I've probably told this one here, or somewhere, before.

About 15 years ago, I was hired to play an early hour-long piano piece by John Cage (offstage) as accompaniment to a prominent Korean dancer who had choreographed a solo dance to it.

The typical performance anxiety nightmare came true about 15 minutes into the performance when I realized I really had to pee. So I literally had to hold it in (the pressure getting worse and worse) and, as a real professional, I managed to finish the performance. No way to stop continuous playing.

But then I immediately had to go find the restroom. And that meant I did not go out on stage for a bow. The dancer later told me I had embarrassed her.

Not as embarrassing as taking a bow in a wet pair of pants.

quote:

Not as embarrassing as taking a bow in a wet pair of pants.

Indeed!