When I toured my last two shows I wrote blog posts about the experience – essentially a way for me to remember what happened so that I get a bit better over time… My 2025/26 tour is quite fragmented so rather than wait until March, I thought I’d write it up in sections!
The Show
I’ve been really happy with this show (so far). It’s a natural progression from my last two and I really seem to have found a niche of making shows about the minutia of life that also tell a bigger story and are emotionally resonant. The four storylines work nicely holistically – although not each scene builds to a climatic point – I’m undecided whether that’s a bad thing or whether it makes it feel weirdly more authentic. What has really worked is the use of time and the disguising of characters with a late reveal – its a real joy watching people work it out at different points throughout the show. This one’s shorter – 72 mins, which has been far better (first show was 90 mins) which is much more sustainable in terms of energy and vocally. It’s the first show where I’ve composed every bit of music which I’m very proud of as, it turns out, it’s really tricky…
What could be better? In retrospect I wish I’d moved from Show Cue Systems to QLab – there’s video stuff that I don’t do in this one that could really lift the level of the show – then again a macbook pro and Qlab is basically £3k for what I’d need. Crucially it wouldn’t make it £3k better. I’m also finding the fragmentation of the tour tricky – I’m not fully fluent – imagine it’s the second night of a show for every performance – it’s not shaky, but also not smooth.
Venues So Far
- Theatr Dwyfor (Pwllheli) – My second time to Pwllheli. It’s a really curious building – library downstairs, 230 seat theatre upstairs. It has a really high stage which is slightly unnerving. Probably my best performance of the show so far. Also a very lovely audience who wrote some lovely comments.
- 41 Monkgate (York) – The flat floor and studio venue really suits both me and the show. I struggled a bit with the sound – the speakers are very high in the room so you feel a bit detached from your voice, but the LX was brilliant. I stumbled a bit in one section which was annoying, and also forgot all my mic technique so found myself driving home with a burning throat from over projecting when I didn’t need to.
- Unity Theatre (Liverpool) – I used to work at Unity – again another studio venue – 30 odd in, which sounds quiet but wasn’t and felt really nice. The pre-show being on stage has really helped. I wasn’t quite as fluent for this gig – mostly because I needed my inhaler around 45 mins in and didn’t have a good moment to get it. Technically the best venue so far – sound is excellent in the room and the LX looked lovely.
- Lawrence Batley Theatre (Huddersfield) – This is where I previewed the show back in May and the theatre is my “in association” partner. My favourite venue by a mile. The basement is just brilliant – low ceilings, audience on your feet, hard surfaces, amazing sound system. It’s so great for comedy events because every reaction, gasp and laugh feels so visceral and alive. My third time to the venue and god I hope to go back.
Tour Dates
Upcoming venues I have confirmed (but not necessarily announced yet…):
- Cardiff – Porters Theatre
- Ripon – Arts Hub
- Hemel Hempstead (TBC) – Town Hall
- Norwich– Norwich Theatre
- Aberwystwyth – Aberwystwyth Arts Centre
- Milford Haven – Torch Theatre
- Harrogate – Harrogate Theatre
- Scarborough – Stephen Joseph Theatre
The next show
I always have this in the back of my mind…
- 1,000 Tiny Moment
I’ve been writing this for the last 3 months and also trying out bits secretly at stand up gigs. I’ve written around 10% of the show so far. Crucially it wouldn’t be read from a little book but also would be a multi-strand narrative show, with an emotional through line and all set within a 20min drive of my house. - Truth And The Awkward Side-Effects Of Putting Up Signs
I keep coming back to this – it’s a show I’ve made before and could really nail. I’ve an idea of how I can make it a hybrid storytelling / stand up show.
Will I lose money?
Yes (as of 13 Oct) – This might change however! If you’re interested in booking the show then I still have availability in Feb and Mar 2026!
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