Nick Hennegan

Edinburgh Fringe mini-blog. Day 8. Performance 5 and a new script. Killing My Babies.

It started with an email this afternoon.

And then a follow-up a few hours later. Both are from the venue box office. One or two people had given feedback that the Literary Pub Crawl lasted longer than the billed one hour! Of course it did! I warned everyone at the start of the first tour that my first script was going to be six hours long, but this one would ‘only’ be two hours. Which it has been for the last few days. But Edinburgh is different to almost any other kind of performance discipline. People at the Fringe plan their days meticulously and an overrun could mean missing another show. Most people have stayed for the two hours, but we have lost a few, which is a shame.

It was a bit of an oversight on my part. Most (not all) Edinburgh Fringe shows tend to be an hour long. It’s also partly to do with cost. The longer the show, the more expensive it will be. When we did the deal for this show I checked all the obvious things… apart from the end time!

The professionalism of the Pleasance Box Office meant they needed to know the duration, and if it was more than an hour they would contact all those that had already booked tickets to tell them – and contact all the resellers and inform them too.

I sent my email telling them that yes, the tour would be 2 hours. This was around 2 am. At around 4 am I suddenly awoke and thought, “What am I doing? Putting all these people to all this trouble! Just make it an hour, idiot! Less is more!”

So I started straightaway doing what Ernest Hemingway described as ‘Killing your Babies.” A harsh script edit.

Anthony Burgess suffered. Dylan Thomas was shaved. We lost the witchcraft trial. The final stop moved from The Deacon Brodie which affected Jekyl and Hyde. But everyone seemed to have a good time with my new Literary offering.

And it was 65 minutes long.

I’m still in mourning for my Literary Babies. But I will get over it.

Probably.

Maybe I need more than two hours of sleep tonight. Might have to go to a pub and think about it..!

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New script and hat!

Another great gang from around the world on the (Not London) Edinburgh Literary Pub Crawl with my new script. And hat! More about the script later!

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Well this is nice!

The ticket screen at the Pleasance Dome.

Well this is rather nice to see on the ticket screen for the Edinburgh (not London) Literary Pub Crawl. Even though I’m making a few changes. More later!

@edfringe @thepleasance Every day at 3pm! x.

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Edinburgh Fringe mini blog. Day 7. And an EdFringe Legend.

Performance number 4. I think the show went well today, but I’m realising that as always it depends on the participants.

Today there were lots of literary people and I added more literary stories because of that.

But what I really love about this concept is that it ends up with lots of disparate people talking to each other and having a great time. Which is what usually happens on our Literary Pub Crawls in London – and now here.

I’m still feeling more tired than I have for any Edinburgh fringe before this, and I wonder if I’ve started this show at the wrong time – 3pm rather than the London 5pm. Having finished at 6 pm I wasn’t quite sure what to do next. So I went and got some halal food (I am a Brummie after all) and headed to the Pleasance Courtyard.

In spite of the fatigue, I’m aware that I am at the fringe! And although I have a Media Pass, as a performer there are shows at the Pleasance I can go and see for nothing, if they’ve not sold out. So why haven’t I? I decide I should go to the Pleasance Courtyard and just look for something I’d like to see, and forget my current fatigue and prepossession with my show.

Brilliantly and remarkably, as I’m looking at the screen in the courtyard a voice shouts out “Nick Hennegan!” And it’s only Anthony Alderson. Mr Pleasance himself! He became director of the Pleasance Trust when founder Christopher Richardson retired in 2005.

I really like Anthony. He’s kinda posh, but not. And a bit like I’ve tried to do with the Maverick Theatre Company, we’re both concerned with creating opportunities for new talent. (Notice I don’t say ‘young’ talent. That’s SO last century!)

But I’m about to see a show and he’s waiting for a cab.

“It doesn’t look like this cab’s arriving anytime soon,” says Anthony, checking his phone. “Fancy a quick drink?”

“Well okay,” I respond. “I suppose we could have a quick one.”

Four hours later and having met some truly lovely and inspiring creatives, artists and technicians who gravitated and were attracted to our table in the courtyard by Anthony, he staggers off to get the last bus and I stagger down the hill to my digs.

Fatigue? What fatigue! I bloody love the Edinburgh Fringe – and the Pleasance even more having seen Anthony in his natural environment again!

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Edinburgh Fringe mini blog. Day 6 – I realise I’m a virgin!

I had a bit of a self awakening today! It was inspired, if that’s the right term, by last night.

It’s my first Saturday night in the world’s biggest open Arts Festival, and I’m in bed by 11.30 pm! And that’s having left the pub at 10 pm. Those who know me know what a very very very rare occasion that it is, even though my average working day tends to start later than most people’s. It’s partly driven by the fact that the bars are open so late here during the Festival. There’s no ‘pressure’ to get the last drink.

I was also reminded of what’s happened to me by a message from Simon and Sarah. They are a brilliant couple that runs the Tabard Theatre in Chiswick, London. They’re heading to the fringe and sent me a message asking what I could recommend and with something of a shock I realised I’ve not seen a single thing since I’ve been here!

