VFringe – flushing loos and flashing lights

First night of the VFringe was a blast. Loved every minute. Big thanks to the friends who turned out and some strangers too, including the unsuspecting people I hijacked at the Ventnor Carnival and invited to my show: I am Ella. Buy me. One lady even came on crutches – quite a feat given the venue was up a hill in the Scout Hut at The Woodland Bar. It’s an idyllic setting. A place where magic happens.

Last night I conjured up the ad industry in the 80s. I could smell the smoke in the bars in Soho and taste the one too many wines that got drunk in those heady, hazy days. I was an advertising copywriter and back then advertising was a showy, sexist but spectacular industry. It gave me the opportunity to work with advertising greats like Tony Kaye and Trevor Beattie as well as amazing talent like Penelope Keith and Harry Enfield. 

At the start of the set, we had an unscheduled light show. Luckily the unflappable Jack was on hand to sort it. In the middle of reading from my novel: I am Ella. Buy me, a toilet was flushed in the adjoining hut. It was the longest, loudest flush I’d ever heard. None of that mattered. What counted was the laughter in all the right places and the people I’d never met before saying how much they’d enjoyed it.

Thanks to Jack (and his lovely Mum), Mhairi, Jo and the whole of the VFringe Volunteer Team. I salute you.

Tonight, I’m at The Exchange, formerly, the Ventnor Telephone Exchange. Let’s hope nobody rings in.