30.03.08

“He’s so Japanese, he’s making me racist”

Posted in Juggling, People, Reviews at 8:39 pm by alby

Saturday at BJC.

A knackered start after poor sleep despite the room being perfectly comfy.

But patients and random strangers wandered up from about 10:30. In fact for 2 days I was quite hectic in the clinic, worth the while if you ask me. Some good stuff noted.

I did make some young lady cry at one point and another lass paid by giving me a kiss. As if I’m that sort of boy!

Juggling was a bit poor. The hall had been closed to allow them to build the stage and then do all the tech runs etc. So there was a plan to parade and then juggle in the park where free shows were on for the public and it was where the games were to be.

I didn’t go as the parade started during my clinic session. It seems the weather put the kibosh on most of the planned entertainments and people seemed to just hang about and drink and eat and juggle where they could find space.

I did hang around near my room in the aft. The aerial room (2 doors down) was hosting a performance workshop so I hung there with P for a bit and ended up chatting with Tommy Baker and a couple of others. When the workshop started I entertained Norbi and Jon Udry in my room for a bit. Twas an interesting hour. Oh and I did hear Norbi propose to someone. A moment that deserves noting down for historical purposes.

I didn’t have to worry about queuing for the show as I was going to be sat in my box. Yes my clinic room was actually one of the corporate boxes and I was allowed to stay in it for the show. Top news!

So me and pals headed off for real actual proper food over the road. Lovely steak.

Back for the show.

The official video man was to be in the room as well but he was pleasant, chatty and happy to be as small and out of the way as possible.

Chocolate and beer and comfy seating and excellent view.

Elevation

Started with rousing music and a smart passing routine with Luke and a couple of other Berliners. I think actually it was Jochen and Flo (aka Get the Shoe) [edit: Luke just told me it was Jorg and Flo]. A snappy start to the show, bit droppy but not to worry the good stuff was indeed good.

Tiff was up next with another “performance”. I highlight that as a positive not a negative. This certainly seems to be the place where loads of people finally got that they have to perform and not just do tricks. A cracking act with really hard ball tricks, good drop gags and personality. Great spot.

Aerial wotsit up after Tiff. A couple doing nice pairs work on a rope. Particularly of note was the bit where he climbed the rope but seemed like he was sort of slithering up it. Very odd but very nice to see indeed. Another grand act.

Some solo diabolo guy from America of all places. I wasn’t sure they did diabolo over there but this guy was pretty damned good. I could have used the line “He’s no Tempei” but I shan’t because he did do the tricks wot Tempei could do (and more besides).

(NB for those interested the original “he’s no Tempei” line was re Vux at Leeds where he kept trying to do the vertax genocide which was Tempei’s signature move, but kept failing. It wasn’t a comparison between the two.)

And speaking of Japanese folk, the first half was closed by Senmaru – the most famous Japanese person (after Merzbow of course). Bizarre tricks with odd props. Very nice teapot manipulation and nice finish with a bowl of water. Very pretty. The title of this post relates to this chap as he was making gags about westerners (and it’s a paraphrase of a Flight of the Conchords line – “She’s so hot, she’s making me sexist”). Nice audience engaging too.

Well what a first half. Nicely done to all involved so far.

Ooh I haven’t mentioned Donald Grant yet. He was compering and managing perfectly well. I’m not sure the voice amplification was as clear as it could be but hey ho. Didn’t worry me too much.

Peter Irish I’d been looking forward to. Multi-award winner and known for his foot juggling. Best bit was his jigging around, he needed to be wearing a leprechaun’s outfit. Definitely. How can you not like someone juggling a cascade in his hands whilst doing the same between his feet? Good show.

Clurb put the next guy down as a hat act. Lorenzo was indeed a hat act but it was more like him clowning around with hats as props. He did drop a few times when doing some actual hat manips (as all hat acts do – without exception – apart from Kris Kremo of course) but the whole act was a great bit of clowning.

I’d seen Max Lastic earlier in the day doing some practicing up in the aerial room. The man did put on a good show but professionally speaking I just think that he shouldn’t be applauded. The other physio I know there was also of the same mind. But well received.

Diabolo double act “The Sharpes” next. Sharing of diabolos that I’ve never seen before, good stuff. It makes me wonder how much stuff some of the young turks who go to all these events could come up with if they put more effort into working together rather than fighting for who’s best solo. Still not a duff act so far.

The finale was Erik Borgman. I heard he’d had a bad day with luggage troubles and that. But never mind he got all his bits in time and away he went. Badly (for him). He did fail quite a few tricks but the sympathy was palpable. Everyone who saw him at York was hoping for a repeat of the quality he showed there. But his fumbles and fails were a damp ending to an utterly fabulous show.

They all came back on in order to do a little snippet of something again. Nice to see the aerials guys juggle and the Sharpes did too. A nice speedy ending.

And that was it. Top show. At the Scottish earlier this year I did say that I was looking at a good year of conventions and this did not disappoint.

Top marks to Mamph and the other orgs.

Later on after lots of beer me and Clurb actually did our best passing of the week.

Solidity was demonstrated at 7 in various forms, and 8. At one point someone wanted to pass with us. In fact 3 people, they wanted to do a star. They weren’t that great and were clearly tired. Clurb rather obviously didn’t want to but gamely joined in for a bit while we failed time and again despite a star being pretty straightforward. I rescued her by offering to show them drop backs and this allowed her to get away.

Actually I didn’t mention that she found herself another man. Some dirty American called Daniel. How dare he? Passing with my bitch? Git.

(actually I met him later and he was very nice. Hi Daniel)

As it got later my body started to pass out but my head was still buzzing. So I spent a long time or so wandering around and saying goodbyes as I was to be leaving earlier than I really wanted to on Sunday.

Lots of people met and hugs and that dished out.

And I found out summat dead interesting re Sarah. My lips are sealed though so you’ll have to ply me with beer at Bungay if you want me to divulge.

As we’re on alcohol again a major ta to Meghan (aka Orange) for the pressie of whiskey. Top lass, ta again.

Went to bed to discover someone had nicked one of my pillows! In a room with a laptop, a camera, a DS, a wallet for some of the time, and cash. Someone nicked a bloody pillow. Ridiculous. I suppose that when you need a pillow you need a pillow.

Top day despite the enforced closure of the main juggly space.

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