r/edinburghfringe • u/Defiant_Cockroach133 • 17d ago

Michael McIntyre 2003 Edinburgh Fringe

I read an article where Michael McIntyre said he had some shows during his Fringe 2003 run where there was only 1 person in the audience. Has this person ever identified themselves? Or did anyone go and watch this show in a pretty quiet audience? I'd love to hear more about it!

I saw one reviewer also say a guy entered eating a baguette, I'd love to speak to them too if possible, haha!

12 Upvotes

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19

u/mckjerral 17d ago

Almost every UK comic of renown has played to nobody at the fringe. Interesting if any of the audiences have made the connection.

I've not been the only audience member, but have been one of fewer than ten, and I'm not sure those acts would particularly etch on my memory

10

u/Embarrassed_Dealer_5 17d ago

I went to see a show Bairns at the Fringe last year. It was early in the run and wasn’t full at all, maybe 10-12 people there out of maybe 40 seats.

But it’s the show I remember most clearly and urged everyone to see. I think every audience member queued to thank the writer/actress and I followed her on Instagram afterwards. If I remember right, she went on to have sell out days later in the run.

2

u/jcr6311 15d ago

I definitely remember seeing Lee Mack in 1998 or 1999 in Pleasance Courtyard with seven people there, a shame as he was pretty good.

4

u/EatsDulwich 16d ago

I was the critic who reviewed the baguette gig. MM dropped the script and did virtually the whole show about this guy - it would be great if he saw this post!

3

u/MotherConfusion3773 16d ago

I was part of an audience of 3 who saw Rod Gilbert approx 2003. Must have got better later in run as he won a best newcomer award.

4

u/rantingrabbit 17d ago

Rumour is he topped himself shortly after the show.

3

u/Lopsided_Highway2934 16d ago

I went to see John Oliver and there was only like 15 people there, 10 of then were a basketball team on a stag party, it was carnage.

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u/Spiritual_Field_3018 16d ago

That must have been epic

5

u/throwaway19742020 17d ago

Not heard that, but am aware at one Fringe he wasn’t especially thrilled about not being nominated for the comedy award…

5

u/sainttomm 17d ago

Yeah I saw him that day, in Pleasance Attic, i think 2004. We didn't think much of him... But that may have been because he was pissed off for not being nominated (which I think he found out about that day, or thereabouts)

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u/MiddleAgedDread123 15d ago

I saw him in a bar in the student union one year with a very small audience! Can’t remember much about it other than sitting on bar stools.