I was there in Glasgow last night and, unfortunately, it did not meet my expectations.
I have seen Ray twice before and the format was him effectively giving a talk and a slideshow, with a short question-and-answer session at the end.
I really didn't rate this new format, which, as described above, involves Ray sitting down with an interviewer, who asks him pre-agreed questions.
I felt the interviewer was not that au fait with the subject of bushcraft, didn't listen to Ray's answers, asked the same question twice and - frankly - I did not pay to see someone else speak. I believe this meant that, although they could spin the show out longer, it meant we actually learned little and heard less from the man himself. Whilst I'm sure the interviewer guy is a well-known TV personality, I think they could have found someone more suitable (Cameron MacNeish, Dougie Vipond or the like?). Ray is a great photographer and I would rather have seen his still pictures (which probably have not all been published before) than a few short DVD-extra style video clips.
Perhaps worst of all was the long question and answer session at the end, which involved a merry d**k-dance with two microphones being passed around the theatre and the 'interviewer' attempting to chaperone it all. I felt sorry for the guys in the balconies who didn't really get a look in. A few of the questions were good, most were pretty banal, and me and the missus were actually starting to get bored by about 9.45 as it also went on way too long. At times, it was a cringeworthy as a Radio 5 phone-in. There was the obligatory Bear Grylls question (sigh...), a question on knives (both of which I thought were diplomatically answered), and someone even asked him in all seriousness if he would come and be the Chief Scout if he was asked! Now, I know the guy who asked the question did not have the authority to ask this question and I also know that there is already a recently-in-post Chief Scout, Bear Grylls; so, was this just another dig at him? I have heard from a number of people in the Scout movement that Mr Grylls is doing a very good job so this could be seen as quite an insulting thing to say. I would also suggest that a question-and-answer session at Glasgow City Halls was not the right venue to ask this question - surely a nicely written letter from the Scout Association is the way that potential new Chief Scouts are addressed?
Regardless, at least the answers given to all of these questions were thoughtful and considered (even when the same question was asked by two different members of the audience - weren't you listening?).
Perhaps the worst one of all was someone who seemed - and I could be wrong - to be advertising a book! The book, 'Ribbon of Wilderness', looks a very interesting read; however, the guy mentioned it's name four of five times and kept going even when they were moving onto the next person who wanted to ask a question. Again, this really was not the venue or occasion. It was embarrassing and, from where I was sat quite near the front, I could see both Ray and the interviewer looking quite uncomfortable.
Surely, the best way to do the question thing is to get people to write the questions on a card, collect them at the interval, and pick the ones which would lead to a good, entertaining and informative answer?
Anyway, I do not have a downer on Ray Mears - quite the opposite: I have the utmost respect for him. However, I do not believe this was the right format for him and I certainly will not be going to see him speak again in the 'An Evening With ...' style.
Again, I paid £21 to hear Ray Mears speak and to gain the benefit of his expertise and experiences. There was not enough of this.
I hope for the sake of those who have tickets to see him in future that the 'show' improves, I really do. I know I am going to get a slating for making these comments but I think that we need to look critically at shows that we are paying good money to see. You may have to lower your expectations of the evening or you might be disappointed.
A real shame.