I have a peculiar cross to bear; it would seem that I truly have the most forgettable face in all of Canadian showbiz. Now, I’m not looking for pity, I’m just stating an indisputable fact. I’m not even sure why, but I swear to God, people don’t remember me. And I don’t just mean audiences, I mean my peers, too. This is particularly frustrating because I have an amazing memory for names and faces. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve had the conversation: “Nice to meet you, Martha” “Erm, we’ve actually met a number of times” “Really?” “Yes, in fact we performed together a few months back”.
Alternately, I get people who say they know who I am… “Didn’t we go to high school together?” “Aren’t you Mike’s sister?” Sigh.
Recently, I ran into a comic who’s just moved here from out west who I had met 4 or 5 times – and he totally blanked on me. When I called him on it, he claims it’s because he hasn’t seen my comedy. Poppycock! I haven’t seen his and…ah, nevermind. Then there was Martha Chaves – a wonderful, funny woman, who could for the life of her not remember my name! I mean, there are (I’m pretty sure) only TWO Martha’s working in Canadian comedy – and she is one of them! If for no other reason than the fact that Martha is a pretty obscure name, you’d think she’d remember! (To be fair to her, she now knows who I am…).
This is not a new thing, it’s been this way all my life, but it’s beginning to become something of a concern now, only because it’s helpful to be a performer who people remember. I don’t know why, it just is. (Kidding, I know why!)
So, I’m thinking I’m going to have to do something drastic. Nakedness on stage is out; not because I’m a prude, I just want ‘em to laugh for the right reasons. Perhaps jumping and yelling during my act. Naw, too many people do that already. Hmmm. Ah, feck it, I give up. I’ll just ride this out, tell my jokes and not worry about it too much. And if you ask me “Didn’t you go to Camp Ocheewachee?”, I’ll just smile and say, yes, yes I did.