9.44pm
14 February 2013
My oldest son is a local actor and very involved in improv. I am always impressed to go to the theatre and see people do improv! I, for one, could not think on my feet that quickly!
We were talking about tho improv is spontaneous, you have to have a special talent to be able to do it well. I thought to myself, the Beatles didn’t know it, but they were probably some of the first improvists in the celebrity spotlight! Those boys could think on their feet and were SO natural at it…so naturally funny. That is really rare. Especially 4 guys who can all do it effortlessly!!
Just another talent we can add to their list!
PS – Any members from Scotland out there! Have you ever gone to The Fringe in Edinburgh? We hear in Edmonton that it is the worlds largest Fringe Festival. We just had our Edmonton Fringe here and we are now the second largest Fringe Festival in the world I’d love to hear any feedback re: Edinburghs Fringe. Thanks!
"....take a sad song & make it Meilleur"....
11.18pm
Reviewers
Moderators
1 May 2011
Yeah the Fringe is massive, the worlds biggest street fringe festival thingy I believe. I haven’t been tho as I rarely go to Ediburgh (too far for me to be bothered to visit (about 60 mins away), too close for a few days away).
All four beatles were very quick in their wit, humour and word play. Its one of the delights when watching interviews with them how quickly they could take a question or even a word and go somewhere nobody else would think of. And if one went down a spontaneous line the other 3 got it and would go with it and further. So in tune they were. And one reason why we lost Pete.
The BBC recordings have wonderful examples of their humour and how quick witted they were.
Its also worth remembering that before the Beatles most pop stars of the time were very polite people (possibly even stuffy) who never really showed their personalities, the fab 4 were really a breathe of fresh air for the press as they were looking to have a laugh.
"I told you everything I could about me, Told you everything I could" ('Before Believing' - Emmylou Harris)
11.48pm
14 February 2013
Thanks MMM re: The Fringe. I wondered if you had ever attended. I have to look into the Edinburgh Fringe more – it sounds incredible.
I agree – pop stars of the time were very polite (somewhat stuffy) & the Beatles were like a breath of fresh air to the press, etc. That “Liverpool Humour” (natural improv style) was really unique!
"....take a sad song & make it Meilleur"....
1.18am
8 November 2012
I’ve wanted to visit the Fringe Festival for years… one of these days. I also admire anyone can do it well. I’ve been to a couple of improv performances here in LA, and it can be so painful when it doesn’t work. Not only were The Beatles a breath of fresh air, but I can’t think of a band that has since matched them for quick wit (though there’s at least one Duran Duran press conference I can think of that came close).
parlance
2.39am
14 February 2013
I can’t copy and paste for some reason Anyhoo…
I agree with you Parlance – I can’t think of a band that has come close to their natural quick wit and ease with interviewers either. They really were ahead of their time in so many ways.
I visit the Fringe Festival in Edmonton every year. My son has been in plays in it for 4 of the past 5 years, this year included. He was in a play that he & 2 friends wrote and they did extremely well with it I love all the craziness of The Fringe, but I also love seeing the plays. It never ceases to amaze me what kind of talent is “out there”.
Parlance – is improv quite “big” in LA? I have seen improv go wrong too and you are right, it’s painful. My boy has travelled to Chicago & Atlanta to perform in improv tournaments. I am hoping he gets a chance to go to LA one day. If he does – maybe I’ll come along and we can see an improv show together?!
"....take a sad song & make it Meilleur"....
3.16am
Reviewers
17 December 2012
The Edinburgh Fringe is something that gets more frightening every year, for spectator and performer. This year I believe there was something like 40,000 performances of 2,500 shows in three weeks.
I last went four years ago, and the choice just spins you around. Flyers coming from every direction, and never knowing if you’re at the right show, even if you’re the only person in the audience.
I first went in 1986 as a “performer” with a group of six others from my college. This was back when it was still growing. We managed to rent a one bedroom flat close to the city centre (which was luxury, though we may have been sleeping on top of each other – though in some cases that may have been a blessing!). The others were a comedy troupe, and my job was to come on every two or three skits and read one of my poems deadpan.
We didn’t make a big impression, though two of that troupe have done very well for themselves since.
48 shows in three weeks. In was an education. I am not a performance poet.
"I only said we were bigger than Rod... and now there's all this!" Ron Nasty
To @ Ron Nasty it's @ mja6758
The Beatles Bible 2020 non-Canon Poll Part One: 1958-1963 and Part Two: 1964-August 1966
3.52am
14 February 2013
Wow, Mja! Thanks for the info. 40,000 performances???! Holy cow! And 48 shows in three weeks…that’s quite a schedule. My son had it easy in comparison…our Fringe runs for 10 days — they have 6 performances in those 10 days. What an experience that must have been for you. I guess it is a good thing it runs for 3 weeks with all those plays/performances. It would have to. I read our statistics in the paper on Monday, but I’m tired and can’t recall the numbers right now. They look pathetic in comparison to Edinburgh Fringe tho! Thanks for sharing
"....take a sad song & make it Meilleur"....
4.57am
8 November 2012
HeyTrud said
Parlance – is improv quite “big” in LA? I have seen improv go wrong too and you are right, it’s painful. My boy has travelled to Chicago & Atlanta to perform in improv tournaments. I am hoping he gets a chance to go to LA one day. If he does – maybe I’ll come along and we can see an improv show together?!
That’d be awesome! Yes, improv’s very big in LA, especially as certain troupes like The Groundlings are potential breeding grounds for Saturday Night Live.
parlance
8.24am
1 November 2012
While 1967 isn’t quite Early-Beatles-Era, if you watch the documentary made that year following Bob Dylan around when he was performing in London (“Don’t Look Back”), you see him interact with various journalists here and there, and he’s certainly quick on his feet and unscripted — but one thing he lacked that the Beatles had: a sense of playful humor. Dylan then (and now) was a bit too self-importantly serious and rather sadistically sarcastic.
Faded flowers, wait in a jar, till the evening is complete... complete... complete... complete...
3.18am
5 November 2011
10.44am
Reviewers
Moderators
1 May 2011
unknown said
parlance said
Not only were The Beatles a breath of fresh air, but I can’t think of a band that has since matched them for quick wit.Obviously you guys haven’t watched any Jo Bros interviews.
Who is Jo Bros, any relation/connection to Matt and Luke Goss who were in Bros?
"I told you everything I could about me, Told you everything I could" ('Before Believing' - Emmylou Harris)
10.54am
Reviewers
17 December 2012
Finding it hard not to lol here, but it seems JoBros is a nickname for the Jonas Brothers, who it seems (unknown to me) are as quick-witted as John, Paul, George and Ringo in a press conference. Any particular press conference you could direct us to, unknown?
"I only said we were bigger than Rod... and now there's all this!" Ron Nasty
To @ Ron Nasty it's @ mja6758
The Beatles Bible 2020 non-Canon Poll Part One: 1958-1963 and Part Two: 1964-August 1966
5.02pm
5 November 2011
5.35pm
Reviewers
17 December 2012
No… Sorry…
"I only said we were bigger than Rod... and now there's all this!" Ron Nasty
To @ Ron Nasty it's @ mja6758
The Beatles Bible 2020 non-Canon Poll Part One: 1958-1963 and Part Two: 1964-August 1966
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