London, 3rd of November 2026

👋 Greetings, dear readers.

When this newsletter hits your inbox I’ll be back in London, but I’m writing these words from Portugal, surrounded by obscenely overpriced food purchased in Porto Airport and reflecting on the weekend I just left behind. I’ve been very busy and away so excuse me if this issue of the newsletter is just a short reflection.

The thing is, I came to the peninsula to touch base with my Playback Theatre roots, participating in the ninth edition of the Iberian Playback Theatre Gathering. The Spanish and Portuguese communities within Playback have always been very tight, sharing a strong siblinghood and a single Playback Theatre school for the whole peninsula.

While the theme and title of the gathering was Desencuentros: Historias Fragmentadas (which could be translated as Missed Connections: Fragmented Stories or Clashes: Fragmented Stories), the event itself was very much about encounters and palpable connection.

There were many workshops that felt too short, and a Playback Theatre performance with… 17 people involved: 12 actors, 3 musicians, and 2 conductors. Crazy, right? In the end, it felt more like a Playback Theatre jam than a performance, but it was great to have representation from the different Playback communities across our countries. And of course, on a personal note, I’m always moved to see that despite living away from the peninsula, they still save a seat for me at the table and haven’t turned my bedroom into a gym.

Of course, the performance was heavily tinted by the current political and social situation on the peninsula, with stories about demonstrations, hope, and even celebrating a birthday away from home. The performance ended on a strong anti-fascist note, prompted by the upcoming elections in Spain and the worrisome rise of the far-right.

Of course, we also made time to party, dance and socialise, enjoying delicious Portuguese wine. These gatherings are always refreshing and inspiring. I had so many meaningful conversations, not necessarily about Playback Theatre. I feel full after reconnecting with old friends, deepening bonds with recent ones, and, of course, making brand new ones. Despite my heart being all warmed up, my social battery is asking for a break now.

Take care of your communities, lovelies, and keep nurturing them.

🫶 Stay hydrated, love to you all.🎃

🎙️ The podcast bit

Designer by day and improv nerd by night, Yuehan Liu is the founder and artistic director of Stockholm’s English-language community Fika Improv. Whether performing as one half of the duo Herring & Chopsticks, appearing with the BIT Comedy Network, or teaching across international festivals, her focus is always on creating a welcoming, connected space for players.

In this episode, we chat about building community through improv, teaching with care, and her time at the Playback Theatre and Improv Festival in Nigeria, along with a few simple things that bring her joy. Tune in for a warm, grounded conversation about the craft and the community behind it. 😀

It’s searchable on your favourite streaming platform, but you can also find links to all of them on the Playing Back an Improvised Life hub site.

📆 What is coming up

• 🇬🇧 13th of November - Acaprov at Shoreditch Balls (London, UK). With Halloween left behind, but on a Friday the 13th, the monthly Acaprov musical will be ready to serve thrills. Secure your tickets. 🎼

• 🇬🇧 20, 21, 22, 28 and 29th of November - Playback Theatre Core Training (London, UK). Are you finally considering getting into Playback Theatre? Join True Heart Theatre’s Level 1 core training to learn the basics of Playback and put them to the test with a showcase! Info and registration here.

• 🇬🇧 11th of December - Acaprov at Shoreditch Balls (London, UK). Last show of the year at Shoreditch Balls means… it’s the Christmas special! Come for an improvised cheesy musical where love blooms from the magic of the holidays. Gift some tickets to your loved ones.

📚 🎮 🎥 📺 The geeky dessert

Spooky season is over. 😢 Rest assure my horror recommendations will keep coming, but this week I just want to share the hyperfocus I had last month on my Steam Machine, completing Assassin’s Creed Odyssey… for the second time, the first being back in 2018 on the PS4.

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is a controversial entry in the series due to its uneven story and departure from the franchise’s core identity. For me, it’s just a cozy game. I really enjoyed exploring the ancient time of the Greek islands (and the sea) on a relaxed way, clearing outposts, unfogging the map, doing quests, or just gazing at the sunrises and sunsets over the extremely beautiful landscapes while listening to a podcast.

It’s funny how much of my knowledge of Greek culture and geography comes from this game, but its Discovery Tour mode turns it into an interactive documentary and even textbook on the subject.

Also, thanks to this game I learnt how to say… Maláka!