sweatshirt and blazer tonight. It's fall weather. So weird.

August 2/07

Another wonderful day in Edinburgh. I realized that I have to move here not for the amazing art, beautiful architecture or the great food but mostly because it's the perfect weather for my hair. I'm telling you it's never looked better. And I've decided I fair better in this climate. I'm not hot blooded. I'm just not. I like a little chill in the air. It's sunny with a little cloud sometimes and maybe a spot of rain. I love it. I'm sorry for everyone back home braving the intense heat. I have to say I don't miss it.

Today I went for a run to an area down by the waterfront called Leith. The royal yacht Britannia is docked there. It's a very nice area. It is strange and exciting to walk around and have no idea where you are and then find your way home again. I think that's one of my favorite things about traveling. It is all new. Another great thing about being here is not having a cell phone. It is so freeing and guess what, I'm totally fine. I can survive. Amazing that.

I shopped a bit today. Bought a great pair of jeans at the TopShop. Great store. The shopping here is out of control. Out of control! It's great but you have to be careful because everything is basically double the price when converted to Canadian. I took a few pictures. Had a pretty relaxed day.

We all went to the press showcase for our venue. Jayne and Kathy did a short scene from our show called Self-Dep. A bunch of performers did snippets from their show for the press and other performers. It was fun. I have to say the most unique was the Sound of Music drag show. Hilarious but wow would that get boring after the first couple of songs. There were some good stand ups and the host was pretty great. We met a stand up from Australia who is booking the Late Show at our venue. He asked us to be on it. We agreed until everyone found out what time it starts. 1am -5am. No joke. Seriously. So we'll see who is able to stay up that late to do comedy.

We went for dinner. Everyone but Kathy and I went to a restaurant called the Scotsman. A beautiful restaurant in a gorgeous old building. There was anything there for me to eat. (See above photo of my amazing lunch from Henderson's. I love that place). Kathy and I had a nice meal at a restaurant right on the Royal Mile called Bella Italia. Very tasty. Well hard to say because we were so hungry. I went to meet the others after at the Scotsman. and had a drink. (See artsy picture I took of myself in the fancy washroom, sorry toilet as they say here) Our waitress was from Montreal. She moved to Edinburgh to learn English. Hilarious. A lot of Canadians here. It's great. Okay I'm tired. Must go to bed so I can fit lots in again tomorrow. Ache!