Today I was looking at venues for a show I’m doing this year for Mayfest . I looked at a small one, a medium sized one and a very large one. I chose the very large one.

It did it because I feel it suits the show, but it does ask some difficult questions.

Is this a ego trip? I generally enjoy smaller events and I know the show has worked well in small intimate venues.

Is it doomed to failure? The venue probably needs 150 in it to feel full. That feels very optimistic.

Why is scale so exciting a prospect? Why should it feel more of an achievement?

I think it’s the right choice. The show is built on failure and unless there is somewhere to fail from then there are no stakes. But there is a small voice in my head saying ‘idiot’, but then there usually is and that’s probably healthy.

Sam Halmarack