118
? ? ? ? ? ?? ? ?? ? ? ? ? ? ?? ? ? ? ? ? / ? ? ? ?
The Edinburgh experience, as a performer, is often
opted for a scoop of vanilla ice cream in a tall sundae
more about ‘flyering’ on the Royal Mile than the perform-
glass, where the image had been adapted to look like the
ance itself. It takes at least 5 hours work a day to have any
119
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playboy bunny (a cherry where the eye would be, two
chance of getting ‘bums on
seats’—and over our three
against a black background.
years of experience, only
The Guardian decided this
now are we getting to grips
would fit perfectly in their
with what to say to make
twenty worst flyers at the
people come along. ‘Free’ is
fringe article, and published
the best word, until they real-
a picture of Naz’s body (the
ise you’re lying. But strangely
shot doesn’t include his head)
words such as ‘great’, ‘funny’,
standing in the rain holding
‘worth it’ and ‘please’ fall on
out a flyer hopefully.
O.W. SPORT
wafers as the ears etc.)—all
the public as frequently and
irritatingly as drops of rain.
WitTank Comedy Group in action
caption read: ‘No wonder
he doesn’t want to show his
face, the show is called Sexy Pudding’. Of course we soon
you who know his obsessive nature can imagine—involves
realised this was our unique selling point, and would ask
people
around
people to ‘come and see Sexy
Edinburgh and telling them,
Pudding, as featured in The
rather than asking them, to
Guardian’. It was important
come. I soon discovered that
not to say why.
flattery is also a wonderful
Despite our set backs,
tool, often opening a conver-
and there were many more
sation with sickly words like,
including a prolonged fire
‘Hello there, can I just say you
alarm during the show, in-
look just like the sort of intel-
competent venue managers,
ligent, sophisticated people
the ticketing problems that
who would really enjoy some
beset the entire festival, the
four-star
credit
sketch
comedy’.
john goodeve-docker [a 1961–1964]
The
So we tried some new techniques. Naz’s style—as those of
following
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crunch,
hangovers
(We ignore the fact that they might enjoy five-star comedy
and stolen props, it’s impossible not to enjoy the Festival.
more—and simply go from there telling them how beautiful
w Sports continue to flourish and provide
much fun and satisfaction for all those ows
ow Society and College authorities are looking to give
who take part or are just spectators. Most
massive encouragement to build up clubs and teams
importantly is the enthusiasm provided by the Secretaries
and Captains of the various sports, especially as all but
ows are girls. We would welcome
any suggestions and comments about how ow girls can
one of them (the exception being Golf, of which I am
continue playing their sports after they have left. Some
ows. This says a
sports, such as sailing and golf have lady members of
great deal for their commitment and the on-going good
course, but there seem to be still few events and matches
health of the Societies and Clubs.
that they can take part in. I feel sure that there must be a
O
Secretary) are run by much younger
It has been particularly good to welcome the ow Milers
Club into the ranks, especially as most of those involved
involvement of
ow girls in their respective sports. The
as more and more
lot of latent interest for ow Girls’ sports, particularly with
the evident success that the girls are having at College.
left College in 2008—this must be a record for setting up a
If you would like to be involved in a current or new
new Club. Congratulations go to Ben Gateley and Charlie
sport, either to play or help, then please contact the
McDonough for their enthusiasm and commitment.
relevant secretary whose names at the end of the Year
However there is one big ‘but’, and that is the
Book, or contact me.
The show was seemingly enjoyed by punters and critics
they look that day—despite
alike—and WitTank rock-
the weather.)
The golden
eted, being eventually listed
rule on the Royal Mile is don’t
alongside three other groups
flyer a local. Here, a kilt acts
in ‘Comedy of the year 2008’
as a sort of pirate flag, warn-
in critical publication The
ing you not to approach them
List.
at all costs. They don’t want
?? ? ? ?
fter narrowly missing out on promotion in 2008
felt like a monumental effort given the amount of injuries
due to a final day defeat, we approached the
and the need for players to continually play out of position.
new season with high spirits. Several new faces
On the pitch there were again legendary performances
be up again in 2009, to brave
joined the ranks amongst the old stalwarts and we got off
from old heads such as Steve Brownrigg, Adam Joy and
to see your show. They just
whatever new challenges this
to a flying start, winning our first six matches by quite a
Peter Byre who masterminded some mesmerising rugby in
want to eat something cov-
amazing City can provide.
margin. Unfortunately we then started to suffer from an
the back line at times.
ered in batter.
Needless to say we’ll
If you are
WitTank would like to
obviously English, you are in
thank the Bevir Memorial
the way. Smile and step aside.
fund
for
an
A
unprecedented number of injuries to team regulars—at
one stage, 14 first team players were out of action !
New recruits such as James Simpson (club player of the
season), Robbie Thomas, Nick Kertesz and Michael Barnard
extremely
Despite these setbacks, we ground out several tough
Our final publicity hurdle was our publicity material.
generous grant, without which the greatest challenge of
matches and overall, we had another excellent season,
welcomed a number of new faces in the 2nd
The 2008 show was titled WitTank: Sexy Pudding (for no
all—financing Edinburgh—would have been impossible to
finishing the league in 4th position. Whilst we did not
no doubt provide a solid core for next season and