Turning your Fringe brain ON and OFF

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The Edinburgh Fringe has a way of mocking you, personally.

I catch three shows on Friday, each with it’s own take-home message. My own show, Sex, Lies and the KKK, argues that human beings aren’t naturally monogamous. (If you don’t believe me, read more books.) Then Ivor Dembina’s New Show asks me to contemplate my life and think of something I regret. While researching Eco-Friendly Jihad I realised what my constant travel was doing to the planet. I should really cut down.

Later I watch Mark Allen’s sublime Go Slow in which he challenges audiences to fight against the ever-accelerating pace of life. Relax. Enjoy yourself. Don’t rush about so much. He’s so right, I think, as I run to the airport bus to catch a short-haul flight back to Dublin, drive home, eat, sleep, eat and drive to the country church where Louisa’s committing to one man for the rest of her life.

I can’t say "no" to smart women. When my friend Louisa invited me to her August wedding, I said I wouldn’t miss it for the world. When my promoter Emily booked my Fringe venue, she advised I take only one day off. “Of course” I said. Then I remember Louisa was getting married in rural Ireland.

My Fringe brain is still switched on when the priest starts going off on tangents about his CD collection, and his school days of cross-dressing in Gilbert and Sullivan operas. It’s the most well-observed character comedy I’ve seen in ages. In my head, I give it five stars. Alas, it was a one-off performance, and the venue is really out of the way. But that’s the Edinburgh Fringe for you.