Bearing in mind I’m invited to all the official openings, it took me by surprise as well.

I thought it might be my age, and indeed that’s gonna be a big factor in everything, but I suddenly realised that I am a fringe virgin! Not in the sense of attending the fringe – my first fringe was in 1992 with my one-man adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic ‘Henry V – Lion of England’. I’ve been up many times since with many successful (fortunately) productions. But I realised my exhaustion has come from the fact that this is the very first time I am the producer, the presenter, the director, the writer, the performer, and the marketing team.

Yep, I’m knackered!

For our third performance today, I changed the script and route again, I think for the better. But I’m still knackered!

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Edinburgh Fringe mini-blog. Day 5.

I’m not completely sure I’ve got the editorial and pub stop balance right but yet again, today saw a BRILLIANT bunch from around the world, on the second-ever Edinburgh (not London!) Literary Pub Crawl. Celebrating international writers in Scotland’s capital. A great night with lovely people. Although I am feeling the walking a bit – and so on our first GREAT Saturday night in Party Central… I decide to have an early(ish) night!

Must be me age….!

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Wow! A World premiere! Edinburgh mini-blog Day 4

Wow! What a brilliant WORLD PREMIERE of the London Edinburgh Literary Pub Crawl last night.

We had a few technical difficulties- our venue is not really a venue but a space next to a bar – but we soon sorted that. From the first drink for a Scottish 18 year old’s birthday (bought by her Mom) to Australians, Americans and Italians, as happens in London, new friends were made and it becomes a good natured party. Although I had to cut the Oxford Bar due to time and distance. Maybe in future we’ll do an Old Town AND New Town Tour! Ya godda LOVE #Edinburgh! @edfringe @thepleasance

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So Today’s the Day! Edinburgh Fringe mini-blog Day 3.

The world premiere of the ~~London~~ Edinburgh literary pub crawl is 3pm today. It’s the fringiest fringe thing I’ve ever done. I was still writing it last night, I’m playing with the script today, and I have no idea if we will get it in under the specified one hour time slot. Frankly, I doubt it, but I hope that won’t be a problem.
It’s a little bit crazy that I’m doing everything. No cast, no rehearsals, no production support, just me and packs of flyers and posters. The year after I officially became a pensioner! Back to basics. Hey ho! It’s a funny old world!

Wish me luck. Or come and join me – every day in August! http://bit.ly/4cSeSd8

Cheers!

Edinburgh Fringe mini-blog. Day 2. Trollymageddon!

In spite of the London traffic and my growing anxiety, I managed to get to Kings Cross station half an hour before the train left. Phew! But then, even having arrived in time, there was difficulty. I paid £1 to get a luggage trolley for my vast and heavy load of print, promotional items and merchandise. (Yep, you can buy my book, a mug or a notebook! More later!)

So I paid for the trolley, loaded the bags and it went about 6 feet then locked up! I paid another pound for a second trolley – and the same thing happened. Trollymagedon! I noticed it was happening to others too. How? I’m amazed it didn’t make the news! Kings Cross owes me two quid!

Although, to quote Will, ’there is some soul of goodness in things evil!’ Because, forced to drag the loads sans trolley, I actually worked out a way of doing it. Although won’t bore you with that detail here….

So I made the train on time and a mighty relief it was too. But why? I had pre-booked a seat but if I’d missed it I think there would be other trains to Edinburgh. Eh? I didn’t even have to arrive for technical rehearsals like in previous years. Why do we pressure ourselves so much?

My luggage has taken up most of the train compartment, and I’m on my second red wine (it’s free!) And I’m sure it’s good for my literary Pub Crawl training! As you can see by the beer mats, last night my partner set too with a red sharpie adapting our London offerings. The real ones will arrive next week. Here’s how they should look!

I do a bit of work on the script. Nope… it’s nowhere near finished!

Tomorrow. Maybe.

Cheers!

Edinburgh Fringe mini-blog, 2024. Day one.

It’s a sunny day in Shepherds Bush.

I’m going to try and keep a daily account of the fringe this year. I’m not even sure why – but there might be some vague use for others producing a show.

It started with little sleep. To the Raven in Hammersmith last night to say goodbye by to the Pongy Professor, the Facsist French Cook and a few other people that are pub buddies and the reason that pubs are more important than drinking.

I don’t drink much, but it’s always a big thing coming to Edinburgh. I’ve got so much stuff to take, flyers, posters, merchandise (more about that later) and I know I’m on a timetable to get a train at 12:30 pm so sleep is hard. I get 5 hours.

I’ve so much stuff to take I’ve decided not to get the tube but to get a cab to Kings Cross. I’ve dialled Uber but I know though I have an hour before the train I’m probably gonna get stuck in traffic on the Marleybone flyover which I do. And is where I’m writing this now. 50 minutes till my train!

I’m reminded why I don’t drive in London. Will I make it?

Wish me luck.