Last night, Barunka, Jon and I went to watch the final hour of Mark Watson's Over-Ambitious 24-Hour Show - midnight to midnight of non-stop performance, assisted by his audience, various well-known comedians (Stewart Lee, Adam Hills, Dara O'Braian amongst them) and ten or so 'lifers' (audience members who had stuck the full 24 hours). The small venue was packed with people squatting on the floor, and apparently had been since the show began 23 hours before, the venue operating a one-in-one-out policy to comply with fire regulations. Mark Watson was stood on-stage, looking a lot less tired than he should have been, just being amiable, intelligent and above all funny. And I mean really very funny indeed. After twenty-three hours of performing comedy, this recent ex-Footlighter was as funny, if not funnier, than most shows I've seen at this year's Fringe. Despite the sleep deprivation he was astonishingly quick-witted, never once working from a pre-prepared script, just chatting to the audience about the show and responding to what was going on around him. It was an extraordinary experience, the closest I've got to being part of a 'happening' in the true Sixties sense that I can think of, and I am genuinely in awe of him. He says he's thinking of doing it again next year, but I'd advise him not to. After all, the second one can never be as exciting as the first.

DW says:
Groovy!
posted by DW on 24 August, 2004
 

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