Edfringe 2012. Done like dinner. Holy Eff.

So many stars...what does it all mean? AWESOME!!

Oh. My. Sweet. Lord.

I am so effing exhausted.

George and I are ensconced in our dear friends' home in Lambeth (in London) and I am reflecting on the last few weeks and, I am not going to lie to you people, I feel a bit like I have been physically assaulted but not in a totally bad way...if there is such a thing...

31 days in Edinburgh.

24 shows.

12 promotional gigs. Gigs ranging from 10 minute bumps of your show (trying to craft the best 10 minutes to entice audience members to come on out) "Best of the Fest" shows, "Pick Of The Fringe" and a fancy turn for the Edfringe proper for "Friends of the Fringe" at the Virgin-Mobile-Bank-Fancy-Building-in-New-Town (this is the only way I can describe it...it looked a bit like this...to give you an idea)...

...to me hosting the List Magazine opening party (they called me a compere...SO fancy) from 10:30pm till 2:00am...yes, you read that right...and then hosting the Waverly Cares night at the New Town Bar...which was amazing...from 8:00pm till 10:30pm...so many things...so many gigs...so much talking and singing...so little sleep...the energy is so all consuming...it makes it hard to sleep when you actually have the time. 

So...where were we...31 days...24 shows...12 promotional gigs...and one scotch a day...to keep me honest....or just a little bit drunk...I am not sure which, really...really.

Team #GOLD out on the Mile and in the Pleasance Courtyard every LIVE LONG DAY!! Filling my houses everyday! I had the best houses of all the peeps that I knew! Never a shit house! THEY WORKED THEIR ASSES OFF!

Rob Harris, the producer of awesomeness.

Huw Allen, the assistant producer of excellence.

Simon Sanders, the husband/pitch hitter/flyerman for Rob

and my dear love of my life...George Masswohl.

I CANNOT convey to you the time and planning that went into every day of selling.

Every other artist WISHED they had a Team #GOLD. Other artists went so far as to try to poach TEAM #GOLD. 

YOU BETTER NOT.

Just...well, so lucky was I.

And to Anjali Kale (Queen of all Things Technical/Stage Management) I give my deepest kisses.

And then...to Cooch...we rocked the shit out of that shit, Cooch. LOVES. Loves. Loves.

TEAM #GOLD!

One of my greatest joys was being present at Michael Hughes' first show at the Edinburgh Fringe and the last...he was amazing to begin with...but the growth that happened because he had the chance to perform his show 20 times in a row in front of an international audience...lord, it made me cry. I remember this day.

The day (Five Years AGO!) I had him on "Sharron's Party" and then I sat there 3 days ago and watched him kill it in Scotland...holy fuck. 

I just wanted to have the Canadian Gov't see all these great things, these audacious acts of creativity...other artists should get the chance to do this and not have to sell his or her left nut to do it.

SO MANY Canadians in Edinburgh this year....so many young entrepreneurs out there...via NY....via London...via Scotland...via Vancouver...so many...doing their thing...branching out...seeing  the world...and getting the chance to see the work of so many other artists...and being inspired. Being shocked...being surprised. So many things.

Now, please clock the fact that I have had two scotches and one glass of wine and a wonderful meal prepared by my dear friend Tober, who takes me in this time of year and soothes my frazzled and tired soul. I cannot thank HIM enough.

This year I learned many things.

That I will continue to find a great way to pace myself yet still give 100%.

I will forever try to perfect that.

To stay stay stay in the moment...even when the lady in the front row is going through her purse...or a lady is gettin up to pee as I getting to one of the most important moments of my show....or as 12 people have a conversation with me when I ask a rhetorical question.

To roll with the vibe the audience is giving off...it is probably not what I planned by why the fuck fight it....give in...as Lola says.

WAIT!

Please let me interject...that I saw David Effing Hasselhoff do his "one man show"...yes, there are quotes...my god...what the ....when will we ever...what just...I have never been a part of something like that. High camp...then a dude trying to be take seriously doing a Bob Seger duet as a ballad...and then bringing out a neon Berlin Wall and knocking it down with two crusty lash-ed (yes, you know what I mean) blond skank dancers. Oh my sweet lord.

