Maddy Anholt: Want to date a comedian?
Published: Friday 1st May 2015
Now, I'm not about to preach to the choir here. We all know the crazy expenditure that comes with putting on a show at the Fringe: the endless calculations on scraps of paper trying to figure out if this is really feasible; the stress as you worry if you'll need to take on a third job or beg your ex to lend you a few quid; and the sleepless nights you wonder, if even Wonga couldn't make it happen, how in the name of high interest rates, will you?
This year will only be my second Fringe, and I know many people out there will be on their third, fourth or forty-fourth August in Edinburgh and will think of me as a mere stripling. But let me tell you, this year has already nearly broken me and we're only just at May Day.
In 2013, my Fringe debut year (which sounds far more glamourous than the actual pavement pounding slog), I remember embarking on that eternal train ride home and reflecting that the Fringe is very much like an abusive relationship; God, it hurts, it's painful, you want to leave, but you love it, adore it even, and you know you'll keep on coming back for more. And I did... I am!
But this year, I went about things slightly differently - I have a new word in my lexicon, and that word is 'Sponsorship'. First I did the research - how do people get their show sponsored, who do they turn to, who even cares? My new show Diary of a Dating Addict is about one woman (that'll be me!) and her quest for love online. With 30 approaching like the Grim Wrinkler I was determined to find the man of my dreams and in this show I will reveal every sordid detail of a year of dating, mating and hating.
I'm a character comedian and I play all of the men I meet along the way, so my first port of call was men's brands - Lynx, Old Spice, um... GQ? All a no-go, and then, one freezing afternoon strolling in Brockwell Park, it hit me - online dating companies, of course.
I'd played a part in a commercial for the very marvellous MySingleFriend.com and I went straight to them - well, after 16 hours of pitch-planning and Powerpoint building, that included I must admit, a talking dog... to my amazement they said "it's a date!"
MySingleFriend are part-sponsoring the show, which is incredible. Not only that but their fantastic PR company, Manifest London are supporting me every step of the way, including helping me build an Indiegogo campaign to raise the additional £3,500. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't as easy as I make out, I myself had a bleak phone call with Wonga to see just how much it would cost me to loan the extra money (an additional £4,892.64 if I paid everything back after 3 months) but what I'm trying to say is, where there's a will there's a way.
I am now embarking, before even a thought to the creative side, on raising £3,500 to help pay for venue hire and transport to Edinburgh. They say that to make the perfect actor or comedian, admin must be your forte, and I wholeheartedly agree. I have never spent so long in front of a computer or lacked so much vitamin D. The silver lining though, is that I'm now hitting 79 words per-minute - so if it all fails, I'll make a banging receptionist.
Here's the way it goes. I'm not going to settle for second best (that's exactly the reason I'm still single, I tell myself) and I'm yet to find Mr Right in London, so I'm spreading my net wider, first stop Scotland.
MySingleFriend have got my back and they are helping me on my hunt but first, I need to raise the money to get to Kilt City. I'm going to go on a date with anyone who bids £50 or above; selling my soul? Nope, it's simply a numbers game. Find out more about my plight and help me on my way here: http://www.mysinglefriend.com/maddy
If you'd like me not to support the last legs of Wonga, then please (please!) donate. In return there are all kinds of goodies and free tickets to the show: http://igg.me/at/diaryofadatingaddict
Maddy Anholt's new comedy, Diary of a Dating Addict, will preview across London during July. Dates & venues: maddyanholt.com
Maddy will be performing at 1:30pm in The Study, Gilded Balloon from 5th - 31st August (not 17th).
Follow Maddy's progress on Twitter - @maddyanholt1 - or use the hashtag #askMaddy to get humorous dating tips and advice.
Help us publish more great content by becoming a BCG Supporter. You'll be backing our mission to champion, celebrate and promote British comedy in all its forms: past, present and future.
We understand times are tough, but if you believe in the power of laughter we'd be honoured to have you join us. Advertising doesn't cover our costs, so every single donation matters and is put to good use. Thank you.
Love comedy? Find out more