I Freeze Up, last night at the slam

[Dominic1970]

I was at f a r r a g o last night, and I got halfway through my poem - All the girls..., and I froze, couldn't remember where I was, what came next, and I couldn't even read what I'd written in my notebook. It's such a different crowd to unplugged, the lights are brighter and it does feel lonely on a stage. I'm kicking myself for forgetting my lines.

Arrrgggghhh!

Dom

[sullyhost]

I find RADA to be quite a cold venue, I ran a few New Blood shows there before the opportunists moved in. It is possible to be a little overfamiliar with one venue as a performer, but the cafe is a much more effective performance space than some malcontents give it time for.

[23 Daves]

As somebody said to me recently, I think you have to remember that at a slam or open-mic, nobody much cares - they're just relieved that you messed up before their turn! At a feature slot, on the other hand... well, it should just never happen.

I know plenty of people disagree, but I personally think far too much time and emphasis is placed on learning material that would be better spent developing ideas. At the last slam I attended, the person in second place read from the page (and only lost by a few points).

Dunno about fiasco's rules though, it's been years since I've been.

[Dominic1970]

Dave,

if you noticed the spaces I put between the letters of f a r r a g o , the swear box on this site is set to change it to fiasco! which is what I had that night.

Niall - I know what you mean about it being 'cold', on Thursday I believe half the audience were there to see one of the performers, and were not quite the poetry crowd.

But on a good note - some bloke came up to me afterwards, asked if I had anything printed, when I said no, he gave me his card - only turned out to be a publisher!

Dom

[23 Daves]

That's a wee bit naughty. What other words does this site alter or block I wonder? What happens if I actually do swear?

EDIT: Oh, I see. Absolutely nothing.

[sullyhost]

the Pigging swearbox works just fine you bunch of melonfarmer Quims

[23 Daves]

Bollocks it does. Feel free to delete the post, but really Niall, that's bollocks you old bugger.