As a lonely schoolboy Richard Herring spent many hours playing himself at snooker on a 6ft by 3ft table and providing his own commentary. As an adult he decided to recreate this battle for a podcast whose avowed aim was to continue until it no longer had any listeners. It started with 30,000 subscribers but over the years and approaching 100 frames that has dwindled to less than 5000 die hard fans, who are as determined to make Herring continue as he is to punish them with sports based tedium.
Now the infamous podcast, Me1 vs Me2 breaks free of Herring’s basement, the disappointed gaze of his wife’s eyes, the random interruptions from the baby monitor and the intrusion of family cats to perform the sport of kings (of at least the former King of Edinburgh) at Hackney Showroom on 28th July from 7pm.
Featured as part of this year's Tempting Failure festival of performance art and sound art, Herring is making a concerted effort to debut as an artist and claim the Turner Prize. Over 85 artists from 13 different countries join him over nine days from 21st to 29th July, exploring ideas of risk in performance and you can be there too!
Arguably more transgressive than anyone else in the bill, you can witness Herring, as Beyond The Joke has teamed up with Tempting Failure to bring you two tickets for entry to the entire day of performance on 28th. This kicks off at the very start of the day at 00:00 with durational performances from Gillian Jane Lees, Adam York Gregory and Rosana Cade, but those dedicated to Herring the evening performances begin at 19:00 and features Tim Bromage, Natalie Ramus alongside Richard, who will perform three frames, to be recorded perhaps for a future DVD release!
To be a part of history just sign up to the Beyond The Joke Newsletter on the right-hand side of the home page by midnight on July 20 and email [email protected] to confirm you have signed up.
Entrants must be over 18. If you already subscribe you can always (don't tell anyone we told you) unsubscribe and subscribe again or ask a chum to enter.
The closing date for entries is July 20. The winners will be drawn at random and notified by July 21. Click here for full terms & conditions.
Tickets for the festival are also on sale at www.temptingfailure.com/tickets from £10 (plus handling) for a day ticket or £60 (£40 concession) for an 8 day festival pass.
The competition is now closed and the winner has been informed. If you didn't win and still want to go ticket details are above.