There were two hundred of us...and when we exited flyerers said to us...as they, obviously, handed us flyers..."Yes, that just happened...but so is this in about an hour...and it will probably be better.".

My god.

Life here is a trip.

A fabulous trip...but a trip all the same.

We had great houses.

We sold out a number of times.

We laughed...I cried...we drank...we slept at 5:00pm a number of times...we always had a Sunday night game of Celebrity that turned ugly....

Rob, Fiona and Simon play CELEBRITY!

We celebrated...commiserated...knocked on each others doors for comfort...and ate dinner together almost every day...and it was magic.

What an amazing month.

I thank the universe and TEAM #GOLD.

What a time we had.

A few final thoughts...some that may not be popular...but what the scotch?

I think the landlords of the accommodations are fucking bleeding acts dry...for not a lot of quality service...but what kind of service would be enough for $5000.00 for the month...yes, you read me right...$5000.00. It is a sin and a crime, really. People know it is just a part of what happens...but please! FOR ARTISTS!!! WHAT THE FUCK!!!

I feel that the chasm that exists between the big comedy acts and the rest of the festival is as big as the fucking grand canyon...uh oh...it is like a whole different festival...a BIG ACT comedy festival perhaps...how does one compete with banners the size of the Titanic? One doesn't, really.

Thanks to the Pleasance for being such an amazing venue...I have dreamt about being a part of your roster...and it was amazing, really. The tech crew, the venue manager...all the Pleasance people...and the experience was just stellar. Special shout out to Theo, Tom, Aisha and Lindsay who worked in my space and Xander, Elise and Tim...who worked downstairs!! You guys are top drawer!

Lord...I am feeling sleepy...I have my London gigs this Friday the 31st and Sunday the 2nd to get all ready for!

Check here for the times and venues! COME ON OUT!!

http://www.climarproductions.com

Here is the POP Up version of the last week as I fall off to sleep! Night all! And thanks Edfringe 2012!!!

Cooch's instagram of some of our neighbouring acts in the Pleasance Above and Below!!

Cooch's Instagram of me and my European Stalker...who I love...Kris!

Chris and Abby Collins...at BEst of the Fest

More Above and Below!!!

George is a pirate at Celebrity this week!

We miss our dogs. George met Buddy on the Mile.

Tired and Kooka!

Charlie's Angels of the Tesco

Outside the Cowgate Rooms...we are monsters...

Sweet Love.

Time to go home...yes...it is. We shall miss you...but our time is over!

End of Week 3! Holy CRAP!!!

THIS is the Pleasance Above....where we do this little skit!

It the morning of show 17 here in Scotland and show 21 all round of GOLD.

The weather is gorgeous in Edinburgh...I have never experienced such good weather here. Magic.

I am a bit agog at how fast it has all gone so far and at the same time it feels like we have been here a long time...which by some standards we have, but I have also toured for a year at a time...so there you go!

Yesterday, we had our first regulation SOLD OUT house...we have been packed to the rafters many other days but with 2 or 3 seats to spare but last night I made the board!

look....down here...in the corner....

I am sure I have mentioned it numerous times but Team #GOLD is working their asses off. They fill that house for me everyday and yesterday was just the best. THANKS TO TEAM # GOLD for that awesome audience. They were a fabulous, yet a bit quiet bunch of audience members and someones arrived 30 minutes late WHAT THE FUCK!?!?! I mentioned, when they sat themselves down on the stairs, that they would be trampled if there was a fire...and someone yelled out "They would deserve it."...in a thick Scottish brogue. TOUGH ROOM!! 

And someone else tried to escape to get to their next show...I chased THEM to the stairs....ahhh....smile...good times.

I have been trying to find a laugh in "Hotel California" that I lost a couple years ago...ya, I said it...years ago (I don't do this song as often as I would like because I change my material with almost every show)...there is a great luxury and joy to be able to do something this many times and find the "things" that exist in each number. 

