Radiology Students - The Essence Of Evil?

Fringe fever has hit here in Adelaide.

Whether you love theatre, comedy, cabaret or even the "hard to pigeon hole" type shows that can be common at such events, Adelaide's Fringe has something for everyone.

Last night, Sam and I found ourselves in a shipping container, full of strangers (no strangers are stranger than those in Adelaide, ha!), perspiring in as dignified a way as possible in the heat, waiting for the performer to begin. Yes, the shipping container was the venue, not a convenient place to lay in wait in some mad expression of my social anxiety.

Xavier Toby was performing his "White Trash" show. He explored the views and culture of pockets of his friends, as per their social class and status, and the differences that exist in terms of how such things as racism and social etiquette are viewed.

But, to our great dislike, the man didn't get the chance to build up a great comedic momentum, as there were some rather silly, possibly drunk, definitely rude and selfish females at the rear of said shipping container, heckling their little hearts out.

The lady behind me would occasionally groan, or say in hushed tones, "shut up!", in response to the heckles. So I know it was not just me annoyed to near distraction.

The comedian, Xavier, was more than kind, trying to give the women a chance to get it out their systems, but there was no appeasing them. They interrupted most of his jokes, and tried to dominate his story telling. It wasn't fair to him, or those of us who had bought tickets with our hard earned cash.

Why do I know they were radiology students? Well, Xavier was trying to tell a story involving a bus journey and they decided to tell the crowd assembled in the shipping container that when on a bus they study for their radiology assessments. Fascinating. Well worth the ticket price alone. Uhhu.

Sometimes when a comedian is performing, some audience participation can be fun, enhancing the show and giving it an extra dimension. But these contributions were not invited, encouraged or welcome. In fact, Xavier told them several times that their speaking privileges had been revoked and that they may be asked to leave if they couldn't contain themselves.

As it turned out, they left anyway, sadly a tad too close to the show's completion. The shipping container erupted into applause and cheering at their departure. It was a moment of joy for us all.

The show came to an end, and Xavier apologised for the disruptions and thanked us for sticking with him til the end.

No one said a comedian's life would be easy, they just said it would be hard...or something.

And that was that. Or so I thought. As I left the container and turned the corner, I felt a thwack in my special place. One of the demon radiology students had kicked me. I asked her if she had meant to do that, and of course she denied it. She said she was simply lifting her foot up off the ground. But the force with which she connected was not, in my mind, congruous with her story. And was it simply a coincidence that she had "kicked" someone who had cheered her leaving the container?

I maintained my own sense of dignity, in light of her losing her's at such a hasty pace, and said, "thanks!"

I wonder if she and her mates have any clue how much they have let themselves down, what with their conduct during the show, and with my possible assault (benefit of doubt, and all that jazz). And they are at university? Educated people? I fear for our future, truly I do.

With the power and magic of social media, I sent a message of to Xavier to thank him for his show, and to inform him of my being kicked. It's all about me.

He tweeted me back! I tweeted back to him. Now we are best friends. That's how it works, right?

So, anyway, moral of the story? When in the presence of evil, demon radiology students, stake them through the heart and run for your life. And remember to protect your special man place, should they try and kick you there.