Show report for Apocalypse Kapow (show 641) I only did one day here. Daytime. It's possible to black out most of the windows. It was set up really nicely with a black backdrop. A speaker (with a line in also) and a mic worked really well in the space, plus a good lamp aimed at the performance area. The guys in the record shop in front are just LOVELY and I felt so welcome even though I was only doing one show! I'd love to come back here. ALso really central- so plenty of opportunity to flyer from the corners of Niddry / Royal Mile / High Street etc.
I did a full run at this venue. It's a lovely spot. The front room is a family owned and run coffee & record shop, featuring more modern records. There are a few stairs up to the back (performance) room, with two bathrooms in between. Venue: The performances were all in the back room. There are two windows which you can cover with shades pretty easily. The acoustics were good. It's a nice wood floor, with the option to lay a small area rug down in the stage area if you want. There was black draping on the walls on either side of the corner - though the draping didn't extend the full length of the wall. Temp: It gets quite warm in there, so we often debated between letting air (and light) in v. keeping it dark and warmer. There is a switch on the wall to let some of the humidity out, though it makes a little bit of noise. After a 1 PM show with windows closed, the windows would be covered in fog from the steam in the room. A few audience members left mid-show b/c the heat was too much for them. We experimented with fans, though those also make noise sometimes. I aimed a fan at the stage because my act involved a lot of movement. Capacity: We started with chairs and benches for ~35 people, but added more chairs because we were consistently filling the room. I think we had seating for about 50 people at the peak. With smaller chairs, it could fit a few more. Though it was tight at 50! Most of the audience will be seated in front of you, though there is room for about ~15-20 seats along the side wall, which can change the performing angles a bit There is no dressing room. One of the bathrooms is larger, and worked well for me as a space to change clothes. Wifi was good, as well cellular service. The best way to collect tips (IMHO) is to exit and stand along the hallway outside the venue door. That way people can dip into the bathrooom if they need, and otherwise they walk by you mostly one-by-one
Flyering: The venue is two blocks downhill from the Royal Mile. I did most of my flyering on the mile, pointing down Black Friars street. Frustratingly, the banner to the venue is blockd by a traffic sign - so even though you can see the street before and after Slow Progress, you cannot see its sign from the mile. For this reason, I suggest adding a clear map on your flyers. People seemed hesitant to walk down the street because it doesn't look like there is anything there. There is not much foot traffic on BlackFriars. Otherwise, very close to the mile. Great for flyering at the corner of Blackfriars, Niddry, or a block or two either way
Show Report: Alastair Clark - Happy Ending The Space: Backroom in an independent coffee shop and record store (photos attached (I didn't have any photos from the stage of it not packed sorry not trying to brag)). No raised stage. Capacity is about 30 ish. Can get a bit warm. Is up a few steps. Was doing a man and mic standup show and it was perfect. The Venue: Andy and Connie who run the place are great, so friendly and made everyone feel right at home. It's only small, but it is a great place to hang out. If I lived locally I would be a regular lol. The only real issue this year is that they did not have an alcohol license but there as a deal with a bar and bottleshop a couple of doors down, but with the nature of people turning up to shows as late as they possibly can this did create some issues for punters desperate for a drink. I think they said that they would look into a license this year so hopefully not an issue at all. The Location: Very good I would say. It is kind of one street over from Blair Street and Niddry street which are very densely populated with venues. Foot fall on the street itself is not fantastic, but between Cowgate, The Mile and the two streets named above there are plenty of punters. The show: Did ok for numbers, was sometimes a struggle during the week but packing the room at weekends. Buckets very generous. Overall: If you get offered a slot here, bite their hands off. I have done a lot of Fringes with the Free Fringe and this is absolutely one of my favourite rooms I have ever had.