OH! And I found the laugh...and angels sang and choirs flew...all that shit! It was awesome.

Team #GOLD is the best, I have to say, for many reasons.

We spend a lot of time together and work towards a common goal...and we do it with great synchronicity...and I truly enjoy everyone's company. It is very special to have a team of people to work with...I have come a long way from my "doing it all myself days"...and I am very grateful. Have so many people believing in each other really creates amazing outcomes. I KNOW!! IT SOUNDS LORDY....BUT IT IS TRUE. And we go places together even....to shows....

Cooch and Huw at Piff the Magic Dragon

Huw and George in the Green Room....

We eat together...

Is this Cooch and....?

George and...??!!

Yup, we went out for Pan Asian and all got to pose with the Olympic torch. Life is strange.

We live together...it is something else, really.

After the sickness I had for the whole trip here, last year, this has been such a wonderful time. George is here. The show makes me happy. The venue and it's people are wonderful. TEam #GOLD, as I mentioned earlier, is awesome. Our flat is fabu...although at about 3:00am...I don't know if I have mentioned this already....some dude who is standing under our window starts to yell for EITHER Janice, Katie or Jemma...and he yells for a long time...and then George observed, that someone screams in the park....every night. Strange times, indeed.

We live across the street from one of my fave views.

SO! Today is the last show of week 3....unbelievable! Looking forward to the show. Looking forward to the day off. 

One of the only draw backs of this time is that I really miss my pooches a lot. A lot. 

But there is still a ways to go, on this wonderful journey.

AND so proud of all that is happening for Michael Hughes and  Berend McKenzie here at the Fest! They have made waves!! I never see them because we are all so fucking tired after and before the shows!! But I keep an eye on them and Team #GOLD sees them every day on the Mile while they sell tickets. 

YAY! TO ALL!

So! Hasselhoff comes next week, ya?

And one of my fave mags 'The Skinny' asked a dude named Fred Fletch to interview him over the phone...it is a bit epic...I laughed and laughed...it is crazy awesome...here is a link...

http://www.theskinny.co.uk/comedy/features/302787-david_hasselhoff_do_you_guys_still_like_runrig 

And, for anyone who is interested...here is what the reviews have been like for the show!!!

TAKE CARE ALL!!!

RAVE Reviews for "Sharron Matthews Superstar: GOLD 2012"

THE SCOTSMAN

"A  voice as big, beautiful, and varied as her native Canada."

"I thought she’d burst a blood vessel – or that I would, from laughing."

- The Scotsman 4 Stars **** named HOT SHOW

http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/performing-arts/review-sharron-matthews-superstar-gold-pleasance-courtyard-1-2459042
THE SCOTSMAN
GOLD named one of the TOP CABARETS of the 2012 Fringe.

http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/music/news-and-features/edinburgh-festival-fringe-top-cabaret-shows-so-far-1-2458959

Broadway Baby

"By the time the show is over, it seems like it has just begun. Matthews’ ability to banter and get familiar with her audience makes them feel like they only just got to know her. One thing is certain, Sharron is pure Gold."

- Broadway Baby 5 Stars *****

http://www.broadwaybaby.com/listing.php?id=16588&refresh=true


The New Current

"It would be hard to find the slightest of faults in this show delivered with class, originality, and passion, Sharron Matthews is a breath of fresh-air and produces a show that has the packed house roaring."

-The New Current 5 Stars *****

Also named one of the 50 Tops Shows of Edinburgh Fringe.

http://www.thenewcurrent.com/2012/08/17/top-50-edinburgh-fringe-show-2012-review-sharron-matthews-superstar-gold/#!prettyPhoto[Gallery]/0/

The Curtain Up Show

"Sharron Matthews is a refreshing, bold, extremely talented and naturally comedic performer. It is encouraging to see a cabaret show being performed with raw, natural, witty, dynamic talent. Sharron Matthews truly is the Superstar!"

