Fabulous Final Fling In Clonmel
Find out how my People Wipe Me Tour ended. Spoiler Alert: it was a happy end.
Well, I'm delighted to tell you all that my People Wipe Me Tour ended with a bang at Raheen House on Thursday 15 September. The afterglow is still with me as I write.
Being a neurotic artist type, I wasn't quite sure whether it would end with a whimper rather than a bang, because there were a couple of ingredients that made this performance a little nervewracking.
Slight Case of Nerves
First of all, it was another home gig, at Raheen House in my hometown of Clonmel, which meant there was a large family audience. Which in turn meant that some of the people who inspired parts of the show would be in the audience – and might want to lawyer up afterwards!
Also, because it was my second performance in Clonmel, ticket sales were slow. September isn't a brilliant month to promote events, as it turns out.
But I forgot about the last-minute nature of Irish theatre goers. On Monday, 28 tickets had been sold.
By 5pm on the Thursday, that had increased to 34, with a walk-in bringing the total to 35. Phew – I would not be talking to myself.
Finally, I didn't have my trusty sidekick Lynda with me – though I did have Husband for the box office and my mother for moral support beforehand. Plus, it was my fifth show, so I knew what I was doing.
Pre-Show Kerfuffles
After a stomach-lining feed, I headed to Raheen House, where I found myself in a beautiful wooden room with a giant stage.
I was delighted with all the space – and with the helpful little holes at the edge which acted as a marker to make sure I didn't fall over.
Just before the show started, there were a few last-minute kerfuffle-ations – the people who scudded in just as I was about to start. The scramble to find chairs for said people. And the heating which had been left on, making a loud noise.
In normal circumstances, this would bring out the contrarian in me. But I kept my eyes on the prize – delivering the show. And that is just what I did.
During the Show
My show is all about being free to say what you want to say. But looking at the warm, loving faces of my family, I found I couldn't bring myself to say certain lines. It's good to say what you want, but not at the expense of other people's feelings. I did enjoy teasing the last-minute Larries who had asked for chairs though.
Photo Description: Here I am in full flight during my show at Raheen House. I'm on a wooden stage and you can see my lips moving. I'm wearing a red jumper around my neck, a T-shirt and black leggings.
The show finished with another standing ovation. I could get used to this! I celebrated with sumptuous salad, white wine, banter, laughter and hugs.
It's all over now, but I've enough memories to keep me warm for years to come. And watch this space for more dates in early 2023.
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