There’s a saying in aviation that goes “There are two types of pilots, the ones who have crashed, and the ones who will.”
Similarly, in comedy, “There are two types of comedians, the ones who have bombed, and the ones who will.”
And as of yesterday with Show #18, I’m in the former.
It’s an interesting learning experience, to say the least. And as unpleasant as it was, I’m glad I had it before going to Lisbon in two weeks. Gives me an opportunity to plan for contingencies.
I left the door ajar for a while Not out of hope but of denial Poetic delusion bound to dissolve Now I’ve closed it Its lock rusty with tears Its key close to my heart Out of reach
As I walked through the depths of hell I did not look back like Orpheus I stayed true A mantra in my mind That this was a beginning Trudging in the shadows towards the light Bloodied knees and unbroken resolve I snatched it all back My sanity My life My love My hope I did not go through the depths of hell To regain my tranquility So I would lose it now To an undeserving heart I keep going Stumbling maybe But forward Unchained
What a whirlwind this January was. The clouds seem to clear for the first time in very long, and the future is looking bright as hell. Such an unexpected 180 turn, it makes me dizzy just thinking about it. My heart is full of gratitude and renewed strength. Bring it 2025.
Pictured above, such a pleasure to be back on stage yesterday at the Comedy Clubhouse for Midweek crisis comedy! Set #11 and counting!
Show: “Incorruptible” Date: 17/01/2025 Venue: El Tinta Roja Rating: 4.8/5
Welcome to Priseaux, France, in the dark times of ca. 1250 AD. And if, when I said “Priseaux”, your first reaction was a befuddled “Where is that?”, you’re not alone! In this godforsaken and forgotten monastery, the times are dark indeed: calamities keep happening, and Saint Foy, the local saint, hasn’t worked a miracle in years. In short, things are decidedly dire… until the monks receive the visit of a one-eyed minstrel, who shows them how to get out of their predicament, and even maybe get the attention of the Pope himself!
The allure of “Incorruptible” lies in its irreverence and dark humor, and I was all here for it. The actors waltz through themes like the endurance of faith, or the worshipping of relics – whether or not they are really what they claim to be. Without realizing, we find ourselves in the middle of outright graverobbing, desecration, and deception, and laughing about it!
The entire cast shines in their respective roles, starting with Patrick Beverley as Abbot Charles who uses his faith as a crutch against lifelong guilt regarding sawdust-filled bread (it’s a long story!). Alex Jacob plays Brother Martin, who slowly but surely embraces his inner deviousness after years of frustration with his vows of poverty. Kurtis Bright chews the scenery with gusto as Jack, a surprisingly layered character, unapologetically mischievous but still upholding his moral code. Alice Russo and Victoria Russell bicker as mother and daughter trying to benefit from the whole situation, while Bünyamin Cicek and Matthew Murtha play hapless novices Olf and Felix, who try their best to follow their superiors’ shenanigans. Finally, Mara Ambrosie steals the show in her brief but powerful appearance as Abbess Agatha, who’s got a thing or two to say to Charles!
This is the first production by the Barcelona Community Theatre Group, a new theatre troupe on the Barcelona scene, and they certainly start with a bang with “Incorruptible”. While there was the odd muddled line or timing in certain entrances or effects, understandable for a new company in their first production, it did not detract from a thoroughly enjoyable performance. All the actors, most of whom are already experienced comics in their own right, bring their own personal touch to make their character unique and memorable. Beverley, Bright and Russo share credits as co-directors and I can’t wait to see what else they have in store.
Conclusions Overall, I heartily recommend catching a performance of this play. The Abbey of Priseaux will gladly take your coin in exchange for a memorable evening! The next showings will be on January 24th, February 7th and February 14th at the Metamórfosis Theater in Barcelona. Don’t miss it!
Finishing the year with an unexpected SEVENTH SET thanks to the Comedy Clubhouse’s Midweek Crisis show!! Thank you Mila for hosting and Mara for the picture!
I needed this so much. Having driven back home just a few hours earlier after Christmas with the family, doing this show felt like being back with my tribe. The comedy community in Barcelona is amazing and I love every single one of these wonderful people.
Let it be Let my soul be your light Let my tears be your water Let my arms be your soil So that you bloom like you deserve Let it be all that Have faith again And find love anew So that mine was not in vain
The band plays on the sidewalk Trumpet glimmering in the sun But I don’t hear the joy Headphones on Listening to sad songs Lone terrace patron Drinking her coffee Added sugar but all I taste is salt From the tears I repress Not in public Not now They’ll flow later But for now The band plays on the sidewalk And I don’t hear a single note And the world is salt
I bought this top from Shein close to six years ago (hey shut up Shein was great for a closeted trans girl trying out things) and until tonight I had never worn it out of the house. And a lot of the compliments I got throughout the evening were about how good it looked on me, which yeah, not disagreeing
But on a seriouser note, another lot of compliments was about my set and I’m so very happy about that. Talking about and sharing my trans experience on stage in a standup comedy setting is a great way for me to feel like I do my part, as small as it is, to bring my community to the light and bring out awareness with laughter and good vibes.
The crowd last night was amazing. All the comedians were brilliant. And the atmosphere was absolutely fucking incredible, full of joy and allyship and love. With everything that’s happening in the world from the US to the UK to France to even Spain now, last night was validating as fuck, not just as a comedian or a transgender woman, but as a human being. And I felt so good today, you guys. So good. After weeks of depression, it’s a breath of fresh air and I needed this, so much.
Thank you AtoMIC Comedy Barcelona for nurturing this safe space for women and LGBTQIA+ comedians in Barcelona This AtoMIC baby is very grateful.
I don’t know what it is I don’t know what it isn’t That for some reason I am not worthy of your love I don’t know what it is I don’t know what it isn’t That for some reason I am not worthy of my own Maybe this is the answer to that Maybe the mirror cracked When I looked at it Presumptuous and vain Thinking I was ready Maybe the mirror cracked To show me not the way But my distortions When I knew them by heart and thought them conquered Presumptuous and vain Running not towards light But false reflections When the mirror cracked And I realized that for all my efforts I would never reach When the mirror cracked And my distortions exploded And my hopes were shattered Into as many razor-sharp shards Presumptuous Vain Vanquished I don’t know what it is That makes me recoil The reflection showed a broken path And I fell And maybe this time I am tired And maybe this time I don’t get up And maybe this time I learn the bitter lesson I don’t know what it is I don’t know what it isn’t That makes me so But the die is cast And it is faith gone And it is hope lost Because the mirror cracked And the light was snuffed And I got lost In the ashes of dead dreams
Thank you Mila for hosting and Mara for the picture!
