Comedy Confined

And so it was that earlier this week the expected email came. The fringe was off. Scotland is closed. Do come again next year when a hug is no longer classed as assault.

Which left us in a state of limbo. It's got to the point now that, four festivals in, Edinburgh has become the entity around the rest of our year revolves. For other people it's Christmas or their birthday. Or in the case of teachers, whenever the next holiday is coming up.

There's still a small chance the smaller festivals will go ahead. Buxton is a lean operation and need only pull the plug at a month of two's notice. Our July date in Manchester will go ahead so long as the pub is open. The same goes for the Glossop Comedy Festival which, at one room and one weekend big, will only be postponed if we hit June with still no idea of what lies ahead.

When comedians are told they can't go out they start to get creative. In the past week I've seen more plugs for online shows, podcasts and video clips than I have in the previous three months combined. I have to admit I haven't watched, listened to or otherwise engaged with any of them but perhaps over time this will change as I run out of options on Netflix and iPlayer. Though it's true that the internet provides a global platform it's also true that it introduces the kind of global competition you don't have with a bunch of people who like a night in small room with a pint and local laughs.

All that said, we are of course planning to do exactly the same in lieu of other options. Preparations for Disco Divorce Party continue with ideas for an array of diversified content to keep momentum. In time expect some green screen powered "music videos" for various tracks from the show plus additional blogs, vlogs and other "content" relating to DDP and Parodies from the Peak District. Speaking of which, I gave in and wrote a short parody about Covid-19. Though you'll be please to know I didn't use Come On Eileen as the base like everyone else. Watch it here - it's already got more hits than most of the other videos I've posted this year. It turns out being relevant counts for something in the clickbait world.

The first online Anything Goes is happening this Thursday at 8pm. That is assuming, of course, anyone chooses to send me links to all the content they're creating at the moment. Else it's Tom Short leading a tour of a stately home and Marty Gleeson doing something weird with the characters of Sesame Street. Plus me.

Email links here for the Youtube playlist.