I was at a Fringe Festival play this afternoon and, at the end, the performer from another show was given a few minutes to promote his own. Something he said as a joke really bothered me and I wish I had said something but I don’t know what I could have said.
After a preliminary introduction, it went something like this:
“I’m a nurse. (Pause)
In San Francisco. (Pause)
and I know what you are thinking. (long pause)
But you are wrong.
I’m not gay.
I’m bi. (long pause)
Bipolar.”
No one laughed. I suspect he misjudged the generosity of spirit of this western Canadian audience.
Now I’m annoyed that he presumed to know (a) what we were thinking, (b) that we had assumptions about gay people, and nurses who are men, and San Francisco, and (c) that he thought being bipolar was somehow “better” than being bisexual.
Anyway, I already had plans to see his show on Sunday but now I’m wondering what it will be like.
Interestingly, after that, he threw out three trick questions and gave free tickets to the people who guessed right, and I won one of them! I waited until no-one else came up with the answer, but I thought he needed to leave the stage to allow the next show to come on. I provided the answer before he could come up with another trick question, then I gave the ticket to the woman at the front desk and told her to give it to someone who could use it.
The trick question was:
“How many psychiatrists does it take to change a lightbulb?”
Answer:
“One. But the lightbulb has to want to be changed.”
Now I’m wishing I had said something about the bipolar joke, but the moment is gone. I’ll probably come up with the perfect riposte at three o’clock in the morning. It might have something to do with not feeling the need to change other people.
Snowbird of Paradise 
Oh, I like your last thought! I’m thinking the audience’s lack of laughter at his “joke” may be the feedback he needs.
Let’s hope so!
The audience got its revenge!
ha!
I agree with your assessment. By the way, is this the Fringe Festival in Edmonton? I have happy memories of finding the cheap or (better) free plays or just enjoying the street entertainment. As grad students we did not have a lot of money to spend. The plays varied a lot in quality.
This Fringe Festival is in Nanaimo but I have also enjoyed the Edmonton Fringe in the past. Like you, I enjoy the street entertainment almost as much as the plays.
How was last evening? From your blog, you did not enjoy the promo for the Sat or Sun? performer? Protection Island has changed a lot since my last visit there. There are many new very fancy homes. It seems to have lost its quaint appeal. Lunch with 4 other women was fun after a tour around the Island, wine in hand on a golf cart!😂🍷
It sounds as though your day went well, despite the fancy homes. 🙂 The play yesterday was well done but the promo that followed it left something to be desired. I am reserving judgement on the performer.
It may be worthwhile to send feedback to the festival. A few years ago at the Edmonton Fringe I heard a street performer tell a transphobic joke, and I sent a complaint to the festival. They wrote back thanking me for telling them and assuring me that they try to hold all the artists, staff, and volunteers accountable for their behavior, and that they would try to address the issue. I don’t know what happened after that, but the initial response I received was reassuring.
Hmm. That’s interesting. Thanks, Jamie. I’m not sure this joke went that far, but I’m thinking about it.