CANAL THURSDAY #14 Damsel in distress

Podcast Summary

• Appreciating the simple pleasures of life and finding joy in unexpected moments: Value the beauty of your surroundings, cherish moments with loved ones, and connect with others through effective communication

  The simple pleasures of life, like being on a boat and enjoying a peaceful morning with loved ones, can often be overlooked. The conversation between the two individuals reveals their appreciation for the beauty of their surroundings and the importance of taking a break. They also share their admiration for each other's improvisational skills and enjoy a moment of connection with a stranger. The discussion highlights the importance of being present in the moment and finding joy in the little things, even when unexpected obstacles arise. Additionally, the conversation showcases the power of effective communication and the ability to connect with others, even in seemingly mundane situations.

• A Confusing Encounter between Joe and David about Sue Clinch: Despite miscommunications and unclear details, Joe and David agreed to meet Roger Box at the Tricycle Theater to clarify the situation involving Sue Clinch.

  There was a confusing encounter between two individuals, Joe and David, regarding a woman named Sue Clinch. The conversation was filled with misunderstandings, name mix-ups, and a distressed state from David. It was unclear what had happened to Sue or why David was so upset. They discussed a man with a string bag, but the focus kept shifting, and the details were unclear. Joe offered to help clarify the situation, but they couldn't seem to get to the root of the issue. In the end, they decided to bring Sue in to explain what happened. Despite the confusion, they agreed to meet Roger Box, a director, at the Tricycle Theater. The conversation was filled with miscommunications, but the ultimate goal was to meet Roger Box and understand the situation with Sue.

• Actors and Recognition: Acting talent doesn't always guarantee recognition. Stay active on social media and seize opportunities to boost your career.

  The actress in the conversation has a hard time remembering names, even those of famous actors like Gary Oldman. She shares her thoughts on how some actors, despite their talent, don't always get the recognition they deserve. The conversation also touches upon a woman named Sue Clinch, who is a fast swimmer in the canal and is worried about her acting career. The actress gives her advice on making the most of opportunities and staying active on social media. The conversation also reveals the actress's past experience with auditioning for Corrie, where she was initially cast as a victim but ended up as a passerby. Despite the light-hearted tone, the actress expresses her belief that even in seemingly friendly and traditional shows like Corrie, there are "monsters" at work.

• Barmaid's podcast struggles: Despite challenges, a determined barmaid strives to share her unique podcast ideas, overcoming technical difficulties to bring her stories to life.

  Despite the challenges, Sue, a barmaid with unique podcast ideas, has been unable to share her content due to technical difficulties. Her attempts at creating engaging podcasts, such as one focused on abattoirs, have not been successful due to her inability to upload them. The podcast world is filled with successful actors and actresses, but individuals like Sue, who deserve recognition, face obstacles that prevent them from sharing their stories. The conversation also touched upon a play about shapes and the catalyst of life being a story. However, the main focus was on Sue's determination to overcome her challenges and bring her podcast ideas to life.

• The Power of Storytelling: An Experienced Teller's Insights: An experienced storyteller shares engaging tales using techniques like impersonations and anecdotes, while being cautious about potentially offensive voices. The power of storytelling lies in vivid descriptions and unique experiences.

  The speaker is an experienced storyteller who uses various techniques, including impersonations and anecdotes, to engage his audience. However, he is cautious about using voices that might get him into trouble. He shared a few stories from his past, including one about the first Jacuzzis and a play called "Jacuzzis" at the Tricycle Theatre. Despite forgetting some details, he managed to entertain and intrigue the listener with his vivid descriptions and storytelling skills. The speaker also mentioned that he has performed at various theaters in the same street, creating a unique "theater row" experience. Overall, the conversation highlights the power of storytelling and the importance of being mindful of the impact of our words and actions.

• From men and women to only women in 'Cats': The creation of 'Cats' underwent significant changes, leading to the elimination of men and women roles and the introduction of cats, resulting in an intimate, successful musical

  The creation of the musical "Cats" involved a significant transformation from an early version with men and women roles to the final production with only women or a woman. During the early stages, the team struggled to find the missing element and eventually introduced the cats, which led to the elimination of the men and women roles. The production started with a large audience at the sword, but as elements were removed, it ended up being small and intimate with just a few seats. The banjo scene was performed with only one actor, and the smallest venue held just over 7 people. The process was filled with unexpected twists and turns, including the absence of some key cast members, and the team had to make adjustments on the fly. Ultimately, the final version of "Cats" became a successful and iconic musical.