- The Curtain Up Show 6 STARS ******

http://thecurtainupshow.wordpress.com/2012/08/13/sharron-matthews-superstar-gold/

Scotsgay

"Her voice is superior too and the choice of music certainly shows her range. Performing classic songs and adding a unique twist, or occasionally throwing out the original tune and rebuilding a song from scratch – there are many stand-out moments. Personal favourites included beautiful new arrangements of ‘Sweet Child of Mine’ and ‘Love Stoned’. And I adored what she did with the hitherto innocent sound of ‘Hotel California’."

- Scotsgay 4 Stars ****

http://sgfringe.com/2012/08/11/sharron-matthews-superstar-gold/

One4Review

"Once again, Sharron Matthews delights in an all-too-quick hour of top-class comedy cabaret. She welcomes every audience member as they come in, instantly putting people at ease and you just know you’re going to enjoy the next hour. Her rapport with the audience is a joy and she has us eating out of the palm of her hands."

-One4Review 5 Stars*****

http://one4review.wordpress.com/2012/08/06/sharron-matthews-superstar-gold/

LIGHTS! No lights? Summer in Edinburgh...Week 3

Today, I woke up about 6:00am, sat up and looked out the window...there was a dense fog...spooky...and I was thrilled.

The first year I came to Edinburgh I brought summer dresses and little flowing blouses...and I was fucking freezing the whole time. I wore sport socks with shorts more than I would like to mention. I remember that I one hoodie for the whole two weeks and the last day I went to the PoundSaver and bought myself some GLOVES!! It was August 29th, people. Cold. And last year, I packed like a friggen ninja...and brought all the right things. ALL THE RIGHT THINGS. And it rained and rained but I was prepared.

This year, purely by accident, I brought a pair of flip flops in my purse and I have worn them about 5 times. Unheard of. I know this is boring the fucking shit out of you...but you just gotta know...it is fucking hot and sunny here this year. 

And I wish it wasn't.

Can you fucking believe I just said that?

Me...who has a yearly grudge match with Mother Nature...over summer.

The reason I am so at odds with the sunny times is that it makes being onstage a bit of a...it is...well, I sweat...a lot.

The audience seems fine...but I am just pouring sweat.

I have seemed to figure out how to keep my eyelashes on...yes, I have sweat them off...three times. 

And I powder the shit out of my face so my make up doesn't run...but...but...I had sweat falling off my freakin' nose yesterday.

Fancy.

Classy.

Glamourous.

AND the audiences are coming in to see me melt in  droves! (It isn't affecting my performance, doubters, I pretend I am that famous sweat-er,  Sammy Davis, Jr....and, after all, my theme is all about working hard!) I had two sell outs over the weekend and last night (A Tuesday, which is usually quite quiet and people are offering 2 for 1) was packed. 

There was one night I didn't sweat...Sunday night.

Because 10 minutes into the show the lights blew.

They had ALSO blown at the top of the show and I had begun a Carol Burnett question and answer for 20 minutes...then, assured that they were fixed...I started the piece (yes, I said "piece") and after my fave lighting effect (thank god) the lights blew...the supermarket fluorescent lights came on and there me and my sell out house were...staring at each other...all of them and me...and I quickly said, "Don't mess around with the lights! Let us just go on!" And I did...for 50 minutes. It is always a bit strange to change it up after you have been doing something for a while one way....and you now can see EVERYONE'S face.

And...here is the strange part...it was one of my fave shows I have ever done. 

And the audience was just amazing...we had a wonderful time together.

It was an awesome way to finish the week.

The universe is funny.

I am so happy to be doing the festival this year.

And I am very thankful.

Having my husband, George, here is a huge gift.

And Team #GOLD is awesome...we are a real team...with a deep belief in what we are doing.

Rob-the producer, Huw-the assoc. producer, George- the co-producer, Cooch-accompanist extraordinaire, Anjali-stage manager/tech director, Laura-PR mastermind...it is an awesome team.

As I said, I feel very lucky. Very.

And I got a 6 STAR review!!! 6 effing stars!! Here it is!!!

http://thecurtainupshow.wordpress.com/2012/08/13/sharron-matthews-superstar-gold/

I did a lovely interview with CBC Hamilton and they posted this article...one of my faves ever. I likes it.

http://www.cbc.ca/hamilton/news/story/2012/08/13/hamilton-matthews.html

And here is a beautiful vid that Chris made of our trip to Portobello and the visit of one, Mike Bickerton.

It is very special.

Counting my blessings today.

Hope all are well and thanks for reading.

AND then...4 Star Scotsman, BBC 6 and Portabello BBQ FRINGE DAY 9

Fortunes and moods  can change so quickly here...it is a bit astonishing.

I find that when it is challenging times the CHALLENGE is all you can acknowledge and during the awesome times you just...move along...relieved, in a way.

After horrible Scowly Purse Lady I went into a night time funk.

COULD not sleep.

THEN got woken up super early by George and Rob with this....

An awesome 4 star Scotsman review and a cover!! 2nd year in a row! THAT is just...it will make filling the houses some easier for Team #GOLD. (See my gel nails...I got them at Jenner's...fancy)

Here is a link to the actual review, if you find yourself intrigued...

http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/performing-arts/review-sharron-matthews-superstar-gold-pleasance-courtyard-1-2459042 

AND right after the morning review party we listened to Shaun Keaveny's radio show on BBC6 and there I was...and then he recommended the show!! HURRAY!!

Then I put on my comfys and ran to Fringe Central to photocopy, cut and staple the review to the flyers...you have to get there early because it is a blood bath to get to use the implements needed to accomplish the aforementioned task. 

There were 8 pretend pregnant school girls, in their costumes... of course, waiting for the cutting machine...and they WERE NOT quiet about it. I finally had to say..."You are 20ish, right? Give this 43 year old lady a break and back off...I got shit to do!" They seemed to respond to this...while still watching me over their shoulders.

Off to the mile to give the boys the flyers and back to try and sleep...and I did for about a half hour. So, 4 1/2 hours sleep all together.

Hurray!!

Because of the awesome review, and the hard ass work of Team #GOLD....HUGE House! I have had good house all the way along but yesterday was especially GOOD!

The show was fabu...then we went to magicland.

Yes, magicland.

Laura, our fabu PR person from Groundworks invited us to...the beach...in Edinburgh...called Portobello.

Team #GOLD got in a cab, I took off my make up and my eyelashes on the street outside the Tesco (fancy) and we dragged our show stuff and some BBQ fixens to...the beach...in Edinburgh. 

WHO KNEW!?!?!?

It was magic.

Laura invited all of her clients, including a Korean musical comedy show called Hi-Kick...those boys have energy...and we had an amazing afternoon at the beach. Just amazing.

Here are some pics...

Cooch plays VolleyBall

This pretty much says it all....

Even the dress got to go....

So Handsome.

So crazy.

Rob, Myself, AWESOME LAURA and Cooch

Me and Cooch talk about life.

Me, Ila, Sally and Matthew...who I did not know but became friends with...we all told Matthew he would get in trouble if he got wet...he got in trouble.

One of my fave shots...

 Thanks to Laura for such an amazing day!!

After we went home and rehearsed (yes, I fucking said it...you gotta work when you can!) we met some old friends for a drink downstairs from our flat at Sandy Bells....

 Neil, Karen, Micke, Huw, myself and George had a smart cocktail and conversation! And then I began to flag! It was great to see Karen and Neil...and Micke, of course, but this girl had to sleep!

So...it was a full night of sleep!

Thanks to the Scotch and the Kookoo Crazy Edinburgh day.

You REALLY never know what is gonna happen! 

 

Purse Lady, Eddie Izzard, George and Shaun Keaveny DAY 8 at EDFRINGE

So, it never really gets easier here at the Olympics/Survivor of Arts Festivals.

The edfringe is NOT for the faint hearted, people.

I think I have said this a few times...but let me reiterate this fact just in case you were thinking..."Well, that looks easy...I am gonna try me that...." (Say this in a southern American accent and you just about got the sentiment.)

It AIN'T easy.

DO NOT get me wrong, people. 

I am NOT complaining...just stating plain fact.

You can go from having an amazing audience one day, where it feels like you can do no wrong, everything you say is funny and you sing like a motherfucker to THE VERY NEXT DAY watching a woman in the front row...who looked sketch coming into the show...watch her pick up her purse EVERY TIME YOU START TO SING A FUCKING SONG and root around in there for the whole song. EVERY SONG.

What the fuck has she got in there?

The cure for cancer?

Part of my soul.

AND her face has been sour as can be from the first words that begin your show. 

And in that one moment you dig in...for the long haul.

And somewhere inside you wanna kick her out...or a at least move her to the back where you can't see her scowly scowly face...but there rest of the quiet audience seems to be enjoying themselves so why eff up their good time?

BUT WHAT THE FUCK IS IN YOUR PURSE, SCOWLY?

Oh, you are getting some gum...out of the crinkly blister packet...and giving another to your friend...and to get to that gum you have to open up a velcro pocket...very slowly...like slower than the plot any of the Twilight movies...to get to that pack of gum.

During my ballad.

In the front row.

Oh my sweet lord and the fairies in the sky.

I also chased a dude out of the theatre when he ran to the bathroom and I locked the door...if he goes...he stays gone.

It was a hard ass day, people...with a bunch of lovely audience members and a couple of challenges...shall we say.

BUT there are the good parts.

My dear husband George took the WHOLE year off to come on this tour with me this year. 

My talented husband who is a celebrated actor, singer and producer in North America took the whole year off to help me with this journey. Our family business, he calls it.

He spends a great deal of the day selling the show, getting bums in the seats and people always tell me about how wonderful he is when I greet them before the show starts.

I know how wonderful he is....but I love that all these strangers appreciate it as well.

Two days ago, on my day off, George insisted that I go and get my nails done while he, the producer and the assoc. producer flyered on the Royal Mile for a couple of hours.

Whilst I was in Jenner's I got this text...

"I just met Eddie Izzard"

I freaked.

I knew he was in town working on something and promoting a comedian...he announced two shows in small venues that were sold out in moments...I would have killed to have been there but after a lot of research I knew it was not to be. 

To put this into context, when I saw Izzard at Massey Hall in TO I was afraid I was going to pass out and miss the show, I was so excited.

He is a big inspiration to me.

George, who would never do this kind of thing for himself, saw Izzard walking across the mile...and then followed him, caught up with him...George said he thought he didn't want to be seen, Eddie that is...but he knew how much it would mean to me so he approached him...George said he wasn't too receptive to chatting, he was clearly on his way somewhere, but listened to George tell him about me and how much I loved his work, Izzard told him that he was only in town for two days and could not come to my show...and continued along. George thought Izzard might have been a bit put out at being approached and didn't begrudge him that at all...but said he felt a bit foolish...but knew that he had to do it....for me.

I am inspired by the work of Izzard, to be sure and would have loved to have had him at my show....but  I am honoured on a daily basis that my husband believes so much in me ...and would do something like that for me. 

He is just the best.

Another one of our (Team #GOLD's) plans this year is to get my ass on the radio...well, not my ass but my voice...and THAT IS hard here if your aren't around the UK all year long or if your aren't an effing rock star or a rock star comedian.

I was lamenting this as we walked by the BBC radio tent and I saw a dude standing beside a picture getting his picture taken...he approached and tried to flyer me for his radio show on the BBC and then I flyered the EFF outta him...he was kind and funny and asked me if I minded if this went on the radio...well, the universe works in funny ways, huh?

His name is Shaun Keaveny and he has a show in BBC Radio 6 from 7:00am to 10:00am...THAT is early! But here is to hoping my bit makes it on!

What a day.

I hope that purse lady finds some peace in her life.

I love that my husband is here...and I thank god that he is my husband.

Team #GOLD is working their asses off and killing it here.

BUT it IS NOT always easy.

Day 8 at Fringe and we are all alive.

This is good.