What's On Stage 2011: A Slice Of Karma

< previous

next>

Yesterday in the Pleasance Dome I witnessed a slice of karma so beautiful, so perfect, that even I find it hard to believe.

The entire cast of "Moon Horse vs The Mars Men Of Jupiter" (me and Steve) went to see Josie Long's show along with our friend the acclaimed singer-songwriter Chris T-T. It was wonderful - hilarious, moving, honest, political charged, immensely loveable and a whole lot of other phrases that you'd blurt out excitedly over a post-gig pint. Before we could do that, however, Chris had to get something off his chest.

"I was sat next to Johann Hari all the way through the show, but didn't dare to say hello", he said. Johann Hari is the left-wing commentator who recently lost his column at the Independent after accusations of plagiarism. Chris had ideally wanted to tell him how much he'd admired his work and say that he should start writing again, but was worried about how to say it without seeming odd, or intrusive, or getting mixed up in the complexities of the events.

I told him he should definitely go over and say something - whenever I'm in this situation my girlfriend pretty much forces me to go over to the person in question, because, as she says "If someone came up to you out of the blue and told you you were great, you would love it."

This is entirely true - on the rare occasions that it happens it makes my day - so I nagged at Chris until he eventually decided to get up, walk over and say something. A few minutes later he came back beaming. Mr Hari had been gracious and lovely, Chris had managed to say everything he'd wanted to say without becoming uncomfortable, and he'd even spoken to Josie Long too. The whole experience had been a delight for all concerned!

About quarter of an hour later we were sat talking about something else altogether when a nervous young man approached the table. "Excuse me Chris", he said, "I just wanted to say, I'm a big fan and I really love your records." Chris thanked him, they shook hands, and had a quick chat before our unwitting bearer of karmic joy wondered off back to his friend, leaving us sat grinning with joy.

The moral of the story is this: if you see someone who you think is brilliant, tell them - whether they're celebrities, co-worker, or friends and family. Adding a bit of happiness to someone else's life adds it to yours too, and here at the knackered final chunk of the Fringe we could all do with a little bit of that!

< previous

next>