• Auditioning for a Particular Director: Despite unexpected distractions and challenges, staying persistent and prepared can lead to success in auditions. Respect for the director's dedication and humility is also important.

  The audition process in the entertainment industry can be unpredictable and competitive. The speaker shares an anecdote about a director they auditioned for, Roger Box, who is known for being particular about his actors. The speaker reveals that they tried to stand out in their auditions by bringing small gifts, but were eventually asked to stop. The speaker also mentions an incident where they were carrying shopping to an audition and encountered a strange man near the location. Despite the distractions and challenges, the speaker remains determined and continues to audition, believing that persistence and preparation are key to securing a role. The speaker also expresses respect for the director's humility and dedication to his craft. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of resilience and adaptability in the face of uncertainty and competition in the entertainment industry.

• Suspicious Activities on Sue's Barge: Despite potential dangers and intrusions, the speaker values their community on the canal and strives to maintain a sense of communal spirit while ensuring safety and security.

  There have been suspicious activities around a woman named Sue's barge on the canal. People have been looking in her windows, intrigued by her unique trinkets and transformations of ordinary objects into useful items. Some believe she may be hiding something valuable or contraband. The line between a glance and a stare is unclear, and there have been instances where Sue and the speaker have caught people looking. The community on the canal is generally peaceful, but there have been occasional thefts. The speaker expresses a desire to bring the community closer together despite potential issues. A man ran out of the hedges and crashed into the speaker, causing them to drop their eggs. It is unclear if this incident is related to the suspicious activities around Sue's barge. The man was carrying a bag and may have been up to no good. The speaker also mentioned that there have been a lot of shady occurrences near the canal recently. Despite the intrusions and potential dangers, the speaker values the community on the canal and often tries to engage with neighbors. They admire Sue's creativity and the unique items she collects and transforms. The speaker's main concern is ensuring the safety and security of their community while maintaining the sense of communal spirit.

• A Father's Love and Boxing Legacy: The speaker's 8-hour experimental theater piece about his heavyweight boxer father showcases their deep love and the father's impressive boxing skills despite his emotional detachment in the speaker's memories.

  The speaker's father, Terry Mann, was a heavyweight boxer who came close to reaching the top of his profession. Despite his sadness from past pains, there was a lot of love in their relationship. The speaker wrote a 8-hour experimental theater piece about him, which he would sometimes perform wearing his father's boxing gloves. The speaker's ADHD made him react instinctively when threatened, and he had a tendency to be quite large and intimidating. The speaker's father was a fighter, both in and out of the ring, and his strength and speed were surprising for his weight. The speaker's memories of his father feel detached and unemotional, but there was love there. The speaker did not see the entire 8-hour show about his father, but he remembered tickets being available for it. The title of the show was originally called "Take That," but was changed due to copyright issues with the popular band.

• Considering the audience's perspective is crucial for a successful performance: Understand your audience's preferences and create an engaging experience that caters to their desires for comfort and entertainment.

  Creating an engaging and immersive performance can be challenging when it strays too far from the audience's expectations. In the case discussed, a long, interactive boxing musical with nudity and audience participation had difficulty attracting the right audience and ultimately faced obstacles due to its unique format. The performer emphasized the importance of considering the audience's perspective and creating an experience that caters to their desires for comfort and entertainment. Additionally, the length and controversial elements of the performance may have deterred potential viewers. However, the powerful and emotional themes of the show, such as love and loss, resonated deeply with those who attended, making the challenges worthwhile.

• Experience of a shocking performance art piece: Initially uncomfortable, later appreciated individuality and communal experience in a shocking performance art piece

  The speaker experienced a unique and powerful performance art piece, which initially made them uncomfortable due to the explicit nature of the content. However, they came to appreciate the expression of individuality and the communal experience it created. The performance, titled "Bumfight," involved a large number of men masturbating during the show, which was shocking at first but later perceived as an expression of freedom and individuality. The speaker also shared memories of their career and interactions with friends and colleagues during the interview. Despite the initial discomfort, they came to value the experience as a reminder of the importance of individual stories and experiences.

• Making plans to attend a shopping event together: Two individuals expressed their intention to attend a shopping event and wished each other well during a friendly conversation.

  The conversation between the two individuals revolved around making plans to attend an event together and wishing each other a goodbye. The event in question was not specified, but it seems that it involves shopping. Both parties expressed their intention to attend and showed enthusiasm for the occasion. They also exchanged pleasantries and wished each other well. The conversation ended with a reminder to keep windows locked and a comment about one person being a "big lady." Overall, the conversation was friendly and focused on making plans for a future event.