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rjs Loyal user 296 Posts |
Euro FISM Award Show Saturday night, Blackpool: I walked out in the interval so frustrated by George King, the poor quality compere.
I seriously thought of heckling him but, unsure of my ground, I decided to back off and clear out. Sample inanity: "Anyone here from France? Hello, froggies. Hop it!" What sort of moron was this? And, more worryingly, what kind of moron hired him in the first place? Especially for a FISM related show. The next day I found out the truly appalling George was eventually driven off by slow-handclapping. Bravo! I would like to thank whoever initiated this. They deserve a free registration to next year's FISM. |
Krisgar New user Bedfordshire, UK 42 Posts |
Yeah he was bad and was clapped off! But my Girlfriend and I were furious at George Kings treatment, although we did think he was a total bore and quite frankly just not funny after his first 10mins. When he came on and we got bored we just chatted very quitely to ourselves and waited until the next act.
The slow-clap was started by a minority and could have / should have been delt with; most the audience carried it, out of frustration and probably to get the poor bloke off stage so he didn't endure further abuse. I've been to shows in the past where there have been hecklers in theatres and they were swamped by stewards removing them straight away, but there was none! There were a few fundamental errors with the show in general anyway and to make matters worse I had a lady behind twiddling her balloon model she obvsiously was very proud of! The bloke next to me kept riffling his cards and behind my girlfriend another bloke took a phone call and proceeded to have a full blown converstation throughout an act!! Again, no stewards? There was one girl to serve the WHOLE balcony! Back to the compere, Blackpool is sort of a holiday for us and it was brilliant to be able to match people to their profile pictures making new friends etc. Mr King didn't deserve what happened, no one does! So we made the best of a bad situation and just endured it without involving ourselves with the clapping. Yes he took up performing time but were people really in a hurry to get out the theatre? The other thing that was on the programme was Beat the Wand competition, but everyone involved knew where everyone else was - in the theatre. However for the money at £30 a ticket, I think we deserve better! The clap-off was disrepectful to the art, regardless of how bad he was. They should have been delt with by stewards or if they didn't like it, they should have done the decent thing like you and just leave - I know a lot of people who did that as well. My Girlfriend made a valid point, you don't sit in a cinema and just because you feel insulted or bored of the film you start to clap until it's terminated.. you just leave
Krisgar Entertainments
Childrens Entertainer in Bedfordshire |
Doctor D Special user 563 Posts |
I too, left during the interval. I can see how some feel that the clap-off was undeserved or disrespectful. However, please note that King acknowledged several times that the audience wasn't responding too well to his material, adopted a challenge attitude towards some early heckling, and then continued along the same lines.
10 minutes of unfunny every time is bad enough, but to find that the stage is actually empty behind the curtains not just once, but several times during the show, quickly depletes any good will a compere may have with an audience. He's there to announce the acts and to keep the show going. |
Krisgar New user Bedfordshire, UK 42 Posts |
I agree and had the same conversation with another previous to this thread.
Krisgar Entertainments
Childrens Entertainer in Bedfordshire |
Craig Dickson Veteran user Pleasant Valley, NY 353 Posts |
Having just returned as well, we had a wonderful time, despite a few unfortunate, and unpredictable occurrences. We have witnessed similar instances in the states, where a compeer or performer, who was known and very popular for decades, and had always been on his game for all that time, was obviously past his prime. It is sad to see, and unfortunate that some just behave poorly. It gives visiting guests the wrong idea about a venue and the attendees as well, if it was there first exposure to a particular event. The organizers also care as much as we do, I can tell you this from personal experience, and did take control as much as they could, given the circumstances. Some things just cannot be foreseen, I applaud each and every one of them for their hard work year after year. Having been on that side of the fence here in the states, I know what a thankless job it is. Having been to Blackpool for the past 13 years, this is not what it represents, nor typical. We have made lasting friendships, and have continuously had the time of our lives, year after year after year, this one included. And will continue to look forward to the next one. It was fun seeing many witness the unbelievable magic of Eric Jones, and Garrett Thomas over at the Ruskin, two of our treasures from the states, and it is the many constant surprises like that, sort of the un-documented features of the event, that amaze, and leave people talking. Richard Sanders is always a killer, and there are so many others. So that is what I remember, and focus on, I guess it is always the negatives that take the headlines, but magic to me, is what I take away, or choose to find as the memorable moments. Watching Europe’s' first exposure to Garrett Thomas, who I have known since he was a kid, is just so amazing, and wonderful to watch. Hopefully my small contribution made it fun for those I punished with my antics. I focus on what was great, and there was so much, including all the new friends we made, and the old ones we re-connected with. It was really nice to walk into a restaurant we had not been in for over a year, get a hug and kiss from the hostess, and then be asked if we wanted our usual table. That is magic, and that is our annual experience, one that is un-equaled anywhere in the world. Thank you all who turned out for the lecture, and close-up, it was fun.
Craig R Dickson
Website: www.wizardcraft.com Blog: http://wizardcraftmagic.blogspot.com Magicalendar: http://allmagicguide.com/c.html |
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