Surviving the Fringe (part two) by Pete Johansson

This is my first festival and, as much as I packed my bags with all sorts of preparations for my month long stay – pain killers, vitamins, cold and flu tablets – the one thing I didn’t count on was the endless changes in my sleep pattern. I confess I am guilty of the sin of sloth and I require immense amounts of sleep, but timing it for interviews, performances and late night parties is one hell of a proposition. I truly understand the appeal of certain drugs that circulate. Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on the perspective) I do not possess the constitutions for these concoctions so I am limited to Starbuck’s coffee and Red Bull to awaken me, as well as the cold shower (surprisingly effective and environmentally friendly). And for the trip to slumber a mixture of chamomile, sleep medicine, personal sexual gratification and pod-casts on economics.

When I do sleep though, I am confronted with this constant nagging that I might be missing the best party on earth. As though my head on pillow is a secret trigger to release the movie stars hiding in bars to converge on my one gossipy friend who will reinforce what I missed by going home. And when I finally do go out to mix it up and have a little party, I often think I am missing the best sleep I might get. It’s the battle between good and evil, sleep and wake, and it is being played out upon me as I tax my body with drink and temperature extremes. Who will win? I cannot know. But as I push myself to arise some afternoons, I am glad I don’t drive a school bus or operate sensitive machinery. All I do is find an hour of my day to whip up my show and make people laugh.

Now if you don’t mind I have to catch up on some zzzs as I have an interview in an hour.

Pete Johansson’s show Naked Pictures Of My Life is at the Underbelly, 7:25pm, until 31 